Is there hope for the condemned

[Justasking123]

Hello, I would like to know if there is any Scripture in the New Testament about repentance or hope to come back from spiritual death (separation) from God because of sin?

I do not mean someone who never heard from the Word and lived in the world unknowingly. I mean unfortunatly someone who heard the Word, to whom God revealed His Word but chose the world and pride against it during a long time, and then realises once they do not feel God anymore the awful consequences of their multiple bad decisions.

I think I already know the answer from Scripture but I still wanted to ask. Sorry if there is any spelling mistakes. Thank you.

 

[d taylor]

As long as a person is alive The gift of Eternal Life is there for them to have. Only if they will trust in Jesus for His free gift of His Eternal Life.

But once they die that is it.

 

[paul1149]

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.
And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. -Matt 21:28-31​

No sin can withstand the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, the perfect sacrifice. That blood has enough power to save the entire human race and redeem the fallen world. All that is required is that we repent of our rebellion and turn to Him in faith:

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. -Heb 11:6​

It sounds like you are already sorry for your sin. Now turn to God in faith and receive forgiveness and cleansing.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. -1John 1:8-10​

There are two kinds of sorrow. That of the world tears down, but sorrow mixed with faith leads to repentance:

For even though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. Because, I perceive that the same letter made you sorry, though only for a season.
Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. Because you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: Yes what diligence it produced in you, Yes what clearing of yourselves, Yes what indignation, Yes what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you have proven yourselves to be clear in this matter.
-2Cor 7:8-11​

The Father is not willing that ANY should perish. Don't be a statistic. There is hope in Christ. Rise up in faith and draw near to the throne of grace, for help in time of need.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Hello, I would like to know if there is any Scripture in the New Testament about repentance or hope to come back from spiritual death (separation) from God because of sin?

I do not mean someone who never heard from the Word and lived in the world unknowingly. I mean unfortunatly someone who heard the Word, to whom God revealed His Word but chose the world and pride against it during a long time, and then realises once they do not feel God anymore the awful consequences of their multiple bad decisions.

I think I already know the answer from Scripture but I still wanted to ask. Sorry if there is any spelling mistakes. Thank you.

I turned my back on salvation many times - until the LAST time.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Hello, I would like to know if there is any Scripture in the New Testament about repentance or hope to come back from spiritual death (separation) from God because of sin?

I do not mean someone who never heard from the Word and lived in the world unknowingly. I mean unfortunatly someone who heard the Word, to whom God revealed His Word but chose the world and pride against it during a long time, and then realises once they do not feel God anymore the awful consequences of their multiple bad decisions.

I think I already know the answer from Scripture but I still wanted to ask. Sorry if there is any spelling mistakes. Thank you.

Yes. If you know someone like that, pray and ask God to give them a gift of repentance and to soften their hard hearts. If that person is you, ask God for yourself. God is far more more interested in saving us than we are in being saved. The fact that an individual wants to know how to be restored is a good indication that he is not so far gone that he cannot be restored.

There is an interesting scene in the original "Pilgrim's Progress" movie. There is a group of people hanging from the gallows. The pilgrim asks Evangelist who they were. Evangelist says that they are Christians who have sinned and fallen away. The pilgrim asked, could they not have been forgiven? The reply is, "They did not ask". Many people feel like they can't be forgiven so they remain in bondage. Satan lies to them. Don't believe his lies.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hello, I would like to know if there is any Scripture in the New Testament about repentance or hope to come back from spiritual death (separation) from God because of sin?

I do not mean someone who never heard from the Word and lived in the world unknowingly. I mean unfortunatly someone who heard the Word, to whom God revealed His Word but chose the world and pride against it during a long time, and then realises once they do not feel God anymore the awful consequences of their multiple bad decisions.

I think I already know the answer from Scripture but I still wanted to ask. Sorry if there is any spelling mistakes. Thank you.

Firstly you need to understand the cross. The bible says "as it is appointed for man to die once then face the judgment so Christ died once for sin". This shows us that the cross covers a life time of sins. There is no one sin, intentional or otherwise that will separate you from God, if you are willing to return.

As James says, about the erring Christian.

