How Many "3 Steppers" Do We Have On Aff???

[Adino]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Again is this BEFORE and APART from repentance?????????????????????????
Good to see you post although you are nearly always wrong.
Studious but wrong.

LOL... hey, Steve, good to see you.

I'll tell you once again, since I know that southern water might be messing with your memory.... faith takes place in repentance.

It is the heart returning to God (repenting) which takes the path of faith in Christ. Repent and convert (believe) that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19). The New Testament message was one of repentance and faith (Acts 20:21; Hebrews 6:1; Mark 1:15).

The message isn't only that we are depraved and should return to God humble and remorse. It is that we who are humble and remorse should return to God through Christ. The repenting heart can only fully return to God upon hearing the Gospel and trusting in Christ.

God revives the heart of those who have a humble and contrite spirit.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

God revives the heart of the humble and contrite ones (i.e., of the repenting ones) by his word. The repentant heart is born again of the word/Gospel (1Peter1:23). When the Gospel is presented to a humbled and contrite heart it will be quickened to faith thus completing the return to God.

The contrite heart is revived.... it is made alive.... it is born again of the word.

Faith comes by hearing the word (Romans 10:17). The repenting heart that believes in the Gospel is passed from death unto life and is born of God (John 5:24; 11:25; 1John 5:1; John 1:12-13; 1Peter 1:23).