No person can come to Christ by their own freewill !

[TibiasDad]

Believing is an evidence of ALREADY having eternal life

Not according to John 3:16. God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only son in order that whoever believes in him should not perish but should have life everlasting.

The hina clause, “in order that whoever believes in him” becomes the contingency of what follows . This is due to the use of the subjunctive mood used in the final clause, namely, “should not perish” but “should have life everlasting.” The use of the subjunctive expresses the result is contingent upon the believing occurring first. Believing precedes eternal life being given. Eternal life is the consequence of believing occurring.

The language can mean nothing else, period!


Doug

 

[TibiasDad]

Believing is an evidence of ALREADY having eternal life

This is from NTGreek.org:
(See “Purpose Clause)

If the subjunctive mood is used in a ‘purpose’ (or in a ‘result’) clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as the stated outcome that will happen (or has happened) as a result of another stated action. The use of the subjunctive is not to indicate that something ‘may’ or ‘might’ result from a given action, but it is stating the ‘purpose of’ or ‘reason for’ an action.

In other words, the purpose of believing in John 3:16 is to receive everlasting life instead of perishing.

Doug

 

[brightfame52]

Not according to John 3:16. God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only son in order that whoever believes in him should not perish but should have life everlasting.

The hina clause, “in order that whoever believes in him” becomes the contingency of what follows . This is due to the use of the subjunctive mood used in the final clause, namely, “should not perish” but “should have life everlasting.” The use of the subjunctive expresses the result is contingent upon the believing occurring first. Believing precedes eternal life being given. Eternal life is the consequence of believing occurring.

The language can mean nothing else, period!


Doug

According to every reference that talks about believing in Christ

 

[brightfame52]

This is from NTGreek.org:
(See “Purpose Clause)

If the subjunctive mood is used in a ‘purpose’ (or in a ‘result’) clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as the stated outcome that will happen (or has happened) as a result of another stated action. The use of the subjunctive is not to indicate that something ‘may’ or ‘might’ result from a given action, but it is stating the ‘purpose of’ or ‘reason for’ an action.

In other words, the purpose of believing in John 3:16 is to receive everlasting life instead of perishing.

Doug

Believing is an evidence of having been born again.

 

[Kampioen]

Believing is an evidence of ALREADY having eternal life

But it is because of believing.

 

[brightfame52]

It is God’s Power, and not a man’s free will by which he is made willing to come to God: "Thy people shall be willing in the day of THY power..." (Psa. 110:3). One of the most forceful Scriptures that clearly demonstrates how a man comes to God says: "Blessed is the man whom THOU CHOOSEST, and CAUSEST to approach unto Thee..." (Psa. 65:4 cf. Psa. 33:12 cf. Jn. 6:44,65). Not only is God the chooser, but He is also the cause behind a man’s approaching Him. That is grace. It is not a case of God choosing, and then the man responding with a decision to approach God, but it is all of God, it is God Who chooses and it is GOD WHO IS THE CAUSE BEHIND A MAN APPROACHING HIM! Such is the inability of man—such is the Sovereign grace of God. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13 cf. Eph. 2:10).https://www.godsonlygospel.com/by-grace-alone-12