Please help me

[Logeth]

Hello. I write this message write tears in my eyes and I hope someone will answer me.
I gave my life to Jesus several years ago, but I don't know how serious I was about it until know. I mean, I really loved Him, knew the sacrifice that He had done for me and praised Him for this, but I still remained in some sins. I was also sometimes taking glory for me and being rude and critical. A week ago I just saw the importance of a holy life and I just craved for that. After a day, I just felt different, I am a better person now and not because I struggled to be, but I just feel and know that I love people more; now it`s a pleasure to help my parents, and I must say that, for my shame, I was insanely rebellious and mean to them; also, I just feel that I changed and that I love Jesus more.
But there is also a BIG fear in my heart...for years I abided in sin, even though I knew who Christ was. What if now it`s to late to change? I want to be holy, to do His will, but what if, for example, the end will come tomorrow and I won't have time to change more? Isn't to late to start doing his will now? This fear paralyze me, thinking that I will go to hell. I can't rest, I am anxious. The interesting fact is that when I am at church or at least talking with fellows from church or with christians, I am not afraid anymore. I am afraid when I am alone, at home, and especially in the nighttime. I want to be more and more like Him, I hate sin now, but do I do enough? Am I walking in real salvation? Two or three days of this week I was so good, I mean I really thought I was saved, I had so great fellowship with God and the Word just opened in my mind and I understood how important is to walk in the good path and follow Him. But today, I saw again a testimony about being holy, and I am scared again. I am also scared because I am thinking at those who will say "Lord, Lord" at the end and the Lord won't receive them. I just want to follow Him, to be holy and full of passion for Him.

 

[jehoiakim]

almost all Christians go a period like you describe, especially new Christians or younger Christians. It takes a long time to grow and mature as a Christian, often it is far slower then we would like. Keep hanging in there, a lot of the doubt is nothing more than spiritual attacks by the enemy, and once you know that it is easier to keep in check. He especially likes to attack us when we are trying to sleep because are are alone and tired.

Continue to surround yourself with believers. The fact that you are really concerned about where you stand with the Lord is evidence of your genuine conversion. Those who are not the Lords merely accept the Lord and totally walk away, they have no interest in commitment to God, clearly you do even though you are stuggling. Christ told us to pick up our cross and follow him, he told us he came to bring a sword not peace... the scriptures are clear following Christ is not easy so don't get stuck in a trap of doubt when you fall, you have to keep going, surround yourself with believers as often as possible so they can encourage you hand help you keep yourself accountable.


As soon as I post this I will pray for you sister, hang in there

 

[jehoiakim]

oh wow just checked your profile and realized your past involved the occult, that always makes those spiritual attacks worse. God is with you though, he will get you through this

I suggest you google Mark Driscoll and Spiritual warfare. You will find a website that has a series of teachings on spiritual warfare. There are 4 parts, each one is about an hour but it is totally worth it and might help you work through some stuff. There is probably a lot of behind the scene stuff going on in your life that you don't know about if you have dabbled in the occult and this series will help you identify it and get rid of it

 

[paul1149]

Logeth,

The Lord is not trying to condemn you. He's on your side. Jesus sits at the right hand of Power, interceding for you. The condemnation is over.

These fears can only paralyze your faith. They are not of God. Because of the precious Blood, you can take your stand on the grace side. Put on the full armor (Eph 6), and take up your inheritance - the rest from dead works that Christ Jesus has purchased for you.

Make it your supreme purpose to continue to abide in His perfect love. It will be a protection for you, and you will feed on it (Jn 15.4-9; Php 3.3).

The Lord must be so pleased you have returned to Him.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

As it is written,​“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Rom 8:31-39​

 

[vespasia]

I want to be holy, to do His will, but what if, for example, the end will come tomorrow and I won't have time to change more?

It is doing Gods will today that matters. So what if tomorrow never comes, let Gods will be done. Re-read John 3 especially v16.

Learning to be a disciple is never easy for anyone - speak to someone who gives pastoral care at your church be it a priest or a pastoral worker. Seven years is a long time to not be sure of who you are in Christ.

If need be talk to a medical doctor about the level of anxiety you are living with.

jehoiakim it is a myth that involvement in the occult makes spiritual attacks worse. They can hit anyone who has sinned and who seeks to follow Christ. Whilst christians suppose this people will continue to suffer often in silence.

