Does anyone else struggle with this specific issue?

Anonymous0210 said:

I just had a talk with my pastor about this and I was trying to explain the situation but hopefully posting it on here will help cause I can better explain. Sometimes I struggle with having a sense of salvation and sometimes see in the afterlife being rejected kind of. Not because I don't believe the gospel. I truly believe that Christ died for my sins and accept him as my Lord and savior. What I told my pastor though is sometimes there's just this disconnect like it didn't or doesn't register. Even now it's hard to describe but it's just one of my struggles. I do struggle with sin so maybe thats why and I had a thought of wondering if it's just a false condemnation. What I know though is that God is the faithful one and thats why I'm saved even if I struggle with that belief sometimes. I was hoping that I could explain it better on here but it's still kinda of hard. Has anyone on here struggled with something similar?

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This is a common problem, but only because it is poorly taught.

*When a person doubts their salvation either they have believed in something other than Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life. Something like actions they have done like repent of sin, being committed to God through a church they attend, being baptized, saying a sinners prayer, etc...

All these can cause a person to doubt their salvation usually revolving around sin they may have in their life.

Or they have actually believed in Jesus, but then they have let teaching that teaches something like the paragraph i wrote above* cause doubt or lack of assurance.

But when a person who has actually believed in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.
When they come to lose assurance of their salvation they are actually doubting God and God's promise that all who believe in Jesus become a permanent born again child of God.

I can write more but will provided a few links on assurance and also a story about assurance below the links.

Don’t Base Your Assurance on Feelings – Grace Evangelical Society

Assurance: Of the Essence of Saving Faith – Grace Evangelical Society

When Assurance of Salvation is Fleeting* – Grace Evangelical Society

Should Assurance of Salvation Be a Lifelong Struggle? – Grace Evangelical Society


J. Wilbur Chapman tells the following true story of how D.L. Moody used John 5:24 to help him gain assurance of salvation:
I was studying for the ministry, and I heard that D.L. Moody was to preach in Chicago. I went to hear him. Finally I got into his after meeting. I shall never forget the thrill that went through me when he came and sat down beside me as an inquirer. He asked me if I was a Christian. I said, “Mr. Moody, I am not sure whether I am a Christian or not.’
He very kindly took his Bible and opened it to the fifth chapter of John, and the twenty-fourth verse, which reads as follows: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and beleiveth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”
Suppose you had read it through for the first time, wouldn’t you think it was wonderful? I read it through, and he said, “Do you believe it?” I said, “Yes.” “Do you accept it?” I said, “Yes.” “Well, are you a Christian?”
“Mr. Moody, I sometimes think I am, and sometimes I am afraid I am not.”
He very kindly said, “Read it again.”
So I read it again, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and beleiveth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”Then he said, “Do you believe it?” I said, “Yes.” “Do you receive Him?” I said, “Yes.” “Well,” he said, “are you a Christian?”
I just started to say over again that sometimes I was afraid I was not, when the only time in all the years I knew him and loved him, he was sharp with me. He turned on me with his eyes flashing and said, “See here, whom are you doubting?”
Then I saw it for the first time, that when I was afraid I was not a Christian I was doubting God’s Word. I read it again with my eyes overflowing with tears.
Since that day I have had many sorrows and many joys, but never have I doubted for a moment that I was a Christian, because God said it.

"E.W. Bullinger's book "How to Enjoy the Bible" provides guidance on understanding and enjoying the Bible's truths. It is a classic introduction to Bible study that offers twelve practical principles for interpretation, encouraging open and honest study of the Scriptures. Bullinger emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible to enjoy it, stating that "the root of all evils which abound in the spiritual sphere at the present day lies in the fact that the Word and the words of God are not fed upon, digested, and assimilated, as they ought to be" [8].

The book discusses various aspects of Bible study, such as gathering the meaning of words from the passage, identifying and analyzing the structure of passages, and understanding the importance of context. Bullinger's analytical approach does not aim to advance the dogmas of any group, making it a valuable resource for any student of the Bible.36

Bullinger was a respected Anglican clergyman and Biblical scholar who lived from 1837 to 1913. He is known for his devotion to studying the Bible and his contributions to Biblical scholarship, including his work on "Number in Scripture" and "Written in the Stars"."

