are doubters still saved?

[raven1]

If I believe and doubt than am I still saved. Someone once told me either you believe or you dont. It is not like that for me.

 

[raven1]

someone also told me maybe this is a matter of religion not o.c.d. I used to doubt in the bible but that went away. I wonder if that was just my psychy assuring my faith in way I would doubt whether I was going to hell but no be 100 percent sure but how can I really be saved if I wonder how God created the earth or is there a heaven but I do pray to God everynight. I am sooo confused. Why is no one helping me

 

[RPicking]

I understand.

I think it comes down to separating the two (OCD) and (SALVATION). Both of these can NOT be put together or you will go insane. At least in my opinion, you can hold on to your "feelings" and emotions and say, "I'm not saved, because I don't feel like it." Plus, if you feel depressed because you think you might not be save, then probably you're saved. Just keep moving forward and not look back, I know it's hard, but I guess you almost have to force yourself to keep believing.

Hang in there.

 

[canamer]

Someone once told me either you believe or you dont.
==
Did they have OCD?

 

[stacymay]

someone also told me maybe this is a matter of religion not o.c.d. I used to doubt in the bible but that went away. I wonder if that was just my psychy assuring my faith in way I would doubt whether I was going to hell but no be 100 percent sure but how can I really be saved if I wonder how God created the earth or is there a heaven but I do pray to God everynight. I am sooo confused. Why is no one helping me

I feel the same way, though everyone's experience is different. I have OCD as well and I fear that my doubts keep me from salvation constantly. I also worry that because I rely so much on my compulsions to make me feel safe, I also don't trust very well in God.

However, among all that, I must remember that He made me this way for a reason. I just have to struggle harder than some, but be more grateful than most because at least I have the desire to be near Him while others choose the road of complete distance and hate. I believe that doubting is healthy and as long as you obey Jesus' number one command, to love, then you can feel at peace even with the obsessive issues.

OCD is more real than people think and can be so debilitating it's hard to explain. I know that you must feel alone as well, because it's so hard to talk about how you feel without someone offering a simple solution that's simply out of an obsessive compulsive person's league.

My best advice to give you for now is to lift up your hands, ask God to take away your fears, and wait until you feel Him lifting the burden from you to put them down again. Someone else on this site told me to do that, and it's very helpful, if only to calm you enough to start praying for wisdom and fight through this time of confusion with strength. We all pass through the bog of doubt, and though some experience it more, it doesn't take away your salvation. Maybe you should try therapy; it didn't work for me, but I couldn't afford it anymore and it did fix a few of my compulsions.

Praise God and pray with a grateful heart, because even with all of your inner struggle you still have a blessed life, so remember that! Let me know if you want to talk more

 

[babychrist]

If I believe and doubt than am I still saved. Someone once told me either you believe or you dont. It is not like that for me.

Me, either.

In answer to your question. I would say, 'Yes. You are still saved'.

One of the most curious stories in Scripture (imho), involves Peter's denial of Christ. We all remember the denial part, the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] crowing and Peter's repentance and 'reinstatement'. What we tend to remember less, is what Christ said prior to all this.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. -Luke 22.

Despite Peter's denial and his needing to 'turn back', his faith did not fail. Yet, apart from this verse, many if not most people would see in Peter's denial, a loss of faith. Very curious.

One of my most favorite passages in Scripture says this,
20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. -1 Jn 3

 

[raven1]

Thanks for the replies guys. Unforunatly the words maybe and in my opinion are big triggers for me. I just want this to all end. You are right though stacymay at least I do still have a life to live. i do fear this is not o.c.d doubt and God can only forgive o.c.d. doubt not regular doubt.

 

[canamer]

The reality is that everyone has some doubt sometimes. Even Christians who don't have OCD. To doubt in and of itself is human. And to wonder what happens after we die is also human. Death is the last great battle. The only person that has ultimately overcome death is Jesus. And so, I think we'd be wise to look to him as the example as far as what we can expect after we die. I honestly think that when we get to the other side we'll be like... well facing death wasn't that bad at all. But, while we're on this side there's the uncertainty and the not knowing and let's face it - we all want to KNOW!

The primary advantage that the Christian has over the atheist in this regard is that they're following somebody who has done it before and overcome. And Jesus has said I'll be with you every step of the way too. As far as the atheist is concerned they're insisting on taking themselves through a place they've never been through before and they'll be doing it ALONE. I don't see how anyone could feel good about that but what do I know? I guess that's why I'm not an atheist.

 

[raven1]

I dont just dont sometimes. I believe and doubt all the time. Over a year now.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

"to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Matt. 11:3)

John the Baptist said this, who Jesus called the greatest man to be born naturally by woman doubted the Lordship of Jesus Christ, even questioning if He was the true Saviour to come. This is just one example of the doubters in scripture, the Lord does not hate those who doubt, He only directs them to look at what He has done. This is what Jesus told John after he revealed his doubts:

Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Matt. 11:4,5)

Jesus told John to look at what He has done (His miracles, His love for the broken and His love shown in the cross). If you take Jesus and His word about who He is as ultimate truth you can learn to have faith in His promises. Faith is not a instant thing, but it is something that IS possible in our walk, only trust in the love of Jesus Christ. Blessings.

 

[raven1]

I am just scared my last doubt about whether or not I was a pedophile lasted 23 years. This one could last the rest of my life and then God will send me packing.

 

[dewba]

When you believe that you're going to hell, nothing can comfort you except acceptance in God's forgiveness.

You believe; find more courage that God is dishing out to stop being "lukewarm (rev. 3:16)" (aka. believe without a doubt). You certainly don't disbelieve in your salvation, because that would mean that you believe that you ARE going to hell. You still have hope; have patience, do not fear.

Don't forget that there's a time for everything too. God has a time for you to stop fretting; he has an exit for you.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
deut 31:8

 

[LifebyChrist]

Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

You are not saved if you doubt, you have to believe because we are made right by our faith not by works but we act on this faith.

Romans 3:28 "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law."

What someone can do about this is to strengthen your faith, you can increase your faith by hearing the good news.

This would come from different ways, praying, studying the Bible, going to Church, taking notes and fellowship

Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

I hope this helps, you have to have faith otherwise faith would be useless but scriptures say we are saved by faith alone.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

I am just scared my last doubt about whether or not I was a pedophile lasted 23 years. This one could last the rest of my life and then God will send me packing.

Well just remember that your doubts are not reality, the reality of your faith and position in Christ is only found in the promises of God. Your doubts do not affect this reality, they can affect your peace but not your position in Jesus Christ.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

You are not saved if you doubt, you have to believe because we are made right by our faith not by works but we act on this faith.

This is a lie and not helpful at all. You have read the bible before right? You should look at Thomas, Peter and John the Baptist and their struggle with doubt before you make such a ridiculous statement.

Not only is doubt a necessary ingredient in the walk of faith, this is not normal doubt were talking about, this is OCD doubt, a completely different monster.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

I hope this helps, you have to have faith otherwise faith would be useless but scriptures say we are saved by faith alone.

Correction: the bible says we are saved by GRACE alone through faith. Jesus is our only hope, not our faith.