Know the Lord?

[ezrider]

Have you ever noticed that when the Jehovah’s Witnesses appear on your doorstep, they always have a Bible and a verse to share with you? It is an interesting thing to observe, but when I inform them that I already believe in the Lord, and that by Faith I am with him in his kingdom, they immediately search for another Bible verse that they may try and convince me to believe in the Lord. If I reciprocate and try to share with them my walk in faith spoken from the depths of my heart, I find they are not interested in the sharing of faith, only the verses written on a page. When they become frustrated trying to convince me of something that I already believe in, they hand me a couple of magazines and then they are on their way.

This effect is not uncommon within Christianity, the Church, or on this community board as well. There is a tendency to turn an ear from what has been shared in Faith because it does not come in the form of a chapter and a verse. Instead of opening arms and embracing a brother in the faith, we measure their beliefs so that we might find fault with them, that we might turn the topic back to a point in the scripture that we might contend with so we can feel in control, and in doing so we discount their faith.

But what I often wonder about, is why we find it necessary to hold up the Bible and quote a few scriptures as the expression of our faith? Now before anyone thinks that I am denigrating their Bible, I am not. What I wonder is why when the Church and the words from the Bible tell me that I can have a living relationship with God, and that God himself would teach me by his Holy Spirit, that I should limit the expression of my Faith to only the words in the Bible. In the book of John, it is written that if all the things that Jesus did were written down, the world itself could not contain all the books thereof (John 21:25). Yet we try and limit his words to those written in one book. When someone tries to quote a scripture, it does not show their understanding, it shows they can read. When you quote the scripture in lieu of your own words, are you testifying of the Bible or are you testifying of your faith in the Bible? When do you testify of the Lord?

If you truly believe that you serve and worship a living God, is he so limited that he can only speak to you from the Bible? If you believe the Spirit of God dwells in your heart, and that he has written his laws into our hearts and into our minds, then shouldn’t the expression of our living Faith also be expressed from our hearts? When I read the Gospels, I do not see Jesus primarily quoting old testament scripture that we may know them. But quite the contrary, he said had you believed Moses, you would have believed me. Jesus spoke in parables, and he used allegories to teach about the Kingdom of God, using examples of things in the natural world that we might understand the Spiritual: Consider the lilies of the field; Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap…

Jesus said when they deliver you up, take no thought what you shall speak, for it shall be given you in the same hour. If you rely on quoting scripture to express your beliefs, then is the Word really in you? What is it that you aspire to in your walk of faith, to testify of the Bible, or to know the Spirit of God when he speaks through you? The Gospels have made known to you the manner in which Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. How should you think the Gospel of the Kingdom might be proclaimed in these last days, by chapter and verse? Or as the Spirit gives utterance?

When you find yourself quoting the scripture, do you do so that you might tear down or do you do so that you might build up? Do we use the scriptures so we can measure the beliefs of another so we might judge for ourselves whether they know the Lord?

 

[ezrider]

There is a scripture that has long been on my mind. It is a familiar passage to many: for they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. In it we are told that all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God.

Micah 4:4-6
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree;
and none shall make them afraid:
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god,
and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

The scripture says that the Word of God is a sharp two edged sword. When we engage in a debate over scriptures, do you wield the words of the Bible as if it is a sword that you might slay your brother? Or have you laid down your sword, that you might beat it into the plowshare you would use to till the soil in the garden of God and to sow the seed of Faith of your walk in the Kingdom of God?

When I read that every man shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, I think to myself in simple terms, that I should mind my own business and concentrate on my own walk and instruction from the Lord. I think it is in the book of Romans where Paul said who are you to judge another man’s servant.

When I started writing down my thoughts for this topic, I honestly did not know where it was leading me. But as I continued to think on it for a couple of days, a word kept coming to my mind: Know you the Lord? So I had to go look it up. And though I have read it many times before, it was as if reading it for the first time.

Hebrews 8:10-12
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

This is the new covenant confirmed in the blood Christ that we actively live in. The people of the Lord shall NOT teach every man his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:27-28
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,
that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah
with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them,
to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down,
and to destroy, and to afflict;
so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:33-34
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts,
and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord: for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord:
for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

If we are indeed under the new covenant, and by the word of God that we shall no more teach every man his neighbor, saying, know the Lord, then why is it we spend so much time trying to convince others their need to know the Lord? Or that we judge for ourselves whether we think others truly know the Lord? You shall not teach them, and none shall make them afraid, yet the Church tries to win souls to Christ through fear of the punishment for sin.