 

[jennimatts]

I gave my life to Jesus several years ago, but I don't know how serious I was about it until know.

Everyone who comes to Christ goes through a process of growth in faith and knowledge, and it is not uncommon for Christians to look back to the time they first believed and realize they didn't live up to what they have learned.

Am I walking in real salvation?

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He gave His life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty of your sin? Have you confessed your sins and committed your life to following Him? Do you love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor too?

 

[Logeth]

I want to thank everybody for your answers. It's important for me to see that others care.
I feel better today. I spent last night with a friend encouraging me and a lot of time in the Scripture, which gave me a lot of faith and joy. I still have some thoughts, but they are less intense and the fear is not that big anymore.


Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He gave His life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty of your sin? Have you confessed your sins and committed your life to following Him? Do you love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor too?

Yes.

 

[Leka43]

Hi Logeth...

You're right...it is interesting that Satan has a much harder time attacking with thoughts and feelings of fear when you're in an environment of other Christian friends, or actively reading God's Word. In such environments, we're much more open to God's warm and loving Spirit, and the spirit of fear can't get in to us then. That's one major reason that we all need to spend quality time in the Word - reading, and praying, daily. That way, we build ourselves up in Him and become more comfortable in His love for us personally.

God loves you as much as He loves Jesus (John 17:23); otherwise, He never would have sent the Lord to come and get you and me. When we begin to actually realize that God loves us that much - personally (you can find a 'picture' of that loving relationship He craves with us in the Song of Solomon) - our fear (of all types) begins to permanently fade away. Perfected (or mature) love casts out fear, because fear stems from the expectancy of torment. If you're fearing, it's because you're unsure of (not perfected in) God's personal love for you (1 John 4:18).

But you don't have to fear, logeth; Jesus has already destroyed him who had (past tense) the power of death, the devil, and delivered (past tense) us who through fear of death were all our lives subject to bondage [to that fear] (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Those fears, the thoughts of past sins, all those things that have been tormenting you are ploys of the enemy to try to keep you bound and away from God. The power of the enemy over you has already been completely destroyed. Now you just spend time in God's Word and prayer, and meditate and renew your mind to the fact that He's completely in love with you - you are the apple of God's eye - and there's nothing He wouldn't do for you. And, His love for you isn't based on what you did, or what you will do (though doing what God tells you to do is extremely important); it's based on what the Lord Jesus did. So, relax dear Sister, you're well-loved, and He's well able to keep you in His care (He is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy [Jude 1:24]).

Love,
Lester

 

[Fulltruthministry]

I will share my heart; since its beat remember the steps of this walk,
My sister: You gave your life to Jesus and you are realizing that you love Him too much to be left out of the fold. And you also testify to have trouble with past sins:
yet never giving up on hope:
Yet still feeling trapped:
IN this place we DO learn how much we love Him.
Jesus says peter: Satan wishes to sift you as wheat; Shaking us back and forth; but guess what happens in the end: All of the chaff is shaken from that wheat: So God teaches us in such a deep way that: WE CANT DO IT ON OUR OWN:
And He allows us to learn in this way; how much we need Him; and how much of ourselves we must devote to Him to stay in HIM:
SO God gives us grace to teach us how to HOLD ON TO HIM< He shows us how much our souls love Him:
And in this grace we receive mercy; and when God showers us in that mercy; we learn to love the Lord. Because of the power of His love towards us:

AND NO MATTER WHAT:
As long as we have breath in our body; we have a chance to live in the Lord. Every second is a second chance. ITS NEVER TOO LATE: sometimes we just cant lean on our own understanding. God doenst judge us as we judge ourselves; his love is higher then ours; and just when we are at this point of feeling hopeless; God reaches in and shows us that His mercy; His love and His plan for us is higher then we can expect; so we except that gift; we grab hold of that mercy and we live.
EVERY MOMENT: If we are told not to let the sun go down on our anger; then one can truly see that we should never let a moment pass outside of grace; until we grow and learn to stay standing; So we stay in constant prayer; giving our shortcomings to God; trusting that we are restored pressing to walk higher in Him.

