not sure if I'm saved

[coconut711]

So I usually post in the Baptist thread, but I thought I'd post here for once. I have a problem and I want to get some other people's opinions/insight. Ok, so I'm not sure if I'm saved. I believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and without Him we will die in our sins ultimately meaning we will be judged and spend eternity in Hell. The thing is though is that I grew up in church believing in Jesus, so for a while I never even knew I was lost. Then, one day I talked to someone and they told me I couldnt just believe but I had to accept Jesus, so I repeated a little prayer. I never had assurance so later on I said another prayer...then another and another on my own time whenever I felt the doubts coming. My problem is I dont feel sinful or guilty at all. I know I'm a sinner but sometimes it's hard to define the line between feeling sinful knowing I'm sinful. That being said if I don't really know that I'm sinful than I can't accept Christ because that's like trying to get a doctor when you think you're healthy. Another thing is I've said prayers so much sometimes I feel like I have faith in my faith instead of Christ and I don't know how to make the transition from putting faith in my faith to putting faith in Christ and resting in Him. Please help me. I've talked to several people on here and in real life and I don't know what to do...

 

[ashout]

your problem is an interesting one.

my experiance is is that people who truely believe in christ have trouble just like your having. they have doubts, they have problems, they have all sorts of things. what get's them through it though is Jesus himself, he coaches them along without their knowing it. or he sends his people to you with words that will comfort you and aid you in choosing right.

bottom line though, you have to CONTINUE in beliefe in Jesus to go to heaven, if you deny him he will deny you.

 

[coconut711]

your problem is an interesting one.

my experiance is is that people who truely believe in christ have trouble just like your having. they have doubts, they have problems, they have all sorts of things. what get's them through it though is Jesus himself, he coaches them along without their knowing it. or he sends his people to you with words that will comfort you and aid you in choosing right.

bottom line though, you have to CONTINUE in beliefe in Jesus to go to heaven, if you deny him he will deny you.

But if I'm not saved it won't matter if I believe IN Christ...many believe in him but it doesn't mean they have Him as their Lord and Savior. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a head acknowledgement and a heart acknowledgement...if that makes sense.

 

[ashout]

But if I'm not saved it won't matter if I believe IN Christ...many believe in him but it doesn't mean they have Him as their Lord and Savior. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a head acknowledgement and a heart acknowledgement...if that makes sense.

i hear ya. here's the deal, your going to feel like that for a while, but the longer you stick with Jesus and obey what he teaches you, the more you'll be assured that you chose right.

if you feel like you havn't really accepted him, but for some reason you CAN'T then you are merely confused. you said so yourself you believe Jesus is lord you just havn't felt like you accepted him? well believing he is lord IS accepting him! ...and repenting but whatever you'll either do that or not depending on what kind of life you led in the spirit world.

 

[coconut711]

...and repenting but whatever you'll either do that or not depending on what kind of life you led in the spirit world.

led in the spirit world. I'm sorry but I don't understand what you mean by that?

 

[ashout]

you were a spirit before you were a baby. I'd go into it more, but i'm not sure your ready for these types of things, you barely even believe in christ! you need milk, not solid food.

focus on this: Repentence and obediance to the commands of God and Jesus.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I think I know what is wrong.If you can say "Jesus Christ the Son of God is my Lord."
then know that the Holy Spirit is in you. The Bible says you cannot say that sentence without the aid of the Holy Spirit. Try that.

 

[kllyfy]

Honestly, I think the problem lies in your thought life. First, and foremost you should start reading the bible, and then the with the holy spirit's divine guidance, revelation and understanding begins to come to you, it's as if a light bulb popped on in your head. The more you start to read, hear, (the word), the deeper your relationship with Christ becomes, and then I also want to inquire if you don't mind "Have You received the holy spirit? Meaning the ability to speak in tongues, if not that's also a great useful way to pray, it helps as well. You should also go to God with this concern directly just as your talking to me and others on this forum, tell him your concerns, in terms of not really having an assurance that your saved, of course by grace your saved, it's not an instant gratification type of thing, but it slowly changes you the person, inwardly, which starts to display outwardly to other people, I also want you to pray, which helps bring you closer to God, because remember you must continue to nourish your spiritual walk, just as you do your physical. Many things will become much more clearer in the process, but first and foremost talk to God, find other's who are also into GOD, especially someone who is really deep into their spiritual journey because it will help shed light on your path, but that is just the beginning, and from there you grow spiritually, but don't feel condemned when you fall short, and there will be times when you do, but just quote the word, Therefore there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Meditate also on the word, and lastly, just be yourself, don't try to get it all down pact at once, but learn slowly, or ask God to guide you, and he will by his divine enlightment.

 

[KrimsonDraegon]

Peace upon you,

I was born, and raised, in the Southern Baptist Church. When I was little I was enrolled in a Christian private school. I accepted Christ at an age so early I cannot remember how old I was; though, I do remember the event.

