For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. —John 3:16

This is rightly one of the most known and beloved verses in the Bible. Unfortunately, there are many who go beyond what this verse says. It is frustrating to see this used as “bomb” that “defeats” and “refutes” the doctrine of election and predestination. It is often exclaimed, “See? God said He loves the WORLD! He couldn’t have chosen some to salvation because He desires all men to be saved!” This sure sounds good. It fits the presuppositional mold that many have fit themselves into. But is it the message that God is teaching in this wonderful verse?

It is essential to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus in this passage of scripture. Nicodemus has come to Jesus by night, afraid of the reproach of his peers, yet still genuinely interested in knowing more about who Jesus Christ is. Jesus responds to his query by expounding on the necessity of the new birth. This regeneration is compared with physical birth, but Christ makes it quite clear that it is a spiritual process, accomplished only by the Holy Spirit. In the verses following the description of being “born again” by the Spirit of God, Jesus describes the observable evidence of this new birth (also described in I John 5:1)—belief in Jesus Christ.

Only after He explains that the new birth is something accomplished by God does Christ answer Nicodemus’ original question. He compares the future prophecy of His suffering on the cross with the brazen serpent raised in the wilderness. He shows Nicodemus that it is simply a matter of looking to Him who paid the price for sin. This is the essence of belief—looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1).

Here, Jesus describes the focus of that belief. The cause of the belief is God—it is God who sent His Son into the world. John 3:16 begins with the phrase, For God so loved the world. Literally, He is saying, “This is the demonstration of God’s love for the world.” The apostle Paul paraphrases this thought when he said, “God commendeth his love toward us. . .”

The coming of Christ was not the cause of God’s love, rather the sending of His Son was because of His great love for the world! Many well-meaning people become tied up in the definition of the word world. The careful student must not add-to or take-away-from the word of God in this manner.  God said world, and He certainly meant what He said! It is understood, of course, that words must be defined. A proper definition of world in this context could be understood as the race of mankind. Is that not what God is saying? To either limit the word more than this, or to expand its definition to absolutely include every single individual, is to do injustice to a proper understanding of this verse.

The emphasis seems to be on the fact that salvation was not offered to the Jews only, but to the entirety of mankind, i.e. the world. Certainly, we find further definitions of who Christ died for specifically (Revelation 5:9), but that is not the purpose of this verse. There is no need to try to limit God’s own words here. God does a fine job of explaining Himself! That said, God’s love has been demonstrated in a most wonderful manner in the sending of His only begotten Son. Truly, even those who have never tasted of the wonderful salvation that is found in the blood of Christ have been blessed by the fact that He came—whether or not they will acknowledge it. God demonstrated His love by sending His only Son to pay the penalty for sin, but for what purpose? That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The phrase “whosoever believeth” is another example of words expanded to mean more than they do. This phrase is a translation of two Greek words that literally mean “every believing-one”. In other words, every single individual who believes in Christ is promised everlasting life. By contrast, every person who does not believe in Christ will not see life, but is condemned already.

This verse does not address the reason for the belief of the “whosoever”, but Jesus addresses that question later in John 6 and other passages. This statement is a surety; not simply a possibility. God is not saying that it is possible that some may believe, and if they believe, then they have the possibility of receiving eternal life.

Instead, God is proclaiming that since He sent His Son, those who believe in Him will surely receive everlasting life. Because of Christ, those who believe will not see condemnation. There is not reason to fear being separated from that love when the believer realizes that, yes, Christ truly died for him, to accomplish his eternal salvation! What a wonderful promise God has given us in this precious verse. To close with the words of a favourite hymn:

I need no other argument

I need no other plea

It is enough that Jesus died

And that He died for me!

Is God’s Call Sincere?

Those who reject the doctrines of grace often have misunderstandings which lead to an improper understanding of God’s work in salvation. I know because I have had the same misunderstandings, and asked the same questions! It was not until I allowed God’s Word to speak for itself that the answers to the questions became clear—or I realized that the answers to some questions are part of the secret things of God and will not be revealed on this side of glory. Recently, I was posed with one such question:

Is God’s call to repent sincere to those who He knows cannot heed such calls?

I would respond with an equally important question: Is God’s call to holiness and obedience of the law sincere to those who He knows cannot heed such calls?

Of course it is sincere. And there will never be a sinner who desires to repent and come to Christ who finds himself unable to do so–because without God’s grace in the first place, he has no desire to repent.

This is a common straw-man, based on a misunderstanding of what spiritual death means. Man is dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). Those who disobey God’s command do so because that is what they desire due to their nature. The truth is that God does not have to force any man to remain in his sins and refuse Christ. The opposite is true: without the drawing of the Father, man will continue to refuse (John 6:37-44).

This very question is what Paul anticipated in Romans 9 when he said, What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. Is God unrighteous and unjust because He has chosen to mercy some and not others? No, He has done what He will for His eternal purpose. And again in verse 19: Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? In other words, “Since God has not enabled an individual to respond in faith and repentance, is He not unjust since He has commanded something that the individual cannot do?” Paul’s response is to rebuke us for replying against God.

