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Thank you.I wish to tell you that God/Jesus has not left you, nor forsaken you and He never will friend. What you are experiencing is what everyone else here is that is a christian and we all have our sins.
Your sins are no worse than mine and Jesus died for them all. Heb 4:15 Says He was tempted just as we are and guess what. He alone was perfect, this is why He is at the right hand of the Father. IT IS FINISHED!!!!
He is your atonement and you accept Him to cover your sins.
Stop listening to satan's lies and tell him to get behind you.
death is real, and you will die, so why chance if its real?
This life is full of energy we all know and see on a daily basis that ends and we know all things end on this earth and life and this is why its so hard to see eternity.
I trust God who is living and visits me daily, he takes care of me and proves his living soul, its a real living relationship just not some trust issue.
Would you like me to teach you ways to have the lord God prove him self to you?
is that what your asking?
Whether he ever realizes that or not, it won't make any difference. Crowns are another thing entirely, but nobody has a right to judge that. If he believed the gospel he's in, no matter how bad life gets our brother down. Even to the point of not recognizing any faithfulness whatsoever.
Being sealed for the day of redemption is the bees knees.
But i digress. I think bud, the real issue here is you didn't listen to
"Judge not, lest ye be judged."
That doesn't just go for other people,. that goes gfor yourself to. So if you sit here and judge yourself over sin, you are in essence committing sin which in turn does not allow the bond of sin to be broken. So you continue in misery doing the same sin over and over. Judge yourself, and you've taken the right away from who it belongs to. And He said it's finished.
If there is a certain sin in your life that is really holding you back then you need to just get rid of it, completely. and God WILL change you and he will make it so you no longer desire it. .
Maybe I should tell you what the Lord taught me. He showed me hope. I have been reading the epistles but I never saw hope. He made me see Christianity is faith, hope and love. Some teach faith and love, others teach hope and love but the truth of the scripture is faith, hope and love.
Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Hope is the anchor of the believers soul, it's what keeps us in place. When you understand the hope of salvation everything changes in your life. Read through the book of Hebrews and hopefully you will understand what am saying. Hebrews 12 showed us how the Lord lived, WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM, ENDURED THE CROSS...
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
We have been taught the scripture with little emphasis on what the resurrection will accomplish in us. But if u read 1Cor 15 you will see Paul said the reason he is doing all he is doing is because of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our LORD, I die daily. 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
The joy of the believer is the beauty we will experience when Christ comes. It's this joy that keeps us going and living victoriously. In Revelation when the Lord wrote a letter to the churches, did you see the things he said to them, he said those that overcomes will receive the crown of life, will receive a white stone, etc those things are to make them long for that which is beyond what the world can offer. Since the encounter I had, I have always asked myself what I will give in exchange for seeing the face of my Lord, what will i give in exchange for seeing the glory of God, what will I give in exchange for receiving the crown of life, the answer has been nothing.
I don't know how the Lord does it, but pondering on this things releases in me a strength I can not fathom.
Pls kindly read the whole book of Hebrews you will see more. You will understand what Paul mean when he says WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT. Check Paul's prayer for the Ephesians in chapter of Ephesians.
You're human. You'll sin. You'll never be perfect. So don't worry about it. Maybe look to Christ as someone to aspire to emulate, but understand that none of us will ever be without sin. It sounds like you've put yourself through the wringer over this. Who is the "they" you speak of when you mention being closer to Jesus? Don't worry about "they". Having doubts is only natural, and I won't sit here and pretend like I've lived the life of a pious saint. I've drifted and lost my faith, but I have found it again and am better for it. Don't put yourself under so much pressure. And hang in there. Life has ups and downs, and I believe faith does as well.
Dear OP
you managed to state your viewpoint without malice to anyone. that was an honest statement of your personal views.
Please remember ... you can always have a change of heart, right up until your last breath in this world. Though you may reject Christ now ... He does not reject you.
I think that Jesus was very honest with people. "Anyone who wants to follow me, must pick up their own cross and follow me." What could possibly be easy about that? It is a recipe for a difficult journey in this world. Jesus is both candid and clear about that. The disciples and followers were stoned to death, crucified, and exiled. Where is the 'happy ending'? Where is the American dream? Nowhere to be seen ... in the Earthly realm. But that is because we cannot see the final spiritual outcome - that is hidden from our eyes now.
