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Welcome

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Welcome. Keep in mind there's a difference between being a sinner saved by grace and a hypocrite. As long as you're humble and repentant you're on the right path.

Welcome to CF and I look forward to reading about your journey.

Welcome

Tigger45 said:

Welcome. Keep in mind there's a difference between being a sinner saved by grace and a hypocrite. As long as you're humble and repentant you're on the right path.

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Exactly this.

We are not perfect, no human is. We have all fallen and we'll all fall again at some point in our lives.

As for the merits you mentioned, yes, they're all great things but those too are something that comes over time, as the decline in sin will. Many Christians, myself included, struggle to be everything we know we should be. Especially so, something I can relate to you on, having not been a Christian my whole life, I have two decades of habits, normality and perceptions to break down, consider and amend accordingly.
They can't all be done from a proactive stance, many of those realisations will be reactive, after the deed is done. But, at least in my opinion and certainly something I think given weight by the notion of repentance, the action itself isn't and shouldn't always be the focal point. How we address wrongdoing on our own behalf and on the behalf of others is, in my opinion, what becomes the defining action. We sin, it's in our nature, but do we accept that we're just going to sin and forget about feeling sorry and seeking forgiveness? No, not at all. Pray on it, repent and seek forgiveness not only from God, but from those with whom you wronged.

You are right, unfortunately, that there are plenty of people that like the label of Christian but conduct themselves in a manner that leaves a lot to be desired. While it can be difficult at first, it's wise to remember that we should love the sinner, hate the sin; not the other way around. We will sin at some stage and we will, hopefully, seek forgiveness and that's much easier to do with someone whose heart hasn't been hardened by the hatred from others.

Ultimately, yes, it will be a difficult path, but the reward is so worth it. You have identified areas you want to address and that's an important step.

Get yourself a bible if you haven't already and immerse yourself in the scripture. Dive in with both feet or you'll struggle to get the full effect. An example of this will be the Parable of the Sower(Matthew 13:1-23) -- Reservation in your approach will be akin to casting the seed on to rocky surfaces with little soil and the result dying because it lacked a root. Jumping in with both feet will cast the seed on to fertile soil and your harvest will be great

Good luck in your journey!

Hi and welcome to the forums

Good morning and you're welcome. Some replies to what you wrote;

Mistavega said:

Yeah, we all fall, but there's some people who fall and act like nothing happens. I get sick of hearing people use cliche sentiments like: "I'm not perfect" or " we all sin" and using those cliches to justify their moral debauchery. I just can't stand fakeness. I know God is the one who casts judgements on people, but if I ever become a Christian I have the right to rebuke them, right ;-)? I know rebuking is suppose to come from a place of love rather than bitter resentment too.

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Yes, people sinning and then just shrugging it off as their natural, sinful nature is quite common, but you've already identified that as both happening and wrong. Yes, we will always sin at some stage in our lives, but the more we come to live a life of Faith, the more sin in our life will decline.

A good example I heard during a sermon before was "I can't even sin anymore without thinking of 20 lines of scripture!". So while the natural instinct may be there to sin occasionally, as you progress in your faith you will definitely see a natural decline in sin but also struggle to sin consciously because you will be reminded of scripture.

It's one of those things that can become the source of frustration, watching people so nonchalantly contradict their presupposed beliefs.

Mistavega said:

That's really interesting to me. Do you ever think you've missed callings on your life? Like maybe you could of been doing something better if only you would have been more obedient and courageous(trusting in God)? My life is pretty mediocre lol, I'm from Stockton, CA, not a lot of people here do amazing things. This is a topic that interest me because if I ever become a Christian I don't want to stop at salvation and become complacent. I want to flourish, do amazing things and be a steward of Gods glory.