Jesus said: It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. Do the words in the Bible account for every word from the mouth of God? The Lord has invited you to come unto his feast and to dine with him. He has given us to eat the bread of life and the fruit of the tree of Life; He has given us of His Spirit. He has given to us so much more than a 2000 year old biscuit to sustain us. The promises are for the here and now, not a future time; but it is up to us the walk therein by Faith.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

amein. shalom in Yeshua. several times i was requested to provide a verse for my quote or statement, which i don't mind per se seeing as there is a reason for my faith and it is always in line with all of scripture, but (for comparison) i don't think the BEREANS took the verses from the speaker, whoever he may be, but when they went and searched the Scripture they did so more thoroughly and intensely for the meaning and the fuller picture (love Hebrew for the picture way of thinking! ) checking and comparing prayerfully not just what was said, but much more importantly (i believe) checking and comparing prayerfully that it was not contradictory to any other Scripture but all in all in line.

 

[agua.]

Gday Ezirider how's it going. I think at times we get a bit confused with our walk of faith and how the Bib.le fits in because, as you say, they are words written down and not what is inside our heart. But then maybe we should consider what is written in our hearts and why. Yahweh directed the poeple who wrote the scriptures so that we can have an account of direct revelations from Him and learn from them. Jesus quoted the OT scripture in reply to satan and we have the same scriptures today as a guide.

I;ve read most of your posts and from what I can tell the issue lies only when we disagree with what is written in the Bible. Do you agree the Bible is correct and holds authority above what we think ?

Oh I think it's important to make clear the difference between the JW's and Christianity. The JW's have a set rule of Authority which comes down from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society that publishes all of their study and witnessing guides. Everything they learn is guided from these publications. Also notice that JW's have an in house Bible translation NWT which is designed to remove the diety of Jesus. So when you compare JW's to Christians you are comparing apples and oranges.

 

[Eugene]

Dear Brother ezrider, you say “Jesus spoke in parables, and he used allegories to teach about the Kingdom of God, using examples of things in the natural world that we might understand the Spiritual: Consider the lilies of the field; Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap….” How would you know this unless you read the bible?

Again you say “In the book of John, it is written that if all the things that Jesus did were written down, the world itself could not contain all the books thereof (John 21:25). This is just my opinion, but the things not written were not meant to be written. E.g., Jesus may have cured a million lepers, and wrote of only ten, etc.; I don’t know.

Not using scripture to many doesn’t allow them to give the reason for their faith. Scripture is given us by God as instruction, and do we fare better striking out on our own?

Now that we have the complete gospel that we’ll be judged by not previously known to previous times of history, should we neglect it? Now I purposely refrained from pasting scripture; does it make it easier to receive my point? Thanks

 

[ezrider]

Gday Ezirider how's it going. I think at times we get a bit confused with our walk of faith and how the Bib.le fits in because, as you say, they are words written down and not what is inside our heart. But then maybe we should consider what is written in our hearts and why. Yahweh directed the poeple who wrote the scriptures so that we can have an account of direct revelations from Him and learn from them. Jesus quoted the OT scripture in reply to satan and we have the same scriptures today as a guide.

You stated that Jesus quoted the OT in reply to satan: Yes he did, but you can't honestly sum up the totality of the ministry of Jesus in those few quotes, can you? Can you at least acknowledge that what Jesus taught through the parables and allegories, and even the sermon on the Mount, relative to today's standards, would have been considered extra-biblical?

I've read most of your posts and from what I can tell the issue lies only when we disagree with what is written in the Bible. Do you agree the Bible is correct and holds authority above what we think ?

After what I have shared above, I truly wonder why you would ask such a question. Have not I quoted scripture? And have I not referenced other scriptures in what I have shared? So I wonder what is your motivation for such a question? Is not the Lord God Almighty the highest of authority?

Oh I think it's important to make clear the difference between the JW's and Christianity. The JW's have a set rule of Authority which comes down from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society that publishes all of their study and witnessing guides. Everything they learn is guided from these publications. Also notice that JW's have an in house Bible translation NWT which is designed to remove the diety of Jesus. So when you compare JW's to Christians you are comparing apples and oranges.

My point had nothing to do with the difference between JW's and Christians. You may judge between them to distinguish the apples and the oranges, but do they not all belong to the Lord?

