Can I still be saved?

[Kim R]

I thought I was a Christian for 11+ years but God showed me I am NOT. I put my hand to the plow and looked back (Luke 9:62)... had a form of godliness though... and I also did not forsake all to follow Jesus. Particularly something that God specifically asked me to forsake... I held on to. Then I had false assurance for 11+ years. Is there any way to be saved now? The Bible seems clear that God does not forgive those things but I truly hope I am wrong... Everyone says that you have until your last breath but I don't see that in scripture. I see that some people can lose their opportunity.

 

[jargew]

Yes you can be saved. There is no doubt.
Why do I say this? Because it says so in the Bible. God's grace is infinite.

#1. Look at the old Testament as a whole. God's people were constantly turning their back on Him and he was continuously judging them for this and using various punishments to get them to return to His plan for them. But when they asked forgiveness, He ALWAYS forgave.
#2. In the New Testament it says in 1 Timothy 1:13 about Paul " though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief."
Paul persecuted Christians, that's pretty bad, but he was still forgiven.
#3. Romans 5:20 says where there is great sin, there is greater grace "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more".

Obviously your heart needs to be right with God and you need to give up whatever sin is in your life and be committed to that. With the help of the Holy Spirit you CAN and WILL overcome. I would strongly recommend working with elders in your local church as well.

 

[Kim R]

Oh my that gives me a ton of hope. I was under the impression though that if you put your hand to the plow and look back that it was TO PERDITION. And not forsaking all to follow Jesus makes one not worthy to be His disciple.

 

[1watchman]

I thought I was a Christian for 11+ years but God showed me I am NOT. I put my hand to the plow and looked back (Luke 9:62)... had a form of godliness though... and I also did not forsake all to follow Jesus. Particularly something that God specifically asked me to forsake... I held on to. Then I had false assurance for 11+ years. Is there any way to be saved now? The Bible seems clear that God does not forgive those things but I truly hope I am wrong... Everyone says that you have until your last breath but I don't see that in scripture. I see that some people can lose their opportunity.

Trying to follow the teachings of Jesus is not salvation, and neither is church attendance, or determinations to live upright, etc. One MUST be "born again" to be saved and blessed of God now and for eternity. Please read John 1; John 3; John 14, and ask God to teach you what that means (if it isn't already obvious to you). Have you confessed your sinful nature, confessed to God you are now receiving the Lord Jesus into your heart, and thanking the Lord Jesus for dying on the Cross for you; and now walking and talking with the Lord Jesus daily? If not, there is no other way to be saved. Christian life is ONLY in a real living relationship with the Savior ---Jesus, the Christ of God; then God --the Father will seal that one with His Holy Spirit forever. I recommend that for you, friend, for it is biblical and thousands of souls have found it the truth.

 

[jargew]

Hi again Kim,

None of us become Christians and are perfect. We all fall short, but it is important to keep moving forward. The only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31, “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men."
The post of "1Watchman" above is very useful as well, not all who cry "Lord, Lord" are saved (Matthew 7:21), meaning we need to live in light.

In the big picture, I think you need some spiritual guidance (like all of us) and would strongly recommend
you join, and seek counsel, from a local church.

 

[Kim R]

Thanks again. I've gotten quite a bit of counseling from church, etc. but still despair. I feel condemnation all the time, no forgiveness, peace, assurance, or anything. I fear I've lost my opportunity to be saved.

 

[riesie]

Yes you can be saved. There is no doubt.
Why do I say this? Because it says so in the Bible. God's grace is infinite.

#1. Look at the old Testament as a whole. God's people were constantly turning their back on Him and he was continuously judging them for this and using various punishments to get them to return to His plan for them. But when they asked forgiveness, He ALWAYS forgave.
#2. In the New Testament it says in 1 Timothy 1:13 about Paul " though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief."
Paul persecuted Christians, that's pretty bad, but he was still forgiven.
#3. Romans 5:20 says where there is great sin, there is greater grace "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more".

Obviously your heart needs to be right with God and you need to give up whatever sin is in your life and be committed to that. With the help of the Holy Spirit you CAN and WILL overcome. I would strongly recommend working with elders in your local church as well.

YES amen!

 

[1watchman]

Thanks again. I've gotten quite a bit of counseling from church, etc. but still despair. I feel condemnation all the time, no forgiveness, peace, assurance, or anything. I fear I've lost my opportunity to be saved.

Let me say you are wrong in that, for it is clearly a lie of Satan ---don't believe it, but follow the outline I gave you above and value God's Word.

