Sermon jam on ‘What it means to Biblically ‘believe’ in Jesus, in John 3:16,’ by Bill Rhetts (a counter to easy-believism)
Sermon jam on ‘What it means to Biblically ‘believe’ in Jesus, in John 3:16,’ by Bill Rhetts (a counter to easy-believism)
This audio will help you better understand the doctrinal errors of easy-believism.
Jesus said in John 3:16, “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.”
But please understand that the word “believe” in that verse is not the same as today’s English word believe.
This word “believe” in John 3:16 comes from the Greek word ‘pisteúō’ (pist-yoo-o’.) Which means to be “entrusted to,” to have “faith upon,” to “respect,” to “regard,” to “trust,” and I believe to “commit” to.
Therefore, you must do more than just ‘believe’ in Jesus Christ (as we know that English word today.)
UPDATE 11-29-16: A fellow that I love dearly referring to this post, has accused me of engaging in “Lordship salvation.” I try to make it clear that I am not teaching “Lordship salvation,” but some seem to believe otherwise.
Please ponder on this. Once we are ‘saved by grace,’ then how can we not desire to worship the Lordship of the One that saved us from our own sins, and from His Holy wrath. And the Biblical truth is, if there has never been repentance, then there was no salvation. Repentance (and obedience) is not the ‘cause’ of salvation, repentance (and obedience) is ‘because’ of salvation. An intellectual ‘belief’ is not salvific. By the grace of God, I was racially saved and radically changed by a radical God.
In this blog post, I’m in agreement with the Scriptures, I make it very clear that we cannot merit our way to salvation.
Furthermore, to “obey” the Lord is not a “works salvation.” We are to obey the Lord (2 Thess 1:7-9), we are to keep His commandments (John 14:15-31), and when we strive to keep His commandments, His commandments would not be grievous, or burdensome (1 John 5:2-4), etcetera etcetera.
One nation under GOD? Are you kidding me?
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About The Author
Bill Rhetts
An ordinary sinner saved by an Extraordinary Savior. Radically saved, and radically changed, by a Radical God. For more details, see the above 'About me' tab.
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This is so applicable to this post. Today I learned that there is a non-profit soliciting donations in my city, that provides assistance for the homeless (and yes that is awesome.) In their recent solicitation for finances, they advised they have a goal of raising “$380,000.00,” to assist the “1,404” homeless students, that attend our Redlands Unified School District.
I live in a small city, and I know our streets fairly well. True this organization is legitimate. But I just don’t see these 1,404 homeless kids in our small town.
Remember this video on John 3:16, and how the English word changes frequently? Therefore, at times we need to go back to the Hebrew and Greek in our Bible studies?
Below is what I learned today re word “homeless.” This is what I posted as a comment to this Redlands based Facebook page, whom shared their solicitation. I usually don’t dispute or disagree with others posts, and I know that I’ll be hated for sharing this fact on their page.
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It is my heart to have a passion for those less fortunate. However, I also want to be wise regarding financial solicitations. Hence having the ‘heart of a dove, but the mind of a serpent.’
Being a resident of Redlands, and being very plugged into the community, and knowing the streets; the number of 1,404 homeless students that you provided us with, seemed problematic in many ways.
Since your web site states that it was the Redlands Unified School District, that provided you with that number, I contacted them. I spoke with a Ms. Diane Baker who identified herself as the RUSD “homeless advocate” in student services.
She advised these are not actually ‘homeless’ people as most of us would define that word “homeless.” She advised their definition of “homeless,” comes from the “Federal definition of homeless.” Ms. Baker further advised that due to the “McKinney-Vento Federal Homeless Act,” the word homeless has a “large definition.” She further advised it brings “an ever fluid number.”
She advised that their definition of homeless (according to the Federal government) is as follows (including but not limited to) ~
• If my home forecloses, I am considered homeless (regardless if I moved into another home.)
• If a person moves back in with their parents, they are considered homeless
• If they are living in a hotel, they are homeless
• If they are living with a friend, they are homeless
• If they are living in foster care ect, they are homeless
• If they are “sharing a resident” with anyone, they are homeless
• Etcetera etcetera.