Can I be saved

[IAMANOBODY2015]

Dear IAmaNobody, Yes, Jesus can deliver you,. as He came not only to heal us of our physical fallen conditions, but also our emotional and spiritual ones too that we , as a fallen human race, have been dealt with.

It requires asking Him for grace to help you be willing to deny yourself and say "no" to the natural inclinations. And then while saying "no" to yourself, asking Him to help you say "Yes" to Him and His transformation within you.
Just so everyone knows, this is for all of us, as we all have conditions needing to be restored. It doesn't have to be something obvious, but can be a condition in our self-life... such as the need for hoarding, or worrying , or the attitude we need to defend ourselves all the time, etc. here are trillians of souls' diseases all of us have. Homosexuality is only one of many trillians., so don't ever feel isolated or alone... we ALL.. are God's works in progress.. and I believe that God's redemptive work in us is often not all in one day, but by degrees throughout our lives.
You may even be asked to carry the cross of homosexuality FOR Christ... as long as you don't give into your flesh.. and it can be a prayer offering to our Lord., where others may judge you if they knew, but God knows your inner cross and doesn't judge you.
If you fall, pick yourself back up and don't condemn yourself.. depend on strength from the Holy Spirit Who will never leave you alone, and knows that ALL humanity is in need of restoration!
love, one of His nobodies too!

Welcome to Christian Forums. Thank you for your words.

 

[Ajushi]

Don't say "I am homosexual," and identify yourself as "gay."

If you believe Jesus is the son and have asked God for the Holy Spirit, then you are a child of God. He sees us as Holy and blameless in His sight. He sees us as perfect, and highly favored in the beloved.

He says in the Word that he gives increase and that he will continue and finish the good work he began.

Homosexuality is a demonic identity the enemy wants to assign to you. You don't need to receive and maintain that identity.

Homosexuality is just another form of sin.

As for getting freedom, deliverence, and washed in lasting Holiness, only God can do that. We just have to want it and ask for it. For me there was a desperate tortured process. For many it has not been as severe as what I've experienced.

But the goal and the way it shouid be is that we experience no bondage to sin. We receive a leek of Holiness and sanctification so that the sin is not a big deal, and our concerns about it or struggles against it don't hold us down at all. This is the "easy yolk" and "light burden", and the "life and life abundantly."

Being constantly attacked with invasive impute thoughts, disturbed about the sin of it, and constantly miserably striving to avoid acting on it those needs, and ensnared in concerns about it.... that is nit life abundant and it freedom and not an easy burden or light yolk. So when a believer is in that place, I s onvious somethiny is severely not how we want it to be and how it can and shouid be

But what I've learned from my experience is that only God can do it. We have no ability to increase our Holiness, we cannot wash ourselves in Holiness. If we do get into a backslidden state, we feel completely helpless and powerless to do anything about it, and that's a dreadful nightmare for anyone with the Holy Spirit, especially anyone who has experienced close encounter with the Lord and strong convictions and level of Holiness upon them.

All we can do is be dreadfully concerned with the topic and ask God for it, ask God to show us the way to freedom, ask God to grant us true repentance and Holiness, ask God to let us experience His divine love to help us make it be the first priority in our hearts.

Otherwise, we live in a suffocating fearful bondage all our lives, completely unable to enjoy the presence of God and the freedom and cleansed sensation of Holiness. Because of what it says in the Word, I must believe that we can and should get to where we can experience the light yolk, easy burden, Holiness/pure mind, and not have it be an endless miserable bitter struggle all day every day with invasive thoughts, enslavement I concerns about sin, and a sense of self deprivation.

We should be experiencing life and life abundantly and easy burden and light yolk, because that's what it says in the Bible.

It seems to me that it's only from that place that we can be effective ministers of the Gospel. Where we have an inner peace and an inner purity and such an infilling of the Holy Spirit that there is an overflow.

Homosexuality is not your identity and I would also ignore and reject all of the input from people who say you are born that way – because whether that was an issue you had from birth it not, what that really is is a word curse telling you that there's no hope for it to ever change. That's total nonsense.

God can heal and transform literally anything. There are numerous testimonies on YouTube of men who were into homosexuality and then got drawn to the Lord and got Holiness and sanctification and went all in with God's ways, and ended up happily married to a Christian wife.

