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If someone is saved, but they are still leading an ungodly life. Would they actually be saved?

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Say someone is saved.. but say 20 years later they are still struggling with a lot of sins and they are not demonstrating the fruits of the holy spirits. Are they Christian? Are they saved?

I am not trying to judge anyone, but I am trying to understand. I am hoping this question does not offend anyone.
 

mukk_in

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Say someone is saved.. but say 20 years later they are still struggling with a lot of sins and they are not demonstrating the fruits of the holy spirits. Are they Christian? Are they saved?

I am not trying to judge anyone, but I am trying to understand. I am hoping this question does not offend anyone.
Struggling with sin is not the same as enjoying sin. If they're led by the Holy Spirit they'll overcome sin, but it maybe a while before it's manifested in their lives. Romans 7 is a good chapter that describes Paul's own struggles with sin. Go bless :).
 
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Rodan6

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Say someone is saved.. but say 20 years later they are still struggling with a lot of sins and they are not demonstrating the fruits of the holy spirits. Are they Christian? Are they saved?

I am not trying to judge anyone, but I am trying to understand. I am hoping this question does not offend anyone.

You will find that Christians do not agree on this question.
I contend that anyone who says they are "Christian" is a Christian. Will all of them be saved? No. It certainly depends upon the nature of the sin they embrace. Those who sincerely repent of a sin are forgiven that sin. Obviously if one repeats a sin, they probably were not sincere in their request for repentance.
 
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Presbyterian Continuist

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Say someone is saved.. but say 20 years later they are still struggling with a lot of sins and they are not demonstrating the fruits of the holy spirits. Are they Christian? Are they saved?

I am not trying to judge anyone, but I am trying to understand. I am hoping this question does not offend anyone.
John says that a genuinely born again believer cannot sin, in other words, cannot continue an ungodly life of sin. John Calvin taught that if a person professed Christianity and continued to live an ungodly life then that might be evidence that they were not genuinely converted to Christ. Now this does not apply to a genuine believer struggling with sinful habit patterns that he or she is desperate to get the victory over. What we are talking about is the person who says "Jesus has forgiven all my sin, so I can just continue to live as I please and not have to change my ways and live a holy life. What's the point? I'm forgiven and released from punishment anyway." This is the sign of a false conversion, because repentance is an integral component of true conversion. "Repent and be baptised, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" said Peter. Genuine believers love Jesus, love the Word, have a strong desire to please God and live a holy life before Him. They mourn deeply that they still have sinful habit patterns that still need to be dealt with, and are seeking God in prayer, sometimes weeping before Him, that He will remove these habit patterns from them.
 
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Neogaia777

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John says that a genuinely born again believer cannot sin, in other words, cannot continue an ungodly life of sin. John Calvin taught that if a person professed Christianity and continued to live an ungodly life then that might be evidence that they were not genuinely converted to Christ. Now this does not apply to a genuine believer struggling with sinful habit patterns that he or she is desperate to get the victory over. What we are talking about is the person who says "Jesus has forgiven all my sin, so I can just continue to live as I please and not have to change my ways and live a holy life. What's the point? I'm forgiven and released from punishment anyway." This is the sign of a false conversion, because repentance is an integral component of true conversion. "Repent and be baptised, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" said Peter. Genuine believers love Jesus, love the Word, have a strong desire to please God and live a holy life before Him. They mourn deeply that they still have sinful habit patterns that still need to be dealt with, and are seeking God in prayer, sometimes weeping before Him, that He will remove these habit patterns from them.
What about ones who have given up getting the victory on some sins, and have basically tried to compromise, and do feel guilty about it but don't feel they can be sinless, and perhaps do not try to be as hard anymore, have found that self-defeating...
 
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Presbyterian Continuist

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What about ones who have given up getting the victory on some sins, and have basically tried to compromise, and do feel guilty about it but don't feel they can be sinless, and perhaps do not try to be as hard anymore, have found that self-defeating...
I don't really know. Never been in that position. Maybe you could try answering it yourself. Maybe those people have stopped beating their heads against the wall trying to overcome sin in their own strength and are just resting in the Lord, trusting the Holy Spirit to make the changes. I guess taking our eyes off ourselves and the need for self improvement (which is New Age) and concentrating on loving God, His Word and others, probably is the better way to go.
 
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Neogaia777

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I don't really know. Never been in that position. Maybe you could try answering it yourself. Maybe those people have stopped beating their heads against the wall trying to overcome sin in their own strength and are just resting in the Lord, trusting the Holy Spirit to make the changes. I guess taking our eyes off ourselves and the need for self improvement (which is New Age) and concentrating on loving God, His Word and others, probably is the better way to go.
Yes, awesome, I like that...

Who knows, all else could be mere vanity...

God Bless!
 
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RaymondG

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Say someone is saved.. but say 20 years later they are still struggling with a lot of sins and they are not demonstrating the fruits of the holy spirits. Are they Christian? Are they saved?

I am not trying to judge anyone, but I am trying to understand. I am hoping this question does not offend anyone.
What does it mean to you to be saved? What are you saved from and what is the deciding point that crosses you over from unsaved to saved?
 
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