The more and more we resist the righteousness of the Spirit; our flesh makes us feel like we are not restored; BUT We lean on faith; and we trust; and in a very short moment; our actions of love in the Spirit fills and assures us that we are His:

Like you said; after one day; everything changed. God teaches us that; life changes when we turn back to Him. And it may feel like we are taking advantage of God. But He knows; He expects it and He prepared a way for us; and set up standards of mercy in Christ; loving us; keeping us; desiring for us to realize that and live: ITS NEVER TOO LATE: And within the breath of your words one can see that: One can see your honesty and deep maturity; I can relate; this is the fall of a mature Christian; But you never fell from Christ; we fall in our own eyes until we learn to cast shame aside and stand upon the faith that allows us to live. Taking what Jesus gives us; His righteousness and His mercy:
So that we are not one that becomes tired of hiding sin, appearing holy and yet hiding sins. God wont let us do that; He loves us too much; HE wants us to learn that His love forgives, and with that we stand on His Word:


Romans 2:4

King James Version (KJV)
4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?



He allows us to walk in that valley so that we can realize how kind and forgiving He is; so that we may use that love to give our hearts to Him and love the Lord in return:

If nothing else remember this:
DAVID SAID:
Ye though i walk through the valley i will fear no evil:

Where do you think David was: He was in a place of feeling like he had transgressed: But He still trusted God and He didnt fear the evil of condemning Himself. But rather he said:

Thy rod and they staff comfort me:
He said you restored my soul:
And sometimes that rod is a broken heart; God allowing us to feel troubled; so that we may learn how to stand on His mercy. Calling out for it; seeking Him, NEVER Giving up: Allowing God to save us BY grace: By His kindness; teaching us how to live holy lives of endurance. Thats what i want sister: its hard for me too; but my soul must stay set; its my life and my love for Jesus, cant give that up: Bless you forever

 

[JCFantasy23]

Hello. I write this message write tears in my eyes and I hope someone will answer me.
I gave my life to Jesus several years ago, but I don't know how serious I was about it until know. I mean, I really loved Him, knew the sacrifice that He had done for me and praised Him for this, but I still remained in some sins. I was also sometimes taking glory for me and being rude and critical. A week ago I just saw the importance of a holy life and I just craved for that. After a day, I just felt different, I am a better person now and not because I struggled to be, but I just feel and know that I love people more; now it`s a pleasure to help my parents, and I must say that, for my shame, I was insanely rebellious and mean to them; also, I just feel that I changed and that I love Jesus more.
But there is also a BIG fear in my heart...for years I abided in sin, even though I knew who Christ was. What if now it`s to late to change? I want to be holy, to do His will, but what if, for example, the end will come tomorrow and I won't have time to change more? Isn't to late to start doing his will now? This fear paralyze me, thinking that I will go to hell. I can't rest, I am anxious. The interesting fact is that when I am at church or at least talking with fellows from church or with christians, I am not afraid anymore. I am afraid when I am alone, at home, and especially in the nighttime. I want to be more and more like Him, I hate sin now, but do I do enough? Am I walking in real salvation? Two or three days of this week I was so good, I mean I really thought I was saved, I had so great fellowship with God and the Word just opened in my mind and I understood how important is to walk in the good path and follow Him. But today, I saw again a testimony about being holy, and I am scared again. I am also scared because I am thinking at those who will say "Lord, Lord" at the end and the Lord won't receive them. I just want to follow Him, to be holy and full of passion for Him.

You have to think of it this way - our God is so huge and powerful and has told us that if we continue to follow Him, we will change. I believe some change faster than others, it just depends, and that it is an ongoing process throughout our lives.

That said, if you know God has stated that you will keep changing as you keep walking with Him, then you should NEVER be afraid you cannot change. That would be an argument. Our God is much more powerful than our human flaws and weaknesses.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Logeth. You are on the right way, to love is what God wants from us, and Jesus told us in Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. The second is like it: Love our neighbour as ourselves." Then Jesus tells us: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." The first and great Commandment is to love, to be kind and care, to forgive and help, when necessary. You already have found that out, Logeth, and as for God not being able to see you all your life, God already knows. God will see our whole life, not only our Present, God knows our Past and Future: God is All-Knowing. God also sees our sincere efforts to love and care, and God will bless us. God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters around Him, God is our Heavenly Father, and God sees our hearts.
Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, also. Jesus told us to" Ask and ye will receive," and then we thank God and share all Love and Joy with all around us: friends and not friends. We will stumble and fall, maybe often, but we will ask God to forgive us, and God will forgive us as we will forgive others, and we will get up and carry on. God made us all, and God loves us all, and Jesus our Saviour is waiting to lead us back to God: Jesus is our way, in fact Jesus is " The Way." Keep on as you are doing, Logeth, and God will approve and help your love grow and grow. How do we show our love to God? By following God`s Commandments to love and care: God with all our beings, and each other as we love ourselves: freely and no conditions asked. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Fulltruthministry]