It is not for us to reason how it works together. We must recognize that we serve a holy, righteous, just God, and that He will do what is best.

Soli Deo Gloria.

The Author of Hebrews

I have recently begun preaching a series through the book of Hebrews.  This is not an easy undertaking, as I recognize that Hebrews is considered one of the most difficult books in the New Testament.  However, it is the direction toward which I felt God leading me.  The challenge of it will keep me on my toes, as I desire to be faithful to the message that God has given to His people.  It is a difficult book, but is is also an amazing book.  Along with the difficult passages to interpret, it also contains some of the clearest passages in Scripture on God’s preservation of His people, and on the high priestly ministry of Christ.

As I began the study, I reviewed and considered my opinion regarding the human author of Hebrews.  I was prepared to spend 15 or so minutes discussing possible authors, and the reason for my own thoughts on the subject.  However, as I continued studying the issue, I came to a completely different conclusion.

As you read each of the epistles, they begin with a greeting from the human author (recognizing, of course, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit resting squarely underneath each).  For example:

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, -Romans 1:1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. -James 1:1

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: -II Peter 1:1

The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. -III John 1:1

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. -Jude 1:1

Get the picture? It’s the same for each of these epistles (and most of the others). But, when we come to the epistle to the Hebrews, the pattern seems to be different:

God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
-Hebrews 1:1-2

Why would God see fit to change the format from other epistles, and, on top of that, not clearly indicate from whose pen these words flowed? I believe the answer is very simple: the format is the same!

The truth is that nothing in God’s Word is done arbitrarily. Many times we may not understand God’s reason for the way something is expressed, but we must come to this Book with the presupposition that it has very definite purpose and meaning. The introduction to the book of Hebrews is no different. In this case, I believe that God is simply emphasizing the fact that He wrote the book! The message is spoken clearly in the first few lines. It is simply that God hath spoken by His Son. The theme is then developed that He is better than the angels, and as such, we must pay attention to His Word. All of the warnings in this book flow from that truth. All of the exhortations given are true because He hath spoken by His Son.

Therefore, we see that the familiar pattern for the epistles has not changed.  God simply emphasizes divine authorship in a special way with the opening phrases of this wonderful letter.

When I came to this realization, I put aside my opinions concerning the human author.  I still have an opinion, but I no longer think it matters!  I was ready to argue it, and perhaps I still will, but it is not the issue to focus on.  Rather, let us remember that God wrote the book, and it is for this reason—not the supposed authorship of Paul, or Apollos, or Luke, or whoever else you may think penned it—that we must read it, study it, memorize it, mediate on it, and heed it.  May God illumine us with His Holy Spirit to understand His word and obey it!

I Have Found the Book!

Occasionally, someone comes into your life who has a profound impact on your life.  Keith Kiser was one of the men God used in my life.  He was a professor at Crown College of the Bible in Powell, TN from its inception until God took him home in April, 2002.  I learned much from him in Bible Doctrines, Homiletics, and many other courses.  But the greatest thing I learned from Bro. Kiser was his love for God’s Word.

Bro. Kiser loved the Thompson Chain Reference Bible 4th edition.  The 5th edition just didn’t do it for him because he had used the 4th for so long that he was very accustomed to it.  He knew where everything was on the page; his Bible was all marked up on every single page; he loved that book!  (Before you accuse him of being a bibliolater; I don’t believe that was the case at all.  He just loved his Lord, that love spilled over into the Word, and so his copy of the Word was very precious to him.)

Unfortunately, as with all well-used Bibles, his was falling apart.  He mentioned several times in class that he wasn’t sure what he was going to do about it.  It just so happened that in my dad’s church was a man who rebound Bibles.  As a ministry, he would rebind Bibles for those in the ministry for no charge; the only catch was that it would not be highest priority, so it would take a while.  We approached Bro. Kiser with the possibility, and he thought on it long and hard.  Finally, he surrendered his Bible to us to have it rebound.  As I recall, it took about 6 months.

I will never forget the day we brought him his newly rebound Bible.  We were standing on the east side of the new auditorium (near the deaf section).  We handed him the Bible, and he gingerly reached out for it, and took it in his hands.  Tears began to well up in his eyes, as he thumbed through the book that had served him so well for so many years.  He could barely speak as he whispered, “Thank you, thank you!”  He talked about it for days after that.  He was so thrilled to have it back!  I walked by his casket, and there he was, according to his request, laying with his Bible open on his chest, his hand resting on a well-marked page, finger pointing to II Kings 22:8:  I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.

He found the book!  May God give me the same desire to know God and His Word that He gave to Keith Kiser.  Thank God for men like this who have a profound impact on the lives of young men and ladies desiring to serve Him.

Enjoy this brief clip from Bro. Kiser.

God’s In the Book!