Justified/Saved by Faith & Faith Alone
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If the heart and mind and will were corrupted due to sin, wouldn't the way to fix the problem be the reverse?
If you read the response in Acts 2 after Peter's sermon that appears to be what happens: when they heard this --understood...the mind, they were pricked in their hearts--heart,and said...what shall we do--the will. They aren’t saved yet. Peter hasn't yet told them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you read the response in Acts 2 after Peter's sermon that appears to be what happens: when they heard this --understood...the mind, they were pricked in their hearts--heart,and said...what shall we do--the will. They aren’t saved yet. Peter hasn't yet told them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Look at v. 12 and 13 before Peter stood up to address the crowd...
12Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
I see the first group asking, "What is possible?" and the second group proclaiming the only phenomenon they believe to be possible.
The first groups hearts were open, sensitive enough to be pricked yes. The second group hardened their hearts to it. So it would seem to me rather that the order would be the will, or the want to, the heart (hardened or open), and then the mind rationalizing the decision.
Think of Thomas, he said, "I will not believe unless..." Does that necessarily mean that he wasn't open to the possibility that Jesus had risen? I'm not so sure of that. He may have only been confessing his unbelief or maybe need of more concrete confirmation of his hope. Who's to say what went on in His mind. Thomas' thoughts may have been something like a jealous love that would say, "If it is true that He showed Himself to you, then He will personally let me know. also."
Whatever was in Thomas' heart, Jesus was aware of because nobody had to tell Him about what Thomas had said.
12Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
I see the first group asking, "What is possible?" and the second group proclaiming the only phenomenon they believe to be possible.
The first groups hearts were open, sensitive enough to be pricked yes. The second group hardened their hearts to it. So it would seem to me rather that the order would be the will, or the want to, the heart (hardened or open), and then the mind rationalizing the decision.
Think of Thomas, he said, "I will not believe unless..." Does that necessarily mean that he wasn't open to the possibility that Jesus had risen? I'm not so sure of that. He may have only been confessing his unbelief or maybe need of more concrete confirmation of his hope. Who's to say what went on in His mind. Thomas' thoughts may have been something like a jealous love that would say, "If it is true that He showed Himself to you, then He will personally let me know. also."
Whatever was in Thomas' heart, Jesus was aware of because nobody had to tell Him about what Thomas had said.
In post #67 you said the responses of the 2 different groups was because 1 group hardened their hearts and the other opened their hearts. That's why I have pursued the questioning along the line of the heart.
I apologize if I made it seem that you implied anything at all. I was merely trying to clarify my understanding of what scripture teaches.
I apologize if I made it seem that you implied anything at all. I was merely trying to clarify my understanding of what scripture teaches.
There is a sense of mystery in regards to salvation. The Divine working in the human soul, the human soul responding to the Divine impulse.
The answer to your questions is the 'Grace of God'.
In the words of the hymn......."Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me.".
God's grace comes to us, enlightening, illuminating, and freeing us in order that we may respond to His love.
The answer to your questions is the 'Grace of God'.
In the words of the hymn......."Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me.".
God's grace comes to us, enlightening, illuminating, and freeing us in order that we may respond to His love.
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Jesus said if we have faith the size of a mustard seed... and my mind's eye processes that info relative to a heart, the seat of our faith. Generally speaking, our hearts are hardened by sin, but God is capable to prick even the smallest openings the size of a mustard seed. Everyone has a wicked heart and everyone has been given a measure of faith, or there would be excuse. As a former philosophy teacher claims, "Ought implies can." So if we ought believe then we have been equipped with the ability to. I don't know if opening our hearts qualifies as 'do it yourself' as I look as it as lying on a table and allowing the surgeon to work, And no one would do that very willingly unless he trusted his skill, of course.
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That's right. Everything begins with the grace of God. The Bible does not say that we are saved by faith through grace, but that we are saved by grace through faith. Thus "God so loved the world" comes at the beginning of John 3:16. So first comes the grace of God, then comes the finished work of Christ, and only then comes saving faith through the preaching of the Gospel, which is "the power of God unto salvation to them that believe". Then comes the fact that we are kept by the power of God: Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet 1:5) In other words salvation is a work of God (or the Godhead) from start to finish, not of human works lest any man should boast.
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