As Christians, Homosexuality is not anyone's identity anymore than any other issue of sin, or any issue of demonic, and the same thing goes with diseases and illnesses etc. People need to drop the idea that any of that stuff as our identity and ask God to let Him be our regenerator. We can't do it. Only the power of God can make it so. All we can do is be desperate and poor in spirit and heavy laden until He cleanses us and gives us power to carry on. I still need more power myself.

I also want to recommend you go through a proper thorough deliverence ministry. Like you could find one through isdm

Am I wasting my time seeking God? I am a nonpracticing homosexual. I believe in scripture that calls sin by what it is. I hate my sin. I struggle with lust, but I do not act on my lusts. Pastor Steven Anderson does not believe gays can be saved. This is sad. But I will continue pray for his mercy. But I wonder if I am wasting my time.

 

[enigmadi]

Am I wasting my time seeking God? I am a nonpracticing homosexual. I believe in scripture that calls sin by what it is. I hate my sin. I struggle with lust, but I do not act on my lusts. Pastor Steven Anderson does not believe gays can be saved. This is sad. But I will continue pray for his mercy. But I wonder if I am wasting my time.

ALL people sin, even Christians. For some, it is more of a struggle. I KNOW you can be saved...you need to repent and ask Him to save you.

I think the key is that you do not act on your feelings. A heterosexual who acts on his/her impulses sins just as homosexual who acts on them is sinning. The ONLY sin God will not forgive is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I believe that since we are moved by the Spirit toward salvation, then to reject salvation is the blasphemy. (My understanding...)

Prayers for you, dear one.

 

[Man-ofGod]

Am I wasting my time seeking God? I am a nonpracticing homosexual. I believe in scripture that calls sin by what it is. I hate my sin. I struggle with lust, but I do not act on my lusts. Pastor Steven Anderson does not believe gays can be saved. This is sad. But I will continue pray for his mercy. But I wonder if I am wasting my time.

Hi brother,

Pastor Anderson is a false prophet. Do not listen to him if you value your salvation.

Please understand that you must properly differentiate from temptation and sin. They are NOT the same. Scripture says, "For we have not an high priest (Jesus) which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb 4:15

Jesus was tempted like we are, but NEVER sinned. James 1 gives further clarification on the distinction
4 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desire), and enticed.

15 Then when lust (desire) hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

When your thought gets to the point where the only thing stopping you from committing the sin is the opportunity, then it can be said that you sinned.

And if you have sinned in this way, all you have to do is confess it (earnest confession includes genuine repentance) and believe in His forgiveness.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. That is a promise from the Almighty and is the Gospel.

Cling to it brother. You can be saved with no question.

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: - Isa 59:1

-MoG

 

[miamited]

My problem with that "those who diligently seek him" seem to be the ones who most become atheists because they end up reading the Bible and looking into things more than most Christians.

Hi CD,

You've really got to be saying that in jest, right? God says that He will be found by those who diligently seek Him. Listen, I have no idea what kind of christians you've been hanging out with and I know that category covers a lot of gradients of faith, but anyone who is born again, never let's go of God. Pretenders will and they might as well because Jesus has already made it clear to them in Matthews account of his teachings that on the day his Father's judgment, Jesus is going to cast all of those 'christians' out anyway. Born again believers in the one true and living God, those who are indwelled with the Holy Spirit and, therefore, have the right to be called children of God see things just as Peter did. When Jesus asked the disciples if they wanted to turn away because of some difficult teachings that were causing others to turn away, Peter replied, "Lord, where else would we go? You have the only words of truth."

Those 'christians' who are not born again, well they just see christianity as another religion of the world. They might turn to atheism or buddhism or hinduism or zorastrianism because they're usually just trying to find a 'religion' that fits their lifestyle and their beliefs. Something that is easy to swallow and doesn't require a lot of sacrifice.

I've got to say, though, I've been a born again believer for over 20 years and I've never heard another born again believer deny the truth of what God's word says. Hope you don't take that too hard, but I read your post and I actually had to get my wife to come and get my jaw up off the floor. I couldn't reach it myself.

