ScriptureWay
  • Home
  • Site Overview
  • Author
  • Resources
    • Bible Verses about the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament
    • Bible Verses About Courage
    • Bible Verses About the Cross
    • Bible Verses About Eternal Life
    • Bible Verses About Humility and Being Humble
    • Bible Verses - "I AM"s of Christ
    • Bible Verses about Music
    • Bible Verses About Old Age and Gray Hair
    • Bible Verses about Paradise
    • Bible Verses About Sound Speech
    • Bible Verses for Times of Crisis
    • 29 BIble Verses About Trusting God
    • 11 Bible Verses About Waiting for the Lord
    • Bible Study Tools
    • Whitneytunes Music Videos
    • Whitneytunes Worship Music
  • The Way to Heaven

Bible Teachings

11 Reasons Why Jesus Came into the World

5/31/2022

5 Comments

 
by Mr. Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post.
Photo Copyright: hydromet
Jesus Came to Save the World - John 3:17 - 123RF Photo - Used under license
Jesus Came to Save the World - John 3:17 - 123RF Photo - Used under license
"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."  (John 3:17)

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."  (John 10:10)

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

This lesson explains 11 biblical reasons why Jesus Christ came into the world.  Ten of these reasons are in the words of Jesus himself.

     Consider.  If an unbeliever or an inquisitive new believer were to ask you, "Why did Jesus come into the world?," what would you say?

1. Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law and the Prophets

     Early in his ministry, it was important for Jesus to establish why he came (Ref. 1).  Jesus said to his hearers, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17).  To Jesus, the scriptures were absolutely authoritative (Luke 24:44).  Jesus came to cause God's will in the law (the first five books of the Old Testament) to be obeyed as it should be.  Jesus also came to fulfill the prophecies and promises in the writings of the prophets, Psalms, and the other books of the Old Testament (Thayer's Greek Lexicon - Ref. 2).

2. Jesus Came to Save the World

     Jesus spoke the following famous words in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  Then Jesus continued the thought in John 3:17.  "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:17).  The Greek word for saved is sózó (pronounced sode'-zo) and means deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety) (Ref. 3).  Because God in love sent his Son to save the world, Jesus has already delivered you and me -- all those who believe in him -- out of danger into his safety. 

3. Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners

     The Apostle Paul wrote, "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all" (1 Timothy 1:15).  Sinners are hamartólos -- people who "fall short of what God approves, i.e. what is 'wide of the mark'" (Ref. 4).  That category, "sinners," actually includes all of us -- "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

4. Jesus Came to Preach the Kingdom of God

     When Jesus went out from Capernum to a solitary place (Luke 4:31, Luke 4:42), he told the multitudes who were searching for him, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose" (Luke 4:43).  Jesus also used the same word for preach when he quoted Isaiah 61:1 -- "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor" (Luke 4:18).  In Luke 4:18 and Luke 4:43, the Greek word for preach is euaggelizó (pronounced yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo) which means to "proclaim the good news" (Ref. 5).

5. Jesus Came Down from Heaven to Do the Father's Will

     Jesus said to the people, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:37-38). 

In John 6:40, Jesus explained what the will of his Father was in sending him.  "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."  It is the Father's will that everyone who believes in his Son may have eternal life.  If you would like to read more about eternal life, please see "What Is Eternal Life?" (Ref. 6)

  

6. Jesus Came into this World so that Those Who Do Not See May See

     In John 9:1-12 Jesus healed the sight of a man who had been blind from birth.  The formerly blind man testified to the Pharisees about Jesus, but they refused to "see" and believe in Jesus (John 9:13-34).  The Pharisees then put the formerly blind man out of the synagogue (John 9:22, John 9:34).  After the formerly blind man had been put out of the synagogue, Jesus found him, and the man who could now see physically and spiritually worshiped Jesus as Lord (John 9:35-38).  Jesus then said in the presence of the Pharisees, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind" (John 9:39).

7. Jesus Came that We May Have Life and Have it Abundantly

     In John 10:8-10 Jesus said, "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."  The Greek word for abundantly is perissos (pronounced per-is-sos') and means all-around, beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation, "more than enough" (Ref. 7).  In the words of the Amplified Bible, Jesus said, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]" (John 10:10 AMP).  

8. Jesus Came to Serve and to Give His Life as a Ransom for Many

     Jesus said about himself, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).  When Jesus said he came to serve, the word in the Greek text is diakoneó which means to minister and to care for the needs of others, for example, as a slave waiting on table for guests (Ref. 8).  When Jesus said that he came to give his life as a ransom for many, the word in the Greek text for ransom is lutron (pronounced loo'-tron) which was the price to free a slave (Ref. 9).  The ransom price that Jesus paid to free us from slavery to sin was his blood (1 Peter 1:18-19, Hebrews 9:11-12). 

9. Jesus Came to Seek and Save that which Was Lost

     Notice in Luke 19:1-2 that Zaccheus was a tax gatherer, a person despised by the Jews and the religious leaders of Jesus' day.  Yet, God gave Zaccheus the desire to see Jesus (Luke 19:3-4).  Jesus extended his grace to Zaccheus and said he wanted to stay at Zaccheus' home (Luke 19:5).  Zaccheus indicated his conversion, his turning away from sin when he stated that he would repay anyone he had defrauded (Luke 19:8).  Jesus then said, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:9-10).

