I'm confused...

[TheListener]

I have a bit of a paradox.

Point 1)
Jesus said, on the sermon on the mount (Matthew Chapters ?) that many will persih who call Lord Lord, and I will turn to them and say "who are you, I dont know you".

Jesus laid out some very nice rules, which I wish I could stick to all of them all the time but I fall short.

Point 2)
But I have been taught that what saves us is what Jesus did, not our doings.

So, as I have repented and believed, what now happens to all my sins I am presently doing and I may do in the future?

I asked the pastor this and he said we are forgiven for past present and future sins. We are only promised a sin free life and freedom from the burden of sin in Heaven. Made sense to me.

Now for the question: while I am ok with point 2, when I look at point 1 I see that Jesus wouldn't have said this just for the sake of it. He has laid down some pretty strict rules. Are these 'rules' or 'guidelines'? How many times are we forgiven if we keep commiting the same sins over and over (and over) again? Will there be a time when God gives up on me if I seem to be struggling way too much? And isn't the guilt we get just a playground for the devil?

I'm a new Christian I learn something every day. This is one paradox I can't seem to get my head around. If Jesus wants us to be perfect, but then says its not necessary, who then gets saved? Everyone or no one?

 

[rogsr]

Jesus said, on the sermon on the mount (Matthew Chapters ?) that many will persih who call Lord Lord, and I will turn to them and say "who are you, I dont know you".

Hello,

I'm really happy that you have made a decision to walk with Jesus Christ . We have nothing to fear now, except about what one day would feel without His love.

I am pretty sure that Jesus is talking about false believers in this passage of Matt. Ch 5-7. Many people profess to be of faith but never truly expierience God, never truly repent in thier hearts. It is easy to say that I am sorry for my sins, but if it is not coming from my heart then it doesn't count. It is not very hard to be a servant of Christ, you only have to be real. Be true to yourself; if you have questions then ask Him; if your faith is crumbling then tell Him; if you are stumbling then reach for His hand. Don't do things that you hate, for all things shall be disclosed in the end. In other words do not profess with your mouth what is not truly felt in your heart..

As you continue studying scripture look deeply into what Jesus says, and keep in mind that everything is traceable back to love. Picture the scenes in your mind as much as possible, with as much detail as possible. Also remember while you are doing all of this that Jesus was not a monotone boring speaker, He had to have been extremely charismatic. Good luck and stay with Jesus on this road- it is the right road.

Peace-

 

[TheListener]

I do believe it is the right road. I believe I am repenting - more is revealed every day and more I see I have shortcomings. Sometimes this feels like it is too much burden to change my heart completely but so far I've not given up. I just remember that trying to change my evil heart is better than not trying at all. I don't think I've recieved the Holy Spirit. So far all I have recieved is a clearer view of how evil my heart is, how dirty my thoughts are, and how terrible the fruits of my heart is. But I still will not give up.

I know what I need is in the Bible which is why I have embraced a Bible based Church. I will soldier on. The road I can see without help is narrow and uncertain. I will continue praying for that help. Amen.

 

[whatseekye]

I do believe it is the right road. I believe I am repenting - more is revealed every day and more I see I have shortcomings. Sometimes this feels like it is too much burden to change my heart completely but so far I've not given up. I just remember that trying to change my evil heart is better than not trying at all. I don't think I've recieved the Holy Spirit. So far all I have recieved is a clearer view of how evil my heart is, how dirty my thoughts are, and how terrible the fruits of my heart is. But I still will not give up.

I know what I need is in the Bible which is why I have embraced a Bible based Church. I will soldier on. The road I can see without help is narrow and uncertain. I will continue praying for that help. Amen.

How exciting! I love hearing other people talking bout their faith. I just wanted to say that there is tons of evidence that you have the Spirit indwelling you. Because you have a heart for God and you are starting to turn from sin and repent.

When I became a Christian 3 years ago, I spent some time looking over sermons and various teachings on how to live the Christian life (searching for information on "grace," "justification," "repentance," "sin, " santification", etc..