God bless you,
In Christ, ted

 

[RaymondG]

We have free will. Nobody can accidentally lose their salvation and be sent to hell once they are saved. God will not allow anyone to be snatched from His hand.

However, I suppose if a person who had previously proclaimed they were a Christian decided to renounce God, reject Jesus Christ, and confess hatred towards everything good, expressing a desire to be in hell away from God, then by their own free will they could "lose" their salvation. But it wouldn't be God's fault, it would be their own free choice.

You don't lose your salvation simply because of struggling with sin. It is common to all human beings to struggle with sin. God does not leave us alone in our struggle, nor does he reject our pleas and cries for His help.

Thanks for the info. So it seems that you have a few things that can possibly be done to for one to lose their salvation after It is gained....by their own fault.

So Salvation is like a card that you hold until you die that can be redeemed at the gates of heaven. But you must hold unto this card until you die cause if you willingly give it up, you will go to hell. And there is a defined procedure to obtain this card.....Does that sum it up in plain terms?

Also, the only asurity,besides a strong belief, that you have this card(are saved) and got it the correct way is for it to be excepted at the gates, after you die correct?

I dont prescribe to the gaining and losing of salvation nor did I give a comment to the OP...Some of the comments did lead to to reply, however....So I have no comment for your last paragraph.

 

[Conservative Crackpot]

Am I wasting my time seeking God? I am a nonpracticing homosexual. I believe in scripture that calls sin by what it is. I hate my sin. I struggle with lust, but I do not act on my lusts. Pastor Steven Anderson does not believe gays can be saved. This is sad. But I will continue pray for his mercy. But I wonder if I am wasting my time.

The idea that you cannot be saved is ludicrous. And one is only born gay to the extent that we are all born into sin. We all have an inclination toward our own particular sin. A perfect Christian does not exist.

None of us has the power to resist sin without Christ in us. We Are promises that if we put our faith and focus exclusively in Christ, He will bless us with the all that we need to live a life pleasing to Him within His will.

Jesus conquered sin on the cross. It's already done. He is simply waiting for you to deny self and accept Him. It requires an attitude that "I can't, but He can".

I suggest that you stop identifying as homosexual. We tend to wrap our identities around labels and followers of Christ must take on the spiritual identity of Christ and deny our natural identity that's of the world.

 

[hannodb]

Am I wasting my time seeking God? I am a nonpracticing homosexual. I believe in scripture that calls sin by what it is. I hate my sin. I struggle with lust, but I do not act on my lusts. Pastor Steven Anderson does not believe gays can be saved. This is sad. But I will continue pray for his mercy. But I wonder if I am wasting my time.

"pastor" Anderson assumes powers which is not given to Pastors in the Bible: to condemn people to hell. For that, he will have to answer to God.

The argument of the world is - you are born this way, and therefore it must be ok to live it out. Ofcause that argument run into trouble once you consider pedophilia - also an exclusive and involuntary sexual preference, but most people prefer not to think that far. Whether you are born "this way" or not is really not relevant, because in Psalm 51 we see *everyone* is "born this way". "This way", ofcause, referring to sin. Sin is not just the evil things we do, it is also our desire to do evil, which is woven into our very nature from before we are born (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Believe it or not, but you are actually in a very good spiritual space right now. To be a Christian does not mean that you are freed from all sinful desires. Rather, it means that you love God enough to hate those desires. (Romans 7) Being a Christian is not easy - it is constant warfare with the evil that lives inside you. This is why God has given us the armor of Ephesians 6. Yes, we are called to spiritual war - many people forget that. A true Christian would not only hate his homosexuality and fight his desires, he would be willing to continue the fight if it takes him the rest of his life to do so. Somewhere, people have this idea that if you pray and fight long enough, the desires will just magically go away. Nowhere did God promise us that, instead, he tasked us to strive against it and persevere. Some people fight, and then after a few years, they give up, take off the armor, and surrender to evil. Imagine doing that while being at war - because this is war.

Ofcause, the world would find this offensive, but the fact that you willingly do battle against the very sin which the world want you to accept, is proof that the Holy Spirit is working in your heart.

