Salvation

Salvation (or the better term, receiving God's free gift of eternal life) is not about feeling or some emotional experience.

It is about believing and the object you are believing in. The only object that gives Eternal Life is trust, belief in Jesus (The Messiah) for God's free gift of Eternal Life. believe that Jesus is who He says He is and that is the promised Messiah from the prophecies of The Tanakh (Old Testament) and simply trust in Jesus for Eternal Life. One day you may feel great another you may feel completely lost, but it is again not how a person fells but who they have placed their faith in.

Stay the course, but take it easy. It's common in your situation to feel a sense of urgency but give yourself time to grow.

Anonymousme185 said:

Thanks for reply, I know feelings are fleeting that was just for backstory lol.


yes I have heard that feelings are not reliable as they are all over the place but I’m scared to death of hell. I see all these older Christians who seem like they know without a shadow of doubt and are so confident in their faith. But here I am, I believe and have been seeking but still have these doubts sometimes and it makes me feel like a lost cause. Meanwhile I have a fire burning wanting to bust out and do anything I can to repay Jesus for the kindness he has shown me and it really confuses me sometimes and makes me question if I’m truly redeemable. I hear these stories of people coming to Christ and their life changing overnight but I still struggle and fight against my nature

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1. I keep getting fleeting thoughts of this is not real even though I believe and even have a fear of god so that when I do mess up I ask god to forgive me straight away. How do I know for sure of my salvation

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Only the first part of the Christian life has to do with salvation. Afterwards the Christian life is about relationship. The word "confess" is homologos (say the same words) if we can describe what we have done the same way God would, we bring ourselves into an alignment with truth and can restore our relationship with God.

If you doubt your salvation you might obtain reassurance from the fact that the gospel is foolishness to those that are perishing. If you think the bible is foolish you might not be saved. People can tell that we are Christians by the love we have for other Christians. If you have love (selflessness 1 Cor 13:4-7) for other Christians you might draw reassurance from that.

1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Make disciples, baptize disciples and then teach disciples to obey ALL that I have commanded you ... including this command.

While no one has to teach Christians to hunger and thirst for the bible the word of God ...

1Pe 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

The goal is to practice "studying", "proving all things over and over again as a habit and way of life," "Cutting straight the word of God for and by yourself, and becoming "Mature"

Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

And to eventually get to the point where you can determine the difference between what is better from what is merely good from what is best because of your practice.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Understand that there is a big difference between going to the word of God to prove what you want to b elieve to be truth and doing what it takes to rightly divide all that God says on a topic and alter your beliefs to fit. Almost all of the people who believe themselves to be Christian go to scripture to gather what they can use to prove their beliefs true, what they can use to prove all opposing beliefs false, and interpret all of their selected data in the light of their beliefs (SInce they assume their beliefs are "Fact" the only correct interpretations of all valid data must align with their beliefs, after all.)

This explains 97% of all the different beliefs amongst those who believe themselves to be Christians. And everyone always finds everything they need to hold fast to their beliefs using this Methodology. But salvation does not lie down that path.

Paul compared the deceived in the end times, and those who did end up with faith in the truth when he was writing 2Th. to the exact same standard.

2Th 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Matthew chapter seven is a warning to all people who believe they are Christians the broad thoroughfare verses the path so narrow Jesus chose the word meaning "to groan" it's such a tight squeeze. The "Many" on the broad path are the same "many" that believe Jesus is their Lord, God and Savior later on in the chapter and who are doing all the exact same things true Christians of the day were doing.

Amazingly, there is never anyone within all the different groups who believes they, or those around them are the ones who are falling short. It is always everyone else. Yet, Jesus says the vast majority are on the broad path.

Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith ... or do you fail the test? I trust you will see that we do not fail the test.

They compare themselves with themselves and by themselves ... but doing so is not wise.

There are almost 900 verses, almost 300 different passages that apply to the topic of who really is God's aand who believes they are but aren't. I'd start with gathering those and rightly dividing them. I'd start with the 2Th. 2:10-13 passage as it explains what not to do. Everyone gets faith from God ... most get hardened into the false beliefs they "want" to believe and never ever get to the truth.

Anonymousme185 said:

Hey guys and gals,
So ive grew up around Christianity my whole life read the Bible growing up as a kid and asked god to save me though I spent the next 15 years not giving him a second thought and honestly fell into a cycle of living how I wanted nothing horrible just cussing a lot and lusting a lot and fitting in with the world.

