John 3

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The idea of being born again is not new in man's history. There was a convergence of the Sumerian and Akkadian people in the third millennium BC which produced the kingdom of Sumer and the earliest known civilization in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia. It was not only a crossroads of language but also of the philosophies, religions, and cultures of societies from the Indus Valley and Egypt.

Over centuries the conflict between rulers of these civilizations and individual rights has often been a "bitter struggle for power between the temple and the palace---the “church” and the “state”--- with the citizens ... taking the side of the temple." During the reign of Urukagina there was opposition to "the wealth and criminality of the tamkarum [merchant-moneylenders]" who had enslaved the people. It is in the historical cuneiform "document that we find the word “freedom” used for the first time in man's recorded history; the word is amargi..." which may literally be translated "return to the mother" or her womb.

The term ama-argi or ama-gi produced the idea of "freedom", as well as "manumission", "exemption from debts or obligations", "reversion to a previous state" Akk. anduraāru.

"Redemption is deliverance from the power of an alien dominion and the enjoyment of the resulting freedom. It involves the idea of restoration to one who possesses a more fundamental right or interest. The best example of redemption in the Old Testament was the deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage, from the dominion of the alien power in Egypt."

We find some of the most abused scripture in the Bible in John 3. In V15 we see the claim, "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." And V16 & 17 tells us that Christ was sent that we "might be saved". It is not automatic by what we say nor yhink. By V18 we can see that those "that believeth on him" are not condemned and those who "believeth not" are "condemned already", The question we may need to ask is "Do we Believe in the Real Jesus?" In V19 we are informed if we love him we will love the light of the truth He shared. Those that do not want to know the whole truth and provide for it by seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness evidently prefer the darkness. We will know that because their deed will be evil. Like the deeds of the Nicolaitian God "hates" them. The word for "evil" I poneros meaning "evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful." The previous verse must always be read in the context of the rest Verses 20 and 21 which goes on to tell us that "every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." Those dark deeds would include, but are not limited to, coveting your neighbor's goods through desiring benefits like the wages of unrighteousness from "men ruling in government who call themselves benefactors but exercise authority one over the other." Those evil deeds would include sloth in caring for the needy through a daily ministration by charity alone which the practice of pure Religion. Or even worse they might neglect the care of their parents so that they have to depend on systems like the Corban of the Pharisees which makes the word of God to none effect. The list goes on... There are many warnings in the testaments, by Paul and the apostles an by Jesus himself that many will say and do things in His name but will be workers of iniquity. They have no inheritance in the kingdom, we should turn away because they know him not. Yes, it is clear we are saved by grace but if we are not keeping His commandments our imagination will not save us. V21 should make it clear that many modern Churches are not doing the truth nor coming to the light, nor does their deeds make manifest the wisdom nor will of God.

Let us not be under a strong delusion.

Questions

“Are men the property of the state? Or are they free souls under God? This same battle continues throughout the world?”

Abraham, Moses and Christ came to set us free in spirit and truth from the sins that brought into bondage to the Cains, Nimrods, Pharaohs, and Caesars of the world.

In the Kingdom of God the people are "free soul under God" but when the people are of the world they are often little more than merchandise, surety for debt, snared in a system of bondage by way of their sloth and covetous practices.

1 ¶ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

22 ¶ After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John
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