In fact, in some respects, you are actually better off than nominal Christians. Jesus said: "He for whom much is forgiven, shows much love, and he for whom little is forgiven, shows little love". How does this work? When you look at yourself, your desires, your constant failure to resist lustful fantacies, what do you feel? Disgust, right? Instinctively, you want to run away from God, because you are painfully aware of how grave your sins are and how unworthy you are in His sight. But then the Gospel: Jesus Christ payed for you. He did not just died for some abstract concept of sin for an abstract group of people. He had you *personally* in mind as he was hanging there on the cross, you and all your sins which he was busy paying for one by one, because he knows you and loves you *personally*. (Romans 5:6-8) Imagine how great God's love is for you, that he would be willing to do that for you, despite your disgusting sins? (1 John 4:10) The more you become aware of how despicable your sins are in the sight of God, the greater the wonder and the gratitude that He would actually be willing to pay the ultimate price in full to save you personally anyway. Your salvation is not a matter of your efforts, it is *all* Gods work! So, when you realise how enormous God's love was for you that he'd die for you despite your sins, how do you respond? You want to show gratitude.

So now, your fight against your homosexual desires is no longer a hopeless attempt to try and make yourself acceptable before God - for God has already redeemed you. Now you fight your sins out of gratitude for what God has done for you. Read Pauls epistles, you'll see good works is *always* the result of salvation, not the other way around. And now, even if you have to fight it for the rest of your life, you'll happily do so, because it is such a small token of your appreciation for the enormous thing God has done for you. It does not matter if you fall sometimes, because your salvation does not depend on it. Instead, as soon as you fall, you will repent and confess it to God immediately, and he will give you the strength and desire to stand up and continue the good fight. Desiring to continue the fight is a gift from God and it is your proof that God has adopted you as his child. Hence the prayer "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil". Because you are so keenly aware of your own unworthiness before God, because you consciously struggle with your sin on a daily basis, you would even be a better Christian than most heterosexuals.

Like I said - from what you described, I can only conclude that - provided that you persevere in this fight no matter how long it takes - you don't need to be concerned over whether you're saved, you ARE saved. The fact that you love Jesus and hate your sin, is precisely the mark of a true Christian.
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10. This is not a singular event John is talking about. It is a lifestyle.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

I hope this will comfort you so you do not become hopeless in your fight.

 

[singpraise]

Thanks for the info. So it seems that you have a few things that can possibly be done to for one to lose their salvation after It is gained....by their own fault.

So Salvation is like a card that you hold until you die that can be redeemed at the gates of heaven. But you must hold unto this card until you die cause if you willingly give it up, you will go to hell. And there is a defined procedure to obtain this card.....Does that sum it up in plain terms?

Also, the only asurity,besides a strong belief, that you have this card(are saved) and got it the correct way is for it to be excepted at the gates, after you die correct?

I dont prescribe to the gaining and losing of salvation nor did I give a comment to the OP...Some of the comments did lead to to reply, however....So I have no comment for your last paragraph.

No, salvation and free will are gifts from God. Not like a "card" at all. I'm very confused by what you're asking.

If a person chooses to commit evil acts with their free will, that cause grievous harm to other human beings, and they hate and despise God and all that is good, then they are choosing with their own free will to separate themselves from God.

However, repentance and forgiveness are always available no matter how grievous the sin, if the person truly turns back toward God before their death and asks His forgiveness. Then the blood of Christ will cover their sin before God.

Evil exists. Evil cannot exist in heaven with God because He is holy and just. If a person chooses to commit themselves to being unrepentantly evil they are choosing to commit themselves to hell after they die, because they hate God and God's children and don't want to be with God.

 

[CrystalDragon]

That is a very irresponsible thing to say and very far from the truth. Those who sincerely seek Him will find Him, that is a promise of God.

Have you ever read any testimonies from former Christians who were very devout before they became atheists/agnostics/doubters? I've read several, and some were very devout in the past, and desperate, earnestly wanting to seek God. But then they started reading the Bible, looking into history, had some bad experiences, etc, and ended up no longer being able to call themselves Christians.

 

[Theo Book]

Am I wasting my time seeking God? I am a nonpracticing homosexual. I believe in scripture that calls sin by what it is. I hate my sin. I struggle with lust, but I do not act on my lusts. Pastor Steven Anderson does not believe gays can be saved. This is sad. But I will continue pray for his mercy. But I wonder if I am wasting my time.

