Feel like giving up but don't want to go to hell
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It's not about our works.It is about Lord Jesus' finished work on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.The Holy Spirit even corrects you if you go off course.- Jan 19, 2018
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Well, I have the idea that He created the world knowing full well that Adam would sin, and knowing that this would throw everyone into spiritual corruption, and that many would go to hell (whatever that means), and then He expects us to be grateful for saving us from something that is not our fault. I hate saying this, because it sounds awful and I don't want to blaspheme God. But this is the stuff I obsess on.
I've been reading a lot of articles on the internet on various subjects - especially on various views of hell, on Calvinism vs. Arminianism, the real meaning of belief and repentance, Eastern Orthodox theology, and currently am reading "Humility" by Andrew Murray.
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May I respectfully suggest that you put aside these other books until your feet are on solid ground? You need to get alone with our Father and ask questions of Him, and listen for the answers.The answers will come.You just have to patiently wait upon the Lord. He know that you are seeking. He will not fail you. But know this. It is Lord Jesus who saves, not theology, not orthodoxy, not denominations. Trust in the Lord only. You can decide later on the different Christ centered persuasions.
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Larry Yoder
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Jesus knew some people would need proof that he was crucified. The Bible mentions Jesus’s body was gone from the tomb. The burial cloth and the head cover remained. These artifacts are with us today: Shroud of Turin (burial cloth) and Sudarium (head cover). The artifacts have been scientifically tested and any uncertainty has been virtually eliminated. Believe and speak out loud Jesus is Lord of Lords, King of Kings to be saved!
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Our Father gave Adam the power to choose.We tend to take the power of choice for granted, especially today. We look for someone to blame for the sad human condition. Yet scripture tells us that Lord Jesus was slain from the foundation of the world.Yes our Father put the fix in even before Adam's sin. So in that we can rejoice!
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- Aug 3, 2014
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Wow, believe me when I say I can relate to all the struggles you've laid out! I don't even know where to begin, but to make this short (you can always PM me if you'd like to know more about my testimony) I've been where you are!
I can certainly agree with some that say "get alone with God". I had to do just that because, like you, I was flailing in water with denominational doctrines. I had no idea that the God I thought about was not actually Him at all, but an image or "idol" that was a counterfeit. I was fed so much tradition and theology growing up that I just couldn't take it anymore. I actually quit being a Christian because I had no idea what that even meant anymore. I spent and wasted so much time trying to get the answers all by myself about this "God" everyone was talking about, but to no avail.
All because I didn't even think about going to God and ask Him myself, in a spiritual 'face to face' kind of way. I laid everything bare about myself and what I was worrying about before Him. I asked Him "Who are You? What are your ways and truths...? Just... Who are You, really?"
Man... did He answer me and still is to this day. Know this, when you ask He gives abundantly. I'll continue to pray for you and I hope even this little bit help and encourages you.
I can certainly agree with some that say "get alone with God". I had to do just that because, like you, I was flailing in water with denominational doctrines. I had no idea that the God I thought about was not actually Him at all, but an image or "idol" that was a counterfeit. I was fed so much tradition and theology growing up that I just couldn't take it anymore. I actually quit being a Christian because I had no idea what that even meant anymore. I spent and wasted so much time trying to get the answers all by myself about this "God" everyone was talking about, but to no avail.
All because I didn't even think about going to God and ask Him myself, in a spiritual 'face to face' kind of way. I laid everything bare about myself and what I was worrying about before Him. I asked Him "Who are You? What are your ways and truths...? Just... Who are You, really?"
Man... did He answer me and still is to this day. Know this, when you ask He gives abundantly. I'll continue to pray for you and I hope even this little bit help and encourages you.
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Hello, thanks for your honesty...
Have you tried telling God all that you have told us?
Maybe a lot of your thinking is wrong ....
And How can you change your thinking until you have something to change it to?
Seek God with all your heart until you find Him....Pray, do right, sing unto him, cry out to Him, help others....etc....and He will be there. Don't stop until you connect with Him....
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Deadworm
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Is the core of your problem that, deep down, you are programed to believe that God cannot accept you just the way you are? You did not choose our sexual attractions and, whatever God's verdict on lesbian sex acts is, your sexual orientation is not itself a sin. When Jesus' reference to "eunuchs from birth" in Matthew 19:12 is understood in terms of its rabbinic background, its acceptance of men who, for whatever reason, have no sexual attraction to the opposite sex becomes clear.
One of Luther's most famous mottos is "sin boldly!" We're all going to sin anyway; so sin with gusto, not deliberately, in the knowledge that grace is the heart of the Gospel and a grace-based life requires a life based on gratitude for God's grace. Such gratitude is impossible unless you heed Paul's maxim that God delights in perfecting His strength in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So think of the cross this way: God buries our sins in the sea of His forgetfulness and puts up a sign that says, "No fishing!" So when we fixate on our fear of Hell or our inability to approach perfection, we are fishing in a no fishing zone and implying that Jesus didn't properly atone for our sins!
