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Can I be saved

Calvinist Dark Lord

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Hello dear brother and welcome to "the race" ...Yes , I believe you can put on the helmet of salvation in order to run the race ...What an amazing God we have to bring you to repentance. I was born as a "womanizer" ..a fornicator, etc. taught by society that it was fine. But by God's great mercy, he came and found me ...I am still tempted ( because most women do not love others enough to dress modestly ) but I have been faithful to my wife for over 4 years now. (My wife divorced me when I repented and stopped cheating ironically but that is another story. ) I am writing to give you hope because our hope is not in ourselves but in His faithfulness. It is a battle but He who started a work in you will finish it. Lust is lust and many Christians justify heterosexual lust but no difference. Where sin abounded grace did that much more abound .....I will tell you this . In order to seek Him more diligently, I did give up TV and most if not all entertainment ...I do not have time nor do I find it fruitful ..there are too many perishing and I need to spend time " in the vine" . Oh , I am so happy for you !!! Run the race my dear brother..pray often ( always ) ..take jobs that do not require much from you so you may pray while you work ...run the race and be busy storing up treasures in heaven ! Be careful and do not let anyone talk you into "a ministry" . We are ALL ministers of God's mercy if we carry His name. Remain humble and let Christ be your strength ...I hope to see you on " That Day " May the God of all grace give you strength , hope and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord.
i'm sorry, i must have been unclear in my comments.

i was 60 years old before i got married. i was just married recently. My wife (who also posts here) is young enough to be my daughter, but we're happy. It is the first marriage for either one of us.

i was making the point that struggle with lust was not unique to homosexuality, and indeed, it appears that heterosexual persons have a more difficult time maintaining purity. i doubt this is so because we all have a sin nature that must die. That was the point of the first chapter of Romans. We're ALL "born that way" what ever "that way" means for each of us. One thing that it means for all of us is that all without exception are born in sin. It takes a perfect sacrifice --blood sacrifice-- to atone for that sin.

Again, i'm sorry i wasn't clear. i wish you God's Grace in your own struggles.
 
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Neogaia777

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i'm sorry, i must have been unclear in my comments.

i was 60 years old before i got married. i was just married recently. My wife (who also posts here) is young enough to be my daughter, but we're happy. It is the first marriage for either one of us.

i was making the point that struggle with lust was not unique to homosexuality, and indeed, it appears that heterosexual persons have a more difficult time maintaining purity. i doubt this is so because we all have a sin nature that must die. That was the point of the first chapter of Romans. We're ALL "born that way" what ever "that way" means for each of us. One thing that it means for all of us is that all without exception are born in sin. It takes a perfect sacrifice --blood sacrifice-- to atone for that sin.

Again, i'm sorry i wasn't clear. i wish you God's Grace in your own struggles.
"That way" to me is very lustful, sexual beings, prone to sexual impurity, especially and at and from the start, I think...

God Bless!
 
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Andrew Hsu

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2 Peters 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." All means All :) he wants to save you! , Don't justify your sin, but point it out! you have done well God bless.
 
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However, you should not reply on your own effort towards salvation, salvation is through your faith in Jesus Christ, not your own work. If you say "I am saved because I have resisted my homosexual tendencies" then maybe you might not be saved. You have been saved by Jesus when he died for you on the Cross and resurrected after 3 days, everyone who believes in him shall be saved. John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.". Pray to God about your sin! Do not rely on human effort because nobody can be saved from their own actions, 1John 1:8-10 "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."
 
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Neogaia777

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However, you should not reply on your own effort towards salvation, salvation is through your faith in Jesus Christ, not your own work. If you say "I am saved because I have resisted my homosexual tendencies" then maybe you might not be saved. You have been saved by Jesus when he died for you on the Cross and resurrected after 3 days, everyone who believes in him shall be saved. John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.". Pray to God about your sin! Do not rely on human effort because nobody can be saved from their own actions, 1John 1:8-10 "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."
Certainly though you can and should celebrate and feel good about overcoming that though, it makes other things just seem very small in comparison, and if you were able to overcome that (with him of course) then you should have renewed confidence (in him, in you) that you almost feel like afterwards you can handle or take on anything (just not by yourself, alone)...

