Doubting God's existence occasionally after belief

[tonychanyt]

I was like that in my first few years after I prayed the sinner's prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Have mercy on me, a sinner. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me on the Cross and raising him from the dead. I repent my sins. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Install your Spirit in my heart for eternal life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

I don't think it is healthy to experience frequent doubts. It has to do with spiritual growth and maturity. For more than a decade, I haven't felt any doubts. I can sense the Paraclete in me at any time all the time.

 

[d taylor]

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...What is the purpose of saying "the sinners prayer", it is not a Biblical way to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life. The Bible plainly states that how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life is only by belief/faith in Jesus.

...The sinners prayer is a man created action that can confuse people on what they must do to receive Eternal Life. Because it is not by saying the sinner prayer but by believing in Jesus

 

[tonychanyt]

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...What is the purpose of saying "the sinners prayer",

Heavenly Father,
Have mercy on me, a sinner. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me on the Cross and raising him from the dead. I repent my sins. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Install your Spirit in my heart for eternal life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

it is not a Biblical way to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life.

So what did you pray at your conversion if not the above?

 

[d taylor]

Heavenly Father,
Have mercy on me, a sinner. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me on the Cross and raising him from the dead. I repent my sins. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Install your Spirit in my heart for eternal life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.



So what did you pray at your conversion if not the above?

I did not pray anything, God knew the very exact moment i believed in Jesus for Eternal Life and i need nothing else.

 

[tonychanyt]

I did not pray anything, God knew the very exact moment i believed in Jesus for Eternal Life and i need nothing else.

But you are against the praying of the sinner's prayer?

 

[d taylor]

But you are against the praying of the sinner's prayer?

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If it is being used in a Eternal Life salvation way.

 

[tonychanyt]

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If it is being used in a Eternal Life salvation way.

Can you elaborate? Are you saying that people should not use the sinner's prayer in the process of salvation?

 

[d taylor]

Can you elaborate? Are you saying that people should not use the sinner's prayer in the process of salvation?

Yes i am, can you show in The Bible where praying a sinners prayer is stated as the way a person receives God's free gift of Eternal Life. I can show several times where The Bible states it is belief/faith in Jesus as the way a person receives Eternal Life.

It will or could create a false placement of faith, the person may believe they have received God's free gift of Eternal Life. Because they said a prayer, instead of placing their faith in Jesus (as The Bible states), they are placing their faith in a prayer they said.

Clarifying the Confusion of the Sinner’s Prayer – Grace Evangelical Society

https://faithalone.org/blog/out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-j-d-greear-on-assuranc/

 

[oikonomia]

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...What is the purpose of saying "the sinners prayer",

I can't think of a prayer that isn't a "sinner's prayer."
Besides the prayers of the Lord Jesus I can't think of any others which were not "sinner's prayers."

it is not a Biblical way to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life. The Bible plainly states that how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life is only by belief/faith in Jesus.

Here we go with "the Bible plainly states . . . "

The Bible says a lot. How could you possibly object to a person receiving Jesus with such a so-called "sinner's prayer."
If your beef is that such "sinner's prayer" not be foisted on people as the official or only way to receive salvation, that's different.

You know good and well that such a prayer can help the seeker fulfill the exhortation of Romans 10:9-11

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
For with the heart there is believing unto righteousness, and with the mouth there is confession unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes on Him shall not be put to shame.”

...The sinners prayer is a man created action that can confuse people on what they must do to receive Eternal Life. Because it is not by saying the sinner prayer but by believing in Jesus

Taylor,

Let the young Christian who loves the Lord and wants to bring others to salvation use "the sinner's prayer."
She or he will soon come to realize that you cannot treat every case of evangelism exactly the same.
It is not necessary to have a rule "Thou Shalt Not Use the Sinner's Prayer."

The evangelist should mature and learn flexibility, and to more calibrated advice for other's particular situation.
If the first three or four or ten people a Christian leads to Jesus through directing them to pray sincerely a "sinner's prayer"
that is wonderful.

 

[tonychanyt]

Yes i am,

Let proposition P1 = People should not use the sinner's prayer in the process of salvation.

True?

 

[d taylor]

I can't think of a prayer that isn't a "sinner's prayer."
Besides the prayers of the Lord Jesus I can't think of any others which were not "sinner's prayers."

Here we go with "the Bible plainly states . . . "

The Bible says a lot. How could you possibly object to a person receiving Jesus with such a so-called "sinner's prayer."
If your beef is that such "sinner's prayer" not be foisted on people as the official or only way to receive salvation, that's different.

You know good and well that such a prayer can help the seeker fulfill the exhortation of Romans 10:9-11

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
For with the heart there is believing unto righteousness, and with the mouth there is confession unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes on Him shall not be put to shame.”

Taylor,

Let the young Christian who loves the Lord and wants to bring others to salvation use "the sinner's prayer."
She or he will soon come to realize that you cannot treat every case of evangelism exactly the same.
It is not necessary to have a rule "Thou Shalt Not Use the Sinner's Prayer."