Scripture says All men are tempted in the same way Jesus, the son of God, was tempted, and He never yielded to those temptations.

Look for a moment at the Greek of the New Testament:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own [1](epiqumias) lust, and enticed.15 Then when [2](epiqumia) lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when
it is finished, bringeth forth death.[James 1:14-15]
[1]{pronounced ep-ee-thoo-mee-as}

And he said unto them, With [2](Epiqumia) desire I have [3](epequmhsa) desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:[Luke 22:15

[1][epiqumias = genitive feminine singular form of noun = epiqumia = desire, longing; lust, passion; covetousness

{pronounced {ep-ee-thoo-mee-ah}
[2][Epiqumia = dative feminine singular form of noun = epiqumia = desire, longing; lust, passion; covetousness

{pronounced ep-eh-thoo-meh'-sah}
[3][epequmhsa = indicative aorist active 1st person singular form of verb = epiqumew = long for, desire; covet; lust for [epiqumew {pronounced ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o}

So Jesus had equally strong desires, the difference being, His thoughts were focused upon righteousness, while ours are usually focused upon our own flesh and whatever feels good for the moment.

You have not fallen if, as you have stated, you are "not practicing." Truth is, you are tempted, rather than "non-practicing Homosexual."

If temptation delineates who we are, I am a non-practicing murderer, for I have been sorely tempted upon several occasions during my 82 years of voting for righteousness, and seeing some of the things forced upon this nation in the name of "non-discrimination."

I will include you in my prayers and ask for strength to draw away from the focus that is perplexing you, and perhaps you can alter the focus of your thought processes more toward righteous things.

I sincerely hope this helps you.

 

[singpraise]

I dont prescribe to the gaining and losing of salvation nor did I give a comment to the OP...Some of the comments did lead to to reply, however....So I have no comment for your last paragraph.[/QUOTE]

What exactly do you mean that you don't "prescribe to the gaining and losing of salvation" ?

A person can gain salvation by having faith in Jesus Christ as their savior. By accepting His free gift. He paid for our sins on the cross. I personally am deeply humbled by that gift, there is nothing more important in life.

 

[IAMANOBODY2015]

No, salvation and free will are gifts from God. Not like a "card" at all. I'm very confused by what you're asking.

If a person chooses to commit evil acts with their free will, that cause grievous harm to other human beings, and they hate and despise God and all that is good, then they are choosing with their own free will to separate themselves from God.

However, repentance and forgiveness are always available no matter how grievous the sin, if the person truly turns back toward God before their death and asks His forgiveness. Then the blood of Christ will cover their sin before God.

Evil exists. Evil cannot exist in heaven with God because He is holy and just. If a person chooses to commit themselves to being unrepentantly evil they are choosing to commit themselves to hell after they die, because they hate God and God's children and don't want to be with God.

That was informative.

 

[singpraise]

Have you ever read any testimonies from former Christians who were very devout before they became atheists/agnostics/doubters? I've read several, and some were very devout in the past, and desperate, earnestly wanting to seek God. But then they started reading the Bible, looking into history, had some bad experiences, etc, and ended up no longer being able to call themselves Christians.

Yes, I have but that does not make it the majority of those who have studied Christianity and the bible in depth, by a long shot. The truth is the opposite of what you said. Simply using the label of Christian has nothing to do with truly finding God. I'm not talking about religion, I'm talking about true faith.

God promises that those who seek Him will find Him. So, they will.

 

[IAMANOBODY2015]

"pastor" Anderson assumes powers which is not given to Pastors in the Bible: to condemn people to hell. For that, he will have to answer to God.

The argument of the world is - you are born this way, and therefore it must be ok to live it out. Ofcause that argument run into trouble once you consider pedophilia - also an exclusive and involuntary sexual preference, but most people prefer not to think that far. Whether you are born "this way" or not is really not relevant, because in Psalm 51 we see *everyone* is "born this way". "This way", ofcause, referring to sin. Sin is not just the evil things we do, it is also our desire to do evil, which is woven into our very nature from before we are born (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Believe it or not, but you are actually in a very good spiritual space right now. To be a Christian does not mean that you are freed from all sinful desires. Rather, it means that you love God enough to hate those desires. (Romans 7) Being a Christian is not easy - it is constant warfare with the evil that lives inside you. This is why God has given us the armor of Ephesians 6. Yes, we are called to spiritual war - many people forget that. A true Christian would not only hate his homosexuality and fight his desires, he would be willing to continue the fight if it takes him the rest of his life to do so. Somewhere, people have this idea that if you pray and fight long enough, the desires will just magically go away. Nowhere did God promise us that, instead, he tasked us to strive against it and persevere. Some people fight, and then after a few years, they give up, take off the armor, and surrender to evil. Imagine doing that while being at war - because this is war.