Well now I’m 30 I have a family a wife and four kids (been married since I was 18) and I was spending about all my time working and my wife was as well. We have a nice house and nice cars we have all we could ever want though we are not rich. Anyway I was working so much I got to where I fell into a state of depression and I wasn’t actually living just work sleep work sleep etc. I had a deep void in my life was looking for anything to fill it, first I tried hobbies and then I threw myself into trying to get it from my career and moving up the ladder well nothing worked

Well a couple weeks ago I again asked god to save me and to use me for his gain and that I give myself over. It was like a weight lifted and I literally felt like he was there giving me a hug and telling me it would be alright. I’ve got that feeling of excitement and joy but instead of being fleeting I’ll feel it all day long and I’m so much happier it’s really hard to explain but it’s just utter joy that I’ve never in my life felt before.

anyway enough of the backstory my questions are this.

1. I keep getting fleeting thoughts of this is not real even though I believe and even have a fear of god so that when I do mess up I ask god to forgive me straight away. How do I know for sure of my salvation

2. In this busy world of stress and negativity how do you all keep your primary focus on god and not get sidetracked. So far I’ve been listening to klove/sermons while driving, jumping headfirst into the Bible as much as I can and started going to church again.

3. keep having random thoughts and had a dream of me preaching. Which does excite me but I’m an introvert and don’t do well in big crowds (scares the crap out of me)so I don’t think it would be a good idea even though I can’t get away from it. I think it’s more me wanting to catch up on lost time and do something great for god than god telling me to do it later after my faith grows of course. I did have a conversation with a pastor and he thought it was god telling me to get off my but and do something. Any opinions on this

Thanks guys for any replies and sorry for writing a book just wanted to put some back story in there for you

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One NEEDS to understand that salvation of our soul and a new life as a Christian, is NOT about believing in God; but IS receiving His "...beloved Son": the Lord Jesus, into our heart and life (note John 3; John 14; Romans 8; etc.).
It is a RELATIONSHIP! Jesus said: "no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me", and a seeker needs to believe that and receive that truth. A true believer in Christ will walk and talk with Him daily and "..bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ". If not, one might go on saying they are a 'Christian', but find no place in Heaven when they leave this world.

All earnest seekers need to read the four Gospels in the Bible often; and the Epistles, which teach real Church Truth, and show what a Bible-only Christian assembly is. I have found the internet site at Biblecounsel.net to be much help in learning about the value of Bible-only, as the truth for a Christian testimony. Look and see; and write me personally at Conversation page herein if you wish to chat about all this, friend!

Anonymousme185 said:

Hey guys and gals,
So ive grew up around Christianity my whole life read the Bible growing up as a kid and asked god to save me though I spent the next 15 years not giving him a second thought and honestly fell into a cycle of living how I wanted nothing horrible just cussing a lot and lusting a lot and fitting in with the world.

Well now I’m 30 I have a family a wife and four kids (been married since I was 18) and I was spending about all my time working and my wife was as well. We have a nice house and nice cars we have all we could ever want though we are not rich. Anyway I was working so much I got to where I fell into a state of depression and I wasn’t actually living just work sleep work sleep etc. I had a deep void in my life was looking for anything to fill it, first I tried hobbies and then I threw myself into trying to get it from my career and moving up the ladder well nothing worked

Well a couple weeks ago I again asked god to save me and to use me for his gain and that I give myself over. It was like a weight lifted and I literally felt like he was there giving me a hug and telling me it would be alright. I’ve got that feeling of excitement and joy but instead of being fleeting I’ll feel it all day long and I’m so much happier it’s really hard to explain but it’s just utter joy that I’ve never in my life felt before.

anyway enough of the backstory my questions are this.

1. I keep getting fleeting thoughts of this is not real even though I believe and even have a fear of god so that when I do mess up I ask god to forgive me straight away. How do I know for sure of my salvation

2. In this busy world of stress and negativity how do you all keep your primary focus on god and not get sidetracked. So far I’ve been listening to klove/sermons while driving, jumping headfirst into the Bible as much as I can and started going to church again.

3. keep having random thoughts and had a dream of me preaching. Which does excite me but I’m an introvert and don’t do well in big crowds (scares the crap out of me)so I don’t think it would be a good idea even though I can’t get away from it. I think it’s more me wanting to catch up on lost time and do something great for god than god telling me to do it later after my faith grows of course. I did have a conversation with a pastor and he thought it was god telling me to get off my but and do something. Any opinions on this

Thanks guys for any replies and sorry for writing a book just wanted to put some back story in there for you

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The best thing you can do is to come and be part of a church, a good church where you can learn, grow, and receive good pastoral care. As to the sort of church I'd recommend, I am incredibly biased, and I don't think it's helpful when someone just says, "Try my church, it's the right one"--especially when literally everyone is saying that.