Anonymous0210 said:

What I told my pastor though is sometimes there's just this disconnect like it didn't or doesn't register. Even now it's hard to describe but it's just one of my struggles.

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d taylor said:

-
​

This is a common problem, but only because it is poorly taught.

*When a person doubts their salvation either they have believed in something other than Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life. Something like actions they have done like repent of sin, being committed to God through a church they attend, being baptized, saying a sinners prayer, etc...

All these can cause a person to doubt their salvation usually revolving around sin they may have in their life.

Or they have actually believed in Jesus, but then they have let teaching that teaches something like the paragraph i wrote above*

But when a person who has actually believed in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.
When they come to lose assurance of their salvation they are actually doubting God and God's promise that all who believe in Jesus become a permanent born again child of God.

I can write more but will provided a few links on assurance and also a story about assurance below the links.

Don’t Base Your Assurance on Feelings – Grace Evangelical Society

Assurance: Of the Essence of Saving Faith – Grace Evangelical Society

When Assurance of Salvation is Fleeting* – Grace Evangelical Society

Should Assurance of Salvation Be a Lifelong Struggle? – Grace Evangelical Society


J. Wilbur Chapman tells the following true story of how D.L. Moody used John 5:24 to help him gain assurance of salvation:
I was studying for the ministry, and I heard that D.L. Moody was to preach in Chicago. I went to hear him. Finally I got into his after meeting. I shall never forget the thrill that went through me when he came and sat down beside me as an inquirer. He asked me if I was a Christian. I said, “Mr. Moody, I am not sure whether I am a Christian or not.’
He very kindly took his Bible and opened it to the fifth chapter of John, and the twenty-fourth verse, which reads as follows: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and beleiveth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”
Suppose you had read it through for the first time, wouldn’t you think it was wonderful? I read it through, and he said, “Do you believe it?” I said, “Yes.” “Do you accept it?” I said, “Yes.” “Well, are you a Christian?”
“Mr. Moody, I sometimes think I am, and sometimes I am afraid I am not.”
He very kindly said, “Read it again.”
So I read it again, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and beleiveth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”Then he said, “Do you believe it?” I said, “Yes.” “Do you receive Him?” I said, “Yes.” “Well,” he said, “are you a Christian?”
I just started to say over again that sometimes I was afraid I was not, when the only time in all the years I knew him and loved him, he was sharp with me. He turned on me with his eyes flashing and said, “See here, whom are you doubting?”
Then I saw it for the first time, that when I was afraid I was not a Christian I was doubting God’s Word. I read it again with my eyes overflowing with tears.
Since that day I have had many sorrows and many joys, but never have I doubted for a moment that I was a Christian, because God said it.

Click to expand...

Excellent response and will surely help anyone who’s ever doubted their gift of salvation. Even I needed this today. Thank you.

Marie333 said:

Excellent response and will surely help anyone who’s ever doubted their gift of salvation. Even I needed this today. Thank you.

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You are welcome Marie and thank you

Anonymous0210 said:

I just had a talk with my pastor about this and I was trying to explain the situation but hopefully posting it on here will help cause I can better explain. Sometimes I struggle with having a sense of salvation and sometimes see in the afterlife being rejected kind of. Not because I don't believe the gospel. I truly believe that Christ died for my sins and accept him as my Lord and savior. What I told my pastor though is sometimes there's just this disconnect like it didn't or doesn't register. Even now it's hard to describe but it's just one of my struggles. I do struggle with sin so maybe thats why and I had a thought of wondering if it's just a false condemnation. What I know though is that God is the faithful one and thats why I'm saved even if I struggle with that belief sometimes. I was hoping that I could explain it better on here but it's still kinda of hard. Has anyone on here struggled with something similar?

Click to expand...

As long as you are not doing His will, your doubts will persist.
What is God's will ?
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
And love your neighbor as yourself.

Anonymous0210 said:

I truly believe that Christ died for my sins and accept him as my Lord and savior.

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Unfortunately, many people think done, game over, simply believe. Well Jesus' part was indeed done and death was defeated ushering in His Kingdom. Good news as He called it. Believe it. But that was His part to be played.

We still have ours to play in first repenting of the selfish self-serving ways of mankind, thus changing ourselves and putting our focus on the needs of others. Quite simple as focusing on others takes our focus off of our selves and our selfish desires. Simple as following Jesus' two commandments. Put God's will first, not ours. Thus loving all as self, acting in servitude to all in their moments of need, regardless of who they are.

Anonymous0210 said:

My obedience isn't what saves me though but it does show my salvation.

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It shows your willingness to abide by the will of God, not of man. Otherwise it is a case of Lord Lord.

Anonymous0210 said:

but we are not saved by our works.

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The only salvation was Jesus' resurrection opening the door to the Kingdom. It didn't mean we were personally saved, but it gave us an option , one we still have to choose and show worthiness for by following the Will of God rather than the will of man. Otherwise man's only reward will be what he scavenged in this world and it and the man will remain dust.

Anonymous0210 said:

What are you putting your faith in? If you were to explain to a person how they receive salvation what would you tell them?

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In the Kingdom and not mankind. Salvation is already established by way of the gift of resurrection, a previous unknown. We have all received access to the gift but need to show ourselves worthy by abandoning our adversarial ways. Even the Lord Lords failed the test. Our part is to reject the original rebellion of man and change ourt adversarial ways to following the will of the Father instead. He told us what to do in this life 2000 years ago and and ever since the Garden... put His will ahead of our own and act in servitude to each other rather than seeking personal gain at anyone's expense.

Jesus was quite clear about this and it was made simple. Humans hijacked His movement and turned it into yet another human institution. and complicated the theology to try and have it both ways, His and ours. We can't. Just be kind and remember the only division is not over worldly issues but between the world of man and the Kingdom.

Anonymous0210 said:

Well I'll be honest and say I don't do a good job with that It's not that I dont want to it's just I cant.

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Why can't you ?

Anonymous0210 said:

The only way I know how to show my love to God is through obedience.

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What has He commanded that is so hard for you to obey ?

Anonymous0210 said:

I often just see myself as this really unhappy (but saved) christian. I just admmitidly feel like I don't have a good relationship with God. And then struggling with sin and discontentment with my life doesn't help either.

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Personally, I won't be able to say "I am saved" until the day of judgement.
And of course you don't have a relationship with God, because of your sins.
It is written..."And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:3-4)

Anonymous0210 said:

Plus I do struggle still with either legalism or scrupulosity or both unless their the same thing. And admittedly there are aspects of my life that I wish were different. It's kind of hard to really explain. I do know though that God is with me and loves me and have imagined talking to him and just sensing his love as a caring father speaking to me. I just want things in my life to be better though. Like I said though it's hard to explain and I dont have a solid answer.

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Start with a true, real, permanent, turn for sin.

Aaron112 said:

"E.W. Bullinger's book "How to Enjoy the Bible" provides guidance on understanding and enjoying the Bible's truths. It is a classic introduction to Bible study that offers twelve practical principles for interpretation, encouraging open and honest study of the Scriptures. Bullinger emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible to enjoy it, stating that "the root of all evils which abound in the spiritual sphere at the present day lies in the fact that the Word and the words of God are not fed upon, digested, and assimilated, as they ought to be" [8].

The book discusses various aspects of Bible study, such as gathering the meaning of words from the passage, identifying and analyzing the structure of passages, and understanding the importance of context. Bullinger's analytical approach does not aim to advance the dogmas of any group, making it a valuable resource for any student of the Bible.36

Bullinger was a respected Anglican clergyman and Biblical scholar who lived from 1837 to 1913. He is known for his devotion to studying the Bible and his contributions to Biblical scholarship, including his work on "Number in Scripture" and "Written in the Stars"."

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And I have a lot of BULLNGERS books !!

dan p

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Trust God to do with you all *~He~* means by His word.