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A look at John 3:14-18
Answering Protestants ^ | 14 September 2013 | Matthew Olson

Posted on 09/14/2013 12:29:44 PM PDT by matthewrobertolson

John 3:14-18 doesn’t necessarily support the “faith alone” position.

For Protestants, John 3:14-18 might seem like the ultimate “Gotcha!” passage to use against Catholics. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll recognize that the passage does not defend the “faith alone” position and is totally in line with Catholic teaching.

The passage reads as, “‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’”

That might seem a little damning to the Catholic position that good works are necessary, right? Well, in truth, it’s not.

With God, to believe means to obey. God does not desire a lukewarm, vague belief in Him, but a devoted life in His service. This is evidenced later in the chapter. John 3:36 reads as, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

And if one looks at verses 19-21 of the chapter, they will see that Christ said that those who “love darkness” and do “evil deeds” will not reach “the Light” (Heaven).

Sin — which, at its heart, is anything offensive to God — is a heinous, damaging thing that we must cleanse ourselves of. This cleansing is done through Christ, of course, but meriting it requires a little more than a belief in Him. It requires a repentant heart (see Luke 13:3) and, in the case of mortal sin, sacramental confession (see my video about Confession).

On top of all of this, Christ told us in John 13:15 to follow the example that He set and He also told us — in John 15:10 — that we must keep His commandments to “abide in [His] love”.

We can’t just sit back and relax non-stop, counting on our vague “faith” to save us — we have to do things! Like St. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:24, we must help the Church in “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”

So, when reading the Bible, remember that true belief requires obedience and good works.

(All verses are from the NASB translation.)

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Click here to watch the accompanying video.


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; General Discusssion; Theology
KEYWORDS: bible; christian; gospel; jesus
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To: CynicalBear
Thanks, CB.

...calmer now...serenity now...this too will pass...deep breaths...

161 posted on 09/15/2013 6:04:26 PM PDT by smvoice (The 2 greatest days of your life: the day you're born. And the day you discover why.)
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To: Salvation; smvoice

I do not see any cursing at all in post 148.


162 posted on 09/15/2013 6:59:09 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: daniel1212
A sound basic (if not strict) description is that the OT is the Preparation (for Christ), the gospels are the Presentation (of Christ and His truths), the books of Acts is the Proclamation (of Christ's message), and the epistles are the Explanation (of Christs message and its details), while the books of Revelation is the Consummation. To God be the glory.

Beautifully said, dear brother in Christ, thank you!

163 posted on 09/15/2013 7:18:52 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Religion Moderator; smvoice

To me taking the Lord’s name in vain as it was used here is cursing. I know there is a difference. Using God’s name in this way is just very offensive to me.


164 posted on 09/15/2013 7:39:47 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: metmom; Salvation; daniel1212; boatbums
Thank you so much for the beautiful Scripture and your insights, dear sister in Christ!

I suspect our correspondent does not consider something to be a meeting if one of the parties is non-fleshly.

Diminishing Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus would require also diminishing Moses' at the burning bush, in receiving the ten commandments on Mt. Sinai and Jesus being conceived in Mary's womb.

God did not appear in the flesh in any of those instances either.

Indeed, Jesus appeared in the flesh for our sakes, not His - for our redemption.

God is Spirit. The flesh, the earthy, the carnal profits nothing.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. - John 4:24

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. - John 6:63

Indeed, we must be spiritually minded.

[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. - Romans 8:1-9

Whether Paul ever met Jesus Christ while He was enfleshed is irrelevant. He obviously met Him and was instructed directly by Him.

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. – Galatians 1:11-19

To God be the glory, not man, never man.

165 posted on 09/15/2013 7:53:36 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: tjd1454

I have little patience with those who seemingly glory in their arrogant, prideful attack on those outside of their own narrow, parochial understanding of Christianity.

