Spiritually Dead Men Can't Have Faith


May 11, 2010 @ 10:39 AM EST | Category: Gospel Theology

Read each scripture at least three times and really feel the weight of what it is saying before moving on.

John 1:12 "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all [it profits/benefits/yields nothing; not a little something]..."

Romans 8:7-8 "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot [ability, not permission]. Those who are in the flesh cannot [ability, not permission] please God."

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible [ability, not permission] to please him..."

A few questions in light of these texts (think hard):

1. Do the scriptures above teach that we have a.) 100% inability, 0% ability b.) 99% inability, 1% ability c.) 0% inability, 100% ability to "choose Christ" or "have faith" in Christ while in the flesh (i.e. unsaved, unregenerate, enemies of God)?

2. If "the flesh" were an ocean, would there be an "island" of righteousness where faith resides?

3. Is faith something that is righteous and accomplishable while in the flesh and acceptable in the sight of God?

4. God commands His creation to obey the ten commandments. Many would instantly say we don't have the ability. God commands His creation to repent and believe the gospel. Many would instantly say we have the ability. Is there a contradiction here?

5. If it is true that humanity has 100% inability and 0% ability, how would this impact your gospel proclamation?