And that may have been it's purpose, who knows...?

It's the same for a heterosexual man who has done well in overcoming lust problems/difficulties...

Feel good about it, I say, but just don't get too high about it, or forget him (J.C.) in it either...

God Bless!
 
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magicaxeman

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There's a Christian comedy/drama DVD called Hidden Secrets that touches on the subject and is well worth a watch if you can get hold of a copy, its one of my favourite Christian films and may give your courage a boost.

Remember Christs blood redeemed ALL sin.
 
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jimbohank

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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.
I'm not homosexual and I struggle with lust every day. It is part of our human nature. I admire you in the fact that you don't act on your lusts, it shows control and wisdom that only comes from God. The problem comes when we trip and fall. We feel guilty and worthless, but that is where our faith comes into work. We are lifted up through faith in Christ whom we reside in. He knows if our heart is pure, that our choices are not in vain in Him. He loves us eternally when we choose to love Him fully and completely. It would be like a new born expected to come out of the womb sprinting. A parent would never expect that, in fact expects to completely care for that newborn. Don't we continue to care for and teach our children into adulthood and do so with a loving heart? Would we condemn our repentant children to death for making a poor choice? is God any less than us? No...He is eternally more in love than we are.
 
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Goodbook

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My parents are aware of my struggles. They are Christian as well. They taught me what scripture says about sexuality.

But I am on my own. So they are barely around.

But that was good advise you gave me. Thank you

I know I need to tell myself everyday that God did not make me this way.
The good thing about being BORN AGAIN is, He really does make us new and gives us a new life.

If you parents arent around be sure they are praying for you if they are christians and call on your heavenly Father. Jesus says he will never leave us nor forsake us, continue to abide in Him.
 
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com7fy8

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Yes, any of us can be saved. But sin can have us feeling like each of us is some special case. And all of us were born in sin, which made every one of us the wrong way, at birth. There are many ways to be the wrong way!!

I think of how Jesus said that Sodom and Gomorrah would remain to this day, if His miracles had been done there. To me, this means those evil people of Sodom could have been saved. And they were not only gay, but tried to rape angels.

So, never mind how you compare to another human, but who are we in comparison with Jesus? Another trick of sin is to get us to compare ourselves with other people, and feel like we are less or more.

My opinion is that gay stuff has various things which are true of other sin problems. So, just stopping the behavior is not enough. We need to be corrected of the sin things which help to contribute to it, so we do not only reform and then still go along with ways that are wrong, but in other ways.

For example, in the United States we have a major problem with beauty discrimination. This keeps people from being able to love any and all people; so this keeps people from how Jesus in us would have us becoming all-loving. There are people who can not love even the ones they marry, because they are in love with the person's looks and charm acting and smile. And gay people can likewise have this problem of loving because of what someone looks like.

Also, any of us can try to use pleasure to make our feelings of boredom and loneliness go away, instead of becoming real in God's love. We use people to get pleasure, and this can be what hooks people into wrong relationships, gay or fornication or even legal marriages. But God's love does not have us trying to just use anyone.

Jesus has us caring for any person. Jesus on the cross died with hope for any evil person, at all. So, instead of just worrying about if Jesus wants you or me, we need to join Him in this example!!! :) But sin in any of us can have us just or mainly concerned only with what is for our own selves.

So, the lusts for looks and pleasure are anti-love, whether these are in gays or fornicators or legally married people. Lust has no rightful place in marriage. So, in order to get into real relating in love, we need to not only stop the obviously immoral and perverted stuff, but also stop what helps take us into wrong things. Or else, you could get married but still be weak enough to give in to arguing and complaining > Philippians 2:13-16 < we need how God's love cures our nature and makes us strong against any and all dominating and dictatorial passions and nasty and unforgiving reacting and stinking thinking . . . so then we can personally share with Him, submit to how He rules us in His peace > Colossians 3:15 > and learn how He has us loving > Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 5:21, Ephesians 4:31-32.

