MEANS ARE USED IN CONVERSION-Part 2

Last time we closed by saying, in order for man's attention to be fixed upon The Gospel, there has to be a work of grace, in his heart, and this is the work of Regeneration.

As the brightness of the noon day Sun, has no effect on the eyes of the blind man, as a candle does,so it is, with The Truth of The Gospel, on A UN-REGENERATED HEART.

No matter What the inherent power of The Gospel is, it will have no spiritual effect, until the mind, to which, it is presented, is in a fit state, to receive it-I Corinthians 2;14-[Turn].

John 8;43-47-''Why do ye not understand my speech/ even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin/ And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me/47 He that is of God heareth God's words, ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.''

Is not, The Bible, Quick and Powerful/ Yes, but The Bible also says, Christ gave His Apostles, power to work miracles, but the power was not, in the apostles-
Acts 3;12-''And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this/ or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk/''

Acts 10;25-26-''And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, band fell down at his feet,
and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.''

Now, get this truth; Without the objective truth Re Christ's Work, every regenerated soul would remain in darkness, as an unborn infant, in relation to The Outside World.

The Bible distinguishes between the influence of The Holy Spirit from that of The Word of The Gospel.
The Bible declares that such an influence is necessary, to properly receive the truth-
John 6;64-65-''Then Jesus said unto them that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Acts 16;14-[Quote].
I Corinthians 2;12-15-[Turn].
Ephesians 1;17-20-[Turn].

Going back to Acts 16, we see that, Lydia's heart, was opened by the Lord.
There is no more disposition in unregenerate man, to receive The Gospel, than there is in
Darkness, to receive light, or, in the dead, to receive life, or, in the deaf, to hear.

The unregenerate man is responsible, to embrace The Gospel, but he has no active power, to receive it, nor does he have a disposition toward it, until a work of grace is done in his heart.

The Word of The Gospel is to effect conversion, and practical sanctification-NOT REGENERATION.

In Matthew 13;1-9, only the prepared soil [type of Regeneration, Quickening, Awakening],
understands and brings forth fruit.
END