To arrive at full self-acceptance, it might be advisable to attend an open and inclusive church (e.g. United Methodist). It might ultimately prove too liberal for you, but it might help with the self-acceptance you need to continue to deepen your spiritual journey.
One of Luther's most famous mottos is "sin boldly!" We're all going to sin anyway; so sin with gusto, not deliberately, in the knowledge that grace is the heart of the Gospel and a grace-based life requires a life based on gratitude for God's grace. Such gratitude is impossible unless you heed Paul's maxim that God delights in perfecting His strength in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So think of the cross this way: God buries our sins in the sea of His forgetfulness and puts up a sign that says, "No fishing!" So when we fixate on our fear of Hell or our inability to approach perfection, we are fishing in a no fishing zone and implying that Jesus didn't properly atone for our sins!
To arrive at full self-acceptance, it might be advisable to attend an open and inclusive church (e.g. United Methodist). It might ultimately prove too liberal for you, but it might help with the self-acceptance you need to continue to deepen your spiritual journey.
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I memorized a rule, "Celibacy as a single, fidelity for married partners."
Keep your eye on the prize, like one who reads many hours to learn a profession.
Corinthians 2:9 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
9 But as it is written, The things which eye hath not seen, neither ear hath heard, neither came into man’s heart, are which God hath prepared for them that love him.
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Kit Sigmon
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I reviewed your other threads so I am curious as to how you and your dad amended the father/daughter relationship?
Were you and him in family counseling or something?
Was Forgiveness extended and walked out in your lives?
Much of this sounds familiar as I have encountered such life stories over
the decades of meeting people who were emotionally/and or physically abused by they fathers...all of the ones I've met/gotten to know personally, they all really had trouble with submitting to God and believing the Word of God etc.
Were you and him in family counseling or something?
Was Forgiveness extended and walked out in your lives?
Much of this sounds familiar as I have encountered such life stories over
the decades of meeting people who were emotionally/and or physically abused by they fathers...all of the ones I've met/gotten to know personally, they all really had trouble with submitting to God and believing the Word of God etc.
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- Mar 24, 2011
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God told you this for a reason; if you try to do it your way you are just defying God and He will never bless that.
Here is what God told me when I had unending questions:
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding
Based on this scripture I decided to put away all of my questions and simply trust Him, and when I did that I had peace. It was only after this that He started to answer some of my questions.
You will never figure all of this out. Without faith it is impossible to please God, for those who come to Him must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Do what God told you to do and leave all of your questions at His doorstep and start praying He will give you faith to receive His Son as Lord and Savior. It takes a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit for this to happen
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longwait
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When you sit for an exam, you put in your effort, study and go by the rules. You don't answer it any way you want. Atleast you won't do that if you would like to pass. In the same way, you have to follow the rules your Creator has laid out inorder to make it into His kingdom. Off course salvation is a free gift made available through the blood of Jesus. If God Almighty can do that much for you why can't you just follow His rules? There is no fun in committing all the sins in this world and then being able to make it to heaven. Some kids cheat for exams. What satisfaction is there for those who pass by cheating? When you resist temptations and come out victorious thats where your true happiness and satisfaction is and that's your blessing too.
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Dear blacksheep78. Never give up without feeling sorry what all silly mistakes made. God is LOVE, and God will always forgive us, IF we ask sincerely for forgiveness. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells us. The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." God wants our love and God will NEVER keep His Love from us. Ask God to forgive you, and ask God to help you be the person God will love. God is Love, and God will ALWAYS forgive us, if we MEAN it. God knows our hearts, and God LOVES us. The Bible tells us: Give up all selfish and unloving deeds, ask God for Love: Matthew 7: 7-10: Keep asking God for Love, and keep sharing all love with all your neighbours. GOD is LOVE, and Love will always be victorious. Trust God and keep asking for LOVE, then thank God and share all love with all around you. Love will ALWAYS be victorious. Try it, dear blacksheep. I say this with love, and send greetings. Your sister in Christ Emmy.
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I would say ... and all christians will not agree with me, perhaps ... but your sin is NOT your fault. It is simply the situation you were born into. Sin is a sickness, ... which would be fatal to the soul, if not for the medicine/remedy/salvation offered to us by God.
And recovery from sin-sickness is a lifetime process, even if we choose to accept God's remedy. We will have better days ... and worse days, victories and setbacks, two steps forward, ... one step back. But we will be well in the end. God has promised it.
So take God's medicine, strive to live a spiritually healthy life, ... and let God heal you.
You have had some major challenges. Most christians do ... you just may not SEE the struggles they face ... or have faced. I have been a believer for more than 50 years ... and I still have challenges, ... but I an determined to stay with God. Noone else really has anything for me.
I will be praying for you ... pray for me as you can.
Thank-you ...
Chuck
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From reading your post I get the impression that you may be confused about the nature of God. I remember asking very similar questions and being downright scared of God, no a point where I could not sleep. Truth be told, I can not say when and how the questions disappeared. It just did. Still, I hope I can help.