Maybe you could think about sharing your thoughts about what I have shared. What are the thoughts that come to your mind when you read Micah 4, Jeremiah 31, and Hebrews 8? Does the word of the Lord saying that you shall not teach your brother, saying, Know the Lord give you any reason for self reflection? Or is there something you might share to help shed more light on this matter?

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

since everything, everywhere, and everyone that and who was created was created through and by Yeshua, it is beyond inappropriate, neh, it is denial of Jesus, to say that anything He did or said is 'extra-biblical' (if meaning not biblical) , in or at any time - He does not change, and He does not show respect to men or society or any society standard. ...

no, most jw's do not confess Jesus Christ in truth nor live His Way - so they do not belong to Him. (yet. by sheer grace same as anyone else they may repent and turn to Him to be saved).

 

[agua.]

You stated that Jesus quoted the OT in reply to satan: Yes he did, but you can't honestly sum up the totality of the ministry of Jesus in those few quotes, can you? Can you at least acknowledge that what Jesus taught through the parables and allegories, and even the sermon on the Mount, relative to today's standards, would have been considered extra-biblical?

I don't get you Ezirider because what Jesus taught in parables and on the Mount are in the Bible. Do you mean they weren't in the OT and the people at that time would have viewed them as extra biblical ? In that case yes many of them did but Jesus also showed them from OT scriptures the error of their ways.

After what I have shared above, I truly wonder why you would ask such a question. Have not I quoted scripture? And have I not referenced other scriptures in what I have shared? So I wonder what is your motivation for such a question? Is not the Lord God Almighty the highest of authority?

I asked the question because I'm not sure if you trust your heart above scripture. Do you think scripture holds authority above what your heart tells you ? ie. if something you believe is in opposition to scripture do you reject your heart ?

My point had nothing to do with the difference between JW's and Christians. You may judge between them to distinguish the apples and the oranges, but do they not all belong to the Lord?

Scripture tells us that Jesus is Lord and so if we worship a different version of Jesus does that make us his people ?

Maybe you could think about sharing your thoughts about what I have shared. What are the thoughts that come to your mind when you read Micah 4, Jeremiah 31, and Hebrews 8? Does the word of the Lord saying that you shall not teach your brother, saying, Know the Lord give you any reason for self reflection? Or is there something you might share to help shed more light on this matter?

I'm not sure what you mean Ezirider can you post the scriptures you want me to examine and what you want me to comment on specifically about them ?

 

[ezrider]

Dear Brother ezrider, you say “Jesus spoke in parables, and he used allegories to teach about the Kingdom of God, using examples of things in the natural world that we might understand the Spiritual: Consider the lilies of the field; Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap….” How would you know this unless you read the bible?

I am a little troubled by your response Eugene that you would intimate that I suggested to anyone that they should not read their Bible. How else should I receive your comment "How would you know this unless you read your bible?" Maybe you should go back and re-read what I have shared above. You will find that I have quoted different scriptures, I have referenced other scriptures, and I inferred many more. I have never espoused that you should not read your Bible. What I have tried to share in Faith that you might consider is that the expression of our Faith must come from our hearts, not from the pages of a book. There is a big difference between the two, and I hope that you can see that.

Not using scripture to many doesn’t allow them to give the reason for their faith. Scripture is given us by God as instruction, and do we fare better striking out on our own?

That is an interesting question. When I was younger, I went to college to get an education. I studied real hard and I learned much, but eventually I had to strike out on my own and make it in the real world. I had to take the education of my youth and apply it towards a career. I found the application of my studies and the advancement of my career to be much different than the education of my youth, I had real responsibilities with actual consequences. I have found that my education never really ends, as I have to keep up with technology and a changing business world. But the learning I continue in is the learning that comes from experience and trail and error. Today my college books are of little consequence to my professional career.

Is the knowledge you get from the Bible really much different? One day we each must step forward in Faith and begin to apply that which we have learned, and walk in the real world interacting with others. We continue to grow and learn from our mistakes and from our achievements, we learn from our experiences; and what we learn from these experiences are written on our hearts so that it becomes part of our nature. Your personal experience can not be found written in the Bible. You will find in the business world that many of the most successful people have become that way by finding a mentor to instruct them or share with them some insight. In the Spiritual realm, we have the perfect mentor in the Spirit of Christ. For it is written that the law was our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, but after Faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

 

[Eugene]

I am a little troubled by your response Eugene that you would intimate that I suggested to anyone that they should not read their Bible. How else should I receive your comment "How would you know this unless you read your bible?" Maybe you should go back and re-read what I have shared above. You will find that I have quoted different scriptures, I have referenced other scriptures, and I inferred many more. I have never espoused that you should not read your Bible. What I have tried to share in Faith that you might consider is that the expression of our Faith must come from our hearts, not from the pages of a book. There is a big difference between the two, and I hope that you can see that.

