commitment.

Even though you're Christian, you will still sin. We're human. We're imperfect. None are perfect, except for God.

Don't pound yourself when you mess up. God doesn't expect you to be perfect; He just wants you to dust yourself off and FOLLOW HIM.

In Eph 2:8-9, it says that we are saved by grace through faith, not of works, lest any man boast.

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Even when you grow as a Christian, sin will still follow you:

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate to do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, butit is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. "[Rom 7:15-19]

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Everyday is a struggle for us. That's why it's important to ask God for forgiveness for what we've done wrong. He will forgive you.

If you haven't already, I think you should get into a good Bible study with your church, if you have one. Being with other people walking the same path you are, is strengthening in more ways than one.

God bless you on your path to understand more about Him!

As you keep imbiding in Him, you will bare fruit But don't obsess on the self fruit-making as I did.

Like the branches on a vine, the branches must be healthy, and in their season, the vine will slowly bare fruit. It's the same with us. Abide in Jesus. Be patient and give it time.

God does the shearing (of your old self), and Jesus does the growing of the (spiritual) fruits. You just have to abide.

(^This was the hardest for me to learn personally because I always thought I had to make the fruits for myself, and always felt panicky about that)


HTH,
Rita

drifter5 said:

i have thought this all through, and i now think that the following is true. I believe that commitment is a natural outflowing of my love for Jesus. My level of commitment, or my commitment itself ,does not save me, it is through Jesus alone that i am saved. Jesus has changed my heart so that i now want to please Him. If i do not produce any good fruits in my life, then it is a sign that i am not really a Christian. Being a Christian is a relationship of love, therefore , as my relationship and love for The Lord grows, so will my commitment to The Lord naturally grow. I will naturally want to spend more and more time with Jesus. Would other Christians agree with this ?

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VERY WELL SAID!!!!

One thing to keep in mind is that God has already set aside good works for you to do and He does them through you using His Holy Spirit. As Christians, we aren't even aware of some of the things we're doing for people! I'm thinking of the verse where the people said, Lord, Lord, when did we do those things?

Don't concentrate on thinking about the fruit you produce because then you might get into works righteousness and losing focus!! Concentrating on God's Word and naturally wanting to help out your neighbor because of your salvation will stop that from happening

Fish swim, birds fly and Christians bear fruit. We just can't help it

drifter5 said:

Is it essential to commit your life to The Lord moment, by moment, day by day, in order to be a Christian ? What if you still willfully sin , even after you are a Christian, can you still be a Christian ? I feel confused. Some folk seem to say because we are saved through grace alone, it does not matter how we live, others seem to go the other way , and say that salvation depends on grace ,and also on a Christian being fully committed all the time. Is there a balanced ,way of understanding salvation, please ? I really want to understand this vital matter. Thank you so much, love drifter5.

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Hello Drifter!!!

I would encourage you to read the following scriptures:

2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 4:22-24 (I would also read the entire Chapter 4 of Ephesians.)
Romans 6:1-2 (This whole chapter is a good read as well)

We have been saved by grace, so you are correct in stating that. But, I would ask, should we take what God has given us for granted?? Should we abuse what the God has free blessed upon us?? No, 100 times No!!(Romans 6:1-2)

I believe that if we are in Christ Jesus, we are a new creation. Meaning: We no should no longer live the way we used to live, because we are no longer who we used to be. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit puts those desires in us to serve the Lord (Read the Bible, Pray, Ect.)

I dont believe that Christ died for us to keep on sinning. That is not what God wants for our lives.

In regards to me committed to the Lord at all times - Day by day, Moment by Moment - Yes. We should always want to do what please the Lord. Me personally, no matter where I am, no matter what I am doing - I pray. It may just be something little, but it helps me to keep my focus on the Lord.

Makeing Jesus Lord of ourlives means to allow him total access & control over our lives. I may ask again, Why not?? Since He knows all & what is best for us. Jesus said we are preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. There are 2 ways we do that.

1. By talk to people about our lives in Christ & mostly about Christ.

2. By how we live our lives.

A preacher I heard once said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary - use words." Our actions speak louder than words.

With this being said, if we still live in sin & no real change has been made in our life, how then can we live out Christ??

We are still subject to sin, none of us are perfect. But, God knows that - that is the beauty of His Grace. But, we should hate sin. Because it destroys lives & keeps us from God. We shouldnt live in sin.

drifter5 said:

i have thought this all through, and i now think that the following is true. I believe that commitment is a natural outflowing of my love for Jesus. My level of commitment, or my commitment itself ,does not save me, it is through Jesus alone that i am saved. Jesus has changed my heart so that i now want to please Him. If i do not produce any good fruits in my life, then it is a sign that i am not really a Christian. Being a Christian is a relationship of love, therefore , as my relationship and love for The Lord grows, so will my commitment to The Lord naturally grow. I will naturally want to spend more and more time with Jesus. Would other Christians agree with this ?

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Yes, I agree totally!!

God Bless