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[Gracelands]

You're right but I have heard people say the theif only made it to heaven because he had no chance to go out and mess up his salvation. I know people who don't believe that people who hear the gospel on their death bed can make it to heaven. She said it would make God unjust because there are people who have been Christians much longer and worked hard to stay on the narrow path.
I don't know why it's hard for me to accept this but when I'm trying to be close to God and if I mess up somehow I feel like I should question whether I'm truly saved because if I was truly saved I wouldn't have fallen.I also have fears that once a pastor or someone gives me a comforting message from God, in order to keep the blessing I need to try my best to not mess up or God will change his mind or I fear that God will leave.

Try looking at it like this. If you receive a seed of Gods Truth and Love you will find opposition. Jesus said we will. Our job is to protect it, keep the faith and grow. I'm so reminded of Jesus' parable of the seed when i read your posts and actually my own walk. Don't let the devil rob you!

Matthew 13 - The Parable of the Sower - That same - Bible Gateway

 

[knw1991]

If I doubt and gave up does that mean the word that was spoken for me is gone?

 

[Spunkn]

Is Christ's redemption based on our feelings?

 

[Spunkn]

You're right but I have heard people say the theif only made it to heaven because he had no chance to go out and mess up his salvation. I know people who don't believe that people who hear the gospel on their death bed can make it to heaven. She said it would make God unjust because there are people who have been Christians much longer and worked hard to stay on the narrow path.
I don't know why it's hard for me to accept this but when I'm trying to be close to God and if I mess up somehow I feel like I should question whether I'm truly saved because if I was truly saved I wouldn't have fallen.I also have fears that once a pastor or someone gives me a comforting message from God, in order to keep the blessing I need to try my best to not mess up or God will change his mind or I fear that God will leave.

God died for all who believe. Therefore, if the thief believed and did not go to heaven, then that is unjust.

Someone who says that another person getting into heaven without having done enough good works is someone who believes that you must "earn" your salvation.

The people who say "well it's not fair they get to heaven, I was a much better person than they were for my life" is not looking at the Gospel correctly. We were all sinners, we were all equal of punishment before God's eyes. None of us are any better than anyone else when it comes to the actual punishment of sin.

 

[Spunkn]

If I doubt and gave up does that mean the word that was spoken for me is gone?

No. I've given up many, many times. I still give up. I still doubt. I still struggle.

But I'm still saved.

 

[Spunkn]

.I also have fears that once a pastor or someone gives me a comforting message from God, in order to keep the blessing I need to try my best to not mess up or God will change his mind or I fear that God will leave.

That's not true. You don't become "unsaved" or "lose your salvation" when you screw up. It doesn't mean God won't bless you either. When I was at my worst, God came through for me in amazing ways.

Having said that, sometimes it's harder for us to recognize God's blessing when we're going through a hard time, because we're seeing through the pain, and not what's really going on. It's not that it isn't there, it's just that we aren't looking at it correctly or don't see it at the time.

 

[knw1991]

You're right Kevin, that's what the person believed too. They believed they had to work hard enough to make it to heaven. There are even songs about making it to heaven, they make me uncomfortable when I hear them.

 

[Gracelands]

He is right there. Sometimes we see in distortions. Sometimes thats an attack. You could ask the question of yourself; "is this really me that is doubting or something that has sprung up out of fear?" Try detaching and observing your thought patterns. If you want to believe and know its good. What is it that floods your mind with doubting thoughts?

Its not easy. Nobody ever said it was but if you believe you are saved and have His Spirit and He will never ever let you go. Also He wont allow you to be tested beyond your ability. (1cor 10:13)

God Bless you.

Ed: Right about seeing in distortions not 'working hard enough to get to heaven'. Its not about our effort. Its that faith that gets you in or actually has already got you in.

 

[knw1991]

I realize that love means nothing at all. God may love everyone but it doesn't stop them from dying or experiencing heart break or pain. I wish I was never here, it's not worth being here. I hate all of this

 

[Spunkn]

I realize that love means nothing at all. God may love everyone but it doesn't stop them from dying or experiencing heart break or pain. I wish I was never here, it's not worth being here. I hate all of this

Physical death is not the end of things though. If someone is a believer then they are instantly with God the moment they die.

Heart break, pain, and suffering is part of the result of man's sin. I don't like those things either, but God gave us a free way out so that eventually we won't have to deal with those things anymore.

 

[knw1991]

There will no procreation in heaven or marriage in heaven so some people will never experience it.

 

[knw1991]

If I knew the cards I would be dealt I would have asked to not even bother putting me here

 

[knw1991]

Thinking of others pain doesn't make me feel better it decreases my faith. America is corrupt and greedy and has no conpassion for the depressed.