That is an interesting question. When I was younger, I went to college to get an education. I studied real hard and I learned much, but eventually I had to strike out on my own and make it in the real world. I had to take the education of my youth and apply it towards a career. I found the application of my studies and the advancement of my career to be much different than the education of my youth, I had real responsibilities with actual consequences. I have found that my education never really ends, as I have to keep up with technology and a changing business world. But the learning I continue in is the learning that comes from experience and trail and error. Today my college books are of little consequence to my professional career.

Is the knowledge you get from the Bible really much different? One day we each must step forward in Faith and begin to apply that which we have learned, and walk in the real world interacting with others. We continue to grow and learn from our mistakes and from our achievements, we learn from our experiences; and what we learn from these experiences are written on our hearts so that it becomes part of our nature. Your personal experience can not be found written in the Bible. You will find in the business world that many of the most successful people have become that way by finding a mentor to instruct them or share with them some insight. In the Spiritual realm, we have the perfect mentor in the Spirit of Christ. For it is written that the law was our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, but after Faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Dear Brother ezrider, please forgive me if I sounded as if I believe you didn’t use the bible, as that certainly isn’t my meaning.

You said:
“But what I often wonder about, is why we find it necessary to hold up the Bible and quote a few scriptures as the expression of our faith? Now before anyone thinks that I am denigrating their Bible, I am not. What I wonder is why when the Church and the words from the Bible tell me that I can have a living relationship with God, and that God himself would teach me by his Holy Spirit, that I should limit the expression of my Faith to only the words in the Bible.

I was attempting to establish the reason to show why we do use the bible, and that was to show the reason for our faith. Added to our instruction can certainly be testimonies told, and light shown to accompany the word. That reminds me of James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Could we address this to them quoting bible scripture only?

Blessings in Christ Jesus.

 

[ezrider]

since everything, everywhere, and everyone that and who was created was created through and by Yeshua, it is beyond inappropriate, neh, it is denial of Jesus, to say that anything He did or said is 'extra-biblical' (if meaning not biblical) , in or at any time - He does not change, and He does not show respect to men or society or any society standard. ...

I think you misunderstood my comment. My comment was not a statement about anything that Jesus said, or anything that is written that Jesus said. I was asking more to the effect if you were alive during the time of the ministry of Jesus, would we have seen the parables and allegories, or even the sermon on the Mount as being extra-biblical; meaning that his words were more than that of the law and the prophets, but it was the Word of God none the less.

no, most jw's do not confess Jesus Christ in truth nor live His Way - so they do not belong to Him. (yet. by sheer grace same as anyone else they may repent and turn to Him to be saved).

Whether we confess Christ or not, we are all Christ's. Whether Christ will confess us to the Father is a different matter; but that is not ours to judge.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

what authority or source says we all are Christ's? is that 'all' the world, or all people, or what ?

 

[ezrider]

what authority or source says we all are Christ's? is that 'all' the world, or all people, or what ?

Read 2 Timothy 2:10-12 and ask yourself how Jesus can not deny himself?

I'm sorry, but this line of questioning is moving away from the topic of the thread, and I will not respond to this any further. I would be more than happy to discuss anything I have shared in my original posts.

Thank you

 

[Angel]

I use the Scriptures for my own heart, that I would meditate and apply it. (A slow process.) I don't often quote, unless I know that it will be something encouraging, or to give people peace.
I agree that the witness is The Holy Spirit in us, and if someone needs Scripture, the Spirit will prompt their hearts.

 

[agua.]

Read 2 Timothy 2:10-12 and ask yourself how Jesus can not deny himself?

I'm sorry, but this line of questioning is moving away from the topic of the thread, and I will not respond to this any further. I would be more than happy to discuss anything I have shared in my original posts.

Thank you

The people Jesus cannot deny are believers Ezirider. This is a good example of what we believe and if scripture holds authority over our heart. Do you say the elect are all people or only believers ?

2Ti 2:10 KJV Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

 

[ezrider]

The people Jesus cannot deny are believers Ezirider. This is a good example of what we believe and if scripture holds authority over our heart. Do you say the elect are all people or only believers ?