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That is fine. But defending sound theology and critiquing incorrect, poorly-presented theology is not what you describe above. It is called honestly clarifying the issues. :-)


166 posted on 09/15/2013 7:54:16 PM PDT by man_in_tx (Blowback (Faithfully farting twowards Mecca five times daily).)
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To: Greetings_Puny_Humans

In other words, if guys like you were in charge, we would never have had a reformation to begin with, and we’d all be bedding it with Erasmus and those feeble minded humanists with their man-centered philosophies, while the Catholics would still be selling salvation for top dollar. I for one prefer sound doctrine over these evil things.

You can go join together with Pope Francis and his “Atheist Good Samaritans” marching on to their supposed heaven (but really, it’s hell) against a common enemy, walking with smug faces into the ditch as they abandon the power of the Gospel, but embrace its image. Meanwhile, I’ll stay with my God who is the true ruler of the world, and will not be intimidated by the self-righteous speeches of the ecumenists.

///////////////////
Why you “prideful,” “arrogant” Catholic-”attacker!” Don’t you know you don’t have to believe in God to get to heaven — so saith The Pope! /sarc

Actually, your post is hard-hitting and articulate — and spot on! Thank you for taking the time to compose it.


167 posted on 09/15/2013 8:01:46 PM PDT by man_in_tx (Blowback (Faithfully farting twowards Mecca five times daily).)
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To: smvoice
...he was speaking of himself...read 12:7. *sigh*

Of course he was speaking of himself...Otherwise the story would have been pointless and useless...The 'guy' who learned things from God wasn't allowed to tell anyone so if it wasn't Paul, what's the point in the story...Of course it was Paul...

2Co 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
2Co 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

It tells us right here...Paul would like to glorify that man (himself) but he won't because he would be a fool since everyone would put him on a pedestal and worship him...

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

What??? Whoever it was, wasn't allowed to tell anyone about the revelations and whoever 'went up' didn't reveal the revelations so for Paul to know the revelations, it had to be Paul that went up...

And why would Paul be given a thorn in the flesh for just knowing someone who told him this story??? And why would Paul be exalted above anyone for claiming to hear a pointles story from some other man??? I say bonkers...

And of course you know that but I just wanted to point it out for anyone reading that might be swayed by the deceivers...

I still am unsure whether it is willful ignorance or willful deception...

168 posted on 09/15/2013 9:36:37 PM PDT by Iscool
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To: Salvation
Paul does not SAY that “THE MAN” was him.

He most certainly does...

169 posted on 09/15/2013 9:40:43 PM PDT by Iscool
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To: CynicalBear
It’s only going to get worse as Satan knows he has little time left. Pray that those who read these posts are those who God is calling and that they will see the truth rather than believe the lie. Faint not.

I am of a different vein...I believe God knocks on everyone's door...I believe it is those who are searching for religion and accept it as opposed to looking for God whose eyes are blinded...

Those religious who do not have nor accept the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are the ones blinded...

But just for the FR record, whether I am right or you are right makes no difference...Whether God picked us or we pick him, we are all still on the narrow path...

170 posted on 09/15/2013 9:51:08 PM PDT by Iscool
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To: Alamo-Girl

Simple, plain, easy to understand, Truth...


171 posted on 09/15/2013 9:54:44 PM PDT by Iscool
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To: Iscool

Thank you so much for your encouragement, dear brother in Christ!


172 posted on 09/15/2013 10:01:01 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Iscool
Thanks so much for expounding on that post. I was getting too frustrated, and had to walk away for awhile...

...as a box of rocks...that one...

173 posted on 09/16/2013 3:57:37 AM PDT by smvoice (The 2 greatest days of your life: the day you're born. And the day you discover why.)
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To: Alamo-Girl
Diminishing Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus would require also diminishing Moses' at the burning bush, in receiving the ten commandments on Mt. Sinai and Jesus being conceived in Mary's womb.

Excellent point...

Thank you.

174 posted on 09/16/2013 4:27:20 AM PDT by metmom ( For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore & do not submit again to a yoke of slavery)
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To: smvoice

:) Happens to all of us...


175 posted on 09/16/2013 4:29:21 AM PDT by Iscool
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To: metmom

Thank you for your encouragements, dear sister in Christ!


176 posted on 09/16/2013 8:30:48 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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