The Greek word for lost, apollumi (pronounced ap-ol'-loo-mee), has a severe meaning, and we need to pay attention.  Apollumi (being lost) implies to die with the implication of ruin and permanent (absolute) destruction by experiencing a miserable end (HELPS Word-studies - Ref. 10).  "Jesus Christ came to save Zaccheus, you, and me from experiencing ruin, permanent destruction, and a miserable end" (Ref. 11).

For further study on the nature of God to seek and save the lost, read the parables of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son in Luke 15:1-32.

10. Jesus Came as Light into the World

     Jesus said, "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46).  Jesus came as light into the world so that everyone who believes in (has faith in, trusts in - Ref. 12) him shall not remain in (abide in, stay in - Ref. 13) darkness (moral and spiritual obscurity which blocks the light of God when faith is lacking - Ref. 14).  Without Christ, man is in darkness.  When we believe in Christ, God transfers us from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His Son (Colossians 1:13).

11. Jesus Came into the World to Bear Witness to the Truth

     Early in the morning on the day he was to be crucified, Jesus stood before Pilate.  Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" (John 18:37).  Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king.  For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice" (John 18:37).  The Greek noun for truth, alétheia, means reality — the opposite of what is false or illusion (HELPS Word-studies - Ref. 15).  Jesus came to testify, to be a witness to us about the reality of God's truth.  Listen to his voice.  He is the Truth (John 14:6). 

     Prayer.  Thank you, Jesus, for coming into the world to save sinners, including me (1 Timothy 1:15).  Help me to share the truth of your word with others so they, too, will trust in you as their Savior and Lord.

Related Lessons
"Biblical Definition of the World" (John 1:10)
"What is Eternal Life?" (John 17:3)
"What is Redemption?" (Ephesians 1:7)
"What Does 'To Be Saved' Mean in the New Testament?" (Acts 16:31)
"Jesus - Witness to the Truth" (John 18:37)

References
1.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/matthew/5.htm 
​2.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4137.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4982.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/268.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/greek/2097.htm
6.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/what-is-eternal-life
7.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4053.htm
8.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1247.htm
9.  https://biblehub.com/greek/3083.htm
10.  https://biblehub.com/greek/622.htm
11.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/what-does-to-be-saved-mean-in-the-new-testament
12.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4100.htm
13.  https://biblehub.com/greek/3306.htm
14.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4653.htm
15.  https://biblehub.com/greek/225.htm

5 Comments

The Holy Spirit Whom the World Cannot Receive

7/21/2019

3 Comments

 
by Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post.
He Will Give You Another Helper - John 14:16 - 123RF Photo - Used Under License
He Will Give You Another Helper - John 14:16 - 123RF Photo - Used Under License
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17)

This lesson is the fifth and final lesson in the series on "Christians and the World" (Ref. 1, Ref. 2, Ref. 3, Ref. 4).  This lesson describes the role of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to give to his disciples who will be living in the world.
 

     Consider.   How did the Holy Spirit help the disciples of Jesus in an unfriendly world?  How does the Holy Spirit help you?

     Let's set the stage.  Jesus the Son of God and his disciples had walked together for three years.  They had left homes, families, and businesses to follow him.  Jesus had led them while he was with them.  Jesus had loved them and instructed them.  Jesus had sent the twelve and the seventy on training missions to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick (Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:1-2).  

Now it is the last evening before Jesus' crucifixion and death.  When the scene unfolds in John chapter 14 Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure.  He has told his disciples that he is about to leave them (John 13:33).  Jesus tells them that he is going to the Father's house to prepare a place for them and that he would come again to receive them to himself (John 14:2-3).  Jesus knows that he will be leaving the disciples in an unfriendly world.  He explains that he will ask the Father, and the Father will give them another Helper to be with them.
    
     "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper."  The Greek word for Helper in John 14:16 is paraklétos (Ref. 5).  Paraklétos means one called alongside to help (Bible Gateway note, Ref. 6).  The King James Version translates paraklétos as Comforter in John 14:16.  Paraklétos occurs five times in the New Testament, all in the writings of John - John 14:16, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7, and 1 John 2:1.  Titles for the Paraclete include Advocate (1 John 2:1), Comforter, Helper, Spirit of Truth (John 14:17, John 16:13) and the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

The work of the Holy Spirit applied to Jesus' disciples then, to the early church, and to those who believe in and follow Jesus today.  The work of the Holy Spirit includes:

1.  Comforting, encouraging, and strengthening us.  Luke the physician wrote about the comfort of the Holy Spirit in the early church.  "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase" (Acts 9:31).  The Apostle Paul wrote about the role of the Holy Spirit to the believers at Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1).  "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man ..." (Ephesians 3:14-16, italics added). 

2.  Teaching us and guiding us into all the truth.  Jesus told his disciples that the Helper "will teach you all things" (John 14:26).  Jesus also said, "When He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13).  John wrote that the Holy Spirit helps us to discern truth and error (1 John 4:1, 6).  For more information about the Spirit of Truth, please refer to the lesson, "Spirit of Truth" (Ref. 7).