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I don't think I've missed callings, but perhaps not fully understand them. I felt a draw to ministry not long ago because I felt the world needed more black and white, straight-to-the-point preachers that aren't afraid to cause offence by telling people how it is Biblically. I think, and this is just my opinion, that when we have people like Joel Osteen and others that focus primarily on the 'happy clappy' side of faith, it builds people up to think they're perfect when, frankly, we should be understanding our imperfections and striving to right those wrongs. It's very common to meet people that have close ties to those 'feel good' pastors and you'll probably see what I mean as well.

Alas, when I realised that ministry would probably be too time intensive, I realised it probably wasn't a calling because if it was, the hours wouldn't matter!

As for where you live, well, I don't think that'll stop any man that feels compelled to share the glory of God.
California has a great seminary and bible college over in Sun Valley, LA. If I was to go anywhere, it'd be there(And this is coming from a UK citizen, so it'd be a long way to go!).

Mistavega said:

What if it's one particular thing that's gotten so bad, that every time you do it you feel like you're committing idolatry? I really do feel terrible after I do the thing and I do genuinely seek repentance, but I always fall to it, again and again. You think God will just eventually shut me off and leave me to my sin?

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First and foremost it's important to understand and appreciate that you show genuine contrition. That's the first and largest step that many struggle to make. As I mentioned earlier and you identified already, a lot of people feel comfortable enough to just put it down to natural happenings that they're going to do it and don't really bother to accept that it's still wrong.

Also something I mentioned earlier, the more you immerse yourself in scripture, your actions will speak louder than words and you'll see a decline in sin in your life. Particular sins may be more frequent than others, but sin overall will decline and it'll give you more opportunity to address the sins you still want to be without.

As for being shut off, no, never. Try to imagine God as a loving parent. No matter what you do wrong, how many whacky ideas you have or how many times you've said the wrong thing, they will always love you, support you and listen to you. It's our responsibility to honour and respect that great gift of love extended to us.

Mistavega said:

I guess the reward is great... I just feel really condemned and I'm not even a Christian. Sometimes I wonder what the heck I'm doing with all this stuff, God literally wants everything from you, including your identity and your very will. I feel like, why do I struggle with all of this at this present juncture I am getting nothing in return besides feelings of guilt and occasional self loathing.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬ NIV)

Yikes, what a scary prospect you are to love and value him above all things. Quite outrageous for me, considering I feel I have nothing in return.

Again thanks for everything. I certainly need crack open my bible a bit more. If anyone else's wants to chime in on the discussion please do so. I love perspective.

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There's no need for us to be destitute, but I think the teachings amount to not wanting material wealth over spiritual wealth; not wanting materialistic well-being over the well-being of someone's life.

We live in a world where we are so used for doing something to get something in return. God's love isn't something we can hold in our hands, only our heart. It's a tough one to explain, but I think as you progress in your faith, the return and rewards will be apparent.

Mistavega said:

"Welcome. Keep in mind there's a difference between being a sinner saved by grace and a hypocrite. As long as you're humble and repentant you're on the right path."

What's the difference? Sounds like something to do with egoism.

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Absolutely, you're right.

Basically, there's a very strong difference between someone who has done wrong that feels guilty and sincerely seeks forgiveness and someone who has done wrong and does nothing.

My own personal philosophy sees the reaction to the action as a more defining act. Yes, you did wrong, but what did you do about it? I think that's the more important thing.

It'd be like talking on your phone in the car and hitting someone crossing the road because you weren't paying attention. You could call an ambulance and see if there's anything you can do to help or you could drive off. The decision is yours to make and one is a lot more redemptive than the other, that's for sure

Mistavega said:

"Welcome. Keep in mind there's a difference between being a sinner saved by grace and a hypocrite. As long as you're humble and repentant you're on the right path."

What's the difference? Sounds like something to do with egoism.

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Humbleness & repentance start with God's truth and our transparency. It begins in our heart/conscience where true transformation can take place. Where hypocrisy is just a facade, masking our faults and weaknesses. No real change is initiated or aquired.

Hi; good to see you. John chapter 3 and Proverbs 3.5-6 are good passages to read. God bless His Word to you.