Jas 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

All we need is to see the response of the Prodigal Son's father when the son returned home after walking out and then wasting his inheritance. We also see David's grief over Absalom's death. This shows that if Absalom had repented and turned back to God and his father, he would have been totally forgiven and restored.

What is sad is the reaction of the Prodigal's elder brother who had not deserted his father. When the younger son returned home and the father was celebrating, the elder son became jealous and critical. I have seen that in faithful believers who have criticised when backsliders have been restored through repentance and given responsible roles in the church, often passing over the supposed faithful ones. I think that God is far more gracious and forgiving than many "spiritual" Christians I know.

I remember the situation around Ted Haggard who lost his ministry through falling into sin. Many on CF were stentorian in their loud comments that he should never be restored to ministry. But Ted repented and got himself right with God, and was able to plant another church in Colorado Springs. But these "elder brothers" still railed at him with condemnation bombs and put-down rantings. In my view, all they were were just those who were sinners themselves casting stones at someone they viewed as a worse sinner than themselves. In reality, all they achieved was to make themselves religious hypocrites who need to show the fruits of repentance and to pull their heads in and leave Ted Haggard alone to carry on with his effective ministry.

 

[faroukfarouk]

All we need is to see the response of the Prodigal Son's father when the son returned home after walking out and then wasting his inheritance. We also see David's grief over Absalom's death. This shows that if Absalom had repented and turned back to God and his father, he would have been totally forgiven and restored.

What is sad is the reaction of the Prodigal's elder brother who had not deserted his father. When the younger son returned home and the father was celebrating, the elder son became jealous and critical. I have seen that in faithful believers who have criticised when backsliders have been restored through repentance and given responsible roles in the church, often passing over the supposed faithful ones. I think that God is far more gracious and forgiving than many "spiritual" Christians I know.

I remember the situation around Ted Haggard who lost his ministry through falling into sin. Many on CF were stentorian in their loud comments that he should never be restored to ministry. But Ted repented and got himself right with God, and was able to plant another church in Colorado Springs. But these "elder brothers" still railed at him with condemnation bombs and put-down rantings. In my view, all they were were just those who were sinners themselves casting stones at someone they viewed as a worse sinner than themselves. In reality, all they achieved was to make themselves religious hypocrites who need to show the fruits of repentance and to pull their heads in and leave Ted Haggard alone to carry on with his effective ministry.

It's interesting that in the context of the Lord's parable of the Prodigal Son it's the elder brother who looms large in the narrative.

 

[Justasking123]

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. -Heb 11:6

That is the problem, I cannot trust and have faith because I'm 99,9% sure I am too far gone, not because I doubt that the blood of Jesus is enough but rather because of my willfully sinning and the fact that I rejected the Gospel, the Truth many times.

Now I cannot pray sincerely anymore and each time I read the Bible it is like the Words condemn me even more, it is not like before where I could find comfort in the Word, it is like I am now on the other side, like the Pharisee or even worst, like those cannot repent anymore.

I think most of the verses apply for people who can still repent and have deep sorrow but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be my case.

Thank you for all your replies.

 

[LiquidCat]

Hello, I would like to know if there is any Scripture in the New Testament about repentance or hope to come back from spiritual death (separation) from God because of sin?

I do not mean someone who never heard from the Word and lived in the world unknowingly. I mean unfortunatly someone who heard the Word, to whom God revealed His Word but chose the world and pride against it during a long time, and then realises once they do not feel God anymore the awful consequences of their multiple bad decisions.

I think I already know the answer from Scripture but I still wanted to ask. Sorry if there is any spelling mistakes. Thank you.

Ye almost all books of New Testament are about it .
Like on one of book Paul was preaching to christian dude who had incest sex with mother this type of stuff.
There were many Christians who disobey back then they had like assault parties in some cities kinda bad thing to do for Christian.

In short if you were Christian before you become reprobate then God would somehow punish you untill you get back on track it can be by removing people you love from your life (divorce , death, cheating ) , physicall sickness , poverty or simply would kill you on spot.
But if you judged yourself God would not judge you so if you get back on track then you will be fine.