Ofcause, the world would find this offensive, but the fact that you willingly do battle against the very sin which the world want you to accept, is proof that the Holy Spirit is working in your heart.

In fact, in some respects, you are actually better off than nominal Christians. Jesus said: "He for whom much is forgiven, shows much love, and he for whom little is forgiven, shows little love". How does this work? When you look at yourself, your desires, your constant failure to resist lustful fantacies, what do you feel? Disgust, right? Instinctively, you want to run away from God, because you are painfully aware of how grave your sins are and how unworthy you are in His sight. But then the Gospel: Jesus Christ payed for you. He did not just died for some abstract concept of sin for an abstract group of people. He had you *personally* in mind as he was hanging there on the cross, you and all your sins which he was busy paying for one by one, because he knows you and loves you *personally*. (Romans 5:6-8) Imagine how great God's love is for you, that he would be willing to do that for you, despite your disgusting sins? (1 John 4:10) The more you become aware of how despicable your sins are in the sight of God, the greater the wonder and the gratitude that He would actually be willing to pay the ultimate price in full to save you personally anyway. Your salvation is not a matter of your efforts, it is *all* Gods work! So, when you realise how enormous God's love was for you that he'd die for you despite your sins, how do you respond? You want to show gratitude.

So now, your fight against your homosexual desires is no longer a hopeless attempt to try and make yourself acceptable before God - for God has already redeemed you. Now you fight your sins out of gratitude for what God has done for you. Read Pauls epistles, you'll see good works is *always* the result of salvation, not the other way around. And now, even if you have to fight it for the rest of your life, you'll happily do so, because it is such a small token of your appreciation for the enormous thing God has done for you. It does not matter if you fall sometimes, because your salvation does not depend on it. Instead, as soon as you fall, you will repent and confess it to God immediately, and he will give you the strength and desire to stand up and continue the good fight. Desiring to continue the fight is a gift from God and it is your proof that God has adopted you as his child. Hence the prayer "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil". Because you are so keenly aware of your own unworthiness before God, because you consciously struggle with your sin on a daily basis, you would even be a better Christian than most heterosexuals.

Like I said - from what you described, I can only conclude that - provided that you persevere in this fight no matter how long it takes - you don't need to be concerned over whether you're saved, you ARE saved. The fact that you love Jesus and hate your sin, is precisely the mark of a true Christian.
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10. This is not a singular event John is talking about. It is a lifestyle.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

I hope this will comfort you so you do not become hopeless in your fight.

It does. Thank you

 

[Rescued One]

Jesse, God bless you! All of us have sinned. And Satan tempts us, but we hit him with the word of God like Jesus did!

Psalm 119:11
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God helps us by giving us faith!

 

[RaymondG]

No, salvation and free will are gifts from God. Not like a "card" at all. I'm very confused by what you're asking.

If a person chooses to commit evil acts with their free will, that cause grievous harm to other human beings, and they hate and despise God and all that is good, then they are choosing with their own free will to separate themselves from God.

However, repentance and forgiveness are always available no matter how grievous the sin, if the person truly turns back toward God before their death and asks His forgiveness. Then the blood of Christ will cover their sin before God.

Evil exists. Evil cannot exist in heaven with God because He is holy and just. If a person chooses to commit themselves to being unrepentantly evil they are choosing to commit themselves to hell after they die, because they hate God and God's children and don't want to be with God.

Thanks again for the additional info.... Im not asking any direct questions, Im just trying to simplify what you are saying in a way that even a fool could understand. And you reply with extra information seemingly saying the same things. lol, I thought his yoke was easy...no need to start scrambling the eggs. (ok bad joke....it's easy....not (over easy")

Ok maybe card is a bad analogy....what about a gift?

