The Fallacy of Taking John 3:16
The Fallacy of Taking Four Verses
Out of Context with the Thousands of Others
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Fallacy 1 - Whoever believes in Him should not Perish, but have eternal life. -Taken out of context with adjacent verses.
This is the most popularly quoted verse in the Bible, BUT it is quoted out of context without the companion verses that qualify its meaning to be totally the opposite of how people interpret it, when looked at alone. Many call this verse "an entire Bible in itself." Unfortunately they are wrong; they ignore the exclusions, the requirements, and qualifying conditions of salvation, all of which can be met by motivated, active belief.
James corrected this presumed shortcut of salvation, writing to the Jewish Christians: "You say you believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe, and tremble," James 2:19; realize, James was writing to Jewish believers of the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit being one spirit, and without conflict to - Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Deu 6:4. So James is in effect saying, "you say you believe in Jesus, you do well, the demons do too, but they tremble at his name - do you?"
He who believes has the witness in himself, 1 John 5:10; and the witness is heard and obeyed, then to be eventually seen.
First let's examine the subject verses: 15 That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Notice the word should, meaning probable or likely. Now this word "should" is from the King James and New King James. The other translations say "shall," which is a huge difference in meaning; one that I don't think you want to bet your eternal welfare on. For further understanding, look at the verses in Acts, describing how new members were added by the Lord to the early church in Jerusalem, headed by Peter, James, John, etc.
And all who believed were together, and had all things in common; they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the proceeds among all, as every man had a need. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart... And the Lord added to the church daily such asshould be saved. Acts 2:44-47.
This clearly shows that being saved is not instantaneous with believing, baptizing, and joining the church; no, they were described asshould be saved - as in the future, at the death of their selfish spirit on the inward cross of self-denial.
Believing is not salvation, as Paul emphasizes ten times in addressing believers in the churches:
now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed, Rom 13:11,
continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Phil 2:12, and
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thes 5:8
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18.While in the inward cross of self-denial, you will see the sin slowly disappear from your life until you are free of sin.
godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation, 2 Cor 7:10.
do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed to the day of redemption. Eph 4:30. (Paul is speaking to believers in the church who have not yet been redeemed, which is salvation.)
For we are the sweet aroma of Christ unto God, to those who are being saved. 2 Cor 2:15
we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold firm the beginning of our confidence to the end. Heb 3:14
For you need patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. Heb 10:36
we desire that every one of you show the same diligence in realizing the full assurance of hope to the end. So that you are not slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:11-12 .
And Peter echoes the same message that salvation is not just believing or faith, rather salvation is the end of faith's obedient journey:
Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a time, if necessary, you may have to suffer griefs through many trials, So that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried with fire, might result in praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him; though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you rejoice with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, Receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls. 1 Pet 1:5-9.
Simon the magician believed and was baptized. He tried to buy the power of laying on of hands. Acts 8:13-18. Peter said to him, "Repent therefore of your wickedness and pray to God that perhaps you may be forgiven for your heart's thought. For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity."Acts 8:22-23. Is it not obvious that Simon had not been "saved" by believing and baptism?
Ananias and his wife Sapphira were members of the Church in Jerusalem. Great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them who needed anything for many who possessed lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, to lay them down at the apostles' feet; and then distribution was made to every man according to his need. But Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price; pretending they were donating the entire amount. Both Anianias and Sapphira were immediately slain by the Holy Spirit; in effect they were lying to God. Their death was an example that brought great fear on all the church. Acts 4:33-35, 5:1-11. Now few would argue that these believers with great grace on them had been truly been "saved" if they were slain by the Holy Spirit for lying.
Jesus told five out of seven churches of believers in Revelation that they were lost, on the way to destruction. The Smyrna believers were about to enter tribulation, whom he encouraged. Only the church of Philadelphia was doing well because they had kept (obeyed) his word with patient endurance. Notice again! Jesus said that five out seven Christian churches of believers were on their way to Hell. Massive error had already taken hold 2000 years ago, until today the false church is pervasive with grace supposedly being a license to continue to sin, as long as you believe.
