Grace, Faith & Life

The Heart is a significant term in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. In the natural person, the heart is described as being wicked and needing to be changed.

The heart is regarded as the innermost part of our mind or soul. It is the part of us which drives our body and soul, it is the seat of our thinking about our desires, beliefs, motives and choices. It is greatly influenced by our emotions and imagination.

Believing in Jesus adds a spiritual connection to God in our heart which changes our attitude, mindset and desires by creating in us a “new” identity, a new person “born of the Spirit”. 1Cor 2:9-16

In the heart(mind) of  a natural person, there is no moral and spiritual battle taking place.

In the heart of a believer, there is the Holy Spirit which will teach us everything if we “walk in the Spirit”. The battle is knowing how to keep the desire to walk in the Spirit in your mind. It is the same attitude of the heart which Jesus had. Gal 5:16 2 Pet 1:3 Rom 7:6 John 14:26 1 John 2:27

The words used for heart are leb, lebab and kardia. The words used for spirit are ruwach and pneuma.

Here are selected scripture related to Heart.

James 4:6

Matthew 12:35  15:18-19 5:28 18:35

Romans 1:21-22

Romans 10:10;

1Timothy 1:5;

Ephesians 1:18

Hebrews 13:9

Luke 6:45

1 Corinthians 2:9-14

Luke 9:46-48

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Mark 2:6-8

Romans 2:14-15

Mark 7:21-22

Ephesians 2:2-3

Romans 12:1-2

Romans 8:7

I have always liked to read and study topically, mostly nonfiction, about theology, apologetics, Christian life, church issues, church history, counseling, science and cultural issues.

When I read, I think and therefore, I am using this venue to record my thoughts.

In his book, The True Believer, Eric Hoffer quotes Montaigne, “All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.”. That would also apply to what I have written here.

I consider myself a person of simple and pragmatic faith as opposed to any traditional religious superstitions, cliche’s or systematic theology. I like to think that I am like the Bereans when I hear or read something I compare it to how it seems to work in my life and I search the scripture to see if I think it is true. Not just to question authority, but to always verify authority. I hope young people will learn to always look for or ask for the “basis” for what people say and why they say what they say.

I like to share and discuss my understanding of the difference between law and grace. In my opinion most churches are quite legalistic and preach, teach and motivate the “flesh“; rather than teach how to have a proper spiritual connection with Christ. Many churches focus on the believer “being a sinner saved by grace” and seem to focus on a current sin nature, rather than on the joy of “being a child of God” and letting that new nature work out their faith and belief. When I hear preaching, I always consider whether it is “good news”, the gospel, which speaks to my spirit or “bad news”, the law, which speaks to my flesh. As a believer, why would I want to hear the “bad news” sermons, isn’t that walking in the flesh? I know, it takes a certain amount of study and spiritual  musing to begin to understand the difference between our spirit and our flesh. This is why knowing the attitude of your “heart“ is so important.

As most will be able to discern, I have not been to a seminary or a bible school. I have a small library of hard-cover books on many biblical topics. My wife and I frequently discuss our faith from a New Covenant perspective. We try to be ready to explain our New Covenant hope to anyone who asks.

I pray for a church and believer paradigm shift away from the Gospel based on fear, guilt, shame and legalism, to one based on the New Covenant life lived with Jesus Christ where believers live their life with a desire in their heart to love life as a “child” of God without condemnation and no legal expectation. That should be the “faith” which brought them to Christ in the first place, not one based on fear of going to Hell. Gal 5:6 22

I believe the Apostle Paul may have been the first Apostle to really understand the Gospel of the New Covenant. (Read that again.) That may be the most important theology for believers to understand when they read, study and hear sermons. The “so-called” church fathers developed the Roman Catholic Church doctrines and rules for the church over many centuries. One man, Martin Luther, after fifteen centuries, taught a new way to look at the gospel which started a whole new orthodoxy outside of the Catholic Church. Although scripture explaining the New Covenant has always been in the Bible. It has not been a primary emphasis of the seminaries. So, it is not without precedent for a new interpretation or way of understanding scripture to have a profound effect on interpretation of Scripture. The “Gospel” of the New Covenant is that it is personal and it is Spiritual life in us. 1John 2:27 Heb 9:15

Another way Luther critiqued church doctrine was based on legalism. In the first century, legalism was a big dialogue between the Judaizers who wanted to keep much of the Jewish law and Paul who was explaining the New Covenant in his writings about “freedom from the Law”, life and grace. (There are several passages about this in scripture.) Luther also wanted to keep the book of James out of the Bible because of his reference to works. Now we come to the second most important understanding of scripture for believers, preachers and teachers, That is, The New Testament and the New Covenant are not the same thing. The four Gospels in the New Testament are about Christ’s ministry to the Jews. Where He is explaining to the Jews that the Law did not change the heart, but He was also teaching, by way of forthtelling, His Apostles about the coming “spiritual life based on love” in the New Covenant. (See New Covenant Life)

I study Scripture to maintain a personal statement of faith and practice which is defined by God’s written Word, by my life in Christ and by the promise of the Holy Spirit. This site is that statement.

Acts 17:10-11 10 ¶ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1 John 4:1  [ On Denying the Incarnation ] Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 2 Peter 3:13-18 ESV But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. [14] Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. [15] And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, [16] as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. [17] You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. [18] But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Galatians 5:1 ESV For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

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Copyright © 1996 Theophilos www.gflstudy.org

Revised 2019

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

Faith Is Responding To
What God Puts
Into Our Heart
As We Walk/Live.

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

Col 2:6-7  Eph 2:8-9  Gal 3:1-3 5:4  Php 1:9-11  Heb 13:9  1Cor 2:9-14  Gal 5:4

This page last updated on April 10, 1997.  Print This Post

Copyright © 1992 Daniel Ray Boliek www.gflstudy.org

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

As a believer, we have made a conscious decision to believe God and Jesus Christ. We “repented” of our unbelief.

