WCBC Blog

As we look at salvation and the effects it should have on the life of the Christian ,according to scripture, we wonder why there is a disconnect between what we see clearly in the New Testament and how most people who claim to be Christians live. There are countless verses stating that as a new creature in Christ we must demonstrate His grace and holiness in our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1,2; 1 Peter 1:15,16) and that to truly be born again there must be evident fruit produced.

As we look at the church today there are tens of thousands of professing believers that do not attend church and live no differently than the world. This group is even outnumbered by those who may attend church services weekly but Christ has made no visible difference in their lives.

According to the Bible it becomes clear that the gospel message can be received and believed by anyone that desires a change from sin to salvation. A saved individual will receive the message of salvation as given in the Bible. This message is the Word of God received by the mind which in turn moves the heart to change and lastly changes the will.  The order the Holy Spirit works is mind, heart and will. As a result there is visible fruit in the believer’s life for all to observe.

Listed below are three (3) false conversions which violate this order: 

Head knowledge: The problem for many is that the mind has received (i.e. head knowledge) the Word but the heart was never moved to change or the will broken. (Matt13:4). Many sit in churches day in and day out and have vast Bible knowledge but no salvation. This knowledge never moves the heart or changes the will.

Heart Acceptance: These people have some emotional experience, maybe a release of some pain or tragedy, and the heart is moved to embrace Christianity. However this movement of the heart was not based on the Word of God received into the mind, thus there was no foundation. The mind was skipped over and the heart was the responder. A decision card may have been filled out but the decision was not based on a clear understanding of salvation as explained in the Word of God, but rather an “emotional moment.”   

Will Breaker - Legalism:  These people are busy doing. They are doing “Christian things” not because of The Word infiltrated their mind and their hearts leading to a breaking of their will, but out of duty.  In fact, if asked why they do what they do as a Christian they sometimes can not point to a single Bible verse or doctrinal position. Their heart is never in the actions and they usually burn out. 

If we simply look at the New Testament we find that when the Word was preached explaining sin and violation of God’s law and the forgiveness found in Christ, hearts were pricked and wills changed. A casual reading of Acts chapter 2 is a great example. Let us be careful that we do not focus on one area of the three to the neglect of the others.  God alone does the saving and changing but we must be sure that we do not put one above the others in importance.  Every aspect – mind, heart and will – must be brought into subjection of Christ and receive His transforming grace.

As we look at salvation and the effects it should have on the life of the Christian ,according to scripture, we wonder why there is a disconnect between what we see clearly in the New Testament and how most people who claim to be Christians live. There are countless verses stating that as a new creature in Christ we must demonstrate His grace and holiness in our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1,2; 1 Peter 1:15,16) and that to truly be born again there must be evident fruit produced.

As we look at the church today there are tens of thousands of professing believers that do not attend church and live no differently than the world. This group is even outnumbered by those who may attend church services weekly but Christ has made no visible difference in their lives.

According to the Bible it becomes clear that the gospel message can be received and believed by anyone that desires a change from sin to salvation. A saved individual will receive the message of salvation as given in the Bible. This message is the Word of God received by the mind which in turn moves the heart to change and lastly changes the will.  The order the Holy Spirit works is mind, heart and will. As a result there is visible fruit in the believer’s life for all to observe.

Listed below are three (3) false conversions which violate this order: 

Head knowledge: The problem for many is that the mind has received (i.e. head knowledge) the Word but the heart was never moved to change or the will broken. (Matt13:4). Many sit in churches day in and day out and have vast Bible knowledge but no salvation. This knowledge never moves the heart or changes the will.

Heart Acceptance: These people have some emotional experience, maybe a release of some pain or tragedy, and the heart is moved to embrace Christianity. However this movement of the heart was not based on the Word of God received into the mind, thus there was no foundation. The mind was skipped over and the heart was the responder. A decision card may have been filled out but the decision was not based on a clear understanding of salvation as explained in the Word of God, but rather an “emotional moment.”   

Will Breaker - Legalism:  These people are busy doing. They are doing “Christian things” not because of The Word infiltrated their mind and their hearts leading to a breaking of their will, but out of duty.  In fact, if asked why they do what they do as a Christian they sometimes can not point to a single Bible verse or doctrinal position. Their heart is never in the actions and they usually burn out. 

If we simply look at the New Testament we find that when the Word was preached explaining sin and violation of God’s law and the forgiveness found in Christ, hearts were pricked and wills changed. A casual reading of Acts chapter 2 is a great example. Let us be careful that we do not focus on one area of the three to the neglect of the others.  God alone does the saving and changing but we must be sure that we do not put one above the others in importance.  Every aspect – mind, heart and will – must be brought into subjection of Christ and receive His transforming grace.