3.  Empowering us for service and witness.  Jesus told his disciples before his ascension and departure, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  Jesus also told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would give them words to speak when they encountered arrest and persecution in the hostile world.  "When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11).          

     "That He may be with you forever."  Jesus was with his disciples for a few years.  He was about to separate from them.  He would come to them again in the form of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit), and this spiritual presence would remain with them and future disciples forever (Matthew 28:19-20).  For those whose love Christ and keep his commandments, the Holy Spirit is our constant guide, companion, and gift giver, even to the end of the world.

     "Whom the world cannot receive."  Jesus said, "... the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him ..." (John 14:17).  The Greek word for see is theóreó, which means to look at, gaze, discern (Ref. 8).  The Greek word for know is ginóskó, which means to know through personal experience (Ref. 9).  The world has no eyes with which it can see and no heart to know spiritual things so it cannot receive its (the Holy Spirit's) presence and power (Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Ref. 8).  The Apostle Paul wrote, "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

     "You know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."  God provides the gift of the Holy Spirit to all persons who believe in (trust in, put their faith in) Jesus Christ.  Jesus spoke of the future coming of Spirit to believers.  "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'  But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39). 

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to fill and empower the disciples of Jesus (Acts 2:1-4).    The Apostle Peter provided a Holy Spirit-inspired sermon (Acts 2:14-36).   Peter concluded his sermon with this call to action, "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.
  For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself' " (Acts 2:38-39, italics added).  God provides the same gift of the Holy Spirit to believers today when we trust in and follow Jesus Christ.

     Apply.  Jesus said that he would send the Holy Spirit to those who believe in him (John 7:39).  Have you received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39)?  How is the Holy Spirit helping you to live in an unfriendly world?  

Related Lessons
"Do Not Love the World" (1 John 2:15)
"The World Hates Jesus and His Disciples" (John 7:7, John 15:18-19)
"God's Offer of Salvation and Eternal Life" (John 3:16-17)
"Biblical Definition of the World" (John 1:10)

References
1.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/biblical-definition-of-the-world
2.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-most-important-offer-you-will-ever-receive
3.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-world-hates-jesus-and-his-disciples
4.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/do-not-love-the-world
5.  https://biblehub.com/greek/3875.htm
6.  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A16&version=NASB
7.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-spirit-of-truth
8.  https://biblehub.com/greek/2334.htm
9.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1097.htm

3 Comments

Do Not Love the World - 1 John 2:15 Meaning

7/7/2019

1 Comment

 
by Mr. Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post.
Do Not Love the World - 1 John 2:15 - 123RF Photo - Used under license
Do Not Love the World - 1 John 2:15 - 123RF Photo - Used under license
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  (1 John 2:15)

This lesson is the fourth in the series on "Christians and the World" (Ref. 1, Ref. 2, Ref. 3).  This lesson explains what John meant in his instruction that Christians should not love the world.

     Consider.  When John wrote to believers in Christ, "Do not love the world nor the things in the world," what did he mean? 

1. As believers in Christ we should prefer the things of God, not the things of the world

     The Apostle John, writing to believers in Christ, uses the English word "love" three times in 1 John 2:15 -- "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  In the first two occurrences of "love" in 1 John 2:15, the Greek word is agapaó and means to prefer (Ref. 4).  In the third occurrence of "love" in 1 John 2:15, the Greek word is agapé, which means divine love, what God prefers (Ref. 5). 

With these definitions inserted, 1 John 2:15 means, "Do not prefer the world or the things in the world. If anyone prefers the world, the divine love of the Father is not in him."  Remember that Jesus taught us about keeping our thoughts and actions focused on God. "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [the things God knows you need] will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

2. As believers in Christ we should avoid the lusts of the world and the worldly culture that seduces us from loving God

     The New Testament refers to the "world" (Greek word kosmos) in five main ways (Ref. 1, Ref. 6):
  • The world which God created through Christ (John 1:10)
  • All the inhabitants of the world (John 3:16) (note, "God so loved the world ...")
  • People who do not know Christ (John 1:10 and John 14:16-17)
  • People who are hostile to Christ and to Christ's followers (John 15:18 and John 17:14)
  • The affairs of the world which seduce us from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ (1 John 2:15-16)

Even though God loved and still loves the inhabitants of the world (John 3:16), John instructs us not to love worldly culture that is alienated from God or the lusts and pride of the world.  John goes further to say, "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world" (1 John 2:16).  Note that Satan used the same three sins to temp Eve.  "The woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise" (Genesis 3:6, italics added).

It is good, not wrong, to enjoy God's creation, to have godly affection for people (John 13:35), and to work for a living so we have the material things that we need for daily life.  Instead of loving and lusting after the things of the world, we should always love and prefer God.  He will provide what we need (Matthew 6:33). 

     Apply.  Ask God to give you strength to love him and to overcome the lusts and pride of the world.

