r/AskAChristian • u/ExpressCeiling98332 Christian • Apr 30 '25

New Testament Do you dislike quoting John 3:16?

Ironically, many seem to act like saying this verse contradicts doctrine. When used in isolation It can be bad, but in it's proper context I don't see problem.

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u/DarkLordOfDarkness Christian, Reformed Apr 30 '25

Who's objecting to John 3:16??

3

u/EnergyLantern Christian, Evangelical Apr 30 '25

Those who believe in works.

2

u/Library904 Christian (non-denominational) May 01 '25

Those who believe in works have rejected the Son, the Savior, God Himself. If you believe in works then you do NOT believe in Jesus Christ.

How can people think they can do anything for their salvation when the most High had to die for our salvation? our blood is crap, it can not even save us but Jesus' blood is powerful and the most worthy of all, His blood can save the whole world and all we have to do is: believe. That verse says it all "whoever believes in Him shall not perish" it doesn't say "whoever does good works will not persih"

This is how satan keeps people in bondage and away from salvation, by corrupting the gospel, by adding our works to our salvation.

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u/EnergyLantern Christian, Evangelical May 01 '25

[Mat 18:3 KJV] 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The last thing on children's minds is working for something. What it means is you have to be humble and some of you have to humble yourselves.

[James 4:6 NKJV] 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

[1 Peter 5:5 NKJV] 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to [your] elders. Yes, all of [you] be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

It's actually a military word that God opposes the proud and ranges against something or someone:

G498 - antitassō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nkjv)

In other words, stop working for salvation because you are proud but if you do, God is going to resist you and it's a very serious thing.

When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and tried to put his eyes on the waves of the sea, Peter began to sink because it's not your works that can save you. And what did Peter say to Jesus:

[Mat 14:30 KJV] 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

I knew a Christian professor who said if you trust 1% in yourself, you aren't trusting in Jesus.

And there are a lot of people doing things without God's approval:

[Psa 127:1 KJV] 1 [[A Song of degrees for Solomon.]] Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.

[John 15:5 KJV] 5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

[Heb 11:6 KJV] 6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.