Lynn73
Jesus' lamb
Christianson19 said:
You're right. If you're truly born again, the desire and effort is there to try and not sin and you will know the conviction of the Holy Spirit if you do.
I don't believe this Scripture is about the saved losing their salvation though it's often used by OSnASers to mean that. But look closely. One can be enlightened and take a taste of the heavenly gift and even in a small way be partakers of the Holy Ghost by being with Christians for a time. Many followed Jesus and His disciples and enjoyed the miracles and the preaching but I'm betting not all actually became Christians. They tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come but they fell away and did not actually put total faith in Christ. Notice that it says it's impossible to renew them again to repentence, not renew them again to salvation. Because they were so close and tasted of the gift yet refused to actually partake, they won't be able to come to the point of repentence again. Now that's my opinion, I know others believe different.
The words I have italicized are where I have questions. Does this refer to a Christian who has lost faith and rejected in Jesus completely that it is impossible to bring them to repentence because they dont want to? I have never stopped believing in Jesus even if I have put him on the back burner for a while.I want to repent, and I want to make an effort to eliminate sin but I can't do this alone because Jesus needs to be my partner. I prayed to Jesus last night, and in our relationship before whenever I would pray I would normally feel a connection with Jesus and feel him working in my life. Unfortunately, last night I felt nothing.
See above. Also remember don't base things on your feelings. I know that's hard to do because I don't even feel saved sometimes but according to the Bible I am and I'd do better to trust that than my feelings.
I pray you'll do it!
There's a reason we shouldn't forsake the assembling of ourselves together. I think it might help if you return to regular fellowhsip, study, and worship with other Christians. Several hot coals together stay hot a long time. Take one away and put by itself and it cools off a lot faster. I think this is more about fruit bearing than salvation. Notice that it's men that cast the branches into the fire. It this was hell, it wouldn't be men casting them in. I think this is about being cast aside as being useless as far as fruit bearing is concerned, this person will receive no reward but will still be saved, yet so as by fire. The foundation of Christ still remains even though the works are all burned up. It's about our service, not salvation.
Here are a few commentaries on this Scripture:
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2711
http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/practical-christianity/PC3W0102.pdf
I hope this helps.
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