Related Lessons
"Biblical Definition of the World" (John 1:10)
"The Holy Spirit Whom the World Cannot Receive" (John 14:16-17)
"The World Hates Jesus and His Disciples" (John 7:7, John 15:18-19)
"God's Offer of Salvation and Eternal Life" (John 3:16-17)

References
1.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/biblical-definition-of-the-world
2.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-most-important-offer-you-will-ever-receive
3.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/the-world-hates-jesus-and-his-disciples
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/25.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/greek/26.htm
6.  https://biblehub.com/greek/2889.htm

1 Comment

The World Hates Jesus and His Disciples

6/16/2019

2 Comments

 
Updated - 13 June 2024
by Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post.
Jesus-Crown-Thorns_John 15:18_123RF Photo - Used Under License
Jesus-Crown-Thorns_John 15:18_123RF Photo - Used Under License
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)

This lesson is the third in the series on "Christians and the World" (Ref. 1, Ref. 2).  This lesson explains why "the world" hates Jesus and his disciples.  This lesson also explains the scriptural basis for joy when Jesus' disciples (that is, we who believe in him) encounter the world's hatred.

The scriptures in this lesson are quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 3).

     Consider.  Have you experienced the world's hatred because you are Christ's disciple?  Do you see the world's opposition to yourself or to Christians in general as a cause for joy? 

Biblical definition of "the world"

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

     Let's revisit the definition of "the world" from the first lesson in this series, "Biblical Definition of the World" (Ref. 1).  The Greek word for "the world" in the New Testament is kosmos.  In the New Testament, and particularly in the Gospel of John, kosmos is used in five ways:
  • The world which God created - John 1:10
  • All the people of the world - John 3:16
  • People who do not know Christ - John 1:10, John 14:16-17
  • People who are hostile to Christ and to Christ's followers - John 7:7, John 15:18-19, John 17:14
  • The affairs of the world which seduce us from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ - 1 John 2:15-16

The main scriptures for this lesson, John 7:7 and John 15:18-19, refer to the fourth definition above for "the world" -- "people who are hostile to Christ and to Christ's followers."

Biblical definition of "hate"

"For not even His brothers believed in Him.  So Jesus said to them, 'My time is not yet here, but your time is always ready.  The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil.'"  (John 7:5-7)

     Let's look at the definition of the Greek word for hate.  The Greek word for hate used in John 7:7 and John 15:18-19 is miseó (pronounced mis-eh'-o) (Ref. 4).  Miseó means "to detest (on a comparative basis); to love someone or something less than someone (something) else; to renounce one choice in favor of another" (HELPS Word-studies - Ref. 4).  Note that according to this definition, hate involves making a choice - for example, whether to love Jesus or not to love Jesus.  We see the same Greek word used for hate throughout the New Testament, for example, in Matthew 5:43-44, Mark 13:13, Luke 16:13, John 3:19-20, Romans 7:15, 1 John 2:11, and Revelation 2:6.  

Yes, the world hates Jesus

     When Jesus spoke to his half-brothers who did not believe in him, Jesus said, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil" (John 7:7, Matthew 13:55).  Examples of evil deeds that Jesus pointed out to his adversaries include unbelief (John 8:21-24) and hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13-15, 23).  Jesus also told his adversaries that their father was the devil (John 8:44).  That is why his "opposers" hated Jesus.  American theologian Albert Barnes wrote, "This was the main cause of the opposition which was made to him.  He proclaimed that men were depraved, and the result was that they hated him" (Ref. 5, Ref. 6).

Note, however, there is good news.  Even a former "hater" of Christ can be redeemed because Jesus has already shed his blood for them (Ephesians 1:7 ESV, 1 Peter 1:18-19).  James, one of Jesus' half-brothers, later became a believer in Jesus and a pillar of the early church (Matthew 13:55, Galatians 2:9, Acts 15:13). 

Yes, the world hates Jesus' disciples

     During the evening before his death, Jesus spoke many comforting words to his disciples (John chapters 14, 15, and 16).  Jesus was preparing them for his departure and for the hatred and persecution they would face.  Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (John 15:18-19).

In John 15:19, Jesus stated two reasons why the world hates his disciples:
  • The world hates Jesus' disciples because they (and we who believe in and follow Christ) are not of the world.  Jesus' disciples had listened to and learned from Jesus.  Their lives had been changed by Jesus. They were no longer deriving their life, maxims, and pleasures from the world (Ref. 7).  Their chief source of information was from God's Son and his word, not the world.  Their spiritual father was God the Father, not the devil (John 8:42-44).
  • The world hates Jesus' disciples because Jesus chose them out of the world.  Note that Jesus called each of the twelve Apostles (Luke 6:12-13).  Jesus designated them to his work and service (Ref. 8).  When we believe in Jesus and are fully committed to him, we no longer belong to the world.  Jesus also appoints us to his work and service, and sends us into the world for the purpose of serving him (John 17:18, Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus gives his disciples joy

"These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."  (John 15:11)

     For we who believe in Jesus and follow him as his disciples:
  • Jesus is with us always (Matthew 28:20).
  • Jesus has given us his words that our joy may be full (John 15:11, John 17:13-14).
  • Jesus has sent us the Holy Spirit (the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth) to be with us and guide us (John 14:16-17, John 16:13, Ref. 9).  Note, the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, Ref. 10).
  • Jesus gives us his peace, peace that the world cannot give, so we will be courageous and not be afraid in the midst of the world's hatred and tribulation (John 14:27, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7).

