damned

[Kim R]

Hi,
I'm here out of desperation. I'm hoping someone can help me. I thought I was saved (a Christian) for 11 years. In that time, everything I did was for God. Then I pray this prayer, asking God to show me what was causing my long-term anxiety and depression. Do you know what He shows me?! He shows me that I was never really saved in the first place and that I never can be because I got married when He told me not to. I did exactly what the Rich Young Ruler in the Bible did if you don't mind looking up the story. I have had anxiety and depression ever since I have been together with my husband so I know this relationship was not God's will. I remember God telling me that I would go to hell if I married him but I didn't believe Him because that sounds ridiculous. Also, I thought you got saved by believing that Christ died for your sins, which I did do before I married my husband. Upon further study of the scriptures there are TONS of conditions you have to meet in order to be saved. There are SO MANY works, yet Christians say it's not by works. Christians say that salvation is FREE but they are LIARS because salvation is NOT free. Only those willing to pay the price get to go to heaven and that number is few. *staff edit* I even went to my pastor and his wife before I got married for help because I was unsure of my salvation as well as the marriage I was about to enter into. I need help. When I first found out I was going to hell, I cried in my room for 2 years. I've spent this 3rd year trying unsuccessfully to learn how to function again. I have 4 beautiful children who need me. I wish I could just become an atheist and be done with this but I can't. I had actual encounters with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I can't deny Him. I can't walk around disabled, unable to function, and hyperventilating all the day long. I didn't know God was so cruel. Please help me, I don't know what to do. I need to live a good & productive life.

 

[NW82]

I fully believe this is the forces of darkness pushing to you despair. Remember what the Lord Himself said, and who can go against that, John 3:16. We are all sinners and the Bible says the consequence of sin is death, eternal separation from God. There is nothing we can do to make us “good enough” for heaven. It is only by God’s grace,His undeserved mercy, that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven. That is directly from the Lord Himself! The Lord, throw out all extraneous dogma, states there is only ONE unforgivable sin, Mark 3:28-29, Matthew 12:31-32, and Luke 12:10. What you are saying here is in DIRECT contradiction to the Lord Himself! Do not believe it.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Why are you so certain that it was God who told you you were going to Hell? He instructs us to test the spirits. He still loves you and has a plan for you, so pull yourself together and rebuild your relationship with Him.

 

[NW82]

I know God did not say that to you because there is no Hell. The words grave, pit, and Gehenna, were given the INTERPRETATION Hell.

Hell. Germanic origin. Pagan Myth. The word was used to transfer the Pagan concept to Christian theology. For the Judaic-Christian origin of the concept, see Gehenna.



Tar-ta-rus (tartarus) [[ Gr Tartaros ]] Gr. Pagan Myth. An infernal abyss below Hades, where Zeus hurls the rebel Titans, later a place of punishment for the demons and devils. (Mentioned only once in the Bible)


Ha-des (hadez) [[Gr Haides ]] Gr. Pagan Myth. The home of the dead, beneath the earth. b The god of the underworld. 2. Bible: The state or resting place of the dead: The name is used in some modern translations of the New Testament.


She-ol (sheol) [[Heb shaal ]] Hebrew word for grave. A place in the depths of the earth conceived of as place for the dead. Note: In the KJV about half of scriptures are translated as hell, the other half as grave.


Gehenna: Mentioned twelve or thirteen times in the bible. Gehenna: Referring to the Valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna, which is the city dump outside the walls of Jerusalem used for dumping broken pottery.


Topheth is believed to be a location in Jerusalem, in the Valley of Hinnom, where the Canaanites sacrificed children to the god Moloch by burning them alive.

I would caution you to read, Luke 16:19-31, but perhaps instead of casting your opinions, rather provide the OP scripture of Hope and truth.

 

[NW82]

Would Christ introduce a Pagan belief without explaining why?

Not the place to discuss or debate the point. Christ said it and that's what I'll leave it at. I would suggest, again, that you encourage the OP with hope.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

Salvation is offered .
Either received, or rejected .
No amount of "works" can obtain salvation.