If you think about your doubts and decision to reject Christ ... I believe that you will realize ... you stopped daily readings of the Bible a long time ago. When you departed from God's word with a daily connection, you began your own journey into the wilderness.
I have seen others do this. Strong believers, missionaries ... turn their backs on God. some people do turn their backs on the Light. I expect that many more Christians will do this in the future. There are so many 'weeds' on life's path, people get completely lost and distracted.
But remember ...
God loves you!!!
The Door is still open, and you - The Prodigal Son - can still come back and sit at the table with Christ. I will pray that you do.
Blessings!!
I have been waiting for God to help me make the right choice. For example, if jesus set me free from sin, and the temptation comes, why can't I ever overcome it? I do try...and at times I am able to...but not for long, then back to square one..That is my problem. I need God to deliver me from the sin I am living in. Wasnt that the purpose of his death?So, you have been waiting all these years for God to stop you from sinning or the urge to sin?
Same for me...... Guess I'll dump on Him too.
Really? You still have your free will... He's not going to make you a robot....
Get over yourself and take responsibility for your actions. Show me where it says that following Christ is a bed of roses and all clouds and harp music.....
Your salvation is a free gift... Your desire to be righteous comes with that...
Seems like you still have that desire to be righteous... without sin.... but you want God to do that for you.....
Sheesh... wish your little dream world was reality.. I struggle with sin every day but... I'm getting better every day and when I die.... I will be forgiven for all the times I failed....
If you're a born-again believer, the moment you were spiritually-regenerated the power of sin was broken in your life. So, you've been asking God to give you what you already have. Read Romans 6. What God has done through Christ to free you from sin's power is laid out very clearly by the apostle Paul in the chapter. What remains is for you to believe it and live in the light of your death to sin.
You wrote:
I doubt Gods love, and since the age of 15 I have tried my best to seek him in every decision I made, and here I am, don't even know what the holy spirit leading is, and I swear to god, I fast often for that main purpose - to be more sensitive to the leading and guiding of the holy spirit...all to no avail.
Why, if you doubt God's love for you, would you seek Him in every decision, and fast, and work to be sensitive to His leading? What do you think God's leading ought to look like? Has He not told you all you need to know to walk well with Him in His word? Are there not commands, and principles, and wisdom that you can apply to every part of life and to every decision you face in the pages of your Bible? Yes, there are. If you want to be led of God, read and live out the truth of Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
But my life is still filled with sin, such as uncontrolable lust.
k So likely now you will start to have adult conversations with him.
If you tell Him everything you told us, this may be your first adult conversation. He is destroying the weak, pathetic image of Him that has been created by the society you grew up in (i.e. the world.) Even if you don't believe you are worldly, you are - because you expect something from a god, you see?
I had to respectfully get to this point before my Father actually started taking me seriously. It was like I was older, but spiritually I was still a silly kid that had confused my idea of the Most High God with adult versions of an image. He was my idol, which is why He was so disappointing to me. I didn't see Him as my Father.
Since you have nothing to lose, respecfully rant to Him. What parent doesn't expect, or understand their child's bold but respectful approach to them and how they handle things? You are in the Image of the Most High God - that means you have the authority to say, "What is going on, Father?!" You also have the authority as His child to ask/tell Him everything you told us.
He may just be waiting for you to actually speak to Him like a Father, and not in incantations (i.e. don't just call Dad when you need money.) I am speculating; I don't know what you are doing besides what you have posted. But, I do know My Father finally began entertaining what I had to say, and what I asked, when I finally told Him, "I'M DONE!"
You love Jesus and that's why your here asking questions and venting your frustration. I am glad that you can see your sin and admit that your flesh is evil, amen to that. If you claimed that you had no sin or that your flesh was dead, then I would be very concerned. Anyone who claims they have no sin is a liar, and the truth is not in them.
I believe the problem rests in not correctly understanding the difference, between living in the Spirit and living in the flesh.
All Christians living in the flesh are enemies of God, all Christians living in the Spirit are loved by God.
The flesh is characterized by self centered behavior, the Spirit is characterized by loving others. A preoccupation with one's own sinfulness and we are all profound sinners, is a waste of God's time and your time.
To be a perfect Christian is someone who loves Jesus and loves others, it is as simple as that. If you turn outward towards helping others, all your cares will disappear. People will even start to see you as a really nice guy, a trustworthy and loving person.
Christianity is an outward focused religion, God is love and demonstrated perfect love in dying for you. What God did was an outward expression directed at you, the perfect example.
Focus on yourself and your own life and you will lose it all in the end. You know that and you have no where to hide. Jesus did not die to make you sinless, Jesus died to reconcile you to Himself.
You are already reconciled and seated in the heavenly realms with Jesus. Stop thinking about yourself and your tedious failings, which we all have and some of us are worse than you. Start living the wonder and joy of our eternal life in Jesus Christ!
I'm in the same situation as you and same age. Sin having control over me my whole life and having no purpose or motivation in life for anything. God actually has been more gracious to you then me giving you a wife and children you love while I have nothing and no one going through everyday on autopilot hoping I don't have an anxiety attack. I too desire to be free from what plagues me making life hellish every minute such as severe depression, social anxiety, generalized anxiety I recently developed, and of course sin. I have cried out to God many times and still have all these ailments since I was a child. I still don't curse God for not delivering me and believe he has a purpose for me because:
1. These could have been roadblocks saving me from being even more sinful and suffering worse consequences (Sexual disease, abortion of a child, death, etc.). One example is any kind of stimulate from hard stuff to caffeine gives me an anxiety attack. This stopped my drug usage where An overdose didn't (I should actually be dead right now)
2. God isn't obligated to ease any of your suffering. Some people get relieved quickly while others don't at all. Even someone of high status like Paul had a thorn in his side he desperately pleaded to be delivered from, but wasn't.
3. It may take a long time. Even though it doesn't have to do with sin, God called Moses when he was 80 years old. The same could happen regarding sin/suffering.
Many examples in the Old Testament such as Job, David's depression in psalms, etc.. Maybe you are just a vessel of wrath to fuel the fires of hell, but don't throw in the towel out of a sense of entitlement and dissatisfaction with God's timing/actions. I don't know about you, but when I completely lived in sin without delay it made my crappy life even worse and all I wanted to do was off myself. God has atleast given me peace of mind from those thoughts.
Nope, that's the worse choice you've ever made declaring you're turning against Jesus.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matt 12:37
Be as the prodigal son who recognized his craziness and foolishness, repent, ask God's forgiveness and get yourself right with God.
Sorry don't have much patience with people saying they did everything they were supposed to do! It comes across as a kid doing the dishes and not getting them clean and when told they've got to go back and try harder and DO IT RIGHT they walk away whining like a baby!
You just took me back to my days in the service. It wasn't about going through the motions. It was about having the maturity and caring enough to know what you should do because it is the right thing to do and if you do it joyfully the end result is a job well done and a happy countenance.
Your words may fall on deaf ears with this one, but I promise that you have touched others with an example of pushing false testimony and the embracing of ones pride aside. God bless you. I hope you get caught up on your sleep because you were right on the mark with your comments. As all of us pray for this "back slider" it makes me wonder if he is "blaspheming against the Holy Ghost." I have never quite figured that out entirely but if so, that would be sad.
Mark 3:28-30 King James Version (KJV)
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Thanks for reading. I wish you the best.Gos id obligated to set me free. What do you mean he is not obligated? If he is not obligated to keep his word, then he is not god and my point is proved.
I have read hebrews several times. But my life is still filled with sin, such as uncontrolable lust.
I have read hebrews several times. But my life is still filled with sin, such as uncontrolable lust.
I have read hebrews several times. But my life is still filled with sin, such as uncontrolable lust.
I'm still a slave to all my sin. So none of this applies to me. I have given up so much that it hurts...It hurts, and I am still no better off. I hate life.I can hear your frustration and your disappointment. I can see that you did try to be rid of your sin and strive to live a pleasing life to God. Have you ever tried not trying? What I mean is to submit your life to God and let Him govern your life instead of making efforts your way.
It is true that we are no longer slaves of sin after we have crucified our old self with Christ and become dead to sin (Romans 6:6-7). However, that is by no means the magic pill that can give us the ability to overcome sin infinitely and once and for all without needing Christ any more. We can still face temptation and are bound to fail if we rely on ourselves instead of relying on Christ. There is only one way to overcome sin - that is to walk by the Spirit:
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 NASB)
Walking by the Spirit is relying on the Holy Spirit moment by moment, taking every baby step according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It requires giving up our pride, seeing ourselves as inadequate and humbling ourselves to surrender ourselves to God totally.
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6 NASB)
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