     Apply.  Pray for yourself and those Christians in the world who are facing the world's hatred, opposition, and persecution.  Pray for yourself and those Christians to remain joyful and to have God's peace in the face of the world's hatred.

Related Lessons
"Biblical Definition of the World" (John 1:10)
"The Holy Spirit Whom the World Cannot Receive" (John 14:16-17)
"Do Not Love the World - 1 John 2:15 Meaning"
"What Is Redemption?"  (Ephesians 1:7)

References
1.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/biblical-definition-of-the-world
2.  Ref. 2 begins on the next line
https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-most-important-offer-you-will-ever-receive
3.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB/ 
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/3404.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/7.htm
Barnes' Notes - John 7:7
6.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Barnes_(theologian)
7.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/15.htm
Pulpit Commentary - John 15:19
8.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/15.htm
Gill's Exposition - John 15:19
9.  https://www.ScriptureWay/home/the-spirit-of-truth
10.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/the-holy-spirit-whom-the-world-cannot-receive

2 Comments

God's Offer of Salvation and Eternal Life

6/2/2019

3 Comments

 
by Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post.
Christ and Nicodemus on a Rooftop - by Henry Ossawa Tanner - Smithsonian American Art Museum - Used by Permission
Christ and Nicodemus on a Rooftop - by Henry Ossawa Tanner - Smithsonian American Art Museum (Ref. 1) - Used by Permission
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."  (John 3:16-17)

This lesson is the second in the series on "Christians and the World."  This lesson focuses on God's offer of salvation and eternal life to the world through Christ.  

     Consider.  Have you heard of God's offer of salvation and eternal life through his Son Jesus Christ?  Have you accepted God's offer?  

What is God's Offer?

     God offers the world salvation and eternal life through his Son Jesus.  John 3:16-17 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." 

To Whom Does God Make the Offer?

     God offers salvation and eternal life to all the people of the world.   There are no exclusions.  There is no "asterisk."  There is no asterisk that says you are excluded from God's offer because you are * (fill in the asterisk).  The Apostle Paul wrote that God "desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3-4).  God's offer is available to you.

Even though God has made salvation and eternal life available to the world, not all people will be saved.  Some people hear God's offer and reject it.  Some people have not heard the gospel message; however, they reject what God has revealed to them already through the creation.  "That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:19-20).  God has promised that all who seek him will find him (Deuteronomy 4:29).   

Why Does God Make the Offer of Salvation and Eternal Life?

     Because God loves the world.  God loves all the inhabitants of the world including people who do not know and love Christ and people who are hostile to Christ (John 3:16, Ref. 2). 

God sent his Son Jesus because of God's divine love for the world.  Even though mankind has sinned against God, disobeyed God, and turned away from God, God still has loved us.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).  John, Jesus' disciple, wrote, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).  The word, propitiation, means atoning sacrifice (Ref. 3).

Why is God's Offer of Salvation and Eternal Life Necessary?

     Because through Adam, sin has come into the world and infects all people.  Romans 5:12 tells us, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."  Without the treatment of Christ, the infectious disease of sin is fatal.  That is why we need a Savior.

What is the Salvation that God Offers?

     John 3:17 tells us, "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."  The Greek word for saved in John 3:17 is sózó.  Sózó means deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety) (Ref. 4).  Ref. 5 defines salvation as "The deliverance, by the grace of God, from eternal punishment for sin which is granted to those who accept by faith God’s conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus."  

What is the Eternal Life that God Offers?

     Eternal life is a free gift of God to those who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).  Eternal life begins when we put our faith in Jesus.  As believers in Christ, eternal life continues with God after our physical death (John 11:25-26).  Eternal life is the quality of life that results when we know Jesus Christ by experience, on a first-hand basis (John 17:3).  For further information about eternal life, refer to "What is Eternal Life?" (Ref. 6)    

What is the Role of Jesus Christ in God's Offer?

     God sent His Son Jesus to give his life sacrificially to pay the penalty for our sin.  "And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22).  By paying the penalty for our sin with his life blood, Jesus has redeemed those who believe in (trust in and have faith in) him.  The Apostle Peter wrote, "You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

God's Offer of Salvation and Eternal Life is Conditional

Jesus and NicodemusJesus and Nicodemus (Ref. 7)
     Even though God unconditionally loves the world, there is one condition that God stipulates for mankind to accept his offer of salvation and eternal life - believing in (trusting in, having faith in) his Son Jesus.  Jesus said to Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16, John 3:1-2).


Is there a Penalty for Rejecting God's Offer?

     Yes.  The Bible tells us, "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:17-18).  Jesus also stated, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life" (John 5:24).

Why is God's Offer the Most Important Offer You Will Ever Receive?

     Unlike what the world offers, God's offer of salvation and eternal life results in eternal life-giving benefits when you accept God's offer by believing in Jesus.

