The Life Well Lived

[Nanon]

John 15:13, 16

13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends.

16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and
ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye
shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

For those living long enough, it will be very evident that life has many
unexpected twists and turns. Many sorrows come... opportunities
to know and believe the love of God, and to re-purpose our lives
by it.

I knew a pastor that ministered in an area given to dead religion. He
spent his life as a testimony of God's love personally to him, and to
others, as he lived the commandment to 'love'. In time, he was asked
to give the ultimate sacrifice, of his life. On a dark and cold night, he
rescued a man attempting suicide, and died in the effort. He was deemed
a hero by the town he ministered to. I heard comments expressing how
difficult it would be to 'give your life for one like the 'sinner' he died for.

Yet, this pastor did not, by sudden choice, offer his life. He lived a
long time making the same choice... to die to his own life. And in so
doing, the ultimate sacrifice was not an overwhelming choice for him.

In verse 13, the word 'life' can be translated as the 'soul' of a person.
The intellect, feelings, hopes and dreams. In Jesus' example, He too
gave up His 'soul' in addition to His literal bodily life. He said of Himself
that He did only what the Father showed Him, and taught only what the
Father gave Him to teach. He learned obedience.

As was the pastor or our Lord, we may not be called upon to give our
literal bodily life in death. But we are called to give our 'soul' for the
purposes of God. Verse 16 holds an amazing truth... that we have been
chosen. 'Chosen' carries the idea of being 'set apart' from the unbelieving
world to be graciously attended by God's oversight, as those whose faith
in Jesus has sparked the life of His Spirit. The merit of this faith lies
solely in the work of Jesus.

Those 'chosen' to carry the life of God in them, by His Spirit, are promised
an ability to become the 'sons' of God... they are 'ordained' (vs 16) to
bear fruit that remains. Fruit that bears testimony of the life of God, a
life well lived... through us... the 'chosen'.

 

[Juk]

Well, I remember that Scripture. Jesus was not talking to us, He was talking to the 12 disciples. There were so many more than 12 originally. Great story though.

 

[Nanon]

Well, I remember that Scripture. Jesus was not talking to us, He was talking to the 12 disciples. There were so many more than 12 originally. Great story though.

So Juk... Jesus doesn't promise us... who have been
born again by the will of God (and not the will of flesh)
a fruitful life? A life full of the Spirit and power of
God to die to the 'soulish' life?

 

[Juk]

So Juk... Jesus doesn't promise us... who have been
born again by the will of God (and not the will of flesh)
a fruitful life? A life full of the Spirit and power of
God to die to the 'soulish' life?

Well, I'm just saying that that specific verse is relating to the disciples. I know that we were not chosen specifically, for God is not a respecter of persons. But yes, of course, God wants us to live a life full of the Holy Spirit and a fruitful life as well.

 

[Nanon]

Well, I'm just saying that that specific verse is relating to the disciples. I know that we were not chosen specifically, for God is not a respecter of persons. But yes, of course, God wants us to live a life full of the Holy Spirit and a fruitful life as well.

By saying Jesus was talking only to his disciples seems so
dismissive. True, we were not in the crowd, nor among the
12 when Jesus spoke those words, but all scripture is given
for the Church... to all ages.

 

[Cturtle]

Well, I remember that Scripture. Jesus was not talking to us, He was talking to the 12 disciples. There were so many more than 12 originally. Great story though.

Juk....do you realize that when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior...that you have now become one of Jesus disciples? Because we are taught about Jesus and The Father by the Word of God. So this passage, even though it was written to the 12 original disciples, is written to and applies to us as well

Blessings

 

[Cturtle]

Well, I'm just saying that that specific verse is relating to the disciples. I know that we were not chosen specifically, for God is not a respecter of persons. But yes, of course, God wants us to live a life full of the Holy Spirit and a fruitful life as well.

Juk,

The Bible says that we all were chosen by The Father, before the beginning of the world. So that means you specifically. The difference between us who serve Him and those who don't... is that those who don't have not chosen to accept Jesus Blood and death on the cross as payment for their sins, yet. But they still have been chosen just like the rest of us.

Blessings

 

[Cturtle]

By saying Jesus was talking only to his disciples seems so
dismissive. True, we were not in the crowd, nor among the
12 when Jesus spoke those words, but all scripture is given
for the Church... to all ages.

Another verse that goes along with what you are saying
All scripture is God breathed or inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Blessings!