Salvation, the deliverance from sin, occurs when you experience the grace of God (Christ) bring it to you, when Christ destroys the selfish spirit in you by the spirit in his mouth and by the brightness of his coming, when he crushes the head of Satan under your feet.
Faith is not instant, it is a process of work that yields sharing in the divine nature. As Peter instructs us: which exceedingly great and precious promises are given to us, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (To escape lust is to have no wants or desires.)
For this very reason, make every effort (the maximum possible), add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly, kindness love. For if these things are in you and abound, you will neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:4-8
There is a big difference in these two kinds of belief: 1) mental assent to Jesus being the Son vs. 2) to believe what he commands and advises - enough to obey Him. He commands us to seek with our highest priority in life the Kingdom of God and His righteousness - to be perfect - toturn the other cheek - to come to him, listen to him, and obey him - to deny yourself and pick up your cross daily and to repent or perish. Thedemons believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but they don't obey him from love. The Amplified Bible gives us further understanding: whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him. Faith comes by hearing the word, which is in your heart; faith is hearing Jesus (who is the Word of God) speak from within, and to believe it is the Lord speaking to you; this is to believe in Jesus. To believe is to obey. Obedience leads to salvation. Obedience leads to righteousness. Who has overcome the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5.
If you really believe Jesus, and that God raised him from the dead, you would be desperately seeking for how to be pleasing to God, to receive his blessing, to be purified, sin-free, righteous, to enjoy his company and guidance - then you would probably do whatever is necessary to obtain these blessings. By belief, you should begin the effort of being saved, which is being freed from sin. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5. So now ask yourself: have you overcome the world? Because John has just told us who believes that Jesus is the Son of God - it is he who overcomes the world; and to overcome the world is to fight the good fight of faith, to have victory over sin, and to bring forth fruit to perfection.
George Fox was often approached by people pleading that they were saved because they believed in Jesus. Fox's response to them was: where is the evidence of your belief? Jesus himself said: The evidence of belief of a true follower is to produce much fruit, John 15:8, The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (longsuffering), kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness (or meekness), and self-control. This involves ridding yourself of the sinful nature which includes adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lack of restraint, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, arguments, jealousies, rage, selfishness, divisiveness, envies, murders, drunkenness, revelries (partying), and the like. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Gal 5:19-24 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Mat 7:19
Abraham is credited as being the father of all nations of believers, because righteousness was credited to him due to his faith. But what was the evidence of Abraham's faith? He obeyed God's voice. He believed enough to be obedient. To believe without obedience is a false belief. And so we too must believe enough to seek to listen for, hear, and obey God's voice - and the evidence of our faith is to produce the fruit of the spirit, thus to show ourselves to be true followers of Christ; and the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience (longsuffering), kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness (or meekness), and self-control. The branches that do not produce fruit are cast into the fire to be burned.
Let's look further at all the verses after this famous verse, which also totally change the traditional, but erroneous interpretation:
15 So that whoever believes in (depends on, trusts, obeys) him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world; but that the world might be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he does not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, neither does he come to the light, for fear his deeds will be exposed and reproved. 21 But he who practices truth comes to the light, so that his deeds may be shown to have been produced (effected, formed, prompted, energized) through God.
Everything fits with the common interpretation, out of context, until verses 19, 20 and 21 are included:
Verse 18: He who believes in him is not condemned; but he who does not believe (depends on, trust, obey) is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Notice, a believer has escaped the distress of condemnation (lack of peace and joy), while the unbeliever remains in condemnation. But we all know that beginning belief does not result in permanent peace and joy, so the belief this scripture speaks to is beyond a beginning belief and must be the result of a belief that is rewarded along the long journey of belief. Verse 19: this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Verse 20: For everyone who does evil hates the light, neither does he come to the light, for fear his deeds will be exposed and reproved. Whoever continues to commit evil (sin) loves darkness, and is condemned - whatever they might think they believe. He does not come to the light, for fear his evil deeds will be exposed and reproved, (judged). He wants to continue his selfish lifestyle, his life of evil, and so he rejects and hates the light (which is Christ). He loves the darkness, where his deeds are not exposed as evil, so he rejects the light and hates the light, which is Christ. Like the demons, he can think that Christ is the Son of God; but because he loves his lifestyle, and hates the Light's conviction of it, he withdraws from the light, into the comfort of darkness, where there is no disapproval; and so he is condemned. Whatever he says he believes with his mouth - his actions betray his words. If he believed in the light, he would obey the light. If he believed in Christ, he would obey Christ. To believe is to obey. Obedience leads to salvation. Obedience leads to righteousness.
But, a person who wishes to do the right thing, to please God, to be rid of sin - he will accept the light's disapproval of his evil deeds, and be motivated to change his ways, (to repent). He believes the light is from God, from the Son of God, and loving the light's counsel, he obeys the light's gentle pleading, counsel, and commands to him.
Verse 21: King James - But he who does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that theyare wrought in God. Verse 21: Amplified - But he who practices truth - who does what is right- comes out into the Light; so that hisworks may be plainly shown to be what they are - wrought with God - divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him. A true believer does truth, or practices truth - does what is right. (He is finished with sin, doing what is wrong.) A believer comes out into the light, (without fear) to show that his deeds (or works) have been: wrought in God; or divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon God.
Now ask yourself: How many works, or deeds, have I done that have been wrought, or prompted by God and with his help? How many works have I done that God has specifically told me to do, and then helped me to do them? - Not how many works have you done, hoping to please God. The first works for all are repentance - with God prompting or showing you what to repent from, and then you through sorrow, resolving to do better - repentance.
Paul : I declared.. that they should repent and turn to God, and do works consistent with repentance. Acts 26:20 Jesus said, unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:3. Repentance requires effort on your part. And, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Rev 3:19 Jesus further said, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. Mat 11:29 Jesus said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 Jesus said, I have not found your works perfect before God. Rev 3:2-3. He wants perfect works, energized by faith. Hear! Jesus said: Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter, and will not be able to. Luke 13:24 The gospel of grace would have you believe that striving is unnecessary, yet Jesus ordered us to strive, (to exert much effort or energy). Paul again: They profess that they know God; but they deny him by what they do, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. Titus 1:16
Christendom's false instant salvation from an altar call and/or water baptism is a colossal lie to fool you.
I have waited for your salvation, O LORD. Gen 49:18. Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Mic 7:7. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lam 3:26. Truly my soul silently waits upon God; from him comes my salvation. Psa 62:1. And it will be said in that day, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him,we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa 25:9. To wait, is to sit silently and listen: Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Pro 8:34, Luke 11:28.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Dan 12:10. Christendom does not even believe purity is possible; they do not understand and therefore continue to sin (do wickedly). Christendom denies the cross is necessary, and so Christendom is perishing for the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing; and whose end is destruction, whose God is their stomach (appetites), and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things. 1 Cor 1:18, Phil 3:18-19.
Jesus told us our hearts are full of evil. Jesus told us we must become perfect. Jesus told us we must pick up our cross of self-denial daily to become perfect. Jesus told us we must stop sinning or we would be cast into Hell. Jesus told us we must lose our selfish life to find the life with God. Jesus told us that we must forsake all to become his disciple. Jesus told us we were blind until perfected by him. So do you believe in what Jesus said? Do you believe Jesus? If so, you will heed his warnings and strive to obey his commands. We are living in a condemned state, separated from the life and light of God. If we believe in Jesus and keep on believing in Jesus, we will take the necessary steps to be delivered from our captivity of bondage to sin, which is to be saved and which preserves our soul. If we don't believe in Jesus, we remain condemned.
