Salvation Elucidated

NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS” In Matthew, Jesus explains: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24, NASB) Everyone has a body (Gr. soma) and a soul (Gr. psuche) or spirit (Gr. pneuma). ‘Soul’ and ‘spirit’ are used interchangeably in Scripture to describe different aspects of this spiritual or nonphysical component. When ‘soul’ is used, the intellectual aspect (choice or decision making) is emphasized. When ‘spirit’ is used, the nonphysical facet is the emphasis. One does not preclude the other. Both words characterize the same being, but each focuses on a different aspect of what can be described as the “real you.” Let us refer to another chart and examine what might transpire as a thought occurs. ‘Soul’ is used in this chart simply because the intellectual aspect is the point of emphasis. The soul, or “real you”, operates the part of your body (soma) which is the brain. The brain consists primarily of a complex array of tissues along with a variety of biochemicals. The soul is certainly affected by the array/disarray of tissue as well as the presence/absence of biochemicals in the brain. It has been said that the human brain is of such a nature that a “ghost” could run it. That is, the tissue and biochemical makeup of the brain lends itself to employment by the soul. Extra-somatic stimuli, which arise from the environment, engage the senses by inciting receptors in the brain. Intra-somatic stimuli, which originate from the soma (the physical body/brain), likewise, stimulate these receptors. God the Holy Spirit and His angels, as well as Satan and his minions, may apply the brain by the same process given that the soul and/or brain is predisposed to such influence. Following the impingement of these variously originating stimuli, the soul becomes aware of such stimuli in their pristine state. Temptation, which is a potential impetus for evil activity, is one example of the awareness of a stimulus in its pristine state. Temptation may arise from extra/intra-somatic sources or may be satanic in origin. Subsequent to temptation (pristine awareness), an individual can allow God to direct the thought process by cooperating with the impelling of the Holy Spirit. He can also act upon his own course of thought by either embracing the malignant stimulus or circumventing the stimulus using his own resources, which will ultimately prove ineffectual.11 As depicted in the chart, the chosen course of thought which is godly in nature is assigned the number 1, while depraved or evil thought is assigned a 0. The resultant thought is then stored in memory for future reference. The practice of depravity entails a 0, stored in memory, being incorporated into future courses of iniquitous thought, while a 1 stored in memory becomes an object of self-focus by morphing into a 0—as in self-aggrandizement. Spiritual Growth With respect to this chart, an illustration of spiritual growth entails the perpetuation and enhancement of a 1 in storage while a 0 is surrendered. This results in one’s thoughts being impelled by the Holy Spirit. The individual has, in effect, chosen to make himself a conduit to the very thoughts of God, which, due to the limitations of the soul and brain, are anthropomorphized12 or made palatable to the mind (soul). Anthropomorphization facilitates the Holy Spirit’s utilization of an individual’s resources. To appreciate this, we might envision God accompanying an individual. Rather than leading the person by the hand, God provides direction as He is stationed at the individual’s side with His hand positioned on the person’s lower back, applying just enough pressure so as to guide the person. The individual then proceeds in tandem with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Necessarily implied in this is individual initiative, in that the person chooses to move, talk, write, and so on as God directs. This precludes any notion of robotic or mechanical activity on the part of the individual. For instance, Peter literally walked on water as he was sustained by Jesus Christ. Peter took the initiative in moving his own legs as he proceeded toward Christ. Unfortunately, Peter shifted focus from Christ to himself. He consequently began to sink. SELF-PERCEPTION One cannot literally “see” faith, but what can be observed are the works of faith. Observation or perception of one’s own activity is compelling, in that such perception fosters the continuation of that activity. Observation of one’s self in this manner has been referred to as self-perception (Bem 1967). Let us refer to the following charts entitled “Cognitive Consonance” and “Cognitive Dissonance.” ‘Orientation’ denotes the person’s stance in addressing the situation. This orientation either includes God or excludes Him. For example, the individual with a godly orientation who engages in godly activity, experiences a state of mind known as cognitive consonance. The individual who typically has a godly orientation but is involved in ungodly behavior subjects himself to cognitive dissonance. Cognitive consonance results in homeostasis (internal balance), while cognitive dissonance is conducive to tension (stress). This may be charted as follows: In order to relieve tension, the mind will strive toward a state of cognitive consonance. This has important practical ramifications. Let us consider an instance in which a Christian views pornographic material. It would behoove the believer to engage in godly behavior and discard this material. There are two ways in which this could proceed. If this individual perseveres in godly activity, such as prayer, the allure of the stimulus engendering the ungodly activity will succumb to the godly activity in order to reach a state of cognitive consonance. However, if the ungodly activity is left unchecked, a state of cognitive consonance accommodating an ungodly orientation will ultimately result.