 

[nChrist]

Yes, you can be saved. It's only too late when this life is over.

Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:8-10 KJV But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 3:4-7 KJV But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV 1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

[MayMcFlurry]

No matter what you've done, you can be saved! I don't have any scriptures but from personal experience nothing is too big for God. If you confess your sins to Him, repent and change your ways then He will accept you back lovingly into His arms.

 

[riesie]

No matter what you've done, you can be saved! I don't have any scriptures but from personal experience nothing is too big for God. If you confess your sins to Him, repent and change your ways then He will accept you back lovingly into His arms.

That's the truth! !!

 

[MayMcFlurry]

Thanks again. I've gotten quite a bit of counseling from church, etc. but still despair. I feel condemnation all the time, no forgiveness, peace, assurance, or anything. I fear I've lost my opportunity to be saved.

Yes I agree this is all a lie from the enemy. Don't believe it! We have all been there, as it says in scripture there is nothing we are struggling with which our brethren have not struggled with too. That's a very comforting verse for me, I was someone who dabbled in stuff like satanism and was possessed by many demons. I had to have deliverance. I thought I was too sinful to be saved after all the stuff I was involved in. Oh boy did God show me wrong. Praise Him.

 

[riesie]

No matter what you've done, you can be saved! I don't have any scriptures but from personal experience nothing is too big for God. If you confess your sins to Him, repent and change your ways then He will accept you back lovingly into His arms.

That's the truth!
We as humans sometimes just can't understand His greatness and goodness that it sounds unbelievable. But it's still the truth!

 

[Born Again2004]

I thought I was a Christian for 11+ years but God showed me I am NOT. I put my hand to the plow and looked back (Luke 9:62)... had a form of godliness though... and I also did not forsake all to follow Jesus. Particularly something that God specifically asked me to forsake... I held on to. Then I had false assurance for 11+ years. Is there any way to be saved now? The Bible seems clear that God does not forgive those things but I truly hope I am wrong... Everyone says that you have until your last breath but I don't see that in scripture. I see that some people can lose their opportunity.

You must be Born Again; possibly you where never saved in the first place. Yes, you can be saved up and until your last dying breathe!

 

[riesie]

You must be Born Again; possibly you where never saved in the first place. Yes, you can be saved up and until your last dying breathe!

How you're sure you're born again?

 

[Born Again2004]

How you're sure you're born again?

Mostly it is an internal assurance, most likely from the first appearance of the Holy Spirit inside you as promised God.
God promises that you are saved when you believe in Jesus Christ and his saving work on the cross.
Romans 10:8-13
When did you first believe ....did you feel a high or like a well of joy springing up in you?

 

[Born Again2004]

Thanks again. I've gotten quite a bit of counseling from church, etc. but still despair. I feel condemnation all the time, no forgiveness, peace, assurance, or anything. I fear I've lost my opportunity to be saved.

Read Romans 7 and see where Paul talked about his problem with sinning and then see his answer in Romans 8:1.....sound familiar? Look, you will never be totally void of sin, that is a misnomer...but , once fully understood, you should start feeling, though you rightfully hate your sin, that you are forgiven...that means past, present and future sins.....Jesus died for all your sins. Having a repentant heart is a good thing and one of the first fruits of the Holy Spirit in you..... If you believe, you have been saved!

 

[riesie]

Read Romans 7 and see where Paul talked about his problem with sinning and then see his answer in Romans 8:1.....sound familiar? Look, you will never be totally void of sin, that is a misnomer...but , once fully understood, you should start feeling, though you rightfully hate your sin, that you are forgiven...that means past, present and future sins.....Jesus died for all your sins. Having a repentant heart is a good thing and one of the first fruits of the Holy Spirit in you..... If you believe, you have been saved!

Hmmm I think I'm born again when I read this yes but my life is so complicated that I'm always doubting everything. So that makes hard. .... thanks for the tips though. God bless you!

 

[LaSorcia]

It says in the Bible that it is God's will that everyone should be saved 1 Timothy 2:4.

It also says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 1 John 1:9.

Again, it says that God's mercy is renewed every day Lamentations 3:22-23.

We all stumble and fall in our Christian lives, but with God's help, we get up again! Proverbs 24:16 (The number 7 is not literal).

 

[Born Again2004]

Hmmm I think I'm born again when I read this yes but my life is so complicated that I'm always doubting everything. So that makes hard. .... thanks for the tips though. God bless you!

Remember, we all struggle with doubt but that is also a sin that is forgiven. Jesus said that the only sin that is not forgiven is the sin of unbelief.