I just heard a teaching by Chuck Swindoll on the radio about grace that really hit me hard. He said one thing that really stood out. He said that in the flesh, a person can achieve a lot even in the church. Evidently, if you want to follow all the "rules" and be a super christian, you can do it all out of your own effort (in your flesh, as they call it), and you can actually appear to be very successful and blessed. But the Spirit isn't in it, the heart isn't right, and all your activity and do-right behavior isn't going to be yielding real fruit of love, peace, joy, humility, etc. Ideally, you want to be so yielded to God and in a loving relationship with him, that the Spirit just fills you up and then you never get drained in the things you do. That is what they call being filled with the Holy Spirit. Some people from a more pentecostal background say that if you get filled with the Holy Spirit you will talk in tongues, but in many many cases, it doesn't happen like that. People get filled with the Spirit and are empowered to live the Christian lifestyle, such as overcome personal sin, work for the Lord without being exhausted personally, etc. Maybe the reason that the things Jesus asked us to do seem so hard (such as the things he said in the sermon on the mount) is because without the Spirit indwelling us and then filling us completely, it is impossible to do. Then we admit we need God and we really rely on him 100% I think that because God leads you, teaches you, changes you, then the things you do then bring glory to him and have eternal benefits. I'm sorry if I'm not being that clear. I'm using a crummy keyboard and I'm a little distracted. Perhaps we can talk more about this later if you would like. I can give you some verses if I get a few minutes at some point to look up stuff. There are also some good sermons and teachings I could find, although you might have a preference already.

 

[TheListener]

I'll listen to any opinion. Thanks for your support

 

[TheListener]

Also, what exactly does it mean to be 'Born Again'?

 

[Radagast]

Jesus laid out some very nice rules, which I wish I could stick to all of them all the time but I fall short.

We all fall short!

So, as I have repented and believed, what now happens to all my sins I am presently doing and I may do in the future?
I asked the pastor this and he said we are forgiven for past present and future sins. We are only promised a sin free life and freedom from the burden of sin in Heaven...

And your pastor was right.

How many times are we forgiven if we keep commiting the same sins over and over (and over) again?

Without limit. And God will never "give up on you."

If Jesus wants us to be perfect, but then says its not necessary, who then gets saved? Everyone or no one?

Being perfect is not necessary to be saved. Being perfect is what God wants us to be, and what we will be in heaven.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14)

Not sure if I've answered the question, but keep on posting, and God bless,

-- Radagast

 

[Sketcher]

I don't think I've recieved the Holy Spirit. So far all I have recieved is a clearer view of how evil my heart is, how dirty my thoughts are, and how terrible the fruits of my heart is. But I still will not give up.

Sounds like the work of the Holy Spirit to me. Have you ever asked God for Him either when you became a Christian or since?

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" - Luke 11:13

If you have, then you've got the Holy Spirit whether you "feel" Him there or not. Sometimes you can feel His presence, sometimes you can't. But that doesn't change the fact that He is there.

If for some reason you haven't asked for the Holy Spirit, you can do so right now and recieve Him. You may or may not get a big rush or speak in tounges or something. But you need to trust God at His word, that is what building faith is all about. The Holy Spirit is part of God Himself, who is unseen. Sometimes He makes Himself seen, but not very much.

 

[TheListener]

I also get all these Pentecostal's telling me I'm posessed in other threads... If I have the Holy Spirit, how could He allow evil spirits to reside in me? I thought that sin was a deliberate act of my own will. Not a symptom of posession.

 

[Radagast]

You are right on all three counts.

-- Radagast

 

[frost]

Now for the question: while I am ok with point 2, when I look at point 1 I see that Jesus wouldn't have said this just for the sake of it. He has laid down some pretty strict rules. Are these 'rules' or 'guidelines'? How many times are we forgiven if we keep commiting the same sins over and over (and over) again? Will there be a time when God gives up on me if I seem to be struggling way too much? And isn't the guilt we get just a playground for the devil?

Ditto on what Radagast has already said. I'd also like to share the following scripture:

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." John 10:28

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13

TheListener, you were "bought with a price," and God has already ensured your salvation. I can tell you you're in for a bumpy ride as you grow in Christ but know that God will not let you be snatched from his hands...ever.

blessings