I shared chapter 12 verses 1 and/or 2 with you yesterday. It was a bit long – I also post this on Facebook and I know that some Facebookers don’t like long – no apologies – The great thing is you can always stop reading and scroll to the next post that catches their eye. I am really not posting a copy on Facebook for the masses, but for some who may need to read something that might inspire them, stir their spirit, remind them of who they are in Christ and Who they are to reflect to the rest of the world.
So today – I want to share a number of 3:16 verses from various Books in the new testament.
“John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” – Luke 3:16
John the Baptist baptized people as a sign of their personal repentance from sin – their decision to turn away from sin. But Jesus came to baptize with the Spirit of God – “You must be born again”. I repented by faith and was saved by faith, sealed by the Spirit – it was not an earthly act of faith – like a new year’s resolution – but a heavenly one – eternal – spiritual.
“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.” – John 3:16
He that has the Son has life, he that does not have the Son does not have life – eternal life. God, the Father, sent Jesus, the Son, to redeem us. But we must receive Him by faith. There is no other way. People can deny the Truth, but that does not change the Truth.
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.” – Matthew 3:16
Jesus was the first born among many Brethren. Was it necessary for Jesus to receive the Spirit in the same way that we do? The Spirit descends upon us on the day we are born again and empowers and seals us, adopting us as God’s own children. Jesus had to face everything we have to face. I don’t pretend to understand the deep spiritual aspect of what God did through Jesus and how exactly He did it – but I believe it by faith.
“Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter” – Mark 3:16
When we are saved we are made new – old things have passed away - like receiving a new name or identity.
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” – Galatians 3:16
The promise was through Isaac but it was a spiritual promise that could only be fulfilled through Jesus – and we are part of that Promise.
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” – Ephesians 3:16
We live our new life by faith in the power of the Spirit. When we forget that – our old nature rises to the surface
“Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” – Philippians 3:16
To be of the same mind means that we will be united in purpose and deed. What unites us if the Spirit of God. As a friend of mine used to say, “When the ‘I’ in UNITED gets out of place, it becomes Un-Tied.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” – 2 Timothy 3:16
The Word is “God Breathed”, the same word used for the Spirit of God. The Word is spiritual manna – read or heard – it sustains us – feeds our spirit – enables us.
“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” – James 3:16
The world is in turmoil and moving away from the precepts of God every day at what seems to be an accelerating pace. Confusion and evil are a natural consequence of this falling away.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Know Jesus – Know Peace – No Jesus – No peace
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” – 1 John 3:16
Do we consider others to be more important than ourselves? Do we have compassion for others – even if personal gain is replaced with personal loss and sacrifice?
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” – Revelation 3:16
We cannot ride the fence with our new life in Christ on one side and our old life on the other – with our hearts hopping from one side to the other – picking and choosing what parts of the Bible we want to believe and obey – choosing what parts of our old nature we want to hang on to. Do not deceive yourself into thinking that somehow God winks His eye and overlooks your sin. Don’t treat sin as if it is of no consequence – like some sin is tolerable from God’s perspective – it is not.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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