Jesus made it simple, saying: "There is only one thing needed. Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" - to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear his word. Luke 10:39-42 To hear his word it to listen to the word of God in your heart. Rom 10:8,17
It is a cross to a man's will to sit silently, struggling to keep his mind from wandering; it is a cross to a man's will to obey what he is commanded and taught by the Holy Spirit; this is the cross of which you must deny yourself and pick it up every day to then follow Jesus. To follow is to obey. You cannot be his disciple unless you pick up your cross daily and follow his orders. Salvation is only received by those who follow the lamb wherever he goes - who obey completely the voice of the Lord, in whatever he commands. Do not be discouraged if you don't hear for some time. Even your waiting is to your credit: Let your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping on you.Psalms 33:22. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God beside you, who acts for the one who waits for him. Isa 64:4.
Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. John 18:37 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be your God and you will be My people; and walk in the whole way that I command you. Jer 7:23
So you can see that hearing his voice and following him (obeying him) is critical to your future - critical to obtaining life: The words I speakto you are spirit and they are life. John 6:33. The promises are: if you listen to and obey the Holy Spirit, he will teach you all things,.. he will guide you into all truth,.. he will tell you of things to come,.. and you will know all things.
Faith is a journey. It has a beginning and a finish. Faith starts by God revealing it to you. Gal 3:23. Listening to, and obeying Jesus, is Jesus beingthe author and finisher (perfecter) of your faith, Heb 12:2. When you hear him speak to you, Jesus authors your faith by laying the foundation of your faith on rock;
Whoever comes to me, and listens to my words and does (practices, obeys) them, I will show you what he is like. He is like a man who built a house, and dug deep and laid the foundation securely built on a rock; and when the flood arose, the torrent beat violently upon that house, but could not shake it because it was founded on a rock. Luke 6:47-48.
And when you hear Jesus speak his words to you, and you believe it to be him, the foundation of your faith has been set in rock, a rock so solid that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it.
Jesus finishes your faith when you see him bring your salvation:
he will appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting him.Heb 9:28 For the grace of God that brings salvation ...Tit 2:11 looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring eternal life. Jude 1:21 Receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls. 1 Pet 1:9
Your faith must stand in your experience of the power of God, not in words spoken by men or reading. The power of God is promised to deliver you (separate you) from your sins, which is salvation. You are saved through faith, and by faith your hearts are purified; but obviously in the beginning of faith, you are not purified, neither are you saved. You must contend for the faith, grow in the faith, build up your faith, increase in faith, perfect what is lacking in your faith, fight the good fight of faith, until victory, when your faith is finished by the finisher; faith is a process and a journey, the end of which is to see Christ bring your salvation, to bring your eternal life.
Fallacy 2 - Not by Works, by Grace - There Is No work Necessary to Go to Heaven.
Look at the verses above and see how the false prophets take these next verses out of context and create a false salvation: For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not by yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
This verse is used to rationalize doing nothing. Not by works, by grace - is the rallying cry of those, who hope nothing is required of them, more than saying they believe in Jesus. To be saved, is to be delivered from sin, to be freed from sin. Of course we cannot do this by our own efforts. Grace teaches us how live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world and then purifies us. Tit 2:11-14. But we must go to him,wait on him, listen to him, and then obey him to receive salvation brought by grace.
If you really believe, you will seek God, the whole purpose of life; you will seek his Kingdom, within you and around you, and his righteousness as your highest priority in life. In this seeking process, you will first hear from within the living Word of God, Christ instruct you and encourage you. Later the Light of God in every man, Christ, will expose the sins your heart; and if you believe that he, who shows you your sin, is Christ; then loving Christ, you will acknowledge your sin and you will be sorry - you will repent. With sincere repentance, Christ will then remove the desire to sin from your heart, (a work prompted by God and assisted by God's grace). This repentance and resulting cleansing is the purification process, described in 1 John, (click to read). This is a repetitive process, until your heart has been cleansed of all sin, until you are purified. Thus he can now make you perfect in every good work to do his will, Heb 13:11; a forever cleansing and perfection with resultingunion that is now available to all who go to him for change. This is the operation of true grace, which is not salvation - instead, grace brings salvation by teaching us to deny ungodliness and lusts in life, (repentance), how to live a godly life in this present world, and purifying us over time, - as described by Paul in Titus 2:11-14:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and how to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14
Your faith in Jesus and God's grace are to result in good works prompted by faith and energized by the grace of God. James said, "faith without works is dead." James 2:17 James further said, " You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." James 2:24 Paul said, "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12 Peter said: whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:35 Paul again: I declared.. that they should repent and turn to God, and do works consistent with repentance. Acts 26:20 Paul again: Charge those who are rich in this world not to be high minded, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, to become rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. 1 Tim 6:17-18 glory, honor, and peace, are to every man who works good. Rom 2:10
After you are purified, made pure in heart, you will be prompted by God to do further works to his glory, according to his will. You will be directed to a virtuous life, and you will have a zeal for good works.
