I hope it doesn't seem I'm trying to take over this thread but I think another related issue (besides the objective vs subjective realities of regeneration) is essence of faith compared to the exercise of faith....

I'm thinking of Pilgrim's Progress and the many examples of the different faith-oriented levels/stages/strengths of the regenerated characters (who all had the essence of faith):

Faithful - whose faith remained strong even unto death (fatih well exercised)
Hopeful - who had great hope (with faith moderately exerciesd)
Christian - who seemed to experience great highs and lows (faith not always in excercise and faced with various doubts and fears throughout his journey, even at the end....he was well tried throughout his pilgrimage which is often how it goes)
Little Faith (whose faith was seldom in exercise)

I would think a faithful preacher's faith would be more excercised than one who stood in the back of the chuch beating their breast and afraid to even look up to GOd (even though he stiil is a child of God who has the essence of faith)....

I think all these issues relate to how we look at ourselves and others who are 'regererate'.....the problem being that we don't always know and should never judge the heart of another.....

AC

Last edited by AC.; Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:21 PM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine