Help Me

[deckland]

Hi,

I need to have your opinion and what you think on the issue I have... Basically this is my story:

When I was 15 i accepted Jesus and started living like a Christian. Everything was changed in my life - i quited bad habits and become, according to the people around me, a different and better person. I'm sure you all have been through the same process so you know... Months later i was baptized in water, but soon afterwards i got a disease in me that stumbled me. What happened is that i was really scared, couldn't shared it with anyone but God, yet the I had to deal it with on my own, which i didn't do... I prayed more and more to God, but He didn't help me (now i see He shouldn't have) and my life changed completely - i remember myself crying hopelessly, my grades @school worsen and gradually (moths) my faith diminished. I remember the day that I knowingly went back to my previous mode of life, seeking pleasure and freedom as i now know it. Years passed, today I'm 29 and in the last couple of months I'm looking back for God. I remember one night when I was a kid and true believer, when Jesus healed my toothache after my prayer - I remember the gentleness of His touch, the split second that even now i can't say did He healed me before or after i said "Amen"! I remember this single miracle I have with your God, and yet i don't believe the same way as before...
But I'm not writing this so you could help me with my faith - God only could help me.
My question is regarding my stepping back back then. Can i come back to God really?!
These are the verses that literally say that I would be unable to do that - maybe that's why I can't beleive as before. Please take a look at the verses and let me know what you think!
Thanks! This is really important for me...

Hebrews 6:4-6 (New International Version)



4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.



2 Peter 2:20-22 (New International Version


20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."




Hebrews 10:26-27 (New International Version)



26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

 

[DavidPresently]

Hi,

I need to have your opinion and what you think on the issue I have... Basically this is my story:

When I was 15 i accepted Jesus and started living like a Christian. Everything was changed in my life - i quited bad habits and become, according to the people around me, a different and better person. I'm sure you all have been through the same process so you know... Months later i was baptized in water, but soon afterwards i got a disease in me that stumbled me. What happened is that i was really scared, couldn't shared it with anyone but God, yet the I had to deal it with on my own, which i didn't do... I prayed more and more to God, but He didn't help me (now i see He shouldn't have) and my life changed completely - i remember myself crying hopelessly, my grades @school worsen and gradually (moths) my faith diminished. I remember the day that I knowingly went back to my previous mode of life, seeking pleasure and freedom as i now know it. Years passed, today I'm 29 and in the last couple of months I'm looking back for God. I remember one night when I was a kid and true believer, when Jesus healed my toothache after my prayer - I remember the gentleness of His touch, the split second that even now i can't say did He healed me before or after i said "Amen"! I remember this single miracle I have with your God, and yet i don't believe the same way as before...
But I'm not writing this so you could help me with my faith - God only could help me.
My question is regarding my stepping back back then. Can i come back to God really?!
These are the verses that literally say that I would be unable to do that - maybe that's why I can't beleive as before. Please take a look at the verses and let me know what you think!
Thanks! This is really important for me...

Hebrews 6:4-6 (New International Version)



4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.



2 Peter 2:20-22 (New International Version


20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."




Hebrews 10:26-27 (New International Version)



26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

This parable answers you question:

Luke 15:11-32 MKJV And He said, A certain man had two sons. (12) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that is coming to me. And he divided his living to them. (13) And not many days afterward, the younger son gathered all together and went away into a far country. And there he wasted his property, living dissolutely. (14) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land. And he began to be in want. (15) And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country. And he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. (16) And he was longing to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, and no one gave to him. (17) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father abound in loaves, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you (19) and am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. (20) And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (21) And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring the best robe and put it on him. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. (23) And bring the fattened calf here and kill it. And let us eat and be merry, (24) for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry. (25) And his elder son was in the field. And as he came and drew near the house, he heard music and dancing. (26) And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. (27) And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and sound. (28) And he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and entreated him. (29) And answering he said to his father, Lo, these many years I have served you, neither did I transgress your commandment at any time. And yet you never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends. (30) But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you have killed for him the fattened calf. (31) And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. (32) It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

"4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."