     Apply.  God offers you salvation and eternal life through his Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17).  Have you already accepted the most important offer that you will ever receive?  If yes, then praise God.  If not, will you accept God's offer by thanking Jesus for forgiving your sins and then fully trusting in him by faith today?

Related Lessons
"What Does 'To Be Saved" Mean in the Old Testament?" (Psalm 18:3)
"What Does 'To Be Saved' Mean in the New Testament?" (Acts 16:31)
"What is Eternal Life?" (John 17:3)
"Biblical Definition of the World" (John 1:10)

References
1.  Ref.1 begins on the next line  
https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/study-christ-and-nicodemus-rooftop-23686
2.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/biblical-definition-of-the-world
3.  https://biblehub.com/greek/2434.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4982.htm
5.  https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-doctrine-salvation.html
6.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/what-is-eternal-life
7.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus

3 Comments

Biblical Definition of "The World"

5/19/2019

6 Comments

 
by Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post.
The World Did Not Know Him - John 1:10 - Photo 123RF.com - Used under license
The World Did Not Know Him - John 1:10 - Photo 123RF.com - Used under license
"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him."  (John 1:10)

This lesson is the first in the series on "Christians and the World."  This lesson explains the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words for "the world" in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

     Consider.   What does the expression, "the world," mean to you?  Do you think of just the physical earth which God created?  Or, do you think about the people of the world?  Does the world described in the Bible include people who know Christ as well as those who do not know Christ?

"The World" - Old Testament Definition

     In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word used most often for "the world" is tebel (pronounced as tay-bale').  "The world" (tebel) is the earth as moist and therefore inhabited (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Ref. 1).  So, the word for "the world" in the Old Testament refers to the earth and by implication to the inhabitants of the earth (Ref. 1).  The first mention of "the world" (tebel) in the Old Testament occurs in 1 Samuel 2:8.  Tebel occurs 36 times in the Old Testament (Ref. 1).

The Old Testament describes "the world" in these four main ways:
  • God established the world by his wisdom  (Jeremiah 10:12, Jeremiah 51:15)

  • God firmly established the world, and the world will not totter, or deviate from its course (1 Chronicles 16:30, Psalm 93:1,
    Psalm 96:10).  In these verses, the writer says the world will not be moved.  The Hebrew word for moved is mot which means totter, shake, slip (Ref. 2).

  • The whole world belongs to God.  He made it, and he remains its sole Owner and Master (Psalm 24:1, Psalm 50:12, Psalm 89:11, Ref. 3, Ref. 4).  David wrote, "The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it" (Psalm 24:1).  God's claim on the earth includes not only its animals, vegetables, and minerals, but also its people.  "All belong to God, and He has a right to claim them for His service" (Ref. 3).
 
  • God will judge the world with righteousness (Psalm 9:8, Psalm 96:13, Psalm 98:9).  The Hebrew word for judge in these verses is shaphat.  Shaphat means not only to pronounce sentence but also to govern (Ref. 5).  For those who are in Christ, the fact that Christ will come and judge, or govern, the world is cause for joy and praise to God.  We sing about Christ's coming to rule the world when we sing Isaac Watt's hymn, "Joy to the World."  Isaac Watts had Psalm 98:4-9 in mind when he wrote, "He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love" (Ref. 6).

"The World" - New Testament Definition

     In the New Testament, the Greek word used most often for "the world" is kosmos.  Kosmos means an "ordered system" (like the universe, creation) (Ref. 7).  Kosmos also refers to the inhabitants of the world and to worldly affairs.  Kosmos occurs 186 times in the New Testament (Ref. 7).  "The world" (kosmos) occurs more often in the Gospel of John than in any other New Testament book (more than 70 occurrences in John).

The New Testament writers use "the world" (kosmos) in three main ways:
  • The world which God created through Christ
    -- "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him ..." (John 1:10)

  • The inhabitants of the world -- "The world" (kosmos) includes:
    -- All the people of the world -- "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16) 
    -- People who do not know Christ -- "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him" (John 1:10).  Also refer to John 14:16-17.
    -- People who are hostile to Christ and to Christ's followers -- "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18).  Also refer to John 17:14.  I plan to address in future lessons the world's hostility to Christ and God's role for Christians in the world. 

  • The affairs of the world which seduce us from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ -- "Do not love the world nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world" (1 John 2:15-16)

  • -- "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)

The Hebrew and Greek words for "the world" in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible include not only the physical world which God created but also the people of the world.  Even though God loves all the people of the world, some people know and love Christ, and others do not know Christ.  Some people are hostile to Christ and to those who follow Christ.  I plan to discuss God's love for the world in the next lesson in this series.

     Apply.  John, Jesus' disciple, wrote about Jesus, "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him" (John 1:10).  If you do not know Jesus Christ, put your faith and trust in him.  Ask him to forgive your sins, and he will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Ask Jesus to come into your life.  You and he will begin a new relationship, and you will know him better each day.  If you already do know Jesus, ask him to show you what steps you can take to help other people know him as their Savior and Lord. 

