Wilfogn said:
Today I came to the conclusion that I was not saved, and that is bothering me. I guess first a bit of history is in order. I have linved in a christion enviroment since I was born 22 years ago, but never found any peace or purpose in Christianity. So, for the last 7 or so years I've been trying to find out why I found no statisfaction.
So, tonight I came to the conclusion that I am no saved because, 1: Even though I prayed "the sinners prayer" I made no changes to my life, mainly due to the fact I was alrerady "good". I don't think I have realized untill today that I am a sinner.
Here is my problem, I could be missing the whole point. I realize that I am a sinner and sin all the time in my head, but I "feel" no remorse. I understand the consequesnces of my sin but I do not "feel" a non intelectual obligation to repent. I guess I am just lost as to where I stand and don't know what I eed to do. Could anyone offer any insight or advice?
Hey!
Hi there!
Welcome to the forums....
Twenty-nine people passed on this question....
no guts... no glory (for God), folks...
okay... let's talk.
Today I came to the conclusion that I was not saved, and that is bothering me.
In seriousness, there isn't a more important decision in our lives than the decision on where we will spend eterinity.
I guess first a bit of history is in order. I have linved in a christion enviroment since I was born 22 years ago, but never found any peace or purpose in Christianity. So, for the last 7 or so years I've been trying to find out why I found no statisfaction.
Sometimes living in a Christian environment is like living in a bubble. There's no Christian growth if you live continuously in a mountaintop experience (Christian environment) The only time a Christian grows is when they are going through the valleys. The fertilizer isn't on the mountaintop, it's in the valleys. There isn't "satisfaction" in Christianity if you live a comfort zone... that only a delusion that all is well. The "satisfaction" in Christianity is when the day arrives when the Lord says,
"My child, well done!"
That's satisfaction to a Christian.
So, tonight I came to the conclusion that I am no saved because, 1: Even though I prayed "the sinners prayer" I made no changes to my life, mainly due to the fact I was alrerady "good". I don't think I have realized untill today that I am a sinner.
Being saved isn't about "works" i.e. "I made no changes to my life"
Being saved is about faith...
But the truth is, if you didn't realize until now that you are a sinner, then you probably have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Being "good" doesn't make you a Christian.... it just makes you a good moral person whose moral "works" are worthy of recognition. "congratulations!"
Here is my problem, I could be missing the whole point. I realize that I am a sinner and sin all the time in my head, but I "feel" no remorse. I understand the consequesnces of my sin but I do not "feel" a non intelectual obligation to repent. I guess I am just lost as to where I stand and don't know what I eed to do. Could anyone offer any insight or advice?
First, let's start with a clear presentation of the gospel. I'm sure you've heard it before... it's called the ~Roman's Road~
Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
You seem to have an understanding of this concept.....
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Do you know what sin is? In actuality sin is any type of disobedience to God's will. That includes the act of the sin as well as the premeditation. As we are told in the scriptures... even to lust after a woman is the same as the act of adultery....so we may know that if we entertain our sinful thoughts, that it IS a sin. That doesn't mean that every "impure" thought is a sin... but to entertain that thought is. If a sinful though enters your consciousness, and you dismiss it, then "Glory!" ... you got a victory over that thought... a victory over that sin.
But, all men have sinned for everyone is born with the original sin nature, and because of that, mankind is separated from God, and in need of reconciliation to God.
Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So... you know that everyone is born into original sin, everyone does sin, and that the result of sin is separation from God. But God offers everyone reconciliation to Himself and eternal life in His presence.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinner, Christ died for us.
Are those shouting words, or what? 2,000 years ago, God loved you enough to give of Himself to see you saved. And if you were the only one in eternity to accept Christ, He still would have done it just for you. Christ's resurrection was the victory over sin, death, and the grave... He died that you might live, and He rose again just as you will.
Romans 10:9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Now... forget the sinner's prayer. Sometime's people think the sinner's prayer is what saves them. In reality, those words mean nothing. The words don't save you.... If you have the faith, you are saved as soon as you say..
"Father..."
Words don't save you, faith does... the words are just another variation of "works"...
Saying the sinner's prayer is an affirmation of your belief in Jesus Christ... and it does "qualify" as professing with your mouth,
but the simply word, "Lord" win a sincere heart says the same thing... that you are acknowledging what Jesus did for you.
So... do you have the faith???
For salvation is a fact and not a feeling. If you aren't certain then, you DO need to be talking to God until you are certain... and pray especially for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for discernment. Ask God to live in you and through you.... That's being born again. And if you have God in your heart, you won't be entertaining those thoughts any more without guilt.
Guaranteed.
So.... there... I'm praying lots of guilt will come your way by the Holy Spirit.
Do I hear an "Amen" from someone?
My friend, everyone questions their faith at some time. If you don't have the assurance of salvation, then get it...
but then, get off the mountaintop and out of that bubble called a comfort zone... so you can get fertilized and grow... (It's called Christian maturity)
Remember though, the next problem is the fear of failure.
<grin>
been there, done that, too.
God loves you, Wilfogn, and so do I
~serapha~