God's grace and salvation are provided to create a people dedicated to good works: That you might walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing in all things, being fruitful in every good work,.. Col 1:10 Again Paul said, "The purpose of grace.. to purify a peculiar people zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14 Paul states God's purpose in salvation: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, Eph 2:10.
But he who practices truth - who does what is right- comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are - wrought with God - divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him. John 3:21
Now when the Light appears in final judgment, you will have no fear of evil works being exposed; instead you will come out into the Light, knowing that your deeds will be shown to have been wrought by, or produced by, or prompted and assisted by God.
For everyone who does evil hates the light, neither does he come to the light, for fear his deeds will be exposed and reproved. John 3:20
But, if you have not been purified in this life before you die, when the Light, Christ appears to judge you, you will shrink back in fear, knowing that you have practiced evil in your life, with fear of the consequences to shortly come - even if you think you are a Christian and call him Lord.
So until you have been changed by grace, listening to His words spoken to you, obeying them, and then watching His light, gently never upbraiding, show you the secrets of your heart, (until having done this) you will fear the light at judgment and will run from the light into darkness.
Fallacy 3 - If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved - ignoring the meaning of confess and believe in your heart, plus taking it out of context.
Roman 10:9-10: That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
To confess, is to acknowledge that Jesus is your Lord, who controls your words and deeds - this only happens after death of self. Toconfess your salvation is to confess that you have been freed from sin; salvation is to be delivered from sin.
To believe in your heart God resurrected Him, is to have received this in your heart by God's revelation - not by reading or hearing about it; it must be revelation - not mental assent.
To believe unto righteousness is to have become righteous, through obedience to death of the selfish spirit on the cross, thusreceiving Christ's controlling spirit to make you righteous.
You don't become righteous by saying that Jesus is Lord. You only become righteous when he rules your heart, controlling your words and deeds; then and only then, can your truthfully say Jesus is your Lord, controlling your obedience to his commands.
You only experience salvation after death of your selfish spirit of flesh on the cross, and receipt of sufficient spirit of Christ to control your every word and deed. Then you confess him to be Lord.
Salvation is not saying Jesus is Lord or pointing to scripture - it is to be experienced. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Even Adolph Hitler was a believer; he said Jesus was his Lord and Savior. Surely you don't think he was saved? The thousands of Catholic priests who slowly tortured and brutally murdered 9,000,000 people for being witches during the Middle Ages were believers and said Jesus was Lord too. All were baptized, took communion, prayed frequently, confessed Jesus as Lord, read the scriptures, etc. But they had never crucified their selfish nature on the inward cross of self-denial, which destroys the sinful nature, even the lure of sin. So they rationalized their mass tortures and murders were not sin; their selfish beastly nature freely participated in the torture and execution of all those with a different opinion of religion. They still sinned. But their sins were on a massive scale; our sins are easier to overlook and excuse, being indifferent to our immorality, impurities, lusts, lying, rages, envies, jealousies, etc. You are the slaves of whom you obey; whether of sin that leads to death, or of obedience that leads to righteousness. Rom 6:16
Lets look at several of the other verses that further directly conflict with the believing verses taken out of context: Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, Only those who do the will of the Father enter the Kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? 'Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Mat 7:21-23 He (Jesus) became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him. Heb 5:9 And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes on him, may have everlasting life, John 6:40. (Unless you are purified, you will never see God. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mat 5:8 When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (like him is to be holy, pure, perfect - only those like him, will see Him.) Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Heb 12:14 whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. John 11:26 (To live in him requires you to crucify your sinful nature on the cross.) The acts of the sinful nature include sexual immorality, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, (greed), sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, etc. ...those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 You can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person..has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Eph 5:5-6
Fallacy 4 - no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit - quoted out of context
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 12:3
The false prophets tell you that anyone who says the words "Jesus is Lord" is controlled by the Holy Spirit. But Jesus contradicts that interpretation, saying: Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do (practice, obey) the things which I say? Luke 6:46 and: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but (only) he who does the will of My Father in heaven... Depart from me you who practice lawlessness. Mat 7:21, 23.
