How do I go on knowing I am an apostate?

[SW501]

It's just that this fits my description.
We have found in Hebrews 6:4 that it is impossible for the apostate to be renewed again to repentance. The Bible is clear that only through repentance can one be saved (Acts 2:38; 11:18). Hebrews 10:26 tells us that there is “no sacrifice for sins” remaining for the apostate. “The apostate has sins but no available sacrifice for his sins. Having rejected the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, there is no other sacrifice to which to turn.”

I didn't initially worry about this as i wanted to truly serve the lord, but over time I finally realized this.

Hi,

I would not class myself as a believer yet. I want to but my mind blocks me but I would say this it is not healthy to put this stress on you. Even if you are taking this scripture literally. I guess what you are saying really boils down to this sentence:

“The apostate has sins but no available sacrifice for his sins. Having rejected the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, there is no other sacrifice to which to turn.”

Well I would suggest if you are making your way back to God then you no longer reject the sacrifice he made. Sure maybe you did at some point but right now you accept it, do you not?

Opinions are not permanent they change as we grow so while you may have rejected this in the past it does not hold true in the present.

Just my two cents.

 

[Kerensa]

Everyone gets quiet after this one.

Mackenzie — perhaps you might want to have a careful re-read of the many posts in this thread where others have explained to you, in many ways, why it's NOT too late for you.

The only thing coming between you and His infinite, incredible love for you right now is this morbid, self-repeating, self-pitying conviction of "It's too late, I've lost my last chance, the Bible says so." That is a LIE —it's just the devil talking to you, not God and not your true thoughts either. Just say NO to it (no matter how many times you have to before it fades out) and turn your whole heart to the Lord. He will show you — is reaching out to show you right now — exactly how much He still loves you and always has. The only question is... are you listening?

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[1stcenturylady]

Is it still possible for me to still live life for him or does the scripture dictate that I have lost my chance?

No, it is not too late for you. The verse you are wondering about in Hebrews 10 is not about what you did. Read it in context (about 5 chapters) and you will see that this was about the Hebrews saying they accept Christ, but also believing His blood was not sufficient. They kept on sacrificing animals.

All you need to do now is repent. Turn away from all sin and receive the Holy Spirit. Then endure to the end and you will be saved.

 

[visionary]

Is it still possible for me to still live life for him or does the scripture dictate that I have lost my chance?

The very fact you are asking this, indicates God's calling for you to return. God promises "ALL' who come to Him.

1 Timothy 2:4
who desires that all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.

One of the things you learned is without Him, is no life. That is a truth that changes everything. You might have needed to experience the valley of the shadow of death, to experience evil, to greatly appreciate, salvation.

 

[Mackenzie Baker]

I think I understand now. Because I wanted to renew my repentance? I'll be forgiven?

 

[Kerensa]

I think I understand now. Because I wanted to renew my repentance? I'll be forgiven?

You already are, that's the whole point

 

[visionary]

It's just that this fits my description.
We have found in Hebrews 6:4 that it is impossible for the apostate to be renewed again to repentance. The Bible is clear that only through repentance can one be saved (Acts 2:38; 11:18). Hebrews 10:26 tells us that there is “no sacrifice for sins” remaining for the apostate. “The apostate has sins but no available sacrifice for his sins. Having rejected the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, there is no other sacrifice to which to turn.”

I didn't initially worry about this as i wanted to truly serve the lord, but over time I finally realized this.

First off, it says once you have been enlightened, obvious you have not, because that glimmer wasn't enough for you to believe He loves you enough to die for you, pay for your sins, and forgive you.

 

[Mackenzie Baker]

First off, it says once you have been enlightened, obvious you have not, because that glimmer wasn't enough for you to believe He loves you enough to die for you, pay for your sins, and forgive you.

It still is concerning a bit because I remember being baptized.

 

[visionary]

It still is concerning a bit because I remember being baptized.

Baptism is like the wedding ring, it is a mark of passage. It is symbolic of your acknowledgement of wanting a new life in Him. What is most important is you living His life.

 

[visionary]

Do you know when you quit, quit being conscientious, quit being nice, quit being a believer, and turn to attack those who walk the walk, you are apostate.

 

[Mackenzie Baker]

You know even though I felt like I was an apostate I still prayed that the lord would give me a sign that I was a child of God and that I was still willing to serve him and live my life for Christ. I'm starting to see that he answered my prayer.

