Salvation assured?

Hopes · Feb 25, 2017

Hi I am sorry for all the posts but I have been listening to more sermons and it struck a nerve again. One of the people they mentioned in the sermon sounded a lot like my story so I got a little worried. Ok maybe a little backstory is in order.

After my moms murder when I was 10, I walked the aisle and got saved, then later baptized. Well a few years later I had to move in with my dad (I had been living with my grandmother). Anyway I had to quit the Church because my dad lived in town. I should have found another Church that I could go to but I didn't.

I got mixed up in sort of the wrong crowd and I had a lot of anger issues and I did not turn the other cheek as I should have. I got into some fights and wasn't a very good Christian as a teen. Then I went into the army and still did not go to Church and did some drinking. Later into my 30s I got busy trying to raise my kids and did not go then either.

Over the years I still prayed to God and I still felt like He was in my life but I wasn't involved in the Church. I guess I was just sort of in limbo. Well this sermon mentioned the people who say "Lord Lord, and God says depart from me I never knew you". I don't want to be one of those people, so I prayed the sinners prayer several times over the years to make sure that I really am saved.

Anyway then I thought I heard something a long time ago that you had to do it in public (like walking the aisle). Does it have to be in public or can you do it at home in private? I am going to try a new Church tomorrow but I don't even know if its a good one yet so I would rather not walk the aisle till I am at least comfortable there. Plus with my anxiety its going to be really hard for me to do. So does it have to be done in public or can you do it in private?

AntiVillain · Feb 25, 2017

If you're genuinely concerned (as you seem to be), you're most likely saved.

That verse actually refers to "false prophets."

sdowney717 · Feb 25, 2017

Jesus said about fruit...The fruit though is what people confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts about God and Christ and the scriptures. Fruits are not the same as works, study the fruits of The Spirit.

Do a word study about fruit. Note verses 17-20...

Matthew 7:15-24New King James Version (NKJV)
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

The work of God is that you believe in the one whom HE has sent, which is His dear Son.

Romansthruphilemon · Feb 25, 2017

Romansthruphilemon · Feb 25, 2017

Greg J. · Feb 25, 2017

Hopes said:
Hi I am sorry for all the posts but I have been listening to more sermons and it struck a nerve again. One of the people they mentioned in the sermon sounded a lot like my story so I got a little worried. Ok maybe a little backstory is in order.

After my moms murder when I was 10, I walked the aisle and got saved, then later baptized. Well a few years later I had to move in with my dad (I had been living with my grandmother). Anyway I had to quit the Church because my dad lived in town. I should have found another Church that I could go to but I didn't.

I got mixed up in sort of the wrong crowd and I had a lot of anger issues and I did not turn the other cheek as I should have. I got into some fights and wasn't a very good Christian as a teen. Then I went into the army and still did not go to Church and did some drinking. Later into my 30s I got busy trying to raise my kids and did not go then either.

Over the years I still prayed to God and I still felt like He was in my life but I wasn't involved in the Church. I guess I was just sort of in limbo. Well this sermon mentioned the people who say "Lord Lord, and God says depart from me I never knew you". I don't want to be one of those people, so I prayed the sinners prayer several times over the years to make sure that I really am saved.

Anyway then I thought I heard something a long time ago that you had to do it in public (like walking the aisle). Does it have to be in public or can you do it at home in private? I am going to try a new Church tomorrow but I don't even know if its a good one yet so I would rather not walk the aisle till I am at least comfortable there. Plus with my anxiety its going to be really hard for me to do. So does it have to be done in public or can you do it in private?

So many things can be said about what it takes to be saved, so I'll offer one version (more detail available from just about everybody, heh): If you believe God is real and that the Son of God, Jesus, died for your sins and you are thankful for that and desire to be pleasing to him, and as a result desire to act in obedience to what you believe he wants you to do, and have acted on that desire (as opposed to just felt that it was true of what you want), you are probably saved. (All his commands are for your personal long-term benefit as well as the benefit of those you interact with, your community, and mankind.)

Romansthruphilemon · Feb 25, 2017

Hi Hopes,

You do not have to walk an aisle or do anything in public. In fact walking an aisle will not save you. Here, straight out of the Bible is what will save you:

Paul tells us in Romans 1:16 that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Paul tells us what the gospel is - How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Ephesians 1:13 tells us that once you hear the gospel (how that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day) and trust Christ, you are sealed.

Once you trust Christ you are sealed unto the day of redemption, Ephesians 4:30

I hope this helps you. The videos explain it very well. I hope you have time to watch them.

Hopes · Feb 25, 2017

Thanks all I watched the short video, I will watch the longer one tonight during the download zone. Satellite internet limits what I can do during certain hours or I will go over the limit. Anyway thanks, I do think I am saved now. I guess there is a second thing that I disagree with that online preacher.

I mean I am not perfect and I know I have a lot to learn. I also have kind of severe bipolar disorder which in the past during mania I thought I was a prophet and a bunch of other things from God, but I was just out of my head. I have repented about all of that but truthfully I had no control over any of it because I was (at the time) not in my right mind I was in psychosis.

I do believe in Jesus and He is my Lord and savior and I always will. So I must be saved I guess. I am also going to do better this time and go to a Church. If this one I am going to tomorrow don't work out I will keep trying till I find one.

Romansthruphilemon · Feb 25, 2017

Also check out Renee Roland on YouTube. I think you will like her.

Kenny'sID · Feb 25, 2017

Read the bible...believe in Christ and do what he tells you too....that simple, or I shouyld say uncomplicated. Going to church doesn't save you.

