Post by kjs on Sept 21, 2018 15:03:29 GMT -6
I heard it said there is “Head Belief” and there is “Heart Belief” and basically the difference between the two is wrapped up in these phrases
I believe in God
I believe God
Phrase one is mental assent – you have done some research, maybe investigated some historical accounts, maybe have friends that have persuaded you -- there is “some higher power” and you have eventual come to the conclusion there is a God, you may even believe that this God is the God of the Old Testament – as a result you attempt to live a “moral life” and follow the Holy Commands – like the 10 commandments. You may even believe Jesus is God’s Son and you wish to “follow” his teachings.
This Mental Assent (or the phrase I believe in God) is NOT Saving Belief and does not bestow any eternal life on “this believer”.
The Second phrase is Heart Acceptance – where you have accepted what God has stated within the Bible. You are corrupt and sinful, that you cannot produce any “good work” by yourself. You agree with God, that you deserve death and punishment. You believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God came and DID what you were unable to do – Live a sin-free life. That He suffered and died because of our sins, was buried and was raised up on the Third day. You believe that God grants undeserved mercy upon all who understand what Jesus Christ did for them.
This is Heart Assent (or acceptance) and it IS Saving Belief and does bestow eternal life as a gift from God.
The Apostle Paul sums it very nicely in 1 Corinthians 15
Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
This is NOT religion, there is no way to “earn brownie points” with God. In fact we are told specifically that at our BEST Behavior – is nothing more than filthy rags to God.
It seems to me (and I could be wrong here) – that this is the biggest stumbling block to ALL who wish to “Get Right” with God. Many, many wish to come with their “works” in hand … so “hey look what I did – so let me into your presence” Matt 7:21-23 tells us what happens then …
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven—only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’ 23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’
To spell it out clearly (because some still miss it) God does NOT want us to show what “we did” He wants us to ACCEPT what Jesus Did For Us.
Already hear the complaints … verse 21 ends with “only those who does the will of God the Father….. so what is that will? John 6:40 tells us very plainly ….” For this is the will of my Father--for everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him to have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
Or to put in plain language … belief that what Jesus Accomplished has been granted as a gift for all who accept what God is saying is true….
Folks Salvation is a Gift … It cannot be earned and it cannot be returned….
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Romans 5:15
But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.