Hello. I write this message write tears in my eyes and I hope someone will answer me.
I gave my life to Jesus several years ago, but I don't know how serious I was about it until know. I mean, I really loved Him, knew the sacrifice that He had done for me and praised Him for this, but I still remained in some sins. I was also sometimes taking glory for me and being rude and critical. A week ago I just saw the importance of a holy life and I just craved for that. After a day, I just felt different, I am a better person now and not because I struggled to be, but I just feel and know that I love people more; now it`s a pleasure to help my parents, and I must say that, for my shame, I was insanely rebellious and mean to them; also, I just feel that I changed and that I love Jesus more.
But there is also a BIG fear in my heart...for years I abided in sin, even though I knew who Christ was. What if now it`s to late to change? I want to be holy, to do His will, but what if, for example, the end will come tomorrow and I won't have time to change more? Isn't to late to start doing his will now? This fear paralyze me, thinking that I will go to hell. I can't rest, I am anxious. The interesting fact is that when I am at church or at least talking with fellows from church or with christians, I am not afraid anymore. I am afraid when I am alone, at home, and especially in the nighttime. I want to be more and more like Him, I hate sin now, but do I do enough? Am I walking in real salvation? Two or three days of this week I was so good, I mean I really thought I was saved, I had so great fellowship with God and the Word just opened in my mind and I understood how important is to walk in the good path and follow Him. But today, I saw again a testimony about being holy, and I am scared again. I am also scared because I am thinking at those who will say "Lord, Lord" at the end and the Lord won't receive them. I just want to follow Him, to be holy and full of passion for Him.

I wanted to write you again because i am in a different place today:
In my first responce; I was crying right along with you: I said Lord; ive been with You for twelve years and she is giving my testimony:
You are blessed:
I go through what you are going through:
What helps me is setting my mind to live in that moment; believing God in the moment i repent;
Just like the man on the cross: The moment he repented; Jesus said you will be with me in paradise:
Only restoration in the Holy Spirit can do that for us: And we are restored as soon as we repent:
RIGHT THERE: CLAIM YOUR PLACE IN CHRIST
Tell the flesh that Jesus died and rose to the right hand so that I can cast aside every weight:
And when we set our hearts to serve God; He covers us in His Son; and we are kept covered; because we recieved Jesus:
Now its up to us to understand that God wants us to endure; and thats what hurts us:
Not enduring:
going in and out of sin until it feels like its too hard to come back:
But its never too hard for God:

I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY TESTIMONY
Since you stated that you used to take glory for yourself:
Let me tell you what i went through:

When God first called me; I was made clean and holy; and i used to look at other people and shake my head; judgeing them for doing things that i used to do: I used to look at the young brothers on the corners selling drugs and smoking drugs; and i would say God: HOW CAN THEY LIVE LIKE THAT:
Why do they live so evil; shame on them:

BUT:
I had no right to judge people like that: But I really didnt see the scope of truth in regards to realizing that JESUS changed me and i didnt change myself: I didnt see that i had no right to judge people in that way:
So God gave me over to my old self: And i couldnt get free; I was stuck in sin for years;
And when i fully came back to God; He showed me that He allowed me to go through that storm so that i can realize that HE CHANGED ME: AND NOT MYSELF:
So i learned:
Another thing i learned is that sin never takes a break; if i give in; it wont give up; it will keep craving;
SO i had to come to a point of realizing that I will continue to seek satifaction in sin if i seek satifaction in sin, for it shall never satisfy:
The only think that gives me life and peace is the righteousness of God:
But i wouldnt have saw this if i didnt truly see how helpless i was without God: If i didnt see how hard hearted i could be; i would have never saw how merciful God can be:
And then God takes us to a point of just not giving us any peace outside of Him.
Our lessons are learned; its time to come home and share what we have learned by our testimony:

Its time to realize that Jesus is coming; and i dont know if i will live tomorrow:
SO TODAY
And right now i repent to God; and we believe that if He came at the moment of our repentance; that we shall be with Him. Becuase the love and power that allows us to believe that we can repent; is the HOLY SPIRIT: Thus we are in the SPIRIT as soon as we pray and allow Jesus to mediate for us:
WE ARE RESTORED:
And Gods mercy never runs out:

