JOHN CHAPTER 3 VERSE 16 [three]
(…continues from part two…)
3) The sublimity of the person of John 3:16 has, among other qualifications, the phenomenality of ‘Justified’ and ‘Glorified’. These are pronouncements coming from eternality of the Divinity. What is the Greek word for ‘justified? It is dikaioō (dik-ah-yo’-o): ‘to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent’. ‘Glorified’ is doxazō (dox-ad’-zo): ‘to make glorious, adorn with lustre, clothe with splendour: to impart glory to something, render it excellent.’ The Christian salvation is truly, from this verse, a total package. Predestination, calling, justification and glorification all have active verbal constative aorist; a grammatical construction pointing out that each one of them is already consummated. The genuine adherence to John 3:16 engenders an eternally completed salvation. The glorification of the Christian’s life is truly celestial – a citizen of empyreal blissfulness while yet on earth. Hallelujah!
Where it says, “If God be for us, who can be against us” is, by all odds, a most cheering news. ‘For’ is huper (hoop-er’), meaning: ‘in behalf of; for the sake of; over;’ while ‘against’ is kata (kat-ah): ‘down in (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive, dative or accusative] with which it is joined).’ The 31st verse paints a picture of God taking the stance of protagonism over us; not pleading for the maintenance of our glorification, but hoisting the eternal flag of redemption for our sake. Can anyone or anything come down in opposition to God’s absolute desire: of which He had sworn to prevent from decay? Selah!
One of the most dangerous things to do is to curse the LORD’s elect. The one who has been justified by the Most High can never have a charge brought against him successfully. Why could Balaam not curse the LORD’s Israel? Numbers 22:12 “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” God has made it impossible for a true born again Christian to ever be derailed spiritually. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” [Romans 8:33].
The June Celebrants of Household Of God Church.
[Picture by BODY-LAWSON]
Who benefits from this empyreal grace? The John 3:16 answer is, “Whosoever”. Matthew 9:13 “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” One has to agree with the Scriptures in its declaration of: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Agreeing with the Lord God that you need salvation is the first step to becoming God’s child. 1Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Even before we were born, we were sinners already. What does the Psalmist say lyrically? “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalms 51:5). Pauline didacticism above continues with, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” [1Timothy 1:16]. Any man, woman, boy, girl of any race or age who desires eternal life is the ‘whosoever’ of John 3:16.
The words of John 3:16 promises ‘eternal life’ and the Scriptures supports this empyreal citizenship. John 17:1-2 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” Romans 5:20-21 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:22-23 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1John 2:25 “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”
Get born again. Say this simple prayer, believing it with all your heart. Say:
“Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and I receive Him now as my Lord and my Saviour. I give God all the glory. Amen!”
(…to be concluded…)
Read part two here
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