1. you were not fully enlightened.
2. you did not taste the heavenly gift, sharing in the power of the Holy Spirit, unless you were baptized in the Spirit with evidence and power following. Your testimony mentioned no such thing. An answered prayer is not power, it is the prayer of faith, which any believer can pray and have results.
3. You never got off milk to taste the goodness of the Word AND the powers of the coming age.

You stumbled into sin by not overcoming your flesh. This is different than the scenario in the Hebrews quote.

"20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."

You've experienced that the dog's vomit is no good and returning to it is a bad decision. That passage says nothing about not being able to return and be cleaned up again, though. The price of such is the consequence of your sinning from then till now, just as the Prodigal son had to deal with. That consequence finally became so bad, he looked around in the pig pen and said, "Wait! Why am I out here in this slop? Even servants in my Father's house are better off than this." So he started returning home. You can too. And it will be a joyous celebration in the Father's house when you get there (exception of the elder brother type of course).

"26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."

Your flesh will die. The question is, will it die condemned by its sin, or will it die in service of God, you making it a living sacrifice to him? One way has no reward, but only judgment. The other way has reward and many blessings, in this age, and the one to come.

The fire destroys what is not of God, but his refining fire purifies the new man in Messiah. The flesh is certainly an enemy of God that will be consumed. The new man in Messiah is not. The prodigal son may return home, now. And be cleaned up anew (like being saved all over again).

However, as that passage states, if you continually, the rest of the life given you in this age, refuse to repent, you can expect only judgment. It is best to return home, to the Father. He loves you more than you can fathom right now. Yahshua (Jesus) said he would in no way cast out anyone who comes to him. That doesn't mean their will not be punishment for sin. Hebrews states that the Father disciplines his children, whom he loves. You may be disciplined at times if you continue in sin, until you repent (and if never repenting, only a fearful expectation of judgment remains), he does chastise.

I know it is possible for you to return like the prodigal, because I did. I went through a few rebellious years after letting a root of bitterness grow in my heart, after having my heart broken, and I lived in the world like the world sinning. He not only accepted me back, but he clothed me with his power and glory and made me a testimony and minister to others. He's been doing powerful things through me since.

I went through dealing with some elder brother types over it, who were jealous, because they didn't go off like I did, but to this day they don't have what I have from Father. Read the parable again.

Your servant in Messiah,

David

 

[mdaniel]

The fact that you are able to repent gives you your answer. Your heart wasn't hardened beyond returning to the grace of Christ.

If you open your heart to Christ he will not turn his back on you.

Read the parable of the Lost Son - that's been a great encouragement to me.

 

[Macca]

Jesus said that the only sin that is unforgivable is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Obviously you have not done this, so trust God and receive you forgiveness and walk on with Him.

 

[Poobah1]

Deckland, I've been through the same doubtful thoughts in and after a time when I slipped away from God. The solution is to just come back to God. Ignore the condemning thoughts.

Just take some time out to be honest with God; explain your situation, repent, ask for forgiveness, receive forgiveness, and by His grace live for God again.

In my situation, I was in a church service, and a guest speaker was speaking there. He addressed a particular sinful issue I was caught up in, and I was very convicted. At the end, he did an altar call for those who want to know and live for Jesus, and also for those who may have fallen away and want to start fresh. I was too proud and embarrassed to respond, but he asked everyone in the audience to ask the people next to them if they wanted to go up. The guy next to me was loving enough to ask me three times. The first two times I hesitated, but by the third time I felt that I had no choice, so I allowed the guy next to me to take me up the front with the others. On the way up, I felt very ashamed and guilty. We all prayed the prayer, and then were taken to a different room to explain what's going on and prepare and encourage us. I told the guy who took me up the front about the particular sin issues that I was trapped in. I think that this was important.