I tell you I would hate to know that there is someone that has had to go through what i went through:
Repenting at night; living in sin in the morning; hating my day because i didnt live for God: Repenting at night again; and yet rising early to sin again: And then hating my day again; doing this over and over until i came to a point of saying: I GOTTA LOVE JESUS
Theres no other way for us:
Gods calling is too strong; His love is too good to us to give up on Him. and I sometimes drive myself to a point of insanity; hating myself; and yet the Spirit calls; and shows me that God loves me; He always has; He only wants me to hold on to the power that can allow God to justly recieve me: The power of righteousness; the power of His Son:
God desires for us to be made clean so in justice He can take us unto Himself; But GOd cant be unjust to Himself; nor can He go against His Word: God is HOLY
And to be of HIM WE MUST continue to live in HIM: Being made like His Son in His Son: So we never give up: WE take our breath and we praise God for that alone: Regardless of how we slip or live; God new i was a sinner before He called me; what makes me think He has stopped calling me: Does Gods mercy run out; NO:
But our bodies do; or bodies all drain as a vapor under the heat; SO we remember that; and we seek the eternity of love; by living in love; no matter how many times we gotta get up; we cast sin away and we stand; if we fall again; we stand again: WE NEVER GIVE UP:
Jesus is faithful to finish the good work He began in us:
That alone tells us that its a process:
AMEN: Bless you


Philippians 1:6

New International Version (NIV)

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

[Fulltruthministry]

CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION:
So that tells us that Jesus is not only able to do a good work in us: But He is also able to keep us in that work until the day of salvation; or the day of His coming:
SO WE BELIEVE THAT:
Sometimes we can feel so far from God; and yet we are so close to His power; and we feel this: And it hurts us because we realize all that He can do through us:
WE realize that He didnt save us for us alone:
But so that we can share His power with others:
So I also use my love for others to help me stand:
Jesus asked peter if he loved him, then Jesus told peter to feed His Sheep:
Thus I use that desire to stand in Gods love also; knowing that the only power to feed Gods Sheep is in the Holy Spirit; thus i must live by the Spirit in order to be uses effectivily by God: Its a press humble one of God; its a press lovely heart of God; because the Lord has truly made your heart lovely; and that alone tells you and convicts you to understand that God has done something to you; thus we lean on the Word and we believe that He will FINISH the GOOD WORK:
I am SURE JESUS had us in mind when He said:
IT IS FINISHED:
He has the power to complete us; and we know this; lets grab it live in love; expect eternity; and yet walk in the power of now; sharing the power of God now; allowing God to burn sin out of us NOW: So that the soul doesnt have to burn along with sin according to justice:
WE love God TOO must to be without Him: AMEN

 

[jennimatts]

Praying for you.

 

[Harry3142]

Logeth-

The righteousness which is required of those who would enter God's presence is a righteousness that must be obtained from God. None of us are capable of earning this righteousness through our own actions. But what we cannot earn, God has seen fit to give us freely:

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:19-26,NIV)

This is why no one can say that he (or she) is any better than anyone else. The only righteousness which we are to see as true righteousness must be given to us freely, because we are incapable of earning it. What we cannot receive as a salary, God has seen fit to give us as a gift.

As for the passage in Matthew (Matthew 7:21-23) in which Jesus told men to depart from him, we need to examine it more closely:

1. Did Jesus deny that they had cast out demons in his name? No, he did not.

2. Did Jesus deny that they had performed many miracles in his name? No, he did not.

3. Did Jesus deny that they had prophesied in his name? No, he did not.

So why did he condemn those who would be welcomed with open arms into many church denominations today? He condemned them because they had put their confidence in their own works to save them rather than accepting the righteousness offered them by God himself. The command that we are to accept is this:

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gives us. (I John 3:21-24,NIV)

We are all to accept who we are and who God is, and appreciate the difference. We are to recognize that the righteousness which God requires of those who would attain eternal life is a righteousness which God also must provide to those who would attain eternal life. We cannot earn it; the chasm is simply too wide and too deep for our unrighteousness to become the righteousness that God requires. But what we cannot earn for ourselves, God has earned for us through the actions of his Son, Jesus Christ.

