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QUESTION 34:
How can a person who is spiritually dead be responsible for being saved? 1 Corinthians 2:14 reads, "..the natural man understandeth not the things of God." How can they?

ANSWER:
When one is physically dead he is separated from his body. The body does not respond to anything.

In the spiritual death, the spirit of man is blended into the soul. "...piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit,..." Hebrews 4:12. This takes place in the new birth. Man in his natural state does not understand. "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." Romans 3:11. "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." Job 32:8. This spirit, which is incapable of finding God, can be found by God and He can give light and understanding through His word. "The entrance of thy word giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:130.

God takes the initiative in salvation. He speaks when the gospel is preached. The sinner can hear His voice and respond. God gives light to the darkened understanding of man. The responsibility than lies with man. He must do something about the light he has. The heathens have the light of creation. (Romans 1:20). They also have the light of conscience. (Romans 2:15). They are "without excuse." (Romans 1:20).

Are you responding to the light you have? Jesus is the light of every man. (John 1:9). What have you done with Him? Accept Him and be saved today?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen