Quite an Issue

[Soverinth]

So, I have fallen a terrible deal that seems to be taking over true Christianity all over the world. Some of you will already know of this when i say it is the Sinner's Prayer. I myself a 17 year old fell into this trap in a conference at a local church on the street i live on. Now I'm not saying that it's wrong to say the Sinner's prayer cause it's not. It's just that I've been learning more about it and how preachers all over the world are using it today just to convince people like me, my whole family and just a bunch of other people that i know of to think that if they pray that just by saying it as they hear the speaker say it that they are saved.

It's made me realize that i'm not saved, and that just terrifies me. Not only does it terrify me but it makes me worry that my family might not be saved either. And it's because of this i have been in a miniature depression for the past 2 weeks now. From the time i wake up to the time i go to sleep i sit there and worry and doubt and frighten myself, and its making it very hard to live. So I've been searching the true way to be saved. I know of it now as having a personal relationship with God himself through Jesus Christ. I've been learning that in order to receive this is through Repentance and belief in the Gospel. So i thought, okay just stop all worldly activities and major sins and i did...somewhat. My day consists of waking up, occasionally reading the Bible, or watching more videos about people that are already saved and videos about how to be saved and just things like that, i barely even do my schoolwork anymore. I have however started to realize that maybe some of my problems are that i understand what must be done but i'm so worried about going to Hell that I'm not focused on living a life with a relationship with God. I'm trying to get past that but i just don't know what to do Seeing as i'm still young-ish i am still at home, not on my own. So i'm sure you can imagine my confusion. God says to abandon all worldliness. I could do that if i was on my own but until i finish school get my license and move out I just don't understand how this is going to work. I mean i know that he says to trust him for everything and i am trying so hard to but for some reason i'm having a very hard time imagining how i would go from here if i just abandoned everything. My first thought is ya know, like a lot of people that don't finish school they end up on the streets. That's how i see my self if i don't finish school and to top it all off i'm worried that the Rapture could come sooner than expected so i get these worries that i may not have enough time Adding to all of this i am a shut-in. I don't go anywhere so that's probably not helping either. I've also come to notice that i think i am becoming jealous of these testimonies that i watch. I urge for recognition that i am not going to Hell that i'm not focusing on what needs to be focused on. They say that "You don't find God, he finds you" I can understand that perfectly i mean if we were born without the ability to repent i can see how it can only happen if God makes it happen. But that makes no sense to me at the same time cause we know that he wants all of us to be saved. Is it me or is it THAT hard to realize how bad sin is. I mean trust me i feel bad but i'm not mourning over it like so many people have said that's what happens when you truly see how filthy we humans are.

I am just so confused and depressed i need someone to PLEASE give me something, i need moral support. I just don't know what to do


Edit: Most of my issues concerning this have already been answered below and on other pages of this thread, so i am content now. If you still wish answer this first post, go right ahead.

 

[drich0150]

So, I have fallen a terrible deal that seems to be taking over true Christianity all over the world. Some of you will already know of this when i say it is the Sinner's Prayer. I myself a 17 year old fell into this trap in a conference at a local church on the street i live on. Now I'm not saying that it's wrong to say the Sinner's prayer cause it's not. It's just that I've been learning more about it and how preachers all over the world are using it today just to convince people like me, my whole family and just a bunch of other people that i know of to think that if they pray that just by saying it as they hear the speaker say it that they are saved.

It's made me realize that i'm not saved, and that just terrifies me. Not only does it terrify me but it makes me worry that my family might not be saved either. And it's because of this i have been in a miniature depression for the past 2 weeks now. From the time i wake up to the time i go to sleep i sit there and worry and doubt and frighten myself, and its making it very hard to live. So I've been searching the true way to be saved. I know of it now as having a personal relationship with God himself through Jesus Christ. I've been learning that in order to receive this is through Repentance and belief in the Gospel. So i thought, okay just stop all worldly activities and major sins and i did...somewhat. My day consists of waking up, occasionally reading the Bible, or watching more videos about people that are already saved and videos about how to be saved and just things like that, i barely even do my schoolwork anymore. I have however started to realize that maybe some of my problems are that i understand what must be done but i'm so worried about going to Hell that I'm not focused on living a life with a relationship with God. I'm trying to get past that but i just don't know what to do Seeing as i'm still young-ish i am still at home, not on my own. So i'm sure you can imagine my confusion. God says to abandon all worldliness. I could do that if i was on my own but until i finish school get my license and move out I just don't understand how this is going to work. I mean i know that he says to trust him for everything and i am trying so hard to but for some reason i'm having a very hard time imagining how i would go from here if i just abandoned everything. My first thought is ya know, like a lot of people that don't finish school they end up on the streets. That's how i see my self if i don't finish school and to top it all off i'm worried that the Rapture could come sooner than expected so i get these worries that i may not have enough time Adding to all of this i am a shut-in. I don't go anywhere so that's probably not helping either. I've also come to notice that i think i am becoming jealous of these testimonies that i watch. I urge for recognition that i am not going to Hell that i'm not focusing on what needs to be focused on. They say that "You don't find God, he finds you" I can understand that perfectly i mean if we were born without the ability to repent i can see how it can only happen if God makes it happen. But that makes no sense to me at the same time cause we know that he wants all of us to be saved. Is it me or is it THAT hard to realize how bad sin is. I mean trust me i feel bad but i'm not mourning over it like so many people have said that's what happens when you truly see how filthy we humans are.

I am just so confused and depressed i need someone to PLEASE give me something, i need moral support. I just don't know what to do

Just so I completely understand your request. You are looking for assureance of your salvation. You do not recognise the sinners prayer as repersenting the gospel, You seek another gospel, but rather than turn to God, the bible or Church you are looking for videos on the internet to guide your quest?

I am not trying to be mean or disrespectful, I am simply looking to sum up the points or problems you are having so we can address them one by one. Did I miss anything?

 

[Soverinth]

No please list any problems you see or think that may be occurring because of the post. I think one of my main problems is not realizing my problems and how to fix them.

For the sinners prayer, i didn't mean to say it isn't gospel because it is. And that prayer is perfect for people who have come to realize exactly what they need.

I have prayed to God to show me what I've done wrong or to help me realize what it is that i'm doing wrong but i don't think it is working.

When i say videos i mean videos on a website called "Real Truth Matters" Go look it up, it's quite reassuring.

^This man's preaching has helped me come to better understanding of what true Christianity is.

 

[drich0150]

For the sinners prayer, i didn't mean to say it isn't gospel because it is. And that prayer is perfect for people who have come to realize exactly what they need.

I do not understand the problem as you see it. If the sinners prayer IS the Gospel then how is the Gospel lacking in any way?

I have prayed to God to show me what I've done wrong or to help me realize what it is that i'm doing wrong but i don't think it is working.

And if you have done nothing wrong then what would you expect to see?

When i say videos i mean videos on a website called "Real Truth Matters" Go look it up, it's quite reassuring.

Not according to your thread..

If you are looking for assurance of yoursalvation then ask God to bring you whatever blessing or trail you need to cement this truth in your life. Then hang on to something because it may get bumpy.

^This man's preaching has helped me come to better understanding of what true Christianity is.

Then maybe you can explain it to me... For if He has taken away your assureance based on the Gospel of the Sinners prayer, then I am lost as well, because I only know of the one Gospel.

 

[Soverinth]

Hmm okay well i guess i am just seeking in the wrong place. I'm starting to realize that searching videos all day just to find some kind of answer is not gonna bring me anything but more worries.

But what now? i mean i'm still confused as to how i bring about True Repentance.

 

[aiki]

It's just that I've been learning more about it and how preachers all over the world are using it today just to convince people like me, my whole family and just a bunch of other people that i know of to think that if they pray that just by saying it as they hear the speaker say it that they are saved.

The Sinner's Prayer isn't necessarily a bad thing - except when it is separated from a full explanation of the Gospel, as it often is. If one treats the Sinner's Prayer as a ritual that of itself saves people, then one has made a serious mistake in their understanding of salvation. God saves people, not a particular prayer.

It's made me realize that i'm not saved, and that just terrifies me. Not only does it terrify me but it makes me worry that my family might not be saved either. And it's because of this i have been in a miniature depression for the past 2 weeks now. From the time i wake up to the time i go to sleep i sit there and worry and doubt and frighten myself, and its making it very hard to live. So I've been searching the true way to be saved. I know of it now as having a personal relationship with God himself through Jesus Christ. I've been learning that in order to receive this is through Repentance and belief in the Gospel.

Why do you want a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Simply to escape the judgment of hell? Why would you want to repent of the sin you enjoy? Just to avoid damnation? If so, you have entirely the wrong motive for being saved. All through the Bible, God asks one basic and essential thing of us:

"Love the Lord your God."

So, do you?

So i thought, okay just stop all worldly activities and major sins and i did...somewhat.

Do you know what "worldly activities" are? Do you believe that ceasing "major sins" will save you or make your salvation secure? I hope not! Nothing could be further from the truth! No good deed, no amount of cleaning up your act, will make you acceptable to God. You can't be saved because of some good deed you do. Salvation is only by God's grace, through your faith in Christ as your Saviour and Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Titus 3:5-7
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

That's it. The cleaning up of your life happens after you are saved and it is done by God's enabling grace, not your own self-determination.

So i'm sure you can imagine my confusion. God says to abandon all worldliness.

And what does that mean, exactly? The Bible tells us that we are to be in the world but not of it. Do you know how to do this? Be assured, God does not expect you to live like a monk in a monastery. Getting an education is not worldly; getting a degree so that you can