B - Believing Heart

A Believing heart is one of the ingredients which James tells us is important when going through trials. James 1:6-8:

6 But let him ask in faith,with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man,unstable in all his ways.

Double-minded in verse 8 means two souled. A person with two mindsets, two affections, lacks a believing heart. This person needs needs to repent of their doubt and wholly trust in God.

Possessing a believing heart allows a Christian to endure trials because he understands that God is sovereign and will lovingly allow a believer's faith to be tested in order to be conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

A - Antinomianism

Ascribing to a school of thought can lead adherents to fall into ditches. This is generally due to an over emphasis of a specific angle in someone's worldview. Opposition to this over emphasis can have the same effect in the other direction, thus falling into another ditch.

In Christian theology antinomianism represents such a ditch. The word comes from two Koine (street) Greek words, anti (against) and nomos (law). This wrong bent in Christian thinking can be derived from such verses as Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

This wrong thinking is easily corrected and centered by verses such as 1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

A Christian is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Forgiven of sins and free to obey God's law out of a cheerful, submissive heart. Let's stay centered.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez