Lizbeth
Well-Known Member
John was talking to God's people the Jews, yes. But this same word and gospel is to the Jew first, THEN THE GENTILE.To a religious person it would seem that Jesus only accepts those who know His name. This is used hypocritically to condemn all non-believers. And that very shallow viewpoint is seen as reasonable by...very shallow people. And it is dead wrong. The context is Israel...God's people. Not the world at large. All the warnings in the bible concern God's people. And believers in Christ, if they are truly believers, are now God's people. So the warning is extended from Israel in the flesh...to the upwardly called Israel in the Spirit.
Jesus came to Israel and was rejected. So the condemnation is on the original people of God. If you pay attention you will see the same condemnation coming on the Gentile people who also become God's people, but are no better than the original ones. Jesus called people to follow Him and most church-goers only follow themselves and whatever preacher tickles theirs ears with religious nonsense. God therefore selects a REMNANT from both Judah AND Ephraim. VERY few indeed. The ones who quibble over verses to justify themselves and condemn others are obviously NOT in the remnant.
Rom 2:12
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law
Act 17:30
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
“because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
To whom much is given, much is required. It is a new paradigm now....God has given to the world His only begotten Son....therefore faith in the Son is required.
