On 13/05/2024 11:25 am, ChristRose wrote:
> Context
>
> John 7 presents Jesus at the Feast of
> Tabernacles, dealing with public opinion
> and Jewish leaders' hostility. His
> teachings and actions deepen the
> division between those who believe and
> those who do not, emphasizing His divine
> origin and the spiritual discernment
> needed to recognize it. This chapter
> transitions from prior signs that
> demonstrate His authority, to teachings
> that challenge deeper understanding and
> belief in His identity, linking to the
> book's overall focus on belief in Jesus
> as the path to eternal life.
>
> Natural Divisions
>
> 1. Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles
> (John 7:1-13)
>
> Jesus’ decision to go to Jerusalem
> secretly underscores His awareness and
> control over His mission timing. The
> public’s varied opinions about Him
> illustrate widespread misunderstanding
> of His true identity and mission. This
> reflects 1 Peter 2:4-8 which talks about
> Jesus as the cornerstone chosen by God
> but rejected by men, highlighting the
> division His presence brings among
> people.
>
> 2. Jesus Teaches at the Feast (John
> 7:14-24)
>
> Midway through the feast, Jesus begins
> to teach openly, challenging the Jewish
> leaders' authority and their
> understanding of the law. His assertion
> that His teaching is from God invites
> listeners to a deeper spiritual
> discernment, aligning with James 1:5
> which encourages believers to seek
> wisdom from God, who gives generously to
> all without reproach.
>
> 3. Division Among the People (John
> 7:25-36)
>
> The people are divided over Jesus’
> identity, some believing He is the
> Christ, while others doubt based on
> their understanding of His origin. This
> division underscores the spiritual
> blindness and the necessity of divine
> revelation in recognizing Jesus’ true
> identity. Ephesians 1:17-18 speaks to
> God giving a spirit of wisdom and
> revelation to know Him better, echoing
> the need for spiritual insight seen in
> this division.
>
> 4. The Promise of the Holy Spirit (John
> 7:37-52)
>
> On the last day of the feast, Jesus
> promises the Holy Spirit to those who
> believe in Him, symbolized by rivers of
> living water. This promise not only
> fulfills prophetic imagery but also
> points to the transformative power of
> the Spirit in believers’ lives, resonant
> with Romans 8:9, which states that
> anyone who does not have the Spirit of
> Christ does not belong to Him.
>
> 5. The Unbelief of the Authorities (John
> 7:53)
>
> The chapter concludes with a note on the
> authorities’ unbelief, setting the stage
> for further confrontations. Their
> hardened hearts contrast sharply with
> the living water offered to believers,
> as highlighted in 2 Corinthians 3:14
> where it mentions their minds were made
> dull.
>
> Attitudes to Possess
>
> 1. Openness to Divine Wisdom (John
> 7:14-24)
>
> Believers should be open to the divine
> wisdom that Jesus offers, distinguishing
> it from human traditions. James 3:17
> describes this wisdom from above as
> first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open
> to reason, full of mercy and good
> fruits, impartial and sincere.
>
> 2. Discernment of Truth (John 7:25-36)
>
> Believers are called to discern the
> truth of Jesus’ words and His identity,
> beyond superficial appearances.
> Philippians 1:9-10 encourages love to
> abound more and more in knowledge and
> depth of insight, so believers may be
> able to discern what is best.
>
> Actions to Take
>
> 1. Seek Understanding of Jesus’
> Teachings (John 7:14-24)
>
> Believers should actively seek to
> understand and apply Jesus’ teachings in
> their lives. Colossians 3:16 advises
> letting the word of Christ dwell in you
> richly, teaching and admonishing one
> another in all wisdom.
>
> 2. Embrace the Spirit’s Power (John
> 7:37-52)
>
> Believers must embrace the
> transformative power of the Holy Spirit,
> recognizing it as essential for living a
> life that reflects Christ. Ephesians
> 3:16-17 prays that believers may be
> strengthened with power through His
> Spirit in the inner being.
>
> Word of exhortation for the believer
>
> As followers of Jesus, let us be
> vigilant in our understanding and
> receptive to the wisdom He imparts.
> Embrace the living waters of the Holy
> Spirit, which Christ promises to all who
> believe in Him.

"Let us?" "Should?" Let us receive Him?" "Embrace the living waters?"

That is supposed to have already happened!

Well, where is the promise in you???

I thought that a believer was already a believer, not a talker about
believing, a talking religious head!

> This empowerment is not
> just for personal edification but for us
> to be bearers of His truth and grace in
> a world that is deeply divided and in
> need of His light.

But you are not His light.

You are still in the darkness, in your continual sin, as well you know.

So, what exactly are you doing here?

Michael Christ

> Invitation for the unbeliever
>
> If you are searching for meaning and
> fulfillment, consider Jesus Christ, who
> offers not just teachings but the gift
> of the Holy Spirit, symbolizing rivers
> of living water to refresh and renew.
> Through His death and resurrection, He
> has provided a substitutionary atonement
> for sin, satisfying God’s righteous
> requirements. This gift is available to
> you; embrace this life-transforming
> opportunity by trusting in Him today.
>
>
> --
> Have you heard the good news Christ died
> for our sins (†), and God raised Him
> from the dead?
>
> That Christ died for our sins shows
> we're sinners who deserve the death
> penalty. That God raised Him from the
> dead shows Christ's death satisfied
> God's righteous demands against our sin
> (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:1-2). This means
> God can now remain just, while forgiving
> you of your sins, and saving you from
> eternal damnation.

--
God is God in all His Being.

Jesus is the everlasting Father, Jesus is God, Jesus is the Lord. John
10:30  I and Father are one. If you can't see that the Lord Jesus is the
everlasting Father you are not born again and can't see the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were
YET sinners, Christ died for us.

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it
is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Psalms 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt
are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that
hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

"To seek your own will is to seek your own glory."

"If God is not first in everything He is not first in anything."

"What makes the bible the truth? The resonance (voice, the Person) of
God. When you find Him you have found the author."

"All men were born sinners. Why? Because all men were born not loving
God with all their heart, soul, and mind. An abomination. Therefore,
sin is not what you do; it is what you are."

"Compromise will condemn you."

"There are no sinners in Christ Jesus."

"My sons are born of Me. In them is no darkness at all."

"You can't learn righteousness. Haven't you had enough time already to
know that?"

"The way of truth is the testimony of life."

"I merely speak the truth, what is revealed to me, and the cards fall
where God intends."

"Nothing that is produced is produced without first being faith."

"You can only find proof of God through faith because that is how we all
live, by faith."

"It is not what you do that matters, it is how you treat Me."

"Keep going forward. Forget about the past. Lift up your head, look
ahead."

"You cannot be free and free indeed with guilt in your heart."

"Priority is everything."

"The truth doesn't need evidence, it is evidence."

"There is no greater possession a man has than his own will, to squander
it or to place it where it truly belongs."