Do this, instead of being preoccupied with our sin problems. Have hope for all which is so better. If you feed in the Bible, you can notice how God does give major and very strong confrontations against various wrong things; but, also, with each confrontation you often can find a strong encouragement of how God has hope for you to get into all which is so better.

Love "hopes all things", we have in 1 Corinthians 13:7.

For one example > I offered, above, Philippians 2:13-16. This confronts arguing and complaining; but with this is all we can have, instead, and so more and better. But only with God can we gain all the good He desires for us. So, we do not need to only make a self effort to stop wrong stuff. We need how His grace heals us and grows us in Jesus Christ's way of loving.
 
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IAMANOBODY2015

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Yes, any of us can be saved. But sin can have us feeling like each of us is some special case. And all of us were born in sin, which made every one of us the wrong way, at birth. There are many ways to be the wrong way!!

I think of how Jesus said that Sodom and Gomorrah would remain to this day, if His miracles had been done there. To me, this means those evil people of Sodom could have been saved. And they were not only gay, but tried to rape angels.

So, never mind how you compare to another human, but who are we in comparison with Jesus? Another trick of sin is to get us to compare ourselves with other people, and feel like we are less or more.

My opinion is that gay stuff has various things which are true of other sin problems. So, just stopping the behavior is not enough. We need to be corrected of the sin things which help to contribute to it, so we do not only reform and then still go along with ways that are wrong, but in other ways.

For example, in the United States we have a major problem with beauty discrimination. This keeps people from being able to love any and all people; so this keeps people from how Jesus in us would have us becoming all-loving. There are people who can not love even the ones they marry, because they are in love with the person's looks and charm acting and smile. And gay people can likewise have this problem of loving because of what someone looks like.

Also, any of us can try to use pleasure to make our feelings of boredom and loneliness go away, instead of becoming real in God's love. We use people to get pleasure, and this can be what hooks people into wrong relationships, gay or fornication or even legal marriages. But God's love does not have us trying to just use anyone.

Jesus has us caring for any person. Jesus on the cross died with hope for any evil person, at all. So, instead of just worrying about if Jesus wants you or me, we need to join Him in this example!!! :) But sin in any of us can have us just or mainly concerned only with what is for our own selves.

So, the lusts for looks and pleasure are anti-love, whether these are in gays or fornicators or legally married people. Lust has no rightful place in marriage. So, in order to get into real relating in love, we need to not only stop the obviously immoral and perverted stuff, but also stop what helps take us into wrong things. Or else, you could get married but still be weak enough to give in to arguing and complaining > Philippians 21:13-16 < we need how God's love cures our nature and makes us strong against any and all dominating and dictatorial passions and nasty and unforgiving reacting and stinking thinking . . . so then we can personally share with Him, submit to how He rules us in His peace > Colossians 3:15 > and learn how He has us loving > Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 5:21, Ephesians 4:31-32.

Do this, instead of being preoccupied with our sin problems. Have hope for all which is so better. If you feed in the Bible, you can notice how God does give major and very strong confrontations against various wrong things; but, also, with each confrontation you often can find a strong encouragement of how God has hope for you to get into all which is so better.

Love "hopes all things", we have in 1 Corinthians 13:7.

For one example > I offered, above, Philippians 2:13-16. This confronts arguing and complaining; but with this is all we can have, instead, and so more and better. But only with God can we gain all the good He desires for us. So, we do not need to only make a self effort to stop wrong stuff. We need how His grace heals us and grows us in Jesus Christ's way of loving.

I never thought of it that way. Thank you.
 
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IAMANOBODY2015

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There's a Christian comedy/drama DVD called Hidden Secrets that touches on the subject and is well worth a watch if you can get hold of a copy, its one of my favourite Christian films and may give your courage a boost.