Related Lessons
"The Holy Spirit Whom the World Cannot Receive" (John 14:16-17)
"Do Not Love the World" (1 John 2:15)
"The World Hates Jesus and His Disciples" (John 7:7, John 15:18-19)
"God's Offer of Salvation and Eternal Life" (John 3:16-17)

References
1.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8398.htm
2.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4131.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/psalms/24.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/24.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8199.htm
6.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_to_the_World
7.  https://biblehub.com/greek/2889.htm

6 Comments

Jesus is the Light of the World

1/27/2019

0 Comments

 
by Whitney V. Myers 
Download a printable PDF of this post.
Go to the page, "Bible Verses - 'I AM's of Christ" (under the "Resources" heading)
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse (Manteo, NC USA) - John 8:12 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse (Manteo, NC USA) - John 8:12 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers
"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.' " (John 8:12)

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." (John 12:46)
​
"Christ is the Light of the world.  God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God.  One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more." -- Matthew Henry (1662-1714) (Ref. 1, Ref. 2)
​
This lesson is the first in a series on the "I AM" statements of Christ.  This lesson discusses Jesus' statement, "I am the Light of the world" (John 8:12). 
​

     Consider.  What does it mean to you that Jesus is the Light of the world?  Do you have the Light of life?
​ ​

God is Light

     The teaching that God is Light begins in the Old Testament and continues through the New Testament.  David wrote, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).  The prophet Micah said, "Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me" (Micah 7:8).  The disciple John, wrote, "God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).
​
​          ​

God's Light Purposely Illumines Mankind

     Jesus' Jewish listeners would recall Exodus 13:21 - "The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night."  The psalmist wrote, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).  The author of 2 Samuel 22:29 tells us "For You are my lamp, O Lord; And the Lord illumines my darkness." 

"I am the Light of the world"

     Jesus, the Eternal One, is the Light of the world because:
  • Jesus is God, and God is light (John 8:58, Ref. 3)
  • Jesus alone is the visible expression of God that mankind has seen (Exodus 3:1-6, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3)
  • Only through Jesus our sins are forgiven (Mark 2:5, Colossians 2:13, 1 John 1:9)
  • Jesus alone gives the gift of eternal life to those who believe in him (Romans 3:23-24, John 6:40, John 10:27-28, Ref. 4).
​

"He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness"

     Let's discuss this phrase in three parts:

​a) "He who follows Me" - The Greek word for follow is
akoloutheó, which means to join as a disciple (Ref. 5).  In John 8:12, Jesus "likens himself to a torch which the disciple follows" (Ref. 5).  Jesus frequently spoke about what it means to follow him as a disciple (for example, Luke 14:27).  

b) "Will not walk" - The Greek word for walk is peripateó.  Peripateó means (in the ethical sense) how I conduct my life (Ref. 6).

​c)  "In the darkness" - The Greek word for darkness is scotia (Ref. 7).  Scotia has a dual meaning.  In the literal sense, scotia (darkness) is the absence of daylight (John 6:17).  In the figurative sense, scotia (darkness) is the state we are in before we believe in Christ, that is, a state of ignorance, guilt, and sin (Ref. 8).

Putting these three parts together - "He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness" means He who follows Me [Jesus] as a disciple will no longer conduct his life in a state of ignorance, guilt, and sin.

Note that Jesus also said, "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46, italics added).  Being in darkness is our (mankind's) default condition.  Jesus has come so that when we believe in him, God the Father transfers us from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of the Son of God (Colossians 1:13).

"But will have the Light of life"

     Just as sight is a function of physical life, Christ is the Light for our spiritual life.  John says, referring to Christ, "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men" (John 1:4).  When we believe in Jesus Christ, the divine light of Christ continually shines in us, guiding us to life everlasting (Ref. 9).

     Apply.  Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world?  If not, then pray and put your trust in him today.

Are you a disciple of Christ?  Are you following him?

Do you have the Light of life?

​
References
1.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/john/8.htm
2.  ​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Henry
3.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/who-is-jesus
4.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/bible-verses-about-eternal-life
5.  
https://biblehub.com/greek/190.htm​
6.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4043.htm
7.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4653.htm
8.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/john/12.htm
(Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 12:46)
​9.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/john/8.htm
​
0 Comments

    Daily Bible Verse

    (Published on my Bluesky account)

    Author

    Mr. Whitney V. Myers.  Christian.  For more information, please visit the Author Page.

    Posting Schedule

    I plan to provide new postings about once a month.

    Planned Topics

    (subject to change)
    19May25 - "Where Does Your Soul Go When You Die?" (Genesis 35:18)

    Recent Posts

    (most recent three months)
    23Feb25 - "The Goodness of the Lord - Psalm 27:13 Meaning"
    2Feb25 - "Repent and Believe the Gospel - Mark 1:15 Meaning"

    Popular Posts

    (top 10)
    13Jan19 - "Bible Verses About the Cross" (1 Corinthians 1:18)
    31May22 - "11 Reasons Why Jesus Came into the World" (John 3:17)
    3June18 - "What Does 'The Way' Mean in the New Testament?" (Matthew 7:13-14)
    25Aug19 - "Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 1" (Matthew 7:16)
    11Apr21 - "What Is Redemption?" (Ephesians 1:7)
    27Jan19 - "Bible Verses - 'I AM's of Christ'" (John 8:12)
    12Feb21 - "Bible Verses About Paradise" (Luke 23:43)
    11Aug22 - "What is Living Water in the Bible?" (John 4:10)
    24Nov19 - "Fear Nots of Jesus" (Mark 6:50)
    9Feb20 - "Come, Now, Let Us Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)"

