John 3:3 Picked Apart With A Question...

[Edward]

John 3:3
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./(KJV)

Now that's a curious way to word that...cannot see the Kingdom of God. We know that the Kingdom of God is within us and all around us, it's not 'out there' somewhere. It makes me wonder...We know that the Spiritual realm is more real than our natural realm. I've never seen any demons, Angels, or Jesus. Does this mean I'm not born again yet? (Fear of God creeping in here).

Sure, I've said the sinners prayer, have had many prayers answered, had a specific anointing for a specific task given to me once, where I heard his voice and there was no mistaking it...

I read testimonies, watch video testimonies, a lot, and there are lots of Christians who get to see into the spiritual realm, or even have visitations...not me (yet)...how about you? What do think about this, brothers and sisters?

It seems to read clear. If you're born again, you can see the kingdom of God...I haven't. Maybe I'm just paranoid. This makes me want to fast.

 

[reba]

I have not found another definition of the Kingdom of God in Scripture so far this is it...


Rom_14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

[Paul1965]

I've always understood "see" in the verse to mean "enter into' or 'approach' either way, I don't think any of us get to actually see it until God knows the truth of our faith and then it gets down to when the time is right FOR HIM to reveal it.
Works etc. will have no bearing on His will.

 

[Andrew Mason]

The Greek for "see" can mean to see with the physical eye but it can also mean to perceive, observe and understand. I personally believe in the supernatural around us and I believe some people can see things in the spiritual realm, BUT, I believe Jesus is referring to perceiving and understanding the kingdom of God in John 3:3.
Remember, He was talking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee. He was telling Nicodemus that he wouldn't be able to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, nor would he be able to recognize His kingdom, if he (Nicodemus) didn't become born again. That was a huge suggestion to an educated man of the Mosaic Law. Jesus was telling he'd have to be able to start back at square one (repentance and faith in Christ) to understand Jesus and His kingdom.

 

[Gary]

It seems to read clear. If you're born again, you can see the kingdom of God...I haven't. Maybe I'm just paranoid. This makes me want to fast.

Seeing the Kingdom of God is having true knowledge of the Lord. Coming to a true understanding of the Lord and His Word. Seeing God as He truly is.
.

 

[Edward]

I've always understood "see" in the verse to mean "enter into' or 'approach' either way, I don't think any of us get to actually see it until God knows the truth of our faith and then it gets down to when the time is right FOR HIM to reveal it.
Works etc. will have no bearing on His will.

Oh, I'm not thinking about works brother. I'm thinking about drawing closer to the Lord, then he will draw closer to me. More prayer, more fasting, more reading...all of that. I want a visitation from Jesus. I want a hug, Iwant to shake his hand, I want to bow down to Him in person. Can you imagine what it would do for ones walk to have a visitation?! Wow!

I sure listen to a lot of testimonies on youtube about people getting visitations, then they always get a revelation about something. Perhaps activation of an anointing or gift.

I think...(uh-oh) that followers may not get this. I think friends or disciples do. Next level up. I am not content where I am. I am...yet not, you know what I mean? In scripture, Jesus ministered to followers, yet invested in disciples...Hmmm

 

[Edward]

The Greek for "see" can mean to see with the physical eye but it can also mean to perceive, observe and understand. I personally believe in the supernatural around us and I believe some people can see things in the spiritual realm, BUT, I believe Jesus is referring to perceiving and understanding the kingdom of God in John 3:3.
Remember, He was talking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee. He was telling Nicodemus that he wouldn't be able to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, nor would he be able to recognize His kingdom, if he (Nicodemus) didn't become born again. That was a huge suggestion to an educated man of the Mosaic Law. Jesus was telling he'd have to be able to start back at square one (repentance and faith in Christ) to understand Jesus and His kingdom.

Agreed brother. First we choose to put our faith into Him, and then comes understanding and revelation...perhaps more! I can do more for Him. Going to church, reading and praying isn't enough. There's work to be done for the Kingdom. Where to start. Well, He tells us. Seek first the Kingdom of God. I did an e-sword on see and it can mean what you said or seeing literally...

 

[Edward]

Some stuff in scripture scares me a little. I wouldn't want to self deceive...

 

[Gary]

Some stuff in scripture scares me a little. I wouldn't want to self deceive...

A healthy dose of fear of the Lord is good for the soul.

 

[Obadiah]

...I sure listen to a lot of testimonies on youtube about people getting visitations, then they always get a revelation about something. Perhaps activation of an anointing or gift. ...

Don't believe everything you see on TV, You Tube, or whatever other media. A lot of people lie and make things up "in the name of the Lord". Sure, not all of them do, but it's pretty prevalent. Much better to focus on God's word and ask him to guide you into the places where he wants to use you. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Even if what they are doing is truly given to them by God that's God's plan for them, not for you. He has His own plan for you.

 

[stovebolts]

Perhaps we are born, then we are born again, and again, and again... We are born with a sinful nature thinking of our own gain, and not that of others, but through Christ, we are given new eyes to see things as Christ saw them. We are given new skin, to feel what Christ felt when he looked at those around him. We are given new ears to hear the cries of those around us, and to show compassion and understanding in the midst of trials and tribulation. Abraham had this kind of faith, and he saw from a distance what we now experience today. Being born again is no mystery, it's God's transformational work inside those who submit to his love. Part and partail, it's "Working out our salvation in fear and trembling" for our God is a good God, and our God is love. And we know this because He first loved us, and that extends out to every tribe and every nation and every tongue... and every individual.