As I aged I went through this precise issue. I was about 14 when I first experienced it. I lied in bed and cried and begged for some form of reassurance - reassurance that never came. I would pray the most honest prayer I knew every night for hours, until I fell asleep - "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!" - in reference to the doubt of my own salvation.

I asked my Pastor and he reassured me that I was unsaved, unless I could recite magic formulas and scriptures and other such nonsense. I was told to read my Bible. I was told to attend Church and tithe and obey my Mother and never to lie. I was told to follow the commandments of Christianity and focus was taken away from the one thing that would have adhered me to the Christian faith - to the God I was raised under. I was never told to voice my concerns to the Almighty.

Now I am an ordained Reverend of the Christian Church - though I do not practice Christianity, proper, anymore. My recommendation would be to avoid studying your Bible for now. This was a mistake I made before I was ready. I looked into the Bible for answers and instead almost converted into Judaism after two years of intense study under a Rabbi. I was told to go to Church, so I did and I looked for answers that only led me to hate organized Christianity. I was told to tithe which made me aware of the greed and malcontent of the people who represent Christ.

Do not mistake me - I am happy with how my faith has turned out. All of these revelations shaped me into the servant God needs me to be. But these are not the revelations and this is not the path the Almighty might has in mind for you!

I am telling you to turn to your Father and I am telling you that voicing, honestly and openly, your thoughts, your fears, and your concerns will grant you the peace and reassurance you need in a time when nothing else can. I am telling you this as a man who has lived through these trials. I am telling you as a person you do not want to grow into, full of doubt and uncertainty and still "lost". I am telling you this, as a friend and brother in God.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers,
~ Shaeykh

 

[kllyfy]

Well, I would advise that you do read the BIBLE, that's the only way to know intimately who Christ is. The only way to find out what's true, or not especially in today's modern times, when one can be easily led astray. The word has been tried, tested, and it's the truth, the living word of God. It can get on the inside of a man, and change the way he thinks and feels, it can raise the sick, open up the blinding eyes, wash away every guilty stain a person has ever felt, and most importantly bring you closer to the one ALMIGHTY JEHOVAH JIREH, I understand that some people have had experiences in regards to their christian faith. I've had them, but you know what not once has God never answered me, nor failed me. It' was either my dishonesty about a situation, or my disobeying that led to my trials and tribulations at the time. I also believe that sometimes people put God in a box expecting him to operate only under there terms and conditions, well folks God is much more than that, and he can speak through multiple ways. He is who he says he is, a soveriegn loving father wishing nothing but the best in guiding us, loving us, correcting us (when we fall short), and most importantly understanding what we need, when we don't even understand how to convey what we want and need to him, He's a loving father, the one and only that I know whose never failed me no, not once, or twice, and I thank him for that, Faith worketh patience, something that all of us as believers need.

 

[Adoniram]

My two cents, Coconut,
Don't live your life based on what you "feel", live it based on what you "know." You have stated that you "know" you are a sinner (and the Bible confirms this..."All have sinned and come short of the glory of God"), but you say that you don't "feel" like a sinner. Those "feelings" arise from the heart, yet...“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9) Simply put, those "feelings" can't be trusted. Go with what you know, with what the Bible tells you.

You can "believe" in Jesus as Lord and Savior, but making him Lord of your life is a daily thing. It's an active choice that you make every minute of every day to live as Jesus would have you live, and by the example he set. It's reading the Bible to help you discern what is sin and what is not (how to live a Godly life), and by committing those words to your heart, to memory, they will, over time, become second nature. "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Ps. 119:11)

That is the choice you have before you. It's a choice you make knowing in your mind that it's the right thing, not because of a feeling. Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) Will you be one of His sheep?

 

[coconut711]

Honestly, I think the problem lies in your thought life. First, and foremost you should start reading the bible, and then the with the holy spirit's divine guidance, revelation and understanding begins to come to you, it's as if a light bulb popped on in your head. The more you start to read, hear, (the word), the deeper your relationship with Christ becomes, and then I also want to inquire if you don't mind "Have You received the holy spirit? Meaning the ability to speak in tongues, if not that's also a great useful way to pray, it helps as well. You should also go to God with this concern directly just as your talking to me and others on this forum, tell him your concerns, in terms of not really having an assurance that your saved, of course by grace your saved, it's not an instant gratification type of thing, but it slowly changes you the person, inwardly, which starts to display outwardly to other people, I also want you to pray, which helps bring you closer to God, because remember you must continue to nourish your spiritual walk, just as you do your physical. Many things will become much more clearer in the process, but first and foremost talk to God, find other's who are also into GOD, especially someone who is really deep into their spiritual journey because it will help shed light on your path, but that is just the beginning, and from there you grow spiritually, but don't feel condemned when you fall short, and there will be times when you do, but just quote the word, Therefore there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Meditate also on the word, and lastly, just be yourself, don't try to get it all down pact at once, but learn slowly, or ask God to guide you, and he will by his divine enlightment.

