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Hi everyone
I'm very pleased to meet all of you and relieved to have finally found such a place. I have been looking for a forum like this for a L-O-N-G time and I noticed that this one even includes a variety of health topics which is a double-bonus for me since I suffer from anxiety, depression, alcoholism, etc.
Anyway, I was raised a strict Baptist and everything we (me, my brother, sister, etc) did growing up as kids seemed to revolve around the church. I am 42 years old and am a born again Christian and believe everything the Bible say's and make a sincere effort to live by it on a day-to-day basis - even though I am shy and never go to Church and even though I get distracted and can never seem to find "time" to read the Bible that often. I do enjoy watching religious programs on TV though and I have a few that passionately inspire me and even make me cry.
My main reason for posting today is because I just finished watching a religious documentary and several verses were quoted that I found deeply troublesome and confusing. While I don't remember them specifically, most of them basically stated that all cowards, the sexually immoral, liars, etc would burn in Hell for eternity. This lead me to wonder if even a SAVED person (ie; a true Christian) could go to Hell for telling a lie or for having an affair. I'm not sure why a "coward" would be in danger of Hell and I'm not even exactly sure what the Bible means by the word "coward". Does it mean that if I don't act "tough and assertive" that I could burn in Hell even though I AM a Christian?.
These thoughts and the Christian documentary I watched a short time ago have been troubling me all day now and I am desparate for answers.
Also, I have gotten myself into this pattern over the years where I will have a very brief, one-night affair (not always purely "sexual") and then break it off the next day, feel extreme guilt/remorse and then ask God for forgiveness. Then, maybe a month later, I end up repeating the same cycle and feeling like a complete fool...almost like I'm making a mockery of God even thought that is the very LAST thing I intend to do!. I mean, how many times can you sin and then say "oh gee, I'm sorry". And yet even the Bible say's that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God so I guess even Christians sin from time to time?.
Then, there's my alcohol and smoking which is also a sin and in engaging in these self-destructive behaviors, I am defiling God's temple and thus sinning and yet I am addicted and do not drink or smoke because I want to but rather, because I am very addicted and even though I've said many prayers (as has my family and church), it seems like God has chosen to allow me to continue down this path (for whatever reason). Perhaps he wants me to hit "rock bottom" or something. I have no idea.
Anyway, I would be so greatful for some input on these issues and once again, I am very happy to have discovered this forum as it looks like a very large, busy and diverse one with lots of freindly and supportive people.
- Warm regards, Tim
I'm very pleased to meet all of you and relieved to have finally found such a place. I have been looking for a forum like this for a L-O-N-G time and I noticed that this one even includes a variety of health topics which is a double-bonus for me since I suffer from anxiety, depression, alcoholism, etc.
Anyway, I was raised a strict Baptist and everything we (me, my brother, sister, etc) did growing up as kids seemed to revolve around the church. I am 42 years old and am a born again Christian and believe everything the Bible say's and make a sincere effort to live by it on a day-to-day basis - even though I am shy and never go to Church and even though I get distracted and can never seem to find "time" to read the Bible that often. I do enjoy watching religious programs on TV though and I have a few that passionately inspire me and even make me cry.
My main reason for posting today is because I just finished watching a religious documentary and several verses were quoted that I found deeply troublesome and confusing. While I don't remember them specifically, most of them basically stated that all cowards, the sexually immoral, liars, etc would burn in Hell for eternity. This lead me to wonder if even a SAVED person (ie; a true Christian) could go to Hell for telling a lie or for having an affair. I'm not sure why a "coward" would be in danger of Hell and I'm not even exactly sure what the Bible means by the word "coward". Does it mean that if I don't act "tough and assertive" that I could burn in Hell even though I AM a Christian?.
These thoughts and the Christian documentary I watched a short time ago have been troubling me all day now and I am desparate for answers.
Also, I have gotten myself into this pattern over the years where I will have a very brief, one-night affair (not always purely "sexual") and then break it off the next day, feel extreme guilt/remorse and then ask God for forgiveness. Then, maybe a month later, I end up repeating the same cycle and feeling like a complete fool...almost like I'm making a mockery of God even thought that is the very LAST thing I intend to do!. I mean, how many times can you sin and then say "oh gee, I'm sorry". And yet even the Bible say's that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God so I guess even Christians sin from time to time?.
Then, there's my alcohol and smoking which is also a sin and in engaging in these self-destructive behaviors, I am defiling God's temple and thus sinning and yet I am addicted and do not drink or smoke because I want to but rather, because I am very addicted and even though I've said many prayers (as has my family and church), it seems like God has chosen to allow me to continue down this path (for whatever reason). Perhaps he wants me to hit "rock bottom" or something. I have no idea.
Anyway, I would be so greatful for some input on these issues and once again, I am very happy to have discovered this forum as it looks like a very large, busy and diverse one with lots of freindly and supportive people.
- Warm regards, Tim