The evangelist should mature and learn flexibility, and to more calibrated advice for other's particular situation.
If the first three or four or ten people a Christian leads to Jesus through directing them to pray sincerely a "sinner's prayer"
that is wonderful.

Do you understand Romans 10: 9-11 is addressed to believers about saving believers from persecution or God's discipline of the believer for disobedience.
Romans is not addressing what an unbeliever needs to do to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life and become a born again child of God.

 

[d taylor]

I can't think of a prayer that isn't a "sinner's prayer."
Besides the prayers of the Lord Jesus I can't think of any others which were not "sinner's prayers."

Here we go with "the Bible plainly states . . . "

The Bible says a lot. How could you possibly object to a person receiving Jesus with such a so-called "sinner's prayer."
If your beef is that such "sinner's prayer" not be foisted on people as the official or only way to receive salvation, that's different.

You know good and well that such a prayer can help the seeker fulfill the exhortation of Romans 10:9-11

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
For with the heart there is believing unto righteousness, and with the mouth there is confession unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes on Him shall not be put to shame.”

Taylor,

Let the young Christian who loves the Lord and wants to bring others to salvation use "the sinner's prayer."
She or he will soon come to realize that you cannot treat every case of evangelism exactly the same.
It is not necessary to have a rule "Thou Shalt Not Use the Sinner's Prayer."

The evangelist should mature and learn flexibility, and to more calibrated advice for other's particular situation.
If the first three or four or ten people a Christian leads to Jesus through directing them to pray sincerely a "sinner's prayer"
that is wonderful.

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You can easily end this debate, just simply show in The Bible, the use of "the sinners prayer" in evangelism to unbelievers, as the way to receive eternal life/everlasting life.

 

[d taylor]

Let proposition P1 = People should not use the sinner's prayer in the process of salvation.

True?

I am going to stop now, as i do not care to go into the betting part of this questioning process.

 

[tonychanyt]

I am going to stop now, as i do not care to go into the betting part of this questioning process.

OK, I am not going to ask you to bet on this one

Let proposition P1 = People should not use the sinner's prayer in the process of salvation.

True?

 

[d taylor]

OK, I am not going to ask you to bet on this one

Let proposition P1 = People should not use the sinner's prayer in the process of salvation.

True?

Yes, the sinners prayer should not be used.

 

[tonychanyt]

Yes, the sinners prayer should not be used.

Do you know of anyone who shares this belief with you?

 

[oikonomia]

Do you understand Romans 10: 9-11 is addressed to believers about saving believers from persecution or God's discipline of the believer for disobedience.
Romans is not addressing what an unbeliever needs to do to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life and become a born again child of God.

There is no reason for me to limit Romans 10:9-11. The word there is all-inclusive for believers and unbelievers becomming Christians.

It is relevant for unbelievers to receive Jesus for the gift of eternal redemption and be saved from damnation..
It is relevant to Christians who realize SOMETHING in their living still troubles them and by calling on the name of the Lord they can
can be saved from that.

I call on the Lord everyday whether I'm up or down, whether persecuted or spoken well of.

Romans 10:11 - For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes on Him shall not be put to shame.”
Everyone means everyone, meaning ANY who believe on the Lord Jesus.

Verse 12 - For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all and rich to all who call upon Him;
He is RICH to ALL who call upon Him. All who call "Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus!" may be assured that Jesus is RICH to ALL who call upon Him.

Verse 13 - For “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This is very inclusive, WHOEVER - persecuted or not.

You are being persecuted for preaching the Gospel. You can call "Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus I call on You!" and be saved from
the harm and anxiety of that persecution.

You are being flattered and well spoken of to the point you eyes are on your SELF more than Jesus.
You can also call "Lord Jesus. I Love You Lord. Lord Jesus save me from my pride. Lord be RICH to me now."

Anyone is qualified to be saved in some way by calling with a believing heart on the resurrected Lord Jesus.

Calling on the name of the Lord Jesus is a way to be saved for anyone who touches the living Lord through faith.

Is someone now going to take us to (Matt. 7:21-23) to argue ?

 

[oikonomia]

Here's a singable version of the Romans 10 verses.

 

[d taylor]

Do you know of anyone who shares this belief with you?

Free Grace theology does Grace Evangelical Society and i am sure other's do also.

Actually a Calvinist who is a member of Christian Forums started a thread topic about this a few weeks back.

I am no Calvinist but just saying he did start a thread about the sinners prayer.
The sinners prayer. A lie straight out of the pits of hell.

 

[oikonomia]

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You can easily end this debate, just simply show in The Bible, the use of "the sinners prayer" in evangelism to unbelievers, as the way to receive eternal life/everlasting life.

Your request is ridiculous.

I think your wanting to debate about it is too petty.
Too many trivial contraversies arise simply because someone doesn't want to play second fiddle to someone else.

You seem to be searching for something to be picky picky about.
If you have a way to bring people into salvation with some other prayer, use it.
There is no need to add to that opposition to those who lead someone by the hand to pray "the sinner's prayer."

Jesus Himself is the eternal life.
Anyway we can urge the listener to come to Jesus can be used by the Holy Spirit.