Seeing The Problem

"In order to receive forgiveness and 'new birth,' we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives." (anonymous church website)

This is a very popular belief among professing evangelical Christians in our time. The bible makes several statements regarding man's fallen state that must be considered.

• "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Psalm 10:4)

• "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)

• "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." (II Thessalonians 3:2)

In light of those verses, do you see the problem with the previous statement? I would love to hear your thoughts on why that statement is not the teaching of the word of God, and how that statement could be modified to better represent the bible's teaching.

- Elder Daniel Samons