Remember Christs blood redeemed ALL sin.

I will check that out. Thank you
 
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NeedyFollower

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i'm sorry, i must have been unclear in my comments.

i was 60 years old before i got married. i was just married recently. My wife (who also posts here) is young enough to be my daughter, but we're happy. It is the first marriage for either one of us.

i was making the point that struggle with lust was not unique to homosexuality, and indeed, it appears that heterosexual persons have a more difficult time maintaining purity. i doubt this is so because we all have a sin nature that must die. That was the point of the first chapter of Romans. We're ALL "born that way" what ever "that way" means for each of us. One thing that it means for all of us is that all without exception are born in sin. It takes a perfect sacrifice --blood sacrifice-- to atone for that sin.

Again, i'm sorry i wasn't clear. i wish you God's Grace in your own struggles.
Hi brother ..I inadvertently replied to your post but this was meant as an encouragement to our new brother , IAMNOBODY2015 . I think he is close to the mark by his online moniker ..I too strive to be nobody that Christ is ALL. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we are all "born that way " ..in other words , original sin and the need for Christ. That message that there is "none righteous , no not one " should have totally changed the world and our dealings with those outside of God's Kingdom but alas it has not I am afraid. It should have worked humility and thankfulness and praise. Unfortunately I have seen the emphasis on "getting saved" turn into self-righteousness and paired with nationalism ( i.e. a "christian nation ) work pride thereby turning light into darkness. I believe when one sees themselves as an enemy of God , apart from His grace , it changes how we view others ....and since we were not saved by our own grace, but rather the gift of God, how dare we not encourage others to seek forgiveness and mercy through His sacrifice. I am a recipient, not an originator as is everyone in God's Kingdom. Mercy and Grace are only needed by the guilty and the sick. Our enemies are only our enemies because they do not love us and they do not love us because they have not experienced God's forgiveness. Maybe they have not seen a demonstration of God's love through me in which case it is my fault. It is the light's responsibility to be the light ...we should not expect it from government nor the world at large ..it is not their job. Peace and Grace ..Be fruitful and multiply because the field is white unto harvest ...especially now with so much darkness in the world .

Yours in Christ
 
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IAMANOBODY2015

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There's a Christian comedy/drama DVD called Hidden Secrets that touches on the subject and is well worth a watch if you can get hold of a copy, its one of my favourite Christian films and may give your courage a boost.

Remember Christs blood redeemed ALL sin.

Hidden secrets

Got it. I will check that out.
 
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IAMANOBODY2015

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Hi brother ..I inadvertently replied to your post but this was meant as an encouragement to our new brother , IAMNOBODY2015 . I think he is close to the mark by his online moniker ..I too strive to be nobody that Christ is ALL. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we are all "born that way " ..in other words , original sin and the need for Christ. That message that there is "none righteous , no not one " should have totally changed the world and our dealings with those outside of God's Kingdom but alas it has not I am afraid. It should have worked humility and thankfulness and praise. Unfortunately I have seen the emphasis on "getting saved" turn into self-righteousness and paired with nationalism ( i.e. a "christian nation ) work pride thereby turning light into darkness. I believe when one sees themselves as an enemy of God , apart from His grace , it changes how we view others ....and since we were not saved by our own grace, but rather the gift of God, how dare we not encourage others to seek forgiveness and mercy through His sacrifice. I am a recipient, not an originator as is everyone in God's Kingdom. Mercy and Grace are only needed by the guilty and the sick. Our enemies are only our enemies because they do not love us and they do not love us because they have not experienced God's forgiveness. Maybe they have not seen a demonstration of God's love through me in which case it is my fault. It is the light's responsibility to be the light ...we should not expect it from government nor the world at large ..it is not their job. Peace and Grace ..Be fruitful and multiply because the field is white unto harvest ...especially now with so much darkness in the world .