And at this point, I'd say it is better to find a decent church of any sort, at the very least so you can begin plugging into ways where you can engage with Scripture, engage in worship, prayer, and have your faith strengthened, encouraged, and built up.

You don't have to rush into the deep end of the pool, it's okay if you dip your toes in the shallow end for now. The point is to, to keep the pool analogy going, start getting wet. It's okay to start small.

That's where churches having classes for adults is helpful. Various catechetical (catechesis is a really old Christian word to describe teaching the faith, often for new converts) classes or adult Sunday School classes are extremely beneficial.

Jesus calls us to be His disciples; a disciple is both a follower and a student. So part of discipleship is actually just about sitting and listening, learning. The purpose of Scripture readings and sermons in church are about us sitting and listening--receiving the word of God with humility, to deepen out understanding of our faith, and to help equip us with the tools to live our faith here in the world. We are disciples in church by hearing God's word, and we are disciples in the world by following Jesus' example, and loving our neighbor. And both in the Church and among the world, we confess the Gospel, the good news of God's love for the world in Jesus Christ, and His work to save and rescue it.

-CryptoLutheran

Anonymousme185 said:

1. I keep getting fleeting thoughts of this is not real even though I believe and even have a fear of god so that when I do mess up I ask god to forgive me straight away. How do I know for sure of my salvation

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Look for the biblical signs of the indwelling Holy Spirit. A person is only saved by the Spirit coming to dwell within them. (Titus 3:5; 1 John 4:13; Romans 8:9-11) If the Spirit is within you, he will do things, the Bible says, that indicate that he is:

1.) Convict you of sin. (John 16:8)
2.) Illuminate God's truth to you. (John 14:26; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
3.) Strengthen you in times of temptation and trial. (Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 2:13; Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:13)
4.) Comfort you in seasons of trouble and sorrow. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
5.) Produce the Fruit of the Spirit in you. (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9)
6.) Discipline you. (Hebrews 12:5-11)

The evidence of the indwelling Spirit may not be, at first, very apparent. But, as the Spirit does his transforming work in you, looking back, you will be able to see that he has changed you - and done so profoundly.

Disobedience to God and fear of Him go together. The remedy, then, to such fear is to obey God. But the obedience of every believer begins, not with doing stuff, but with loving God. The First and Great Commandment is to love - desire - God with your whole being (Matthew 22:36-38). When you are obeying this commandment, your fear will dissolve. The apostle John explained:

1 John 4:16-19
16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
19 We love, because He first loved us.

Anonymousme185 said:

2. In this busy world of stress and negativity how do you all keep your primary focus on god and not get sidetracked. So far I’ve been listening to klove/sermons while driving, jumping headfirst into the Bible as much as I can and started going to church again.

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Are you daily, even moment-by-moment, submitting yourself to God's will and way, to His control? It is only under this dynamic that the Holy Spirit will move in your life to change you and deepen your joy and love of God.

Romans 6:13-22
13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!
16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,
18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.
22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

Romans 8:14
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Romans 12:1
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

James 4:6-8
6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you...

1 Peter 5:6
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

Anonymousme185 said:

3. keep having random thoughts and had a dream of me preaching. Which does excite me but I’m an introvert and don’t do well in big crowds (scares the crap out of me)so I don’t think it would be a good idea even though I can’t get away from it. I think it’s more me wanting to catch up on lost time and do something great for god than god telling me to do it later after my faith grows of course. I did have a conversation with a pastor and he thought it was god telling me to get off my but and do something. Any opinions on this

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Put being before doing. Be a Spirit-controlled, Christ-centered, holy person BEFORE you venture into ministry for God. If you don't, your efforts for God will be inevitably fleshly, from your own human resources, and so, fatally corrupted and short-lived. The apostle Paul was the better part of twenty years in preparation for his work as an apostle of Christ to the Gentiles. Joseph of the OT also endured nearly twenty years of preparation before he was installed by God as second-in-command in Egypt. On the backside of the desert, Moses waited 'til his eighties before his leadership of the Israelites in their Exodus from Egypt began.

God is not in a hurry. It takes six months to grow a squash but a hundred years to grow a mighty oak. Which would you rather be? A squash or a mighty oak? Be patient. Enjoy God. Go deep with Him. As you do, He will lead you naturally and joyfully into His particular will for you.