 

[Mackenzie Baker]

Initially I wanted to come back to God because of the terrifying things going on in the world. I remember praying to him that I was sorry for living an immoral life and that I was an atheist saying I didn't believe in him. And that wanted to live my life for him and believe that his son had come to the world to die for its sin and that he was resurrected and conquered death. I remember feeling that I wanted to give up living the sinful lifestyle and start living a righteous life in Jesus name. And also wanting to reconnect with my old church.

 

[1stcenturylady]

I think I understand now. Because I wanted to renew my repentance? I'll be forgiven?

Right!

 

[Mackenzie Baker]

An apostate is someone who won't repent. But since I asked for my sins to be forgiven and that I want to walk the path Christ wants me to walk I'm not an apostate. An apostate is someone who won't even consider asking for repentance. Jeez they don't call the devil the great deciever for a reason.

 

[Serving Zion]

I kept pushing it aside until a few weeks ago.

I would encourage you to look for inclusion under the clause of Hebrews 6:9 - where you are showing fruits of repentance (contrition, fear of God - the beginning of wisdom), and that as John 3:21 shows, you have come forward so that your works can be inspected and found to have been done in God's view. Therefore, you feel in your heart that although you have been misled into a sinful discourse, after you have been brought to that awareness, you are sorry and ashamed. Your true nature is actually to do what is right and you are seeking mercy on the grounds of ignorance (poorly taught). In which case the "knowledge of the truth" in Hebrews 10:26 probably is a very recent thing, certainly after you wandered away in the first place. I would even go to enquire, that as far as Hebrews 6:4-5 goes, did you ever really come to meet The Holy Spirit in person and did you ever experience the power of God in a real way that wasn't just a deception?

I encourage you to keep going, because it is possible to believe that Matthew 18:12-14 describes you. So keep going, and until you meet God and have Him tell you that you are condemned, do not believe any person or idea that would discourage you from pursuing salvation, because you do have an adversary and he has already deceived many Christians. Ezekiel 18:21-23. Do not believe every spirit, because not every spirit is sent by God and many false teachers have gone into the world over the last 2,000 years, to steal, kill and destroy (1 John 4:1-3, 2 Peter 2:1-3, John 10:10, Matthew 24:24-27).

My advice, go to a church as a stranger, seek out someone who has love in their heart, and it doesn't even need to be a pastor or a leader of a church. Look to talk to an elderly person during the coffee break after the service, who has lived a long time with The Lord, and see if you can tap into their experience, to pick their brains and see what they would say about your chances of getting on top of your faith.

Edit: ah, you are a quick learner and quite capable of finding the truth, well done

 

[Sketcher]

It's just that this fits my description.
We have found in Hebrews 6:4 that it is impossible for the apostate to be renewed again to repentance. The Bible is clear that only through repentance can one be saved (Acts 2:38; 11:18). Hebrews 10:26 tells us that there is “no sacrifice for sins” remaining for the apostate. “The apostate has sins but no available sacrifice for his sins. Having rejected the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, there is no other sacrifice to which to turn.”

I didn't initially worry about this as i wanted to truly serve the lord, but over time I finally realized this.

Hebrews was written to believers who had converted from Judaism and were under pressure to return to Judaism. The author of Hebrews was saying that going back to the old system of animal sacrifice would be worthless, even though it had worth before Christ, it is now worthless because Christ has come. Christ's sacrifice is the only sacrifice available for sins. You are not someone who cannot return. You are like the Lost Son who can return (Luke 15:11-32). He was dead, but became alive again.

 

[PeaceJoyLove]

Is it still possible for me to still live life for him or does the scripture dictate that I have lost my chance?

I once turned my back on the Lord for many years, but HE drew me back and I repented. It sounds like His spirit is drawing you, but it is up to you to come to HIM and repent. You have not lost your chance. HE is waiting for you to respond to his calling you. Don't let your mind analyze and twist things...just come to Him. Ask for forgiveness, admitting your error and start seeking HIM again by reading The Bible and praying. That is using your faith. If you come to Him in faith, He will rejoice.

Sounds like HE is asking you to COME back...just as others have mentioned the parable of the prodigal son, there will be rejoicing in Heaven. Take that step and pray to Him...He wants you to live your life for Him. The Bible says it is so.