    Categories

    All
    About The Life
    About The Truth
    About The Way - Section 1
    Acceptance
    Adoption
    Advent
    Affliction
    Amen
    Angel Of The Lord
    Angels
    Anxiety/Worry - Section 1
    Anxiety/Worry - Section 2
    Atonement
    Attributes Of God
    Authority
    Believe In Jesus - Section 1
    Believe In Jesus - Section 2
    Believe In Jesus - Section 3
    Believe In Jesus - Section 4
    Blessing
    Blood
    Bread
    Bruised Reed
    Burdens
    Children
    Children Of God
    Christmas
    Church
    "Comes" Of God's Word
    Comfort
    Comforter
    Commit To The Lord
    Compassion
    Confession
    Cornerstone
    Courage
    Creation
    Crisis Management
    Cross
    Crucifixion
    Defense
    Deliverance
    Devotion
    Early Church
    Empowerment
    Encouragement
    Endurance
    Eternal Life - Section 1
    Eternal Life - Section 2
    Eternal Life - Section 3
    Faith - Section 1
    Faith - Section 2
    Faith - Section 3
    Family
    Favor
    Fear
    "Fear Nots"
    Filled With The Spirit
    Focus On God
    Follow Jesus
    Food
    Forgiveness - Section 1
    Forgiveness - Section 2
    Foundation
    Friend
    Fruit
    Future Life
    Goals
    God's Care - Section 1
    God's Care - Section 2
    God's Promises
    God's Provision
    God's Will
    Good Example
    Goodness
    Gospel
    Grace
    Gray Hair
    Guidance
    Hate
    Healing - Section 1
    Healing - Section 2
    Hearing
    Heart
    Heaven
    Help
    Helper
    High Priest
    Holy Spirit - Section 1
    Holy Spirit - Section 2
    Hope
    Humility
    Hunger
    Hymn Stories - Section 1
    Hymn Stories - Section 2
    "I AM"s Of Christ - Section 1
    "I AM"s Of Christ - Section 2
    Inheritance
    Integrity
    Invitations From God
    Invitations From Jesus
    Joy
    Judgment
    Knowing Jesus
    Knowledge
    Labor
    Life
    Life After Death
    Light And Darkness
    Listening
    Living Water
    Love
    Lust
    Maturity
    Mercy
    Ministry
    Name Of Jesus
    Narrow Gate
    Needs
    New Life
    Old Age
    Paradise/Heaven
    Peace
    Persecution
    Pharisees & Scribes
    Physician
    Power
    Prayer
    Pray To Receive Christ
    Pride
    Prophecy
    Protection
    Ransom
    Redemption
    Refuge
    Renewal
    Repentance
    Rest
    Resurrection
    Righteousness
    Right Hand
    Salvation - Section 1
    Salvation - Section 2
    Savior
    Scarlet
    Second Coming
    Security
    Serving
    Sheep
    Shepherd
    Silence
    Sin & Sinners - Section 1
    Sin & Sinners - Section 2
    Son Of God
    Son Of Man
    Soul And Spirit
    Sound Speech
    Spirit Of Truth
    Spiritual Athletes
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spiritual Growth
    Storms
    Strength
    Struggles
    Sympathy
    Teaching
    Testimonies
    The Way
    The World
    Thirst
    Throne
    Tranquility
    Tree Of Life
    Trouble
    Truly Truly
    Trusting In God
    Truth
    Unclean Spirits
    Unity
    Virgin Birth
    Water
    Who Is Jesus? - Section 1
    Who Is Jesus? - Section 2
    Why Jesus Came
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Works

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

The ScriptureWay site provides Bible Teachings that point to Jesus.   The Bible teaches that believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. 

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." -- Jesus speaking in John 14:6
​

Picture

    Follow by email

Please enter your email address to receive an email notification of new posts. After you enter your email address, please then click on this "please enter" box. Within a few seconds you should see a message confirming that your information has been submitted.

Copyright 2018-2025 Whitney V. Myers

Listed in Feedspot's 90 Best Bible Study Blogs and Websites
  • Home
  • Site Overview
  • Author
  • Resources
    • Bible Verses about the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament
    • Bible Verses About Courage
    • Bible Verses About the Cross
    • Bible Verses About Eternal Life
    • Bible Verses About Humility and Being Humble
    • Bible Verses - "I AM"s of Christ
    • Bible Verses about Music
    • Bible Verses About Old Age and Gray Hair
    • Bible Verses about Paradise
    • Bible Verses About Sound Speech
    • Bible Verses for Times of Crisis
    • 29 BIble Verses About Trusting God
    • 11 Bible Verses About Waiting for the Lord
    • Bible Study Tools
    • Whitneytunes Music Videos
    • Whitneytunes Worship Music
  • The Way to Heaven