Yours in Christ

Thanks

It is the lights job to be light, not the government. That is something I never thought of.
 
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IAMANOBODY2015

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i'm sorry, i must have been unclear in my comments.

i was 60 years old before i got married. i was just married recently. My wife (who also posts here) is young enough to be my daughter, but we're happy. It is the first marriage for either one of us.

i was making the point that struggle with lust was not unique to homosexuality, and indeed, it appears that heterosexual persons have a more difficult time maintaining purity. i doubt this is so because we all have a sin nature that must die. That was the point of the first chapter of Romans. We're ALL "born that way" what ever "that way" means for each of us. One thing that it means for all of us is that all without exception are born in sin. It takes a perfect sacrifice --blood sacrifice-- to atone for that sin.

Again, i'm sorry i wasn't clear. i wish you God's Grace in your own struggles.

I know this post was for somebody else, but I wish you happiness in your marriage.
 
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IAMANOBODY2015

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Hello dear brother and welcome to "the race" ...Yes , I believe you can put on the helmet of salvation in order to run the race ...What an amazing God we have to bring you to repentance. I was born as a "womanizer" ..a fornicator, etc. taught by society that it was fine. But by God's great mercy, he came and found me ...I am still tempted ( because most women do not love others enough to dress modestly ) but I have been faithful to my wife for over 4 years now. (My wife divorced me when I repented and stopped cheating ironically but that is another story. ) I am writing to give you hope because our hope is not in ourselves but in His faithfulness. It is a battle but He who started a work in you will finish it. Lust is lust and many Christians justify heterosexual lust but no difference. Where sin abounded grace did that much more abound .....I will tell you this . In order to seek Him more diligently, I did give up TV and most if not all entertainment ...I do not have time nor do I find it fruitful ..there are too many perishing and I need to spend time " in the vine" . Oh , I am so happy for you !!! Run the race my dear brother..pray often ( always ) ..take jobs that do not require much from you so you may pray while you work ...run the race and be busy storing up treasures in heaven ! Be careful and do not let anyone talk you into "a ministry" . We are ALL ministers of God's mercy if we carry His name. Remain humble and let Christ be your strength ...I hope to see you on " That Day " May the God of all grace give you strength , hope and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So this post was for me? Sorry I did not get that.

Thank you

And thank you for sharing.
 
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Episaw

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youd have a point if I said "we all are born with homosexual tendencies"
I doubt it as we are all born with a sinful nature but how it develops depend on our circumstances and nurture.

For example, a child may be sexually abused by a brother and as a result, is sexually confused so they do not see a problem with having sex with another boy.
 
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DRobert

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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.

Hello Iamanobody2015,

Have you considered what the Catholic Church's teaching on the matter is? You might surprised about what you learn. You are doing the right thing by not acting on your lusts. You are saved by grace, but you can also earn your own damnation by what you do. This is the truth, OP. It isn't a sin to be homosexual and be attracted to people of the same sex. My interpretation comes from the Church that Jesus established, which is the pillar and spirit of truth.(1 Timothy 3:15). "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32).
 
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Neogaia777

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Hello Iamanobody2015,

Have you considered what the Catholic Church's teaching on the matter is? You might surprised about what you learn. You are doing the right thing by not acting on your lusts. You are saved by grace, but you can also earn your own damnation by what you do. This is the truth, OP. It isn't a sin to be homosexual and be attracted to men of the same sex.
Right, it only becomes sin when acted on or becomes a "work"... Being tempted or having a thought is not a sin, but acting on it can be, if it is not good... I believe you will be rewarded in time, by this just going away eventually, in time, if you keep your faith, and, if you can make it and keep your faith, and keep praying and occupying yourself in the things of God until then, I believe you will be rewarded for that by no longer having the problem anymore... This may be a test of your faith to refine you and make you stronger and better eventually, in the end... Those who endure till the end, Paul says...

I know it's difficult, but keep this up and I believe it will get better and go away, in time, if you keep the faith...

God Bless!
 
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