So Salvation is like a GIFT that you hold until you die that can be used to enter at the gates of heaven. But you must hold onto this GIFT until you die cause if you willingly give it up, you will go to hell. And there is a defined procedure to obtain this GIFT.....Does that sum it up in plain terms?

AND, more importantly, the only asurity,besides a strong belief, that you have this GIFT(are saved) and got it the correct way is for it to be allowed to enter heaven, after you die correct?

I try not to see evil, so I have no comment on your thoughts or Evil and repentance.

Im done trying to make breakfast if i get it wrong this time.

 

[Soulfly.01]

Am I wasting my time seeking God? I am a nonpracticing homosexual. I believe in scripture that calls sin by what it is. I hate my sin. I struggle with lust, but I do not act on my lusts. Pastor Steven Anderson does not believe gays can be saved. This is sad. But I will continue pray for his mercy. But I wonder if I am wasting my time.

You are saved. Having homosexual desires is not your fault, you haven't chosen to have these desires. Not acting on your lusts is all you can do and God certainly appreciates your attempts to stay pure.

Steven Anderson seems to be simply a homophobe and does not represent Christian doctrine.

I have no idea what it feels like to be a homosexual and what it means to a person. I know many gays have tried, struggled and prayed for years to become heteros, but are unable to change no matter what. I have also read and seen testimonies of people claiming that Jesus has freed them from homosexuality and that they are now heteros. A lot of people say that ex-gays never really were truly gay, but their testimonies seem genuine to me. I don't know what you as a homosexual think about these people. If I were you, I would pray for an answer for this issue. Pray everyday about this. I'm not saying God will make you straight, but I do believe it's biblical to expect some sort of an answer if you pray about it. Also, I would check out these "ex-gay" testimonies and maybe even contact some of these people and talk to them. Your alternative is to accept that you are gay and struggle with lust your whole life. That doesn't sound like a solution for me..

 

[MarleneJ]

I was an alcoholic when God saved me, over 36 years ago! He took away any desire for alcohol, and I have never had a drink again.

That was the easy part of my Christian walk. God has been working slowly in many other areas in my life. He has been helping me overcome things that I didn't even know were sins when I got saved.

God knows your struggles. He has made you very aware of your sin, and what you are tempted by. Pay attention, and follow Jesus.

As for this pastor, he needs to be defrocked and exposed.

We are ALL sinners saved by grace. There is no one righteous, no, not one! If it was not for the grace of God, no one would be saved.

There is a man in our church, who still has some characteristics of being flamboyantly gay. He left the gay lifestyle, met a wonderful woman and they have been married 27 years now. God can save and change anyone. And he is calling you! Please follow Jesus! That is the true measure of whether God has saved you!

 

[singpraise]

Thanks again for the additional info.... Im not asking any direct questions, Im just trying to simplify what you are saying in a way that even a fool could understand. And you reply with extra information seemingly saying the same things. lol, I thought his yoke was easy...no need to start scrambling the eggs. (ok bad joke....it's easy....not (over easy")

Ok maybe card is a bad analogy....what about a gift?

So Salvation is like a GIFT that you hold until you die that can be used to enter at the gates of heaven. But you must hold onto this GIFT until you die cause if you willingly give it up, you will go to hell. And there is a defined procedure to obtain this GIFT.....Does that sum it up in plain terms?

AND, more importantly, the only asurity,besides a strong belief, that you have this GIFT(are saved) and got it the correct way is for it to be allowed to enter heaven, after you die correct?

I try not to see evil, so I have no comment on your thoughts or Evil and repentance.

Im done trying to make breakfast if i get it wrong this time.

Lol, you have a great sense of humor. I hope we are not highjacking this thread and are actually helping the OP with his questions.

Yes, a gift is a better way to put it than a "card." It's not a "membership" to a club. Salvation is a free gift to all those who sincerely desire it by placing their faith, with their free will, in Jesus.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

But not seeing evil is exactly what Satan wants us to do. The best trick Satan has ever played on humanity is to fool humans into thinking he is not real. He is very real and it is good to be aware of that to keep yourself safe from evil.

I don't dwell on evil, either, though, although I am aware it exists. A person's heart is what God looks upon.