The word “progression” is usually seen as a good thing. The definition of the word is: the process of developing or moving gradually towards a more advanced state. Everyone likes progress.
In the Gospel of John, we see some good examples of progression. In two conversations people experience a progression in their understanding of who Jesus is. When the woman at the well meets Jesus, she thinks He is an ordinary man. She sees Him as a Jewish man who would dare speak to a Samaritan woman (John 4:9). But she soon sees He is more than that. After He tells her things about her life, she progresses in her understanding and thinks He is a prophet (4:19). Finally, at the end of the conversation, she comes to realize He is more than even that. He is the Christ/Messiah (4:25-29).
The same progression in understanding of who Jesus is is also found in John 9 in the account of the man born blind. After Jesus cures him, he is asked by his neighbors how it was that he could now see. He says that the “man” named Jesus made clay, put it on his eyes, and had him wash the clay off. When he did so, he could see (9:11). A little later, when the Pharisees ask him what he thinks about the man Jesus, he tells them that he thinks Jesus is a prophet (9:17). Still later, after the religious leaders kick him out, Jesus finds him. Jesus reveals to him that He is the Son of God, that is, the Christ. The man comes to believe that (9:35-38).
This progression in understanding is a good thing, especially in the Gospel of John. John wrote the Gospel that bears his name with the purpose that the reader would go through the same progression. He wants the readers to know that Jesus was more than a man. He is the Christ that gives eternal life to all who believe in Him for it (John 20:30-31).
When it comes to a person’s understanding of Jesus, such progression is always a good thing. Many unbelievers think that He was a good man or maybe even a great prophet. But He is much more.
But we can also say that sometimes progression is not a good thing. In fact, we could say that in many instances the opposite is true. The antonym of progression is regression. In some instances regression is what is called for.
In the Gospel of John, we also see an example of that. In John 1, religious leaders ask John the Baptist who he is. The questions are in inverse order of what we see in the understanding of the woman at the well and the man born blind. They first ask John if he is the Christ. His answer? Nope. Then they ask him if he is Elijah. Again, the answer is “nope.” Then they ask him if he is the prophet that Moses said would come. Once again: Nope. Then they ask him who he is. He says he is just a voice crying in the wilderness, pointing people to Christ. Whatever John understood about himself, one thing is clear. He didn’t want people thinking too highly of him. He wanted them to think less of him and to think more of Jesus. Their opinion of John needed to regress. Their opinion of Jesus needed to progress.
That is the way it is with us as well. If we seek status, fame, or the applause of men, we need to tamp that way down. Like John, we might need to suggest, and even demand, a regression in the opinions of others. That would be a good thing. However, when it comes to Jesus, the unbelieving world needs a progression in their understanding of Him. Whatever they might think of Him, He is more. He is the Christ who gives eternal life to all who believe in Him for it.
Leo Z
Amen and thank you Pastor Ken for this exhortation on recognizing the supremacy and preeminence of The Lord Jesus. At times we need to be reminded of it and it would profit us greatly to dwell in this truth, always.
As Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68). Not on only does He have the words of eternal life,…He IS eternal life (John 1:4; 11:25; 14:6).
“He must increase and I [we] must decrease…He is above all…! ” (John 3:30-35).
Praying for you and GES!
Timothy Grady
Amen Ken and Leo .
Superlatives fail to convey the gratitude for His boundless grace , and GES’s role in our understanding of the Biblical data .
To wit , clearing up commonly held confusions like :
1. Predestination/election
2. “By their fruits you will know them “
3. Repentance
4. Nature of saving faith
5. Salvation
6. The “narrow gate that leads to life and few there be who find it”
7. “Many will say to Me Lord , Lord”
These – and many other categories not mentioned – have radically progressed my understanding in the last 20 years (That’s not to say that I’m a Radical Progressive!!!?) .
It has gotten so much clearer that all Lordship Salvation works systems are biblically impossible- whether Calvinist or Arminian .
The towering simplicity of John 3:16,5:24,6:47,11:24-27 etc. , remain the objective bulwark against all attempts at self righteousness .
Thanks GES for your non-regression as Bereans (Acts 17:11) .
Leo Z
Amen and Amen! And blessings to you my Brother!
I too thank the Lord for His graciousness in placing me on the path of progress in the learning and understanding of His truths, in order to remove me from the grip of biblical error and to take away the veil of confusion that deeply permeates the Evangelicalism of our time.
I too thank Him for people, the likes of those in the GES family, past and present, whom He has used mightily in my schooling journey, as He has in yours and many others. Their faithfulness and zeal for biblical truth is commendable and precious.
God is gracious and good indeed! He rewards those who [earnestly] diligently seek Him [and His truths] (Hebrews 11:6). Be it that the specific context of this passage is future rewards for faithfulness now, I am fully convinced that the thought also practically applies to rewards of Spirit led progress in learning for those who faithfully seek the illumination and enlightenment of His truths with an open mind and a teachable spirit (like the Bereans, as you have mentioned).
Reformed
John 1:12-13 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Management
Reformed, it is very odd that you continue to use obviously fake emails; a fake email is a lie. That is not a godly, respectful, or honest way to interact on a web blog.
