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Cherry Picking Christianity: What Is It and Why Should We Avoid Doing It?
This article continues our study of examining the danger of “cherry picking” passages of Scripture to fit a certain belief system.
Thus far, we have examined Romans 10:9-10 and Acts 16:31 in their respective contexts to arrive at the truth.
This week, we want to study one of the most, if not the most, well-known verses in the entire Bible: John 3:16.
Nicodemus Approaches Jesus
A Jewish man, who happened to be a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night (John 3:1). The text does not tell us why, but perhaps he did not want to be seen going to Jesus and then have to answer questions from his contemporaries later.
The man’s name was Nicodemus, and we only read about him in the Gospel of Christ according to John (John 3:1, 4, 9; 7:50; 19:39).
Nicodemus called Jesus, “Rabbi,” which was an honorable, respectful Hebrew term used to describe a Teacher. He recognized the fact that Jesus “was from God” because of the miracles He had performed.
Jesus Responds to Nicodemus
Jesus responded by going to what was most important:
“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
The text shows that Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant and was confused: “Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’”
Jesus was not talking about a physical birth, but a spiritual birth:
“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8).
Once again, Nicodemus, a teacher in Israel, did not know what to do with this information: “Nicodemus answered and said to Him, 'How can these things be?” (John 3:9).
Jesus asked him how it was possible that he didn’t know these things. He wanted Nicodemus to elevate his thinking from the physical to the spiritual.
The Example of the Serpent
As we move toward our text, notice that Jesus uses an Old Testament example to help Nicodemus understand what He is teaching:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14).
We read about this event in the Book of Numbers (Num. 21:4-9). The people complained, and God sent fiery serpents. Moses prayed to God on behalf of the people for God to remove the serpents. The Lord then gave Moses instructions and made known His conditions:
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived” (Num. 21:8-9).
Jesus said, “even so,” connecting that when the bronze serpent was “lifted up,” the people had to put faith into action and “look” in order to live. Jesus would be lifted up, and men had to “look” unto Him for salvation.
The word “believe” in the context of John 3:16 is an active verb meaning trust plus obedience. “Whoever believes (trusts and obeys) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Please note what is said toward the end of this chapter:
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
We read “believe’ and “not believe.” Consider the English Standard Version:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36, ESV).
So many have cited John 3:16 to teach that all one must do to be saved is to believe, but we must understand from an examination of the context that “believe” is a comprehensive term for obeying what the Lord says to do (John 3:3, 5, 16, 36).
Once again, we note the importance of context and an honest examination of the whole picture of Scripture.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe
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By Jameson StewardThis article continues our study of examining the danger of “cherry picking” passages of Scripture to fit a certain belief system.
Thus far, we have examined Romans 10:9-10 and Acts 16:31 in their respective contexts to arrive at the truth.
This week, we want to study one of the most, if not the most, well-known verses in the entire Bible: John 3:16.
Nicodemus Approaches Jesus
A Jewish man, who happened to be a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night (John 3:1). The text does not tell us why, but perhaps he did not want to be seen going to Jesus and then have to answer questions from his contemporaries later.
The man’s name was Nicodemus, and we only read about him in the Gospel of Christ according to John (John 3:1, 4, 9; 7:50; 19:39).
Nicodemus called Jesus, “Rabbi,” which was an honorable, respectful Hebrew term used to describe a Teacher. He recognized the fact that Jesus “was from God” because of the miracles He had performed.
Jesus Responds to Nicodemus
Jesus responded by going to what was most important:
“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
The text shows that Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant and was confused: “Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’”
Jesus was not talking about a physical birth, but a spiritual birth:
“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8).
Once again, Nicodemus, a teacher in Israel, did not know what to do with this information: “Nicodemus answered and said to Him, 'How can these things be?” (John 3:9).
Jesus asked him how it was possible that he didn’t know these things. He wanted Nicodemus to elevate his thinking from the physical to the spiritual.
The Example of the Serpent
As we move toward our text, notice that Jesus uses an Old Testament example to help Nicodemus understand what He is teaching:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14).
We read about this event in the Book of Numbers (Num. 21:4-9). The people complained, and God sent fiery serpents. Moses prayed to God on behalf of the people for God to remove the serpents. The Lord then gave Moses instructions and made known His conditions:
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived” (Num. 21:8-9).
Jesus said, “even so,” connecting that when the bronze serpent was “lifted up,” the people had to put faith into action and “look” in order to live. Jesus would be lifted up, and men had to “look” unto Him for salvation.
The word “believe” in the context of John 3:16 is an active verb meaning trust plus obedience. “Whoever believes (trusts and obeys) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Please note what is said toward the end of this chapter:
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
We read “believe’ and “not believe.” Consider the English Standard Version:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36, ESV).
So many have cited John 3:16 to teach that all one must do to be saved is to believe, but we must understand from an examination of the context that “believe” is a comprehensive term for obeying what the Lord says to do (John 3:3, 5, 16, 36).
Once again, we note the importance of context and an honest examination of the whole picture of Scripture.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe