I think belief in God in itself is not sufficient. In order to obey God takes supernatural spiritual power, power that only the Holy Spirit can provide.

My take on the disconnect between belief and practice is that it is less about intellectual inconsistency (ie hypocrisy) rather it is more to do with how much (or little) the Holy Spirit is involved.

So I don’t think Monton’s message is as pertinent as it would seem at first – there doesn’t seem to be any special inconsistency for theists, but a general inconsistency with people’s beliefs and actions. And a possible reason for this is: acting in accordance with your beliefs, particularly when we’re talking about deeper metaphysical beliefs, requires quite a lot of conscious effort. I am convinced that most people, religious or irreligious, don’t really try to live up to their own beliefs and standards – it doesn’t mean they don’t really believe or think what they claim to, but that there’s a disconnect of habit or active pursuit.

Another way to think about it: It’s rare to find an overweight person who doesn’t claim to want to be thinner. So at once, they’ll both talk about how they want to be thin, yet at the same time continue the habits that keep the pounds on. Does it mean that they actually want to be overweight? I don’t think so. I don’t think they typically eat with the defiance of being thin in mind. The thought simply isn’t present most of the time when it matters. Habits are like that.

That God, in his mercy, redeems the dust that we are and even uses our weaknesses for his purposes is enough to make the angels smile and shake their heads in awe.