Grace, Faith & Life » Thinking

GRACE, FAITH and LIFE
A Personal Statement of Christian Faith and Practice

Thinking and believing – Scripture

In our natural nature, what we depend on for meaning and purpose in life will tend to control us. In other words, most of our thoughts and actions will be influenced by that dependence. This is the attitude of our heart. Matthew 6:21

Our job
A hobby
Other people or a click or group we want to be part of
Drugs
Getting Knowledge
Keeping up appearances

When we allow certain aspects of our life to become the meaning and purpose for our life, then that may become our “identity”. It is who we, or others, think that we are. Of course, this is always a self-centered life style, which will eventually become disappointing and unfulfilling. Unless there is something illegal or immoral in the pursuit, it is only when any one thing becomes dominant that it can become a problem. In today’s society, illegality and immorality are seen as less and less of a problem, because secular society is not wise enough to judge itself.

When we are born-again, this does not change. We still make choices about what we depend on for meaning and purpose. Choices about the attitude of our heart. But, now we have a new dimension, a spiritual dimension, and the Bible to guide us. The Bible is right again. The best and most fulfilling meaning and purpose in life is to show love to others in God’s name. John 13:35

In the self-controlled life, we act based on how we feel, actions follow emotions.

In the Spirit-controlled life, emotions follow actions, we act on what God has put into our heart and spiritual emotions follow that.

Faith is responding to what God puts into our heart, as we walk.

(There is a big difference between what God puts into our heart and what someone else puts into our mind.)

Life is everything from God and nothing from us.

FAITH AND WALK CHART

The HEART &

FREEWILL

THINKING

OUTCOMES
Beliefs	self, Satan, World (Flesh) grace and life (Spirit)
Emotions	self-controlled Spirit-controlled
Behavior	what we say what we do
Doubt	not enough information
MEMORY

This page last updated on March 8, 1997.

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