I need help with salvation

[Eleknar]

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step.

 

[GarrickBrewer]

The best advice I can give you is advice I hear evry week in my youthgroup. I fyou beilve all that, you need to live it, Pray to jesus, say that you dont want to rule your life anymore, say that you want him to rule it, say that you give your life over to him. Thank him for the sacrifice he made, for the pain he felt, and the death he died, all for you. Thank God for sending his son so that you wouldnt go to hell. And you cant just speak it or think it, you need to feel it. You need to open up your heart to Jesus, evrytime something good happens, thank Him for putting it there, if something bad happens dont question why, just pray for jesus to cary you through it. And then you need to live it, start to drop sinful habbits, pornography, drinking, drugs, lieing, swearing, anything like that, and if you find it hard, pray hard. Read your bible, go to church, talk to other christians, and I will say it again PRAY PRAY PRAY!

 

[lilmissmontana]

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step.

I'm feeling urged to post, but not sure what I want to say, exactly ... just going to go with it ...

the first thing that comes to mind is that Christianity is not a religion ... it's a reality ... I see nothing in your post that says you are anything but a Christian ... you know the reality, want to serve Him, believe, and all the other things that go with being a Christian (which means, simply ... Christ man or man of Christ ... it doesn't mean perfect man of Christ) ...

the last line of your post is the one I want to focus on ... you can take the step ... but you can't do it alone ... no one comes, but they've been called ... it would seem you've been called ... and you've heard, and you want to follow ... it's just that simple ... it's not our faith we rely on to walk this walk ... our faith is inagequate ... however much faith you think you need ... you need merely ask Him for it ... He will gladly provide whatever you need to walk with Him ...

and actually you did already take the step ... you posted thiis thread ... that's what it's all about, my friend ... seeking Him ... read, read, read and read the Word some more ... ask Him to speak to you, help you understand, guide you, lead you, whatever you need ... don't leave the Holy Spirit out ...

please understand we aren't perfect or we wouldn't need Him ... we WILL make mistakes ... and He WILL forgive ... just step a step at a time ...

the more you read the Word, the better ... just talk to Him ... He doesn't about great big grand moves ... He just wants you to have a relationship with Him ... talk to Him once in a while ... learn to know Him ... what He would say, what He wouldn't, etc. ... remain teachable ... all the rest will follow ...

may the Lord bless you on the Way ...
lilmiss

 

[Eleknar]

Thank you Very much.

 

[lilmissmontana]

Thank you Very much.

God bless

 

[Alive_Again]

Did you make the crossing into the light? I wasn't sure if we determined that at one time you were born again or not. Did you grow up in church? How do you know some of the things you've spoken of. They were spoken as one who knew.

I'm from South Bend myself, although I live in Texas now (watching the ND game as we speak). I had backslidden myself for a long period and the Lord reeled me in and began to establish me in His church.

Along the way, He started removing people and things of the world out of my life. He had already dealt with me that certain things were not going to coexist with Him and I started divying up my music, DVDs, books, etc.

Your desire to return to the Lord, or even to approach Him seriously for the first time, is of Him. Making the profession with repentance is of course your first step. Allowing the Lord to plant you in His church and put godly people into your life is next.

You'll no doubt have some things to renounce with your mouth and not give the enemy a legal right to continue to oppress you. I'm interested to hear your heart and I love to see the Lord reel in those in darkness. Heaven rejoices at your approach. A cloud of witnesses (including relatives from the past) will be watching joyfully.

 

[thesunisout]

Well, there isn't a magic formula. The truth is, left to our own devices, it would be impossible for us to live a Christian life. Our will is naturally inclined to be rebellious against God. Our hearts are hardened and our minds are deranged by sin. If it was a question of, what can I do under my own power, then we would all still be headed to hell.

That was the whole point of Jesus going to the cross, because none of us could possibly live up to Gods standard. We all deserve death and hell. This is the point:

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

and

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

We can't do anything apart from God. We will fail every single time. It is only through Christ that living a Christian life becomes attainable. How do we do that? BY the guidence of the Holy Spirit:

John 16:13

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

The Spirit guides us into all truth. Meaning, we can depend on Him for everything. He leads us in prayer:

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

He is the Spirit of our sonship:

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

He causes us to bear much fruit:

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

What should we ask God to do for us? Jesus Himself gave us the example:

Luke 22:42

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Pray that in everything, His will be done. Pray that He crushes your will and puts His in its place. Pray that He gives you faith. Pray that He pours His love into your heart. Pray to love Him with all your heart, mind spirit and strength. Pray to love your neighbor. Everywhere you lack, pray for intercession. God will grant you these gifts, He will show you how to love Him, and how to live a Christian life. Just have faith and trust Him in all things and He will provide. Let the Spirit guide you in this:

1 Thessalonians 5:17

pray without ceasing,

Hope this helps. God bless.

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step.

 

[Minister_C]

There are a lot of people who profess Christianity, but what separates the sheep from the goats is those who exercise just enough faith to live what they believe. I agree with Garrick Brewer, you have to live something once you confess that Jesus is Lord. Your soul is on the line, and this is something you shouldn't straddle the fence with. If you believe all the things you stated, you must realize that time is not at a premium, and the trumpet is going to blow. Where are you gonna run and hide Eleknar. With much concern, God bless.