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Well, I remember that Scripture. Jesus was not talking to us, He was talking to the 12 disciples. There were so many more than 12 originally. Great story though.

Hello Juk,
I want to ask you this question and I ask you to answer this honestly.
When you read this post your mind began to think and this thought came forth. Now where did the idea of Jesus only speaking to the 12 come from ? The Holy Spirit as you read ? Or from what some other person or persons have said ?

Thank You JUk in advance
Blessings
Jim

 

[Juk]

Hello Juk,
I want to ask you this question and I ask you to answer this honestly.
When you read this post your mind began to think and this thought came forth. Now where did the idea of Jesus only speaking to the 12 come from ? The Holy Spirit as you read ? Or from what some other person or persons have said ?

Thank You JUk in advance
Blessings
Jim

I read the passage when I read the book of John, and Jesus was talking to the 12 disciples.

 

[Juk]

Juk,

The Bible says that we all were chosen by The Father, before the beginning of the world. So that means you specifically. The difference between us who serve Him and those who don't... is that those who don't have not chosen to accept Jesus Blood and death on the cross as payment for their sins, yet. But they still have been chosen just like the rest of us.

Blessings

Did you just say that everyone will choose Jesus?

 

[Nanon]

Thank you Cturtle and Fisher Catcher Jim for helping to
establish that Jesus spoke to His disciples past, present,
and future.

 

[Nanon]

Thank you Cturtle and Fisher Catcher Jim for helping to
establish that Jesus spoke to His disciples past, present,
and future.

My hope in this thread is to stay focused now on the
promise we have, in being chosen by God, to bear well
established fruit in the giving of our 'soul' (life). And to
remember that we are not overwhelmed if we are asked
to give our literal physical life, when we have learned to
give our 'soul' on a daily basis. We face a time in which
persecution is real to many, and could be to us as well.

Be blessed, my dear brothers and sisters!

 

[Mykuhl]

Juk,

The Bible says that we all were chosen by The Father, before the beginning of the world. So that means you specifically. The difference between us who serve Him and those who don't... is that those who don't have not chosen to accept Jesus Blood and death on the cross as payment for their sins, yet. But they still have been chosen just like the rest of us.

Blessings

Cturtle, if I may...I believe the ones you are referring to that choose not to accept Jesus are the "called" not the "chosen". I believe the scripture, "Many are called but few are chosen." makes reference to this.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

I read the passage when I read the book of John, and Jesus was talking to the 12 disciples.

Hi Juk,
That is not quite what I am asking you. Where did the thought come from. The thought it was only the 12 that Jesus was talking to ? Why did you come away with this thought ?
Blessings
Jim

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Cturtle, if I may...I believe the ones you are referring to that choose not to accept Jesus are the "called" not the "chosen". I believe the scripture, "Many are called but few are chosen." makes reference to this.

Mykuhl If I may,
You would think from a quick read that scripture here is talking about some will be saved and many wont make it. Hmm let me show you another thought in this.

Many are called - God has plans for each of us - God calls us to do certain things - God will call His people over to an area to fulfill something that He desires to be done. - Now NOT all that are called actually show up and get used. God has to use those who show up.

Lets say we want to get a ball game going after church this sunday- I call a bunch of people and you call a bunch of people. Now we both are excited and looking forward to all those we called for we know we called some guys who can really hit the ball.

The day arives and it is time to pick 2 teams - Mykuhl we can not pick who did not show up - now we both CALLED a bunch of people - but all we can use is those who actually show up.
The parable of the wedding feast is another exampl - there is going to be a wedding and if those selected wont come then he will get others but there will be a wedding.

Pray about this Mykuhl before you post your argument ! lol
Blessings
Jim

 

[Cturtle]

Did you just say that everyone will choose Jesus?

Nope. I said that God desires that they do choose His ways and to be in covenant with Him....but they still have to choose. And God chose everyone before the world began, to reveal Himself to. Again He cannot reveal Himself fully to those who have not chosen to accept what Jesus did for them on the cross.

 

[Cturtle]

Cturtle, if I may...I believe the ones you are referring to that choose not to accept Jesus are the "called" not the "chosen". I believe the scripture, "Many are called but few are chosen." makes reference to this.

Here is the scripture that i based my comment off of. Ephesians 1:4 ~ according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and without blame before Him in Love

2 Timothy 1:9 who hath saved us, and called us with an Holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

To me it sounds as if you are basing your comment off of Matthew 22:14. Which is from the parable of the king who made a marriage for his son. And in my thoughts is a tad bit different.