 

[Justin Robinson]

Alrighty Kim.

First, it’s awesome that you reach out for clarity and prayer. Most folks don’t even reach that step.

I’m going to attempt to keep this very brief.

I promise you that you’re not going to hell just because you believe that ‘God said you were if you did...this, this,or this’. The enemy operates this way without question; as he is a deceiver.

Many people question their salvation in life. I’m sure most if not all would attest to that. But this is what matters most...

Do you have a legit relationship with the Father, and are you trying to imitate Jesus’ lifestyle?

This doesn’t mean that if you make poor decisions, or sin in any manner, that you don’t have this. Because we all make mistakes over and over.

The walk of (with) the Lord is not an easy one, and it was never meant to be the moment Adam and Eve gave that right up.

I honestly believe that the Holy Spirit is drawing you closer to him and calling you to draw near. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have made this post.

Don’t let the enemy get in your mind and convince you of these things. Because that’s exactly what he wants you to do... denounce and turn from what you already know is true. Persevere my friend, and continue to be that amazing mother that you are.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Not the place to discuss or debate the point. Christ said it and that's what I'll leave it at. I would suggest, again, that you encourage the OP with hope.

A lack of Hell should provide gobs of hope. Anyway, I have Bibles lacking any threat of Hell at all. There is too much dependence on the KJV it its ilk. The effects of the doctrine/dogma of Hell are clear to see in the OP, so yes, this IS the place to discuss it.

 

[Justin Robinson]

A lack of Hell should provide gobs of hope. Anyway, I have Bibles lacking any threat of Hell at all. There is too much dependence on the KJV it its ilk. The effects of the doctrine/dogma of Hell are clear to see in the OP, so yes, this IS the place to discuss it.

At the end of the day, no matter how one percieves, or translates the word “hell”, this we know is truth; it’s separation from God the Father and his son who sits at the right hand. Period.

 

[Lazarus Short]

At the end of the day, no matter how one percieves, or translates the word “hell”, this we know is truth; it’s separation from God the Father and his son who sits at the right hand. Period.

Then how is God ever to become All in all? See First Corinthians 15:28.

 

[Bobber]

Hi,
I did exactly what the Rich Young Ruler in the Bible did if you don't mind looking up the story.

You don't even know the end of the story of the rich young ruler. Matt 19:22 All that is said is that he went away sorrowing. It doesn't say what happened the rest of his life. You're making it seem like he never had another chance to serve God or repent. There's no scripture which says that.

I remember God telling me that I would go to hell if I married him but I didn't believe Him because that sounds ridiculous.

I don't accept that for one moment. God might have enlightened you to know that as a general rule if you marry one not a Christian they can tend to pull you down from spritiual devotion which all preachers will rightly preach that BUT that does not mean you're going to hell. And it doesn't mean you can't make a stand to serve God regardless of what your husband thinks.

Please help me, I don't know what to do. I need to live a good & productive life.

Well dear friend you have posted your story before and people have tried to help you and encourage you. I 'd hope they still would but you have to be willing to accept that you might be wrong that it wasn't the voice of God which said you're going to hell. I've seen no such indication so far that you're willing to do that.

If you're not even willing to consider all the great scriptures of God's willingness to forgive , help and welcome the prodigal son or daughter home, Luke 15 or scriptures like though your sins might be as scarlet he'll make them white as snow though they be red like crimson he'll make them like wool Isaiah 1:18 .....if you're just flatly going to reject them what is it you think anyone here can do?

I'd encourage you to take a stand and do what Jesus said, Come boldly unto the throne of grace (that is because of the precious blood of Jesus which will make you clean) and receive his grace and mercy to help in time of need. Heb 4:16 It's for you! God is willing to help you! The question is are you willing to receive? I'd encourage you to do so and don't any more say God's not there to help. He most certainly is.