 

[DiceRider]

It's hard to retrain your mind when people teach such legalism when it comes to salvation. That you have to be a good person, do good things etc in order to really be a Christian. But that's not what the Bible teaches. The thief, who hung upon the Cross with Jesus, I'm sure did terrible things. Probably things not many days before. What did he have to show for good deeds in his life? Probably not much. And yet, because he believe Jesus while hanging on the cross, Jesus turned to him and said "Today, you shall be with me in Paradise". No good deeds, not a good life, just believing in Christ.

Which is why Jesus is who I look to not the church or mans opinions of me.. where were they when my road was dark.. nowhere but Jesus was right beside me...so their views dont matter to me and shouldnt to you knw.
The time I really felt his presence and turned my life around, i was wasted off my head, sobbing and feeling like a loser. Once I gave in and asked him to help me I felt him immediately sit beside me and envelope me it was the most amazing moment and yrs later I never will forget the warmth.. I was instantly sobered up and was able from that moment on follow him without needing drugs. I still stumble with faults Im very much human, and will never be a perfect christian, so so far from it. But jesus is my best friend and I am his belonging... So are you knw

 

[Gracelands]

You've got what looks to be some lovely sincere answers knw. I hope they bring you some light and encouragement. There is still good in the world. Sometimes you have to search for it but its still there.

 

[DiceRider]

I felt like I wasn't saved or struggled to believe so because I didn't see Christ like characteristics in myself. I struggled to feel love toward people, I would get easily annoyed by my mom, I was struggling with random bad thoughts, I didn't seem to belong in groups of other Christians. Once I went to a youth conference and was surrounded by people who were connecting with God personally. They told stories about what God was teaching and going in their life, some had talents like playing instruments,etc. I did not belong and that was confirmation. I harmed myself for the first time while at the conference. Things continued to get worse. I thought going to the conference would shed some light or show me how to be delivered from the pain I was dealing with. It only made things worse.i walked away feeling disappointed in myself, facing that I was a phony and those students were what real Christians should be.

We all have our own gift and some are given, music, teaching, singing etc blah blah etc.... But then there are the unique treasured gifts the ones we cant teach ourselves or be taught except thru brokenness..
The gift of reaching other hurting people, others who feel unloved or unworthy cos of circumstance. I believe that is a gift close to Gods heart cos not just anyone can go and sit with the homeless or the diseased, the drug addict or boozers, the sex addicts, the gamblers without judgement, and he needs people to be able to go there.
He chooses the broken, his special children to do it and sadly that means getting hurt to grow empathy.. That is as much an important plan in our lives as our dreams, maybe more so cos its one that affects others for eternity.
I stopped waiting for the average society "blessings" when i realised that my purpose was simply sharing his heart and loving the lost.

 

[Gracelands]

Perfect! Agree with all that sister! It can be a bitter pill to take especially when youre in the midst of some squall and in pain but maybe we're qualifed by our scars.

I pray you see some light today and know His peace.

 

[DiceRider]

Perfect! Agree with all that sister! It can be a bitter pill to take especially when youre in the midst of some squall and in pain but maybe we're qualifed by our scars.

I pray you see some light today and know His peace.

Oh yea its a painful road to accepting our gifts aren't always kind to us, they are for others. .....I'm firm in knowing his arms are waiting to take my own pain when he calls me home and his hands are always entwined in mine as I live day by day.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-5Z2YXlG8M

 

[Gracelands]

=) Don't let go! Sometimes it can feel like all of creation is intent on making you though ay?

Mind you our battle isn't against flesh and blood. I have to keep reminding myself of that!

 

[Jeshu]

I realize that love means nothing at all. God may love everyone but it doesn't stop them from dying or experiencing heart break or pain. I wish I was never here, it's not worth being here. I hate all of this

Ultimately you crave God's love, this is why you suffer so badly from your depression, for in our depressive bouts we can't experience love any more - but we need love so badly that we want to die - for without love life is not worth living.:o:o:o

Depression is so bad only because we can't experience love any more. This is why depression seems so godless and god forsaken. Luckily for us Christ has overcome depression on the cross, so there is hope for any one who puts their faith in Christ.

This is why I know from experience that love does have meaning, at least in my life this has been so. Although I suffer from a depressive illness and therefore have to undergo times of severe depression a lot, if it hadn't been for love I wouldn't be around any more. The love of my wife and children has sustained me - even when it seemed that God had forsaken me, their love was so strong that I couldn't commit suicide though I wanted to die badly many times in my miserable life.:o

After years of seemingly meaningless suffering I know that God's love has won over my life, for now I can stand beside others in their suffering and comfort and guide them. Indeed through all my years of suffering I have learned to love other people without judging them and so Christ has set me free to suffer depression with dignity.

This is something God has in store for you as well. With Him on board your suffering can be compared to refining your gold and silver of heart and mind - if you hang on to Christ then one day you will arise from your depression with that sense of great worth as well and thank God for getting you through all this.

Christ has taught me to hate the ways of the world but love all good creation. He set me free - even to suffer depression - indeed He is a mighty God, full of love and compassion upon those who suffer the brunt of life down here.