Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that it was in the very act of responding to the Holy Spirit's prompting by coming to Jesus in faith (regardless of what your prior life may have been) that you were "doing the truth", and that that truth was "wrought in God" (through the Holy Spirit's involvement). You were acknowledging that you were not in a right relationship with God (who knew all the details of your past activities), and saying that you wanted to correct that condition, and receive His forgiveness.

April 20 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What did Jesus mean when he was talking to Nicodemus and said, "But he that doeth truth cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God"?

In John 3:21, Jesus tells Nicodemus that those who live honestly and accept the truth (doeth truth) will openly follow him (the Light). This action reveals that their good deeds are not for selfish praise but are motivated and empowered by God. It contrasts with hiding sinful deeds in darkness.

What does John 3:21 mean?

The Greek phrase translated as "practices the truth," or "does what is true," or "lives by the truth" is poiōn tēn alētheian. This uses a similar term, both from the same root, used to describe Jesus as the "true" Light in John 1:9. The phrase implies those who are committed to reality, fact, and honesty, all of which lead a person to Christ (Romans 1:18–20; Matthew 7:7–8). A life without Christ is meaningless, and ultimately ends in disaster (John 3:20). Hiding from Christ, the Light, is an effort to keep our evil actions hidden.

In contrast, life in Christ results in our actions being approved by God. Rebirth through Christ (John 3:5) gives us meaning and purpose (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10). Those who put their effort into pleasing God don't have to be ashamed of how they've spent their time (2 Timothy 2:15). Those who want to cling to evil hide from the Light; those who want to be free from evil move into it.

John chapter 3 is one of the most important passages in the entire gospel. Many crucial ideas are explained here, including the role of Jesus as Saviour. After the loud, public commotion at the temple, John transitions to a quiet, nighttime discussion. The speakers are Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee who is sincerely interested in understanding Jesus' ministry. These verses make it clear that Christ—and Christ alone—is the means of salvation for the entire world. This text also states that those who reject Jesus are rejecting God.

Jesus said that if we practice "vile things"​—things that are wrong, unacceptable to God—​we hate the Light. Can you imagine hating Jesus and what he stands for? Yet, that is the position of those who unrepentantly practice sin. Perhaps they do not view things that way, but clearly, Jesus does.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says the following:

But he that doth truth,.... That which is true, right and good: "he whose work is just", as the Ethiopic version renders it; or, "he that does that which is right", so the Persic; that which is according to the will of God, and from a principle of love to him, and with a view to his glory: cometh to the Light; to Christ, and to his word, and ordinances: that his deeds may be made manifest; being brought to the Light, to the test, and standard, whether they are right, or wrong; and that it may appear, that they are wrought in God; or "by God"; by his assistance, and gracious influence, without which men can do nothing; for it is God that works in them both to will and to do: or, "according to God", as others render it; according to the will of God, both for matter and manner: or "for God", as the Ethiopic version renders it; for the glory of God, which ought to be the aim, and end of every action. The Persic [Persian language] version reads the whole thus, "that the work which is between God and him may be known"; that such deeds may be discovered, which are only known to God and himself.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report