(For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:12 )

 

[Justin Robinson]

Then how is God ever to become All in all? See First Corinthians 15:28.

God is already ‘All in All’ hence the trinity. But let’s look at this in context.

Shoot me a message and we can discuss... I’d enjoy that.

Don’t wanna get too far off the topic at hand for our OP Kim.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Hi, Kim.

You're on the right track about us having to maker an effort in order to be saved. I won't get into a debate about it with others here, but I will say those who accuse us of a works salvation almost always leave off the fact that we depend on both faith and works. Meaning they are misrepresenting things right off the bat, and that says something huge to me.

They say we need do nothing but say we have faith, but Jesus says the following (below this paragraph)...who are we to believe? It's the easiest thing in the world to understand and it really is as simple as, be good, ask forgiveness and repent when we sin, then move on/try to do better. We shouldn't listen to those who try to complicate it into something it's not, but clearly you know the truth. anyone who does not know, here is simple and absolute proof right from the horses mouth.

John 5:28-29 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

Back to the main topic: God lets us make our own decisions, and make our own mistakes, not that you made a mistake at all. How is the marriage going BTW, good or not good because you won't let it all because of your concern? Hopefully just good.

Unless you heard Gods audible voice, something that would have likely scared you half to death, (IOW you'd a known for certain it was God ) but unless that happened, I seriously doubt it was God that told you this. Then you have to move to the bible, now that's truly God talking, but where there did he say not to marry that man? If he didn't say it was, it isn't so.

But even if it was so, look at it this way, you are in affect saying you disobeyed God (not saying you did, but you think you did) haven't we all disobeyed God, don't we all displease him almost every day...the reason God sent Jesus to die? I don't think you disobeyed anyone but even if you did, just do like the rest of us sinners, repent, ask forgiveness and move on. this stuff aboiut beating yourself up over what you think is a sin and even if it was, not accepting the granted forgiveness you are allowed to get according to our contract with God, is the real sin, so please stop being the least but concerned about what you think you did..

What God does say it's best in most cases not to leave our spouse, so hopefully you can get over this, forget everything that you were worried about, spend some time making that marriage work, and be happy.. (that assuming there are problems there because of this main issue, and I do realize there may not be.).

So move on, save what has to be tons of energy lost in feeling guilty, and direct it towards making life good again. This has to be a drain on your husband, you thinking you should never have married him to begin with, so maybe even tell him you are thrilled you married him/he's the best thing that ever happened to you. That's what I'd want to hear, and maybe even be dying to hear.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Just to warn. I'm not exactly non-denom but I believe you need an answer to your post so I'm answering the OP.

Romans 9:15-16

For God said to Moses, "I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose." So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.

It's fairly simple, the work of salvation is Jesus's, not ours. There is no tower of Babel that we can build to get us into Heaven. The Work is God's. The Mercy is from God. The Grace is from God. Ephesians 2:8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Grace means unmerited favor. We don't deserve it. We can do no work to earn it. Salvation is a gift from God. The Apostle here doubly stressed the unmerited aspect of salvation to drive the point home. Our works neither cause our salvation nor influence it.

What we do in works is a response in love to what God did for us to bring about our salvation. Our works are not salvation to us as there is nothing we can do to make us worthy of being saved. God saved us while we were yet sinners. We respond to that via works, which shows itself in love of one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

The Spirit of God inside us shows itself in love. We will falter, we will sometimes fail, but we will love and with every failure of action we learn something important then stand back up again while praying we can show God exactly how much we appreciate what He did for us - knowing we will always fall short in that endeavor.

But it's appreciation we show through works. The question the Bible begs is if you have no appreciation of what God has done on your behalf were you ever His? Did you ever "believe" (some knowledge is required for belief to exist in the first place) to salvation?

It's like the dog who bites the hand who feeds it.. are you the ignorant dog? Or a disciple? Unlike the dog the disciple doesn't bite the hand who offers life.

