P
I was saved at the age of 5.
of course I knew the diff between right and wrong
I had heard about Jesus in SS and I agreed I needed to 'ask Him into my heart' I was alone though when I did that and after I had prayed and asked God if He were real to show me by answering a pray and He did so immediately and so I got on my knees and ask 'Jesus to come into my heart' as children are taught.
but for sure it 'took' I told everyone I could what had happened and I could not wait to tell my Sunday School teacher about it
so I might be one step ahead now, but something has to happen besides mental assent. but I guess I have a bit of a different experience, being a child and thinking as a child when I accepted Christ
but go ahead. with you so far
of course I knew the diff between right and wrong
I had heard about Jesus in SS and I agreed I needed to 'ask Him into my heart' I was alone though when I did that and after I had prayed and asked God if He were real to show me by answering a pray and He did so immediately and so I got on my knees and ask 'Jesus to come into my heart' as children are taught.
but for sure it 'took' I told everyone I could what had happened and I could not wait to tell my Sunday School teacher about it
so I might be one step ahead now, but something has to happen besides mental assent. but I guess I have a bit of a different experience, being a child and thinking as a child when I accepted Christ
but go ahead. with you so far
At this point without repeating the state we are in at this point, we are ready to take our first step of saving Faith towards God.
Saving Faith is defined in the Greek texts as "pisteuo". The corresponding verb to the noun Pistis. Pistis is where we get our English word Faith from. Pisteuo, could not be translated into the English language. The reason is the English language doesn't have a corresponding verb to the noun Faith like the Greek does for the noun Pistis. So when the translators were forced to find a word or words to come close to the complete definition of pisteuo, they chose the words believe, believer, and believing.
True pisteuo is an act, based upon a Belief, sustained by confidence. Accually, that is also the definition of a verb.
Now Faith or what I call faithing towards God, pisteuo, is a specific act, based upon a specific belief, sustained by a specific kind of confidence. Believing is a part of pisteuo, but taken on it's own is error.
Pisteuo in the Vines Greek dictionary is defined as" a personal surrender to Him, and a life inspired by such surrender. Producing a full acknowledgement of God's revelation of truth."
So this first step towards God done correctly, is a personal surrender to Him and a life inspired by such surrender! This correct understanding makes Christ the one accepting us instead of us accepting Him.
Remember, the Spirit of Christ, Christ, His word and the promises in His word are not ours yet, so we can't just "accept Him" He is not ours to accept, we don't have His Spirit yet. We can't claim Him or His promises until we receive His Spirit first.
Am I making my point?