 

[someguy14]

When you are in trouble call upon the name of the Lord. Think upon Him.
He is our protector and deliverer. Acknowledge Him. God is inside of every believer. He desires us to communicate with Him and knows us entirely.
He guards us, loves us and walks with us through everything. He teaches us all things. He is our best friend.
When alone, He is still our best friend and provides for all of our deepest desires.
When you notice a joy, a trueness, a peace, a love that only God can give, thank Him. He is always with us.

Galatians 5:22 thru 23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

He will never let us go, we are His forever.
None is good, no not one. We all need Gods love and forgiveness. Understand that God is aware of every intent in every heart. He loves you very much.
Praise the Lord. This is a very helpful defense in time of trouble.

 

[someguy14]

* Double post.

 

[parsley]

You said that going to church kept your fears from getting carried away -- reading the Bible will help with that too. We all get that to some degree, even after years of walking in the faith.

We know we can't sit back on our own righteousness, and will always need His Words of encouragement and the support of true fellowship.

Another thing that helps me -- to separate going to heaven from living in the kingdom.

Jesus paid the price for your salvation -- once, for all. There is no extra work you need to do, no hierarchy or steps to development. It was an open invitation to be with Him in a location. You were made holy by redemption, not by your own goodness. Accepting the invitation is they key.

Living in the kingdom is where the holy living comes in. Once we agree to the offer of redemption, we usually want to be part of the activity of God, serving His purposes, caring for others, promoting His good news, being the person who shows up for someone else at the right time and place.

Staying tuned in keeps us in the right place.

We can be used by God and get in on some exciting ventures when we set aside our own agendas, and offer ourselves to serve Him. It is not compulsory in the way we'd expect, but very relational.

He allows us at the roundtable, and involves us in strategy. We are free to tell Him our ideas and requests, and ask to be deployed in accomplishing something; and He will provide the equipment, the runners, the secrets, the plan, the connections, the backup people.

If we slide out of the holy life into offenses, there is no sense involving ourselves in a focused journey. We represent the King.

He does not toss us aside when we slip out of favor, or rescind His offer for Heaven. But what is the sense of living for Him, if we don't want the full life He has to offer... that is where holiness comes in, and becomes as much a part of keeping us safe, as it does pleasing Him.

 

[briareos]

Logeth,

Be encouraged God has forgiven you of all your sins and cleansed you of ALL unrighteousness.

Read here why God sent his only son to die for you.

Ephesians 2.7 - 8
so that in the ages to come he might show the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD!"

Do you understand that God saved freely and asked nothing of you except that believe in him and allow him to change you... so that he could spend the ages, throughout eternity trying to show you just how much he loves you?

You do not understand the depth and height of his mercy and love, you don't, none of us do... and God is going to spend eternity trying to help us see. His love and MERCY toward you are without end. He only has one stance toward you and that is mercy, love, forgiveness and acceptance.

God is going to say
"Here have this, here watch this, here let me do this for you, here take this... NOW DO YOU KNOW? CAN YOU SEE HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU?!"

The bible says well have crowns but were going to keep throwing them at his feet because as eternity winds on were going to see things and learn things that make us say WOW! GOD TAKE THIS CROWN! YOUR AMAZING! YOUR SO GREAT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY AND LOVE! and then after 1000 years hes going to show us something else and were going to say WOW! GOD YOUR GREAT! THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU! I SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS CROWN! but hes going to give you a crown anyway because he loves you!

God has never asked you to deserve him or to earn him or to be good enough for him, he only asked that you believe and in 1 Thess 5.23 he promises you that he will finish your salvation.

1 Thess 5.23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely: and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he who calls you, and he will bring it to pass.

God made you a promise my dear friend if you just keep believing, stay broken and needy before him he will finish your salvation, he'll get you to heaven, he will. He will finish it. Just keep on believing. Even in your worst of times God will not forsake you, he died before you were good, he's not going to leave you now after you truly are a child of God.

Paul said that he died for us while we were yet sinners, how much more shall we be saved now, that we are children of God? God was merciful when we hated him, now that we are his children and we love him we have nothing to fear.

 

[briareos]

Jesus died so that your sins wouldn't matter anymore and so that you no longer needed to deserve him... don't be afraid, he loves you, accepts you forgives you and if you let him he will create holiness inside of you. He knows you are no good in and of yourself and he never cared, he just wants you to come home to him.