Clever Free Methodist

There are some problems with John 3:16 that have misguided people for ages. The good news is that the problem is not with the verse itself. So…take a deep breath….breathe. I am not here to condemn it or argue against its powerful message. What I am saying is that there are problems with how some have used it to “lead people to Jesus.” The problem is all in the presentation . We should not be lulled into thinking that the only reason we “accept Jesus” to just so that we can go to Heaven. Heaven is not a commodity. Heaven is not a time-share program. Heaven is not this “vacation get-away” resort for the after-life. Yes, I want to spend eternity in Heaven, but that is not my sole motivation for accepting Jesus into my life. I accepted Jesus because I finally understood who He was and all that He did for me. I accepted Jesus because I wanted Jesus. I accepted Jesus because I wanted to live for Him and fulfill His purpose for my life. The way John 3:16 has been used almost seems li

I have been preparing study notes for the weekly Bible study on the book of Jude . It is one of the rare books that have no chapters. It is simply twenty-five verses. Although the protestant churches do not use the apocrypha literature and books (like the Roman Catholic Church), we see Jude referring to the writings of The Assumption of Moses.” Tucked away in verse 9 , we read of a reference to Michael the Archangel contending with the Devil over the body of Moses (scholars believe it was Michael, in Deuteronomy 34:1-6, who took care of the body of Moses after he died). The result of this dispute is interesting as the verse says that he did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy. Michael is leaving the matter with God and putting it in His hands. If one of the greatest and most powerful Angels in God’s Heavenly Kingdom was so careful in what he said, how much more should we as mere mortals watch our words, responses, and conversations? Michael simply responds, “The Lord rebuke you!”