I guess I should probably read the Bible more. If I'm not saved can God still use it to speak to me and maybe show me what I should do/ what's wrong? And with all due respect I don't believe in speaking in tongues (at least in the ways churches use it these days), but I dont want to get into a debate about that. I respect your opinion; I just wanted to state my belief on it.

 

[coconut711]

My two cents, Coconut,
Don't live your life based on what you "feel", live it based on what you "know." You have stated that you "know" you are a sinner (and the Bible confirms this..."All have sinned and come short of the glory of God"), but you say that you don't "feel" like a sinner. Those "feelings" arise from the heart, yet...“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9) Simply put, those "feelings" can't be trusted. Go with what you know, with what the Bible tells you.

You can "believe" in Jesus as Lord and Savior, but making him Lord of your life is a daily thing. It's an active choice that you make every minute of every day to live as Jesus would have you live, and by the example he set. It's reading the Bible to help you discern what is sin and what is not (how to live a Godly life), and by committing those words to your heart, to memory, they will, over time, become second nature. "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Ps. 119:11)

That is the choice you have before you. It's a choice you make knowing in your mind that it's the right thing, not because of a feeling. Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) Will you be one of His sheep?

You have a good point. I have learned that you might not "feel" saved or "feel" God's presence, etc, but I haven't really thought about the fact that you might not "feel" sinful but still know. The thing is I dont know if I really KNOW how sinful I am. I guess I'm a pretty prideful person. If it was up to me I'd say I'm a good person and I don't deserve hell, but I know that through God's word I am a sinner deserving hell; sometimes it's hard for me to understand but I believe it because of God's word even if it goes against what I'd like to believe.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I guess I should probably read the Bible more. If I'm not saved can God still use it to speak to me and maybe show me what I should do/ what's wrong? And with all due respect I don't believe in speaking in tongues (at least in the ways churches use it these days), but I dont want to get into a debate about that. I respect your opinion; I just wanted to state my belief on it.

The Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your pathway. Trust it. Yes, even if you are not saved, God can speak to your heart.Take it personally. If you doubt, do what Kllfly said and ask God to help your unbelief.

 

[coconut711]

The Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your pathway. Trust it. Yes, even if you are not saved, God can speak to your heart.Take it personally. If you doubt, do what Kllfly said and ask God to help your unbelief.

I will definitely need to read the Word more, but I have prayed and cried and begged to God countless times to help me...and I know He's there but It seems like He doesn't hear me

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

He hears you. It just seems He doesn't. Read Psalm 139 to see how well He knows you.

 

[holyrokker]

First of all: No prayer can save you.
Second: "Accepting" Jesus can't save you.
Third: Salvation is a relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

That relationship is entered into through trusting Christ for your justification (forgiveness of sins).
The relationship is sealed when the Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to give you a spiritual birth.

Finally, that relationship is lived out on a daily basis through continued trust in Christ and reliance upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Bible and through fellowship with a body of fellow believers.

 

[andreha]

So I usually post in the Baptist thread, but I thought I'd post here for once. I have a problem and I want to get some other people's opinions/insight. Ok, so I'm not sure if I'm saved. I believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and without Him we will die in our sins ultimately meaning we will be judged and spend eternity in Hell. The thing is though is that I grew up in church believing in Jesus, so for a while I never even knew I was lost. Then, one day I talked to someone and they told me I couldnt just believe but I had to accept Jesus, so I repeated a little prayer. I never had assurance so later on I said another prayer...then another and another on my own time whenever I felt the doubts coming. My problem is I dont feel sinful or guilty at all. I know I'm a sinner but sometimes it's hard to define the line between feeling sinful knowing I'm sinful. That being said if I don't really know that I'm sinful than I can't accept Christ because that's like trying to get a doctor when you think you're healthy. Another thing is I've said prayers so much sometimes I feel like I have faith in my faith instead of Christ and I don't know how to make the transition from putting faith in my faith to putting faith in Christ and resting in Him. Please help me. I've talked to several people on here and in real life and I don't know what to do...

You are saved - it's a done deal. The Bible says that if you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, you shall be saved. You've done that already - more than once. So, you are saved - period. I'll look it up for you if you like?

 

[RobertZ]

You are saved - it's a done deal. The Bible says that if you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, you shall be saved. You've done that already - more than once. So, you are saved - period. I'll look it up for you if you like?

Personally I dont think we should tell someone over the internet that they are saved because we could very well be wrong, unlike God we cannot see into that persons heart and its also possible that we could end up giving someone who isnt saved a false assurance.

 

[coconut711]

You are saved - it's a done deal. The Bible says that if you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, you shall be saved. You've done that already - more than once. So, you are saved - period. I'll look it up for you if you like?

Praying doesn't save anyone, though. You can say a prayer and be lost. I know the verse you're talking about, though; I think there's a difference between saying a prayer and genuinely calling upon the Lord ( so I see your point ), but I dont believe I'm saved