Waking up from a dream

[Robert8102]

Have you ever had one of those dreams wherein you know it's a dream and you decide you now want to wake-up, and then you "wake up," only to shortly realize you're still in the dream, and so you "wake up" again, then wonder if you're really awake, and so you "wake up" again, and it takes upwards if a few tries before you actually wake up? I've had such dreams, and I'm wondering how this same effect might occur as to one's salvation/being born again. I wonder, what if, when I think I'm saved/born again, I'm not really saved yet but maybe am in the process of moving toward actually entering the kingdom. But am not there, yet. Then, what if I get saved after that...only to wonder again if that was really it, or only another step closer to it.

By this kind of thing, one could be seemingly getting closer and closer to the kingdom of God, but never actually entering it. It is discouraging to think that one could be inside such a "process," such that one never actually gets saved.

I disagree with those who say salvation is a process. The problem with a process is, you may never make it all the way through the process. I understand Justification is in a moment, but the next stage - Sanctification - is a process (which goes on for one's whole life). There is strong biblical backing for salvation-in-a-moment. For instance, Jesus told the paralytic He had just healed, "Your sins are forgiven you." That was no process, that forgiveness occurred in a moment!

The problem with me is that I keep thinking I'm saved, then doubting or wondering. My OCD exacerbates this problem. For instance, I was sure I was saved this past Monday, and was convinced I was saved straight through Wednesday and into Thursday. But I spent all day yesterday (Friday) doubting I was saved. Today, I tried to comfort myself with the thought that "I was saved, Monday through Wednesday, and salvation is permanent, so I'm saved."

But then, I have just kept wondering, today. It's discouraging to think I might be in a process wherein I have to "wake up"/"be born again" some number of times before I really am. I wish I could bypass the process and get saved NOW.

 

[timothyu]

Sometimes we overthink things. God knows what He is doing and we need to trust in the process rather than suit it to our wants. Our will has no merit.

I'm going to add to this. There are many who think they have found the way only to have the euphoria fizzle after a time. Did they fall or was the euphoria misplaced in the first place? The thing is we are told to constantly seek God. This means our life should be full of little realizations as we come closer to God's truth, especially when we realize man's truth is getting in the way. Remember Jesus said the rock His church would be built upon was God's truth, not man's interpretation. The whole point of the Kingdom is that it is separate from the world of man so man cannot explain it in worldly terms. A way of life where self is not at the forefront can be unsettling to some. Once we understand two opposing systems we are better able to determine for ourselves which is less oppressive and more along the lines of agape, and then if accepting God's will, we must find a way to be in the world but not of it. Quite simple actually once the clutter is removed. Hang in there.

 

[Job3315]

Have you ever had one of those dreams wherein you know it's a dream and you decide you now want to wake-up, and then you "wake up," only to shortly realize you're still in the dream, and so you "wake up" again, then wonder if you're really awake, and so you "wake up" again, and it takes upwards if a few tries before you actually wake up? I've had such dreams, and I'm wondering how this same effect might occur as to one's salvation/being born again. I wonder, what if, when I think I'm saved/born again, I'm not really saved yet but maybe am in the process of moving toward actually entering the kingdom. But am not there, yet. Then, what if I get saved after that...only to wonder again if that was really it, or only another step closer to it.

By this kind of thing, one could be seemingly getting closer and closer to the kingdom of God, but never actually entering it. It is discouraging to think that one could be inside such a "process," such that one never actually gets saved.

I disagree with those who say salvation is a process. The problem with a process is, you may never make it all the way through the process. I understand Justification is in a moment, but the next stage - Sanctification - is a process (which goes on for one's whole life). There is strong biblical backing for salvation-in-a-moment. For instance, Jesus told the paralytic He had just healed, "Your sins are forgiven you." That was no process, that forgiveness occurred in a moment!

The problem with me is that I keep thinking I'm saved, then doubting or wondering. My OCD exacerbates this problem. For instance, I was sure I was saved this past Monday, and was convinced I was saved straight through Wednesday and into Thursday. But I spent all day yesterday (Friday) doubting I was saved. Today, I tried to comfort myself with the thought that "I was saved, Monday through Wednesday, and salvation is permanent, so I'm saved."

But then, I have just kept wondering, today. It's discouraging to think I might be in a process wherein I have to "wake up"/"be born again" some number of times before I really am. I wish I could bypass the process and get saved NOW.

Sometimes you have to remind yourself of your salvation daily. It's a process of renewing your mind and accepting what God says about you even if you don't fully believe it yourself. That's why it's important to know, but to also believe, God's truth. In that process, the Holy Spirit teaches you about your identity in Christ, so now you don't live a Kingdom life to be saved, you do because that's who you are. You become a representation of the Messiah as you are in communion with the Trinity.

I tell people, it's like a child getting lost and being adopted by a family from another country. Eventually the child realizes his real identity and starts pursuing who he really is; his roots. Well, we Christians found out where humans come from and how our Father is a King and Creator, so we start living Kingdom focused instead of Earth bound.

The thief at the cross didn't have time to change his ways, yet Jesus told him he was going to see him in Heaven. The thief believed in his salvation through faith. Christianity is a discovery of the truth and that process can take your whole life. It's easier for some people, while difficult for others. I think it depends on the degree of faith and your willingness to being mold by the Lord. You can ask God for faith. Also, Paul talks about entering a rest in Hebrews 4 which I believe it means to enter a rest of your salvation. It's when you accept your salvation, and if you do sin, you come to God for Him to show you what happened and how you can fix it without fearing judgement.

 

[Tolworth John]

The problem with me is that I keep thinking I'm saved, then doubting or wondering

Please read John Ch 6 verses 39+40 where Jesus says, This is my Father's will that I loose None of Those he has Given me and that I will Raise them up at the last day.

Your salvation does not depend on your efforts, nor on your feelings, it depends entirely and only on Jesus.

 

[xaris]

I've had such dreams, and I'm wondering how this same effect might occur as to one's salvation/being born again.

zip...zero..zilch.