So, what is the true meaning of: no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit? It means, no one can say that Jesus is their Lord, controlling their words and deeds as Lord and Master, without the Holy Spirit. Unless he controls your words and deeds, he is not your Lord. Unless you obey him, he is not your Lord. If Jesus is your Lord, then you obey him; you seek his guidance, you seek his teachings, you seek his commands to you, you come to him, you listen to him, and then you faithfully obey him. Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. Jer 3:23 Even Adolph Hitler said Jesus his Lord and Savior, but that certainly did nothing for him.
Saying the words, "Jesus is Lord," is no indication of you being controlled by the Holy Spirit, or of your salvation. Jesus said, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. Mark 7:6 The Holy Spirit is only given to those who obey the Lord. Acts 5:32
To call God, "God" does not make him your God, whom you serve. To call Jesus, "Lord" does not make him you Lord and Master, whom you serve. You serve whom you obey: you are the slaves of whom you obey; whether of sin that leads to death, or of obedience that leads to righteousness? Rom 6:16. Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. John 8:34.
Further on the John 3:16, quoted out of context with the verses before it.
Examine the verse, just before the 'whoever believes' verse: 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Verse 14 refers to the following scripture of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, seeking the promise land; as below:
And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Numbers 21:5-9.
While journeying to the promise land, they grumbled, they sinned. So the Lord sent fiery serpents among them. The people asked Moses to pray for the Lord to take them away. But that is not what the Lord did. He told Moses to prepare a fiery serpent and put it on a pole, so that everyone who was bitten could look at it, but not die. Understand, the serpents were not taken away; they were still being bitten as they walked through the wilderness, seeking the promise land, their physical salvation. They were bitten, but they didn't die; as long as they continued to look at the bronze serpent on the pole.
So, as we are seeking the promise land, (the Kingdom of Heaven that is within us and around us, our first priority in life), we will continue to sin, until pure. Part of this journey is supernatural suffering. We are afflicted with fiery trials and tribulations. When these afflictions occur, our selfish sinful nature will even get angry and complain. Like the Israelites we will believe we have been unjustly punished with water of affliction and the bread of adversity, which we loathe; so we will sin against God. We will be tempted to quit; to give up our journey.
But if we keep our spiritual eye on the example of suffering by Jesus on the cross, and his payment made for our sins, we will travel on and not spiritually die in the desert. And while seeking, our journey through this spiritual desert is not only dry and famishing, but it includes suffering, for we must participate in His sufferings to arrive at the Kingdom of Heaven, the end of our journey. This is the cross of Christ, at which we must keep looking, to be aware of in our sufferings and ameliorate them. So, while sinning and suffering in the desert, if we believe in the name of Jesus, the Son of God, who died for us on the cross, we will not perish, but will go on to death of the fleshly self, union with God, and entrance in to the Kingdom of Heaven, with everlasting life as a Son of God.
Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, but rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, so that when his glory is revealed, you may be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13
Paul was establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22-23
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps 1 Pet 2:21
For if we are dead with him, we will also live with him. If we suffer, we will also reign with him. 2 Tim 2:11-12
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Pet 4:1-2
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature, with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24
Are you really in Christ?
