"… Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
The word except is a conjunction with the same meaning as the word unless. It is a word that indicates the circumstance. With it’s use, one condition is stipulated by another. Therefore, the condition of perishing is determined by the condition of repentance. If one repents, he will not perish. Likewise, if he does not repent, perish he will.
We see this also in the following verse:
"… Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
The stipulation for seeing the kingdom of God is that one must be born again. If a man is not born again, he will not see the kingdom of God.
Now, consider what Jesus said in the gospel of John.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)
You will note that Jesus did not say “no man will come.” Rather, he said “no man can come.” For one to be able to come to the Son, he must be drawn by the Father. If he is not drawn by the Father, he can not come to the Son.
That is a serious stipulation!
Too many people think they have come to Jesus, when the truth is they have not. They have been coaxed or pressured by men to come. They have been told by men what to believe, what to do, and how to do it. They have simply accepted a religion passed on to them by family or friends. They have been taught by men and not by God. (John 6:45) Yet, no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him.
Have you not read that those who are born again are born of God and not by the will of man? (John 1:13) Do you not know that that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit? (John 3:6)
Conversion is a work of God in a man’s heart. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29)
I urge you to "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" ( 2 Corinthians 13:5)
Who drew you to Jesus?
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2 comments:
I agree with what you say but you leave out one thing, men are used by God to do the work of God. For the word declares which was written by the hands of men in Romans 10:14 How then shall call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Thank you for your comment.
Most definitely men may 'plant' and 'water', but it is God who gives the increase.
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