 

[JLB]

John 3:3
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./(KJV)

Now that's a curious way to word that...cannot see the Kingdom of God. We know that the Kingdom of God is within us and all around us, it's not 'out there' somewhere. It makes me wonder...We know that the Spiritual realm is more real than our natural realm. I've never seen any demons, Angels, or Jesus. Does this mean I'm not born again yet? (Fear of God creeping in here).

Sure, I've said the sinners prayer, have had many prayers answered, had a specific anointing for a specific task given to me once, where I heard his voice and there was no mistaking it...

I read testimonies, watch video testimonies, a lot, and there are lots of Christians who get to see into the spiritual realm, or even have visitations...not me (yet)...how about you? What do think about this, brothers and sisters?

It seems to read clear. If you're born again, you can see the kingdom of God...I haven't. Maybe I'm just paranoid. This makes me want to fast.

Unless you are born again you can not perceive, or discern, or recognize the kingdom of God.

He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Not to the world, but to those who are born again.


JLB

 

[Edward]

Don't believe everything you see on TV, You Tube, or whatever other media. A lot of people lie and make things up "in the name of the Lord". Sure, not all of them do, but it's pretty prevalent. Much better to focus on God's word and ask him to guide you into the places where he wants to use you. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Even if what they are doing is truly given to them by God that's God's plan for them, not for you. He has His own plan for you.

Oh, I hear ya' brother. True, very true. However...they can't all lie. They're not trying to sell books. Besides, the Holy Spirit pings me internally to bear witness to my spirit that what I am watching is true. Sometimes no ping, those I take with a grain of salt.

;)

 

[stovebolts]

Unless you are born again you can not perceive, or discern, or recognize the kingdom of God.

He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Not to the world, but to those who are born again.


JLB

Agreed. And he who has ears, is one who is willing to listen to the words of Jesus, and trust Jesus enough to obey them. About being born again, we can test those spirits by knowing the will of the Father, and it is the desire of our Father that all men come into repentance. That is to say, stop living this way, and live the way God created you to live. There is a better way to live... will be obey? That is but one way we can discern and perceive the true Kingdom of God, for His Kingdom is not of this world which is full of our sinful nature, malice, greed and self rightousness... The gate is narrow, and few enter it.

 

[Edward]

Perhaps we are born, then we are born again, and again, and again... We are born with a sinful nature thinking of our own gain, and not that of others, but through Christ, we are given new eyes to see things as Christ saw them. We are given new skin, to feel what Christ felt when he looked at those around him. We are given new ears to hear the cries of those around us, and to show compassion and understanding in the midst of trials and tribulation. Abraham had this kind of faith, and he saw from a distance what we now experience today. Being born again is no mystery, it's God's transformational work inside those who submit to his love. Part and partail, it's "Working out our salvation in fear and trembling" for our God is a good God, and our God is love. And we know this because He first loved us, and that extends out to every tribe and every nation and every tongue... and every individual.

Sure enough, brother. Abraham did indeed get to look forward. That's (some of) exactly what I'm talking about, and David too! Love takes away fear. I have learned that real good. There's nothing like being overcome by the Holy Spirit. Good post brother. God bless you.

 

[stovebolts]

Edward

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

From a biblical perspective, what does light and darkness represent?

 

[Edward]

Unless you are born again you can not perceive, or discern, or recognize the kingdom of God.

He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Not to the world, but to those who are born again.


JLB

Yep. Goood point brother. It always baffles me how some people say they must understand something in their flesh mind before they can believe it. It does not work like that. You are given ears and eyes once you choose to put your faith into Him.

 

[Edward]

Edward

John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

From a biblical perspective, what does light and darkness represent?

Truth and deception. ;)

 

[stovebolts]

Sure enough, brother. Abraham did indeed get to look forward. That's (some of) exactly what I'm talking about, and David too! Love takes away fear. I have learned that real good. There's nothing like being overcome by the Holy Spirit. Good post brother. God bless you.

I actually think that fearing the Lord is part of our transformation. We fear the Lord when we look at His commands through our sinful nature. Fear is the beginning of knowledge our our Lord according to Solomon. In other words, we're afraid of bringing wrath upon ourselves, so we obey the Lord's commandments. As we live out those commandments, we start to understand why the commandments were put in place to begin with. At first, we may find the Lord's commandments as restrictive, and taking the fun out of living. But as we continue to obey, we begin to see, and feel the effects of living a Godly life. Life actually gets better! And our response transforms from fear, to thankfulness and eventually love! Where we once saw God's wrath, we are now able to see God's Love. While we were in our sinful nature, the commandments felt restrictive... but we found that they brought life.

 

[Edward]

Agreed. And he who has ears, is one who is willing to listen to the words of Jesus, and trust Jesus enough to obey them. About being born again, we can test those spirits by knowing the will of the Father, and it is the desire of our Father that all men come into repentance. That is to say, stop living this way, and live the way God created you to live. There is a better way to live... will be obey? That is but one way we can discern and perceive the true Kingdom of God, for His Kingdom is not of this world which is full of our sinful nature, malice, greed and self rightousness... The gate is narrow, and few enter it.

Exactly! The Kingdom of God is like the Military. This is no democracy. What the commanding officer says is Law, and is not questioned...it is obeyed. "Yes Sir" is the proper answer to anything from God.

I read/listened to a testimony once where a fellow had been caught up in the spirit, and was taken to the third heaven. He said that Angels who spoke with Jesus, upon ending the conversation, would bow, and back up a ways before turning aside to leave. This struck me as very fitting and wise. I am going to remember that.