Jesus told us that many people who are convinced they are Christians, who called him Lord, who even did miracles in his name, would be rejected by him at judgment - because they still practiced evil - they still sinned - and therefore were still slaves of sin. They were obviously not in his name, even though they said they were acting in his name. He was obviously not yet their Lord of thought, word, and deed - even though they called him Lord.
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Mat 7:22-23
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4
Jesus replied,"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34
When Christ, in union with you, controls your every thought, word, and deed - then you are part of Christ's body of believers- the bride of Christ, his church. Each member of His body acts according to the head, Christ. Christ's body cannot have each member acting independently; otherwise each foot will go according its own will, each hand, each eye will be out of control of the head, without singleness of purpose, without unity of spirit, without Christ in control. Each part of Christ's body or church must be totally controlled by the head - just like the parts of your physical body are all controlled by your head. When you are filled with the fullness of God, then (and not until then) Christ is truly your Master, the Lord, and King in mind, word, and deed. Then and only then, you are in Christ.
John explains who is in Christ: whoever keeps his word (obeys the Lord's commands spoken to him), truly the love of God is perfected in him;by this we know that we are in him. 1 John 2:5. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12. Notice, this is to be "in Christ" — to have the love of God perfected in you. So many people in Christendom claim to be "in Christ" but have no idea that their claim is an abomination because to still be sinning and claim to be a part of Christ, is in effect saying that Christ is a part of sin! The non-believers, who see those "in Christ" people sinning and claiming to be a part of Christ, associate their hypocritical behavior with Jesus himself - they have become a stumbling block to others hearing the truth about Jesus and the hope of his true gospel.
To be in Christ is also explained by Paul. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor 5:17; and those who are in Christ Jesus, walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.Rom 8:1. This is not to imagine yourself a new creature; this is to experience the death of the old and the birth of the new. And death of the old is only through the cross of Christ, sharing in the suffering of Christ, sharing in the death of Christ, sharing in the burial of Christ, sharing in the resurrection of Christ - that is NEW - all else is presumption and imagination, or make-believe Christianity.
For more on suffering, as a necessary part of the Christian journey to salvation, click here. For the suffering of the cross is necessary to be purged of the works of the flesh..which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lack of restraint, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, arguments, jealousies, rage, selfishness, divisiveness, envies, murders, drunkenness, revelries (partying), and the like; which I tell you before, as I have also told you in times past, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21.For of this you can be sure, that no sexually immoral, or impure, or covetous person, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Eph 5:5-6
Someone who truly believes, seeks and repents, eventually becomes pure and produces the fruit of the spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience (longsuffering), kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness (or meekness), and self-control. Gal 5:22-23
Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance. Matt 3:8
When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. John 15:8
If we really believe in Jesus, we will keep seeking him until we are pure. The cross of Christ is where we crucify our lusts and affections.
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
This web site is to destroy the false hope, created by taking a subset of scriptures such as John 3:16 alone, while ignoring the whole; and to show you the true hope. When you can grasp and believe this true hope, the power of God to change you is released. The name of Jesus, faith in the true gospel, and the cross of Christ are the power of God to make you an entirely new creature. Everything else is a make-believe Christianity, falsely based on presumption. Christendom has discarded the cross of Christ, thereby missing the promise of God. Taking a single verse, or even a subset of scriptures, while ignoring the whole of the scriptures, is a disastrous error - universal in Christendom; creating hypocrites - those who talk about being religious while walking in sin. This attempts to make the pearl of great price into a no costsinner's prayer and getting wet. To save your soul, you must loose your fleshly life, for you cannot please God in the flesh.
For more information on the Light, see the Mystery of the Light. For more information on producing fruit, see The Evidence of a True Follower, Producing Fruit. For information on how to receive the convicting, changing power of God, see How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God. To read about people who have become pure and under the control of God, see George Fox, William Penn, George Whitehead, James Parnell,Francis Howgill, Edward Burrough, William Dewsbury, Isaac Penington, Margaret Fox, and Miguel de Molinos.
This web site's purpose is to show how to become free from sin by benefiting from the changing power of God through the cross,which leads to union with God in his Kingdom.