One major part of your concerns is the infamous question of evil. Satan holds this world in his grip. He is called the prince of this world, the prince of air. He holds the power of death. However, Satan’s power is still subject to God. He only holds as much power as God allows him to hold and no temptation will come to you that isn’t common to mankind (1 Corinthians 10:13) You would ask: why would God allow it? It makes more sense if seen from a perspective of eternity. Life on earth is a preparation for life in heaven. Everything that happens to us is a learning experience and everything can be used by God. If something bad happens, God can use it to bring you closer to him, be it by teaching dependency, patience or something else.
When you feel down, always remember Job, who got absolutely wrecked by Satan, but only as much as God allowed. Also, remember Jesus, who prayed fo God to take the burden of the crucifiction off of him. Yet it happened, but not because it was an evil God wanted to commit. It was an evil that God allowed, because it would lead to good, namely our salvation.
So no, God is not the source of evil. Satan in, humans are, circumstance is. God merely allows it, because it builds godly character. It is also part of our free will. We must feely choose God, no matter the trials. Only then the love is genuine.
If all else fails, remember this. Pain is temporary. The glory of God is forever. Do not focus on the suffering of earth, but on salvation and bliss in heaven. Always keep in mind that everything that happens can bring you closer to God, if you let it
One major part of your concerns is the infamous question of evil. Satan holds this world in his grip. He is called the prince of this world, the prince of air. He holds the power of death. However, Satan’s power is still subject to God. He only holds as much power as God allows him to hold and no temptation will come to you that isn’t common to mankind (1 Corinthians 10:13) You would ask: why would God allow it? It makes more sense if seen from a perspective of eternity. Life on earth is a preparation for life in heaven. Everything that happens to us is a learning experience and everything can be used by God. If something bad happens, God can use it to bring you closer to him, be it by teaching dependency, patience or something else.
When you feel down, always remember Job, who got absolutely wrecked by Satan, but only as much as God allowed. Also, remember Jesus, who prayed fo God to take the burden of the crucifiction off of him. Yet it happened, but not because it was an evil God wanted to commit. It was an evil that God allowed, because it would lead to good, namely our salvation.
So no, God is not the source of evil. Satan in, humans are, circumstance is. God merely allows it, because it builds godly character. It is also part of our free will. We must feely choose God, no matter the trials. Only then the love is genuine.
If all else fails, remember this. Pain is temporary. The glory of God is forever. Do not focus on the suffering of earth, but on salvation and bliss in heaven. Always keep in mind that everything that happens can bring you closer to God, if you let it
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My view is that God gives us LIFE (albiet in an imperfect world) ... and presents us with the option of moving forward toward the higher intelligence that is God.
The struggles we face are what help us to GROW into the mature moral beings that can partner with God in promoting GOOD, and opposing EVIL.
I don't know if you've seen the movie, Contact, but in it, Jodie Foster's character ultimately travels through space to meet with a representative of a coalition of advanced alien civilizations. They tell her that they've been watching earth, to see if it's inhabitants will GROW out of their DESTRUCTIVENESS, ... which would bring them to a point where they can join the galactic federation of advanced civilizations.
Being a CHILD of GOD is like that. We are GROWING into SONS and DAUGHTERS that are like GOD, ... good and loving and strong. And it takes facing our challenges to do that.
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aiki
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Could it be that you're seeing God through the lens of your relationship with your earthly father? I've met people who had terrible relationships with their fathers who found it difficult to trust God and to love Him because they saw Him as just another more powerful and threatening father-figure. Perhaps you need to make a clear, conscious distinction between God and your father and ask God to impress upon you by His Spirit His great love for you. I can tell you after more than forty years of walking with God that you can't really fellowship with and enjoy God when you are motivated toward Him by fear.
1 John 4:16-19
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Our submission to God is supposed to be directly connected to our love for Him. God does not want from us the submission of a fearful and cowering slave but the submission of a child, in love, to a wise, and gentle, and loving parent. We can't submit this way until we are confident in God's love for us.
I don't get this way of thinking. It is strangely myopic for a person who has doubtless heard the Gospel. Yes, we are born cursed by Adam's sin, but God has not left us with no way out of this predicament. He offers us, through Christ, His own transforming power by which to live free of our sin-nature. We don't have to live mired in sin. As well, God has never forced anyone into a life of sin. Yes, He knows they will sin, but knowing is not causing. I know if my brother's cat keeps licking itself, it will end up coughing up a nasty furball. Does my knowledge of what will happen to the cat mean I have caused what will happen? Obviously not.
God has made us to be conformed to our focus. That is, what we focus our attention on will inevitably begin to shape what we think and how we behave. It is because this is true that multi-billions of dollars are spent by various businesses every year on advertising. And it is why God urges us in His word to fix our minds upon certain things and not others. So, the more you occupy yourself with your questions, and doubts and anger, the more shaped and conformed to these things you'll be. Likewise, the more you turn away from these things and focus upon Christ and his awesome love for you, and the holy, excellent truths of God's word, the more conformed to them you'll be.
Hebrews 12:2
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalms 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
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