 

[paul1149]

That is the problem, I cannot trust and have faith because I'm 99,9% sure I am too far gone, not because I doubt that the blood of Jesus is enough but rather because of my willfully sinning and the fact that I rejected the Gospel, the Truth many times.

Now I cannot pray sincerely anymore and each time I read the Bible it is like the Words condemn me even more, it is not like before where I could find comfort in the Word, it is like I am now on the other side, like the Pharisee or even worst, like those cannot repent anymore.

I think most of the verses apply for people who can still repent and have deep sorrow but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be my case.

Thank you for all your replies.

I understand your position, and in a different way have been there myself. There is no way you can depend on your own goodness at this point, and that is exactly what Scripture prescribes as a prerequisite:

for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, -php 3.3
​

There is no more room for confidence in the flesh. Now God can take over, if you let Him, and change you:

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, because My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2Cor 12:9

out of weakness were made strong -heb 11.34​

What have you got to lose? Walk away from God and there is no hope. Appeal to Him for mercy, and you have hope, and you will find the mercy. His mercy is beyond our knowing.

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. -Isa 55:6-9​

Notice the context for this well-known passage is mercy and forgiveness, not judgment. Jesus told us to forgive 70 x7. As our Forerunner in all things, He surely will do the same for us.

You have two things to do to return. First, go to the altar of God in your heart and repent and confess of any known sin. Tell him you are unworthy, but you trust in His faithfulness, compassion and grace. Christ knew what He was getting into when He saved us; our flesh is very weak. Dare to start having the faith that pleases Him (Heb 11.6).

And then begin to be faithful with the "unrighteous riches" of your life. Serve God the best you can with what you've got, while you seek Him for more overcoming grace and more light. This is going to be for the long haul, so stop looking at the clock and the calendar. It is a commitment to do what is right in His sight no matter how long it takes. One by one you will see the strongholds fall, if you endure and persist.

Christ is glorified in saving each sinner. And he who is forgiven much, loves much.

 

[Justasking123]

T

It is a commitment to do what is right in His sight no matter how long it takes.

Thank you for your encouragement, the thing is that I cannot seem to be able to do what is right, I can maybe do it on the outside, like avoiding to get angry but the greater commandments I cannot seem to do as it takes a right heart to honor God and love the neighbor.

Everything I do seems bad because my heart is black and I do not have the Spirit of God. It is like a vicious circle, I am so far gone that I cannot reach out to Jesus in repentance and humbleness.

Jesus said something to the Pharisee like '' how can something good come from you" it is also what I am seeing for myself, I have nothing in me that could please God, not even a genuine call for His help, it is like a trap which I made with my own thoughts and actions..

 

[Aussie Pete]

T

Thank you for your encouragement, the thing is that I cannot seem to be able to do what is right, I can maybe do it on the outside, like avoiding to get angry but the greater commandments I cannot seem to do as it takes a right heart to honor God and love the neighbor.

Everything I do seems bad because my heart is black and I do not have the Spirit of God. It is like a vicious circle, I am so far gone that I cannot reach out to Jesus in repentance and humbleness.

Jesus said something to the Pharisee like '' how can something good come from you" it is also what I am seeing for myself, I have nothing in me that could please God, not even a genuine call for His help, it is like a trap which I made with my own thoughts and actions..

You are an ideal candidate for salvation. You know you are a sinner. You do not need a change of behaviour or even a change of heart. You need a new heart, a new spirit and a new life. "Nothing in you that can please God". Perfect! I got born again because I was convicted of my sin and accepted Jesus, His death and resurrection. I was only interested in my own skin. I did not know anything about hell or judgement. All I knew was that God would not accept me as I was.

It does not matter how bad you are. John Newton was a black hearted slave trader. God saved him. Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector - we would call him a stand over merchant these days. Matthew became an apostle, Peter betrayed Christ, Paul was murderer. God saves sinners. You qualify. Let Jesus save you. Let Him be your life. Let Him cause you to be the person that you should be but cannot be. All you have to do is ask. Don't analyse yourself. You are not objective at present. "God be merciful to me a sinner" is a real good start.

 

[Justasking123]

How can I stop over analyzing myself?
The other question is what would be the least worst to do for someone who fell away with no hope?