For reasons I won't get into, it's a little more than just inconvenient for me to get to a church, and it doesn't bother me a bit that I don't go. If you want to and can find a good church, fine, but if your condition makes it tough, maybe don't worry so much about it.

Kenny'sID · Feb 25, 2017

I would be very careful about what is taught in the videos presented. Suffice to say, as I already have, do as Jesus tells you to do. Read the Bible, all of it, and do as "it" tells you to do.

I'm reminded of how sometimes one can be better of without church, especially if it teaches false doctrine.

Hopes · Feb 25, 2017

Romansthruphilemon said:
Also check out Renee Roland on YouTube. I think you will like her.

Thanks I will check it out

Hopes · Feb 25, 2017

Kenny'sID said:
I would be very careful about what is taught in the videos presented. Suffice to say, as I already have, do as Jesus tells you to do. Read the Bible, all of it, and do as "it" tells you to do.

I'm reminded of how sometimes one can be better of without church, especially if it teaches false doctrine.

That's what my husband has been telling me. My condition is pretty severe and because of that I would never be able to interact in any meaningful way with a Church. I mean if I did find friends there eventually I WOULD have a manic episode and they are all going to want to know why I can't go to Church for a month or two. What would I tell them?

I could lie and claim some other illness but I know Jesus would not want me to do that, or I could tell the truth that I spent the month psychotic and I know that is not going to go over well with anyone. I guess all I would be doing is showing up for a sermon and then leaving. I could not really be a part of anything. Also I don't think I even have any spiritual gifts to share, if I do have any, I can't figure them out.

Maybe I am just meant to be set apart. Not because I am special or have any special abilities, but because my brain really is lacking and it prevents me from having the same relationship with the Church that others enjoy.

Kenny'sID · Feb 26, 2017

Hopes said:
That's what my husband has been telling me. My condition is pretty severe and because of that I would never be able to interact in any meaningful way with a Church. I mean if I did find friends there eventually I WOULD have a manic episode and they are all going to want to know why I can't go to Church for a month or two. What would I tell them?

I could lie and claim some other illness but I know Jesus would not want me to do that, or I could tell the truth that I spent the month psychotic and I know that is not going to go over well with anyone. I guess all I would be doing is showing up for a sermon and then leaving. I could not really be a part of anything. Also I don't think I even have any spiritual gifts to share, if I do have any, I can't figure them out.

Maybe I am just meant to be set apart. Not because I am special or have any special abilities, but because my brain really is lacking and it prevents me from having the same relationship with the Church that others enjoy.

Mine is more a transportation problem, Hope, so it sounds like you have even more reason than I to consider not going. Church should make our lives better, not worse. Besides, these days we can come up with a fairly good alternative, with the net and all.

As to the spiritual gifts, I don't personally know anyone that has the gift of prophecy, tongues, healing, or raising the dead. I've seen people claim they do, but I would require proof in this day and age. Still, though I'm not sure of the complete list, I'm sure there are other gifts you may well posses...if so, maybe you can share them here.

Hopes · Feb 28, 2017

Kenny'sID said:
Mine is more a transportation problem, Hope, so it sounds like you have even more reason than I to consider not going. Church should make our lives better, not worse. Besides, these days we can come up with a fairly good alternative, with the net and all.

As to the spiritual gifts, I don't personally know anyone that has the gift of prophecy, tongues, healing, or raising the dead. I've seen people claim they do, but I would require proof in this day and age. Still, though I'm not sure of the complete list, I'm sure there are other gifts you may well posses...if so, maybe you can share them here.

Yeah I decided not to go. I don't want to explain my situation to a bunch of strangers who I am sure wont understand. It just isn't worth it. I can listen to sermons at home and do probably more than the average Church does anyway. I learn by myself better anyway.

I went by the movies to check out whats playing. They are playing that movie "Split" which I am sure is a horribly false representative movie of people with DID. See that's where people get their education about mental illness, Hollywood or when the news blames every bad thing that happens on the mentally ill.

As for spiritual gifts, I still don't think I have any. I am not going to claim I have any till its a proven fact that I do. If I do find out I have one I will just share it here.

angelgirl77 · Mar 2, 2017

Thanks all I watched the short video, I will watch the longer one tonight during the download zone. Satellite internet limits what I can do during certain hours or I will go over the limit. Anyway thanks, I do think I am saved now. I guess there is a second thing that I disagree with that online preacher.

I mean I am not perfect and I know I have a lot to learn. I also have kind of severe bipolar disorder which in the past during mania I thought I was a prophet and a bunch of other things from God, but I was just out of my head. I have repented about all of that but truthfully I had no control over any of it because I was (at the time) not in my right mind I was in psychosis.

I do believe in Jesus and He is my Lord and savior and I always will. So I must be saved I guess. I am also going to do better this time and go to a Church. If this one I am going to tomorrow don't work out I will keep trying till I find one.

Leaving 99

I am currently battling the same thing and I too have bipolar and went through some similar circumstances so wanted to let you know you are not alone. I struggle with the intrusive thoughts so I wrote down some scriptures that I repeat when battling any thoughts about earning our Salvation. Remember it is a Free Gift. Its all Grace!

None of your righteousness or works can save you! It was all Jesus!! Amen.

Galations 3:11 "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident.: for the just shall live by faith."

Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

...
Galations 5:4 "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosover of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

Romans 4:5 "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

John 6:40 " And this is the will of him (God) that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up on the last day." Jesus

Mark 7:7-9 "Howbeith in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them. full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."

Romans 10:3-4 "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteiousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteiousness to everone that believeth."

Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jeus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man beleveth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

YOUR OWN RIGHTOUSNESS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. YOU NEED HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Salvation assured?

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