2Ti 2:10 KJV Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Sorry, I meant to type 2 Timothy 2:11-13 in my reference that Jesus cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

[Eugene]

Sorry, I meant to type 2 Timothy 2:11-13 in my reference that Jesus cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

This is the great security we have in Jesus. We are His body He cannot deny. Greater reward is available to the one in Him enduring or suffering as we also read in Romans 8:17 . . joint-heirs with Christ; IF so be that we suffer with him.

 

[ezrider]

Dear Brother ezrider, please forgive me if I sounded as if I believe you didn’t use the bible, as that certainly isn’t my meaning.

You said:
“But what I often wonder about, is why we find it necessary to hold up the Bible and quote a few scriptures as the expression of our faith? Now before anyone thinks that I am denigrating their Bible, I am not. What I wonder is why when the Church and the words from the Bible tell me that I can have a living relationship with God, and that God himself would teach me by his Holy Spirit, that I should limit the expression of my Faith to only the words in the Bible.

I was attempting to establish the reason to show why we do use the bible, and that was to show the reason for our faith. Added to our instruction can certainly be testimonies told, and light shown to accompany the word. That reminds me of James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Could we address this to them quoting bible scripture only?

Blessings in Christ Jesus.

I understand the reasons people use there Bible to explain their faith, I have caught myself doing it as well. We can read a scripture of a hundred words, but in our minds we hear ten thousand. And because we have all of these thoughts of joy in the revelation of the Lord, we assume that by just sharing the same hundred words with someone else, that they will perceive the same ten thousand you heard in your heart and mind. If I wish to share what the Lord has revealed to me in those ten thousand, then I must find a way to express them in my own words.

It is my opinion that when we hold up the Bible as our witness to the world, they reject it out of hand because all they see is hypocrisy. But when you can step out in Faith and begin expressing from your own heart what the Lord has revealed in your heart and mind, it is harder for them to find hypocrisy in you. Share those ten thousand words the Lord has shown you, but that does not ever change the original hundred words that began as your foundation.

You bring up the book of James and the discussion about faith and works; But before I go any further though, I do not want this thread to turn into another faith versus works debate. But since this does fit in with what I am talking about: When I am showing you my faith by my works it is much harder to perceive, because faith does not boast of itself or seek glory for it's works, it is shrouded with humility. But on the contrary, those who have faith in their works often tend to boast of themselves, as Jesus declared to us in pointing out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

 

[Eugene]

ezrider
ezrider - We can read a scripture of a hundred words, but in our minds we hear ten thousand.

Eugene – That is due to word upon word, and precept upon precept. E.g., Revelation 1:1 . . he (Jesus) sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John. This all seems simple enough until we attempt to discern who this angel is, and I hope I don't just muddy the waters.

As we grow in the word, scripture is added to that which we already know and we come to Rev 22:8, And I John . . fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Rev 22:9 Then saith he (the angel) unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Hey this is our brother in Christ; a fellow messenger with us and should help clear up some misconceptions, and that’s my opinion how we expand our base as we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. 2 Pet 3:18.

In 1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things (events of the Old Testament) happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. How do we apply this? As God reveals it to us through His word, and by the Holy Spirit.

How can this be? We must derive this from many sources of scripture.
1 Sa 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Exo 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Rom 7:25 . . with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

http://www.gracegod.com/Study Books/Exodus.pdf
THE SMITTEN ROCK - 17:1-7. The rock was smitten that water might flow for the refreshing of the people. This is typical of Christ (I Cor. 10:4) smitten at Calvary, that life may flow forth freely and abundantly to an undeserving world. John 4:10-14; 7:37-39; Revelation 22:17. Exodus 17:8-16. The battle with Amalek is a type of the conflict of the believer with his own flesh. Notice that Israel prevailed through the intercession of Moses; so we prevail through the intercession of Christ - Hebrews 7:25. The Name "Jehovah Nissi" means "The Lord Is my banner." He is the One who goes before in the conflict with the flesh - Isaiah 59:19. According to Exodus 17:16, it was to be a continual conflict. There is a continual conflict between the flesh and the Spirit within each believer.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

as Jesus cannot deny himself, He does not accept anyone into heaven who does not confess Him in truth --
"whoever has the Son has Life. whoever does not have the Son does not have Life." jw's mostly, like the rest of the world, do NOT have the Son, so they mostly do not have LIFE, even thought He offers LIFE to them the same as everyone else He offers LIFE to. most people just don't accept HIS OFFER OF LIFE, including most jw's, so they are not His.

Sorry, I meant to type 2 Timothy 2:11-13 in my reference that Jesus cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.