Scripture says we are a “child” of God. If we always have this attitude in our mind and heart, God will, over time, change the desires of our heart and renew our minds. John 1:12

We still have freedom to choose. When we make choices consistent with who we are in Christ, the conscience of our soul will be clear and we will experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gal 5: 22-24

When we live life knowing God is literally in our mind, it will help us make choices consistent with our identity in Christ. It is life with Christ not for Christ. It is chesed חֶסֶד  motivating us, not commitment, legalism or self-interest. It is the very presence of God, in our mind, not just a principle of life which we try to live. John 14:10

Our good life is when we want to be who God says we are. Therefore, it is important for believers to keep on learning how God works in our life to change our heart to a true understanding of our motivation.  Phil 2:12

John 15:5 1Cor 2:12-13 2Cor 3:4-6 5:17 Gal 2:20-21 2Pet 1:3-4

  Rom 8:10-11; John 3:6-7, 27  Gal 5:4 Col 3:4 

This page last updated on April 10, 1997

Copyright © 1992 Daniel Ray Boliek www.gflstudy.org

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

“Holiness is the fruit of truth.” – Charles Hodge

Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life.

Holiness is the fruit of Christ-in-us.

Holiness is the fruit of God working in us to renew our mind and Heart.

John 14:6 John 17:17 1 Thessalonians 3:13  Hebrews 12:10  Ephesians 4:20-24  1 Chronicles 16:29  2Co 13:8  Gal 5:22-25  Eph 5:8-11  Php 1:11  1 Cor. 1:30  John 6:63

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

TRUTH

When we speak of truth from God, it is that understanding which gives Godly meaning and purpose to life. To have meaning and purpose, is to know how to be who we were created to be. “Holiness is the fruit of Truth.” (Charles Hodge)

John 16:7-14  Ephesians 4:14-16  Romans 8:16  John 8:31-32   1 Corinthians 2:12-13  Ephesians 4:17-24  1 John 2:20, 27  John 17:17-19  2 Peter 1:3-12  Galatians 5:6  1 John 3:1  1 Thes 2:13 2 Timothy 2:15  1 Corinthians 8:1-3  Philippians 4:4-9

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

“Flesh”

– Is Our Fallen Nature,

– Is That Part Of Us

Which Wants To Be

Independent Of God.

(Pride, Prejudice, Mind, Imagination, Conscience)

– It Is A Person Without

The Spirit Of God Living In Them.

Gen 3:4  2Cor 5:17  Eph 4:22-24

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

 There are two gaps or conditions

inherent in our fallen nature.

A gap between who we are

and who we were created to be.

And a gap between who we are

and who we want to be.

Gen 2:15-17, 24-25 Gen 3:5-11

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

The law (moral and ceremonial) is what God required of Israel under
the old covenant.

 John 1:17 Gal 3:23-25 Heb 8:10 10:20

Legalism is a self-defined, or religiously defined

set of laws (works) and expectations

for satisfying a commitment to God

which is based on a misunderstanding

of how we come to God

and how we walk as Christians.

Rom 6:11-14 Gal 2:20-21 5:1,4 Mark 7:5-9

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

The Law, the Lie and Legalism

always speak to the flesh.

Rom 3:19 7:5 8:1,3 1 Cor 3:10-14

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

New Covenant Life is living in newness of life, “a new and living way”.

A new way of living with God, when we believe Christ is who He said He is, we now have a connection to God in all of our thinking.

The attitude (desire) of our heart is toward God, as a Child of God.

The Holy Spirit teaches us the truth about Jesus and His Word  which renews our heart and mind.

This affirms our relationship with Him and, over time, changes our attitudes, thoughts and behavior. His Truth becomes the desire of our Heart and we experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16-20   Hebrews 10:19-22  Romans 6:11-14  1 Corinthians 2:12-13    2 Corinthians 3:4-6   Galatians 2:20-21 2 Peter 1:3-4   Romans 7:6  Ephesians 4:17 Galatians 5:22-26

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

Obedience can be an expression of Godly love, but, obedience cannot be the motivation for Godly love.

Acts of kindness performed as a duty are not necessarily love. (They may be simply a desire for self-improvement [achievement], to fulfill perceived expectations [duty] or for reward.)

or, with the proper attitude, they may be brotherly love.

Godly Love comes from a desire which God has put into your heart. Learning how love comes from God, is the essence of the Life which is promised in the  New Covenant.

Matt 22:37-39 Mark 12:30-33 John 14:15, 21 John 15:9, 17 Rom 5:5 12:10 13:8-9 1Cor 13:1-13 Gal 5:6

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

God Is Spirit

And Speaks To Us Spiritually

John 4:24 Romans 8:16 1 Corinthians 2:9-14

Our Conscience

 Is Not God’s Spirit

 Heb 9:14 10:22 1 Tim 1:5 1 John 4:17-18

Gen 3:1-13

We received the Conscience as “knowledge of Good and Evil”, but until we believe in Jesus Christ, we have no “power” over that knowledge. The Conscience is what makes people believe they can “be like God”.

4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” English Standard Version

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

Satan And The Flesh

Will Always Pervert

Spiritual Truths.

Rom 7:13-15 1 Tim 6:5,9 1 Pet 5:7 Eph 2:2,3 6:12 1 John 2:16 1 Tim 4:1 Gal 6:7,8

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Copyright © 1992 Daniel Ray Boliek www.gflstudy.org

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

“Nothing

Hinders Learning Something

So Much

As to Think

That You Already Know It.”  – Mark Twain –

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Copyright © 1996 Daniel Ray Boliek www.gflstudy.org