I don't recall having any special emotions or feelings or anything supernatural whatsoever, except for this: the sin problem that I was literally trapped in was never again to be seen in my life after that day. Since then, I've been gradually growing slowly but steadily in Christ, with roots established and growing to keep me on the right path.

The next six months I spent doing simple prayers and reading the Bible consistently. I'm not talking about many-hours-a-day commitment or anything, either; I'm just talking about making sure to set aside at least a few minutes each day to pray and read the Bible. From my experience, I think that this has been essential to keep going without falling away.

In around October last year, I, one Thursday night, suddenly knew that I had to go to the Friday night church service at the church I attend. (I previously wasn't involved in our church in any way except that I'd been attending the Sunday services for many years.) There 'happened' to be a guest speaker, and his testimony was similar to mine. There was an altar call, and I responded and made another rededication, but this time to grow in God, because I felt that I didn't have a purpose in life, although God had already rescued me from sin.

Again we were taken to a back room to discuss things with some of the 'leaders' at the church. I explained that I felt that I lacked a purpose in life. They prayed for us, and afterwards discussed some things in the church that we could be involved in. I decided to join one of their 'connect groups'. I was also given the book 'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren. Since then I've learnt more and more, and this time had the proper foundations laid down in my life.

I guess that sums up how I came back to God. Just give it a shot, and He'll look after you.

 

[deckland]

Deckland, I've been through the same doubtful thoughts in and after a time when I slipped away from God. The solution is to just come back to God. Ignore the condemning thoughts.

Just take some time out to be honest with God; explain your situation, repent, ask for forgiveness, receive forgiveness, and by His grace live for God again.

In my situation, I was in a church service, and a guest speaker was speaking there. He addressed a particular sinful issue I was caught up in, and I was very convicted. At the end, he did an altar call for those who want to know and live for Jesus, and also for those who may have fallen away and want to start fresh. I was too proud and embarrassed to respond, but he asked everyone in the audience to ask the people next to them if they wanted to go up. The guy next to me was loving enough to ask me three times. The first two times I hesitated, but by the third time I felt that I had no choice, so I allowed the guy next to me to take me up the front with the others. On the way up, I felt very ashamed and guilty. We all prayed the prayer, and then were taken to a different room to explain what's going on and prepare and encourage us. I told the guy who took me up the front about the particular sin issues that I was trapped in. I think that this was important.

I don't recall having any special emotions or feelings or anything supernatural whatsoever, except for this: the sin problem that I was literally trapped in was never again to be seen in my life after that day. Since then, I've been gradually growing slowly but steadily in Christ, with roots established and growing to keep me on the right path.

The next six months I spent doing simple prayers and reading the Bible consistently. I'm not talking about many-hours-a-day commitment or anything, either; I'm just talking about making sure to set aside at least a few minutes each day to pray and read the Bible. From my experience, I think that this has been essential to keep going without falling away.

In around October last year, I, one Thursday night, suddenly knew that I had to go to the Friday night church service at the church I attend. (I previously wasn't involved in our church in any way except that I'd been attending the Sunday services for many years.) There 'happened' to be a guest speaker, and his testimony was similar to mine. There was an altar call, and I responded and made another rededication, but this time to grow in God, because I felt that I didn't have a purpose in life, although God had already rescued me from sin.

Again we were taken to a back room to discuss things with some of the 'leaders' at the church. I explained that I felt that I lacked a purpose in life. They prayed for us, and afterwards discussed some things in the church that we could be involved in. I decided to join one of their 'connect groups'. I was also given the book 'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren. Since then I've learnt more and more, and this time had the proper foundations laid down in my life.

I guess that sums up how I came back to God. Just give it a shot, and He'll look after you.

Thanks for the good words Poobah1!

Deckland

 

[okieray]

yes you can come back to the Lord! i fell out of the church for over 20 years before the holy spirit woke me up! not until you take your last breath its never to late. it never has been in God`s plan to turn his back on us, only man will do that, repent and return back to the Lord he is waiting with open arms!

 

[tturt]

Deckland, I'm sending you a pm