May 17, 2014: Jesus is My Example / How Do I Know God's Will for My Life?
John 5:25-47
Amplified Bible (AMP)
25 Believe Me when I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the time is coming and is here now when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear it shall live.
26 For even as the Father has life in Himself and is self-existent, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself and be self-existent.
27 And He has given Him authority and granted Him power to execute (exercise, practice) judgment because He is a Son of man [very man].
28 Do not be surprised and wonder at this, for the time is coming when all those who are in the tombs shall hear His voice,
29 And they shall come out—those who have practiced doing good [will come out] to the resurrection of [new] life, and those who have done evil will be raised for judgment [raised to meet their sentence].
30 I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord—but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.
31 If I alone testify in My behalf, My testimony is not valid and cannot be worth anything.
32 There is Another Who testifies concerning Me, and I know and am certain that His evidence on My behalf is true and valid.
33 You yourselves have sent [an inquiry] to John and he has been a witness to the truth.
34 But I do not receive [a mere] human witness [the evidence which I accept on My behalf is not from man]; but I simply mention all these things in order that you may be saved (made and kept safe and sound).
35 John was the lamp that kept on burning and shining [to show you the way], and you were willing for a while to delight (sun) yourselves in his light.
36 But I have as My witness something greater (weightier, higher, better) than that of John; for the works that the Father has appointed Me to accomplish and finish, the very same works that I am now doing, are a witness and proof that the Father has sent Me.
37 And the Father Who sent Me has Himself testified concerning Me. Not one of you has ever given ear to His voice or seen His form (His face—what He is like). [You have always been deaf to His voice and blind to the vision of Him.]
38 And you have not His word (His thought) living in your hearts, because you do not believe and adhere to and trust in and rely on Him Whom He has sent. [That is why you do not keep His message living in you, because you do not believe in the Messenger Whom He has sent.]
39 You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me!
40 And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life.
41 I receive not glory from men [I crave no human honor, I look for no mortal fame],
42 But I know you and recognize and understand that you have not the love of God in you.
43 I have come in My Father’s name and with His power, and you do not receive Me [your hearts are not open to Me, you give Me no welcome]; but if another comes in his own name and his own power and with no other authority but himself, you will receive him and give him your approval.
44 How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God?
45 Put out of your minds the thought and do not suppose [as some of you are supposing] that I will accuse you before the Father. There is one who accuses you—it is Moses, the very one on whom you have built your hopes [in whom you trust].
46 For if you believed and relied on Moses, you would believe and rely on Me, for he wrote about Me [personally].
47 But if you do not believe and trust his writings, how then will you believe and trust My teachings? [How shall you cleave to and rely on My words?]
We are to pattern our lives after Jesus' example.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).
Philippians 2:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
In verse 30, Jesus says:
30 I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord—but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.
How to Know God's Will (Jesus' Example):
1. I fully understand that I can do NOTHING on my own, no matter how noble it may be.
2. WAIT until I hear God's Voice.
This is the hardest part. Sometimes loving, well meaning people will put pressure on me to take action. But I must focus on only pleasing the One who sent me.
3. I hear His clear, concise voice. (It's the quiet One.)
4. I prayerfully decide how to obey His bidding.
5. I must NEVER consult my own will! This is easy to say and hard to do.
6. I have no desire to please myself; my only aim is to please my Father.
7. I move forward confidently knowing He has sent me!
THE MEANING OF "FOR" BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDelete"FOR"Defined: In order to obtain, to gain or acquire.
Matthew 26:28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
Jesus shed His blood "for" the forgiveness of the sins of all those who obey His terms for pardon. "For" means in order to obtain forgiveness. "For" did not mean that Jesus shed His blood because the forgiveness of sins had already been granted.
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter told them to repent, and be baptized "for" the forgiveness of sins. Peter did not tell them to repent, and be baptized because their sins had already been forgiven.
"For" means in order to obtain.
"For" does not mean already has obtained.
Although "for" is not stated in all of the follow Scriptures. "For" is certainly implied.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Grace and faith are "for" salvation.
In order to obtain salvation, grace and faith are essential; grace precedes salvation and faith must precede salvation.
John 3:5 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Being born of water and the Spirit are "for" entry into the kingdom of God. You must be born of water and the Spirit in order to obtain entry in the kingdom of God. You are not born of water and the Spirit because you are already a member of God's kingdom.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteous, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
God's mercy is "for" salvation. The washing of regeneration (that being water baptism) is "for" salvation. Renewing by the Holy Spirit is "for" salvation. God's mercy, the washing of regeneration (water baptism), and renewing by the Holy Spirit are all in order to obtain salvation. God's mercy precedes salvation. You are not baptized because you are already saved. You are not renewed by the Holy Spirit because you have already been saved.
Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Confessing Jesus as Lord is "for" salvation. Believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the grave is "for" salvation. Confessing Jesus as Lord and believing God raised Him from the dead is in order to obtain salvation. You do not confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead because you have already been saved.
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Believing is "for" salvation. Being baptized is "for" salvation. Belief and water baptism are in order to obtain salvation.
You do not believe because you have already been saved. You are not baptized because you have already been saved.
"FOR" means in order to obtain.
Jesus shed is blood in order that men might obtain forgiveness from sin. IT WAS "FOR" THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. (Matthew 26:28)
Men repent and are baptized in water so that they may obtain forgiveness from sins. THEY DO IT "FOR" THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.(Acts 2:38)
Although many claim that the "for" in Acts 2:38 really means ",because of" there is not one translation that I know of that translates it that way.
(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)
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