Stop listening to Satan. God isn't going to tell you He won't give you salvation if you do "x" as if He is some petulant child. He does tell you if you belong to Him you will do your best to seek out and follow His Will..

but thats because His disciples/His people stop walking according to the flesh. This doesnt mean we won't mess up, won't sin, but it does mean our lives begin showing signs of belonging to God, even if its only two steps forward and one step back.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Ephesians 1:11

If you look and find you've been behaving like the dog, then turn toward God and ask forgiveness for your sin, and come back into the fold.

 

[Kenny'sID]

For God said to Moses, "I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose." So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.

And if God chooses to show mercy to those who were obedient to him? (what some consider works)

Sounds like a natural and normal possibility to me, but not even considered by yourself. Can you name anyone in the Bible that was obedient to God and was shown mercy? Or would you rather not.

And don't get me wrong, this is nothing personal, it's just that you do/just did as so many do, completely miss obvious points in order to make your case, making it no case at all.

 

[Hazelelponi]

And if God chooses to show mercy to those who were obedient to him? (what some consider works)

Sounds like a natural and normal possibility to me, but not even considered by yourself. Can you name anyone in the Bible that was obedient to God and was shown mercy? Or would you rather not.

And don't get me wrong, this is nothing personal, it's just that you do/just did as so many do, completely miss obvious points in order to make your case, making it no case at all.

If God Himself told you He would do something in your life would you have so much disbelief in God's ability to bring that to pass that you would laugh at Him?

Abraham did. So did Sarah.

Would you consider lying a particularly righteous act? (Abraham) What about Murder? (Moses) Or running away and refusing to obey God instead of doing what God told you to do? (Jonah) what about selling your brother into slavery? (Josephs brothers)

All have sinned and fallen short..God doesn't save us because we are righteous. As Jesus says there is none good save God alone.

 

[Kenny'sID]

All have sinned and fallen short.. it is our faith in God that is counted to us as righteousness, as it was in Abraham. But just like Abraham we also have to learn to trust in God, and to have faith in God, He gives this to us.. it doesn't come from inside of us. 2 Peter 1:1

You just did it again. Yes Moses faith was counted as righteousness, but how in the world does that mean being obedient to God isn't counted as righteousness as well? You chose to see one thing and ignore the other just as obvious a fact. this is how the faith only movement is created...by misleading yourselves and others.

You and others insist on that scripture meaning faith is the only way to find favor, when in reality, that's not what it says at all, and not what it means. and never once was it mentioned faith is the only way to heaven. Faith and works what we keep telling you all. Your going to have to start a thread on it though, I've already argued it here more than we should..

 

[friend of]

I wish I could just become an atheist

No no no no. It's a good thing God isn't letting you do this.

I remember God telling me that I would go to hell if I married him but I didn't believe Him because that sounds ridiculous

This is not supported in scripture.

I'm sorry you are so harassed by this deceiving spirit, but it is certainly untrue. God approves of marriage.

 

[Hazelelponi]

You just did it again. Yes Moses faith was counted as righteousness, but how in the world does than mean being obedient to God isn't counted as righteousness as well? You chose to see one thing and ignore the other just as obvious a fact. this is how the faith only movement is created...by misleading yourselves and others.

You and other insist on that meaning faith is the only way to find favor, when in reality, that's not what it says at all, and not what it means.

The Bible states that God saves us. We don't save ourselves - we don't even have the ability.

I will believe the Bible. Thank you.

We aren't saved because we deserve it. Even the best of us deserves nothing but wrath.. Moses was a murderer, Abraham was a liar who had zero faith in the power of God.

God brings about changes in His people. What God purposes will stand..

 

[Kenny'sID]

The Bible states that God saves us. We don't save ourselves - we don't even have the ability.

I will believe the Bible. Thank you.

We aren't saved because we deserve it. We deserve nothing but wrath.. Moses was a murderer, Abraham was a liar who had zero faith in the power of God.

God brings about changes in us.. what God purposes will stand..

You can pretend your right because I won't argue with you here, but I doubt you want to win that way...start a thread.