head knowledge only

[Learning_disciple]

Is it possible for someone to have a good understanding of theology and the bible and not truly be born-again?
 The reason I ask this is because I know of a person who knows a lot about theology, but her heart is as cold and dead as a stone. Of course she claims to be a believer, and every one takes her at her own word, but from the lack of love I have seen and the bitter spirit she has, I very much doubt of the truth of her confession of faith in Christ. Someone offended her one time a while back and to this day she has never truly forgiven this person and she keeps bringing it back up, even though it was a small matter and the person asked forgiveness, which she claims to have done, but is still bitter about it.
  When ever any one says any thing about it to her friends, they claim it's because she is still a "baby Christian and needs time to grow. I understand that as we all were babes in Christ one time or other, but there is a point after so many years when a baby should be walking and not still needing a diaper change. This person has been a "babe" in Christ for four years now and hasn't changed hardly any in all that time. True , she knows a lot more now then she did at first, but what good is knowledge if your heart is unchanged?
  Any way, I would like to know what others think. Thanks.

God
bless

[Gracey]

Is it possible for someone to have a good understanding of theology and the bible and not truly be born-again?

Oh yes, it is quite possible. There once was a Pastor who had been shepherding his flock a number of years. Had all the schooling, read the bible, even prayed a lot; still, he didn't understand what it meant to have a living relationship with Jesus Christ (although he thought he did), til one day.....well, that's another story.

On the other hand, your friend may indeed be saved if she's ever taken the steps. But in order to have growth in our relationship with Christ, one must be obedient to his Word, and allow HIM to work in our lives. So, accepting Christ is our first step, but if you let it stop with that acceptance you will never find the riches he has stored away for us, one of those being "the peace that surpasses all understanding".

Pray for your friend! And while you are doing that, be a friend. When she'll listen, teach her what you know to be true.

may his peace fall upon you
Gracey

[Early57]

Romans 10
12   For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13   For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.14   How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Acts 2
20   The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21   And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22   Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:


Romans 10
10   For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11   For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12   For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Some will say it must be one way to be saved and others say another way to be saved; but the word of God says that we are to Believe and with our mouth make confession in the Lord.

WHOSOEVER  is very inclusive.  We are not going to be Cookie Cutter Christians for that would be very boring to all be alike.


She is different then those around her, does that make her less of a Christian.

Romans 8
27   And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28   And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29   For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.


Her bitterness may just be a period of staleness that God is taking her through that she must bear inorder for her to Grow.  There are things people must learn before they can learn to walk.  We have living examples in the world of all the differing stages people go through as they mature, and some never mature, yet they are still our Brothers and Sisters.

John 7
24   Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.


Romans 14
3   Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4   Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up:for God is able to make him stand.
5   One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.


Do you know all the heartache she may have experinced and this thing she is bitter about may only be a trigger that sets off the healing process that she must learn from; and until she learns she may have to stay on this shelf of bitterness.


Talk to the Father about her, everyday if that is what it takes.

INMYOPINION
Early57