Luke 8:13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
I figured this is where you were going, okay so, on this Scripture He says they did believe, but Jesus also says they have rocks in the heart. And no firm root. So it didn't go into the heart. I don't feel like this person is a true believer. Maybe a believer in the mind, but Scripture says those who believe in their heart. Especially when I consider the whole of Scripture. My stance is simple, I believe in the power of God to transform us. Scripture says we fell from glory, which means we were originally created to follow after Him. Yet the enemy deceived us, he blinds the minds of unbelievers. We don't fight flesh and blood, but spiritual principalities and powers. When we enter into the Kingdom of Light, we are set free, we discover in Christ all the things we once thought we needed to get through darkness and corruption. It's anchored in the realities of love vs fear, but love never fails. And God is love and He never fails.
And I'm open to inspecting my doctrinal boxes, that's how I got to where I am today. I didn't one day believe these things, I studied them for myself. I was probably one of the biggest legalists you ever met, but it was all out of fear and trying to keep myself "holy" before God. And the Holy Spirit started to show me the more excellent way, the way of love. I'm not saying that you're wrong and I'm right, because I believe Truth is a Person and we all have different revelations of Him. So I don't need to convince people to believe like me. But when you say, I don't have an open doctrinal box, but I've been "taught to believe" etc, etc. I don't agree.
Especially since I've continually in these threads given countess Scriptures, analyzed context, and answered tough Scriptures that appear to come against my stances. I don't ignore them, I address them. I noticed you do this quite often as well, so at the very least I do feel like you're a seeker of truth. But I am also. Anyways, great discussion so far, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
C.