Reformed
I do not like spam, forgive me for that.
Leo Z
Yes, to those that received Him (believed in His name), they were born of God (regenerated by the Holy Spirit). Why? because that is the will of God. That “whosoever” believes in His Son He will be born again and have everlasting life. (John 6:40 – “And this is THE WILL of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”). God regenerates those who believe.
Contrast that with those who heard Jesus’ message but did not believe in Him. (John 5:38-40 – “But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You SEARCH the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not WILLING TO COME TO ME that you may have life.”) These unbelieving men, were SEARCHING (seeking) eternal life (not exactly unable to seek God in their unregenerate state). They had Jesus, preaching eternal life to them and doing miracles, yet they were UNWILLING to come (believe) to Him.
These verses refutes the teaching that the unsaved are unable to seek God or respond to Him, positively or negatively in a volitional and willing way.
Reformed
Leo, ….it says “nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man”….If man first believes in Christ and then he is born again, that means the will of his flesh is involved in salvation and God’s will depends on it. The flesh cannot will spiritual birth, it is not a result of the will of the flesh nor the will of man as the verse explicitly says. The spiritual birth is only of the will of God and has nothing to do with the will of man, because God first regenerates, then faith comes into the heart.
Leo Z
Last post, #4. Abiding by the posting rules of this blog site.
For Reformed. John 1:12-13 does not say that God wills regeneration or spiritual birth only to those whom He chooses to do it for. You’re reading in your theology into the text. You’re isolating passages, taking them out of context and using them as proof text(s) to support your 5-point Calvinistic Theology (a practice that I’ve noticed, you do quiet often). Sad to say but eisegesis is a common practice that you folks do when interpreting Scripture.
John 1:12-13 says God regenerates those who receives/believes in His Son. Man does not and can not regenerate himself. The Spirit has to do that. That happens after they believe. John 6:40 is very clear, in saying that THE WILL of God is that He will give everlasting life (regenerate) those who believe in His Son. Believe first, then be quickened, regenerated, be given life, be spiritually made alive, be born-again. It’s simple, giving eternal salvation is God’s will for those who believe in His Son. God draws men with truth, He offers everlasting life, man then volitionally responds to the offer either positively or negatively. It’s a s simple as that.
Timothy Grady
Well said Leo .
It is remarkable how anyone could generate enthusiasm or motivation for the Gospel Of Doubt .
It is doubly perplexing against the backdrop of a system that negates man’s volition always responsibly in the service of an all encompassing decree that assigns all blame for sin , sickness , blasphemy , death – and every known historic evil – at the doorstep of this Calvinist god .
This is the only logical option , on a monergist paradigm .
This explains why Reformed could never answer direct questions concerning certainty of eternal life. Dr. James White likewise could not – in the epic debate with Dr. Bob Wilkin (on Regeneration) .
Not to have certainty of eternal life simply by belief in Him for it – if even for a brief moment – is tantamount to unbelief .
Put differently , always believing that we must persevere until death in faith and good deeds is synonymous with doubt , and misses the message of life .
Worst of all , it renders impossible the repeated guarantees of Jesus to those thirsting for the water of life .
Doubting Jesus is eternally bad news .
Timothy Grady
Sorry about the word salad in paragraph 2.
It should read : “volitional responsibility”.
Editor job now available !
Management
Reformed, GES does not send spam or anything to your mailbox unless you sign up for emails. The other commenters here use real email accounts. If you continue to lie, you will not be allowed to post. It’s that simple. It is rather odd that someone who upholds a works/lordship salvation continues to post using ridiculously fake email addresses.
KEN TAMASHIRO
Thanks, Pastor Ken Yates,
I feel more strongly now that recognizing Jesus as the Messiah or the Christ is so important to know because many including myself prior to coming to Faith in Jesus thought he was just another man who died to satisfy Gods anger towards mankind for the good of the people.
But now seeing Jesus as God / Man / Savior changed my whole perspective and my awe and respect went up 10 points when I understood who he was. The problem I feel was it focused to much on his death on the Cross rather than understanding Jesus was God also which to me made a bigger difference.
I feel John the Baptist was correct by downplaying his role because the Savior of the World will appear soon.
Grace and Peace to You,
Ken Tamashiro,
Timothy Grady
Post #4 per regulations :
This expose by Dr. Leighton Flowers (an former longtime 5 pointer whom I would have disagreements with) entitled ‘Monergistic Evil . Does God Cause Evil ?’ Is worth a look .
It directly addresses the insoluble problem in the Reformed soteriology , and it’s slander of the true nature and character of the Most High God of love :
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dflfDyrFYZI&t=2162s
Tim Amoroso
Great blog here, Sir Ken. I believe I am seeing more of Jesus now. Thank you for helping me to do that. What a wonderful thing, to know that Jesus is the Christ. Believing in Jesus is the only way. As believers, we should progress in seeing more of Jesus, and in pointing others to Him. And, we should chose to obey Him in spite of opposition to obey Him every day, as well. Unbelievers should believe in Him for eternal life. Alright, God bless, brother, and have a great day!