Dear Explorer,
Read John 3:22-30
We've talked before about John the Baptizer fulfilling his role to announce Jesus' arrival and to point people to Jesus not himself. Here we see another example of John the Baptizer's faithfulness.
I'll let you do the digging!
What does John 3:27 mean to you?
I believe that John the Baptizer was saying that we need to submit to God's plans for our life. Each plan will be uniquely designed by God just for the individual, so we need to be careful to not be critical or jealous of other people.
What metaphor did John the Baptizer use to describe his relationship with Jesus in John 3:28-29?
John 3:30 is a great motto for ministry.
Read John 3:31-36
What are some things that John says about Jesus in these verses?
John 3:36 is an important statement that you need to know. According to this verse, who is under God's wrath or anger?
Many translations say, “Those who reject Jesus” some say, “those who believeth not”. But both point to the fact that they have heard the Good News and decided to reject the truth. To me, this settles the questions that comes up in many debates: What happens to people who haven't heard God's plan? What happens to little babies and children too young to invite Jesus into their core? What happens to the mentally handicapped who aren't capable of choosing to follow Jesus?
Read Romans 1:18-20
I believe that God's wrath is against those who suppress or deny the truth. Earlier John says that God's wrath is against those who refuse to obey. I believe God will hold us accountable at whatever level we understand and have been exposed to the gospel. But I do not believe that we can claim lack of exposure or understanding when, according to these verses, God has planted within each human heart a desire to know his Creator. What we do with that knowledge is essential.
In His service, dale
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