What am I doing wrong?

It sounds like you're quite thoroughly saved. Jesus died for you, you've accepted his salvation, all good. Now it's time to get on with the business of sanctification.

Sanctification is a work that God does in us, but we don't just sit around passively waiting for it to happen. The Catholic tradition has a good phrase describing the Christian life, "cooperation with grace". God does God's work, but we also do things to make ourselves more open to God's work in us.

Can I ask about your regular spiritual disciplines? These are different for different people (personalities, etc.), but might include daily prayer, regular Bible study, reading of theological or devotional books, volunteering at a homeless shelter or a food pantry, participating in one of your church's community ministries, and so forth. What spiritual practices do you follow on a regular basis, and which ones seem best at helping you love God and your neighbor?

The "how to" is an endless list. Mockingly long and impossible to master. I suggest scrapping the whole notion. Instead of trying to incorporate what you hope will do the job, start concentrating on God himself. Read to find out how Jesus did it, if you must, and learn of him and you will find rest for your soul.

This life is for God, not us. We belong to him and not to ourselves. What's more, there's nothing good you can do apart from him. Learn what it means to be "in Christ". Salvation isn't "accepting him" —that's fellowship. Salvation is God's doing. It is grace and not a result of anything we can say or do. It is not a decision. And it does not depend on your performance or self-assessment.

But I find it entirely biblical and practical that the believer can't help but desire holiness. The madness of trying to control one's life while being driven to do what one does so mocks one that they despair of ever having more than temporary relief of guilt —it has always been so. But knowing that good only comes from God, and that whatever he takes you through in this life is for HIS sake, and his glory. He is making of you what he had in mind from the beginning, and it is not what you thought, but what you need to be, for HIS sake. It is not done how the modern church would have you to think. The only righteousness in you is HIS righteousness. He would rather you come to know him, than for you to assuage your guilt or 'live victoriously' on some scale you presuppose. Thank him for every smallest victory.

Even the privilege of being allowed to watch him work is more than one can ask. Knowing that HE is delighted with what he is making is enough to eclipse the fear of hell.

Codi Weston said:

Hi all.

I've prayed for salvation, "accepted" Jesus as my savior in my head, asked to be changed, asked to be saved from sin, etc, almost each day for the past 21 years. Not much has changed over 21 years.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

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I don't know that you're doing anything wrong. We don't always "feel" what is real inside of us. And sometimes we just carry on without "feelings". That can be OK.

Just a few questions:
Have you been baptized?
Have you "accepted" Jesus as your Lord and king and the ruler of your life?
Do you know Jesus, love Jesus, and serve Jesus, all three?

i understand your concern.
For me its origin lies in Mt 5 48 :

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

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The more often i voluntarily forget this verse, for i find it inaccessible to observe.
All i may bear testimony to is i feel some progress in my behaviors, thanks, i believe, to grace, God, but also Mary, the Church, my brethren, CF, the saints, etc.., but after i've long been in your situation.
Another source for hope is i've the feeling material world's concern starts to fade. It looks to me like people are growing more spiritual, in good or in evil

Codi Weston said:

Hi all.

I've prayed for salvation, "accepted" Jesus as my savior in my head, asked to be changed, asked to be saved from sin, etc, almost each day for the past 21 years. Not much has changed over 21 years.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Probably because you are playing the church salvation game. None of what you list as doing. Is stated in The Bible as what a person must do to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life.

The Bible states to simply believe in Jesus (the person) for Eternal Life (God's free gift). When you believe in Jesus for Eternal Life, at the very moment of belief in Jesus. A person becomes a permanent born again child of God.


How many times does God need to say it in The Bible for you to believe it.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
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John 3:14,15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
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John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
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John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
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John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is
condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
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John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
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John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
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John 6: 27,28,29 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
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John 6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believe in Me has everlasting life.
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John 11:25,26,27
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
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John 20:31
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Codi Weston said:

Hi all.

I've prayed for salvation, "accepted" Jesus as my savior in my head, asked to be changed, asked to be saved from sin, etc, almost each day for the past 21 years. Not much has changed over 21 years.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

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Have you received His Holy Spirit? This is our Foundation. It is He who lives in us , regenerates us and leads us into all righteousness. Do you love Jesus Christ of Nazareth with all your heart, soul and mind? He said this in John 14:23:

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

He makes His Home in us through His Holy Spirit. The flesh is weak but the Spirit is willing. And above all, do not doubt , this will quench His Holy Spirit.

Be blessed.

@Codi Weston : I've been taking for granted that you're an active part of a church community -- that you've been baptized, that you attend church most Sundays, that you receive Communion as often as your church offers it, and that you're connected with something like Sunday School or a small group ministry or a Bible study group at your church. If you're not yet part of a church community, then that's an obvious place to start.

Codi Weston said:

Hi all.

I've prayed for salvation, "accepted" Jesus as my savior in my head, asked to be changed, asked to be saved from sin, etc, almost each day for the past 21 years. Not much has changed over 21 years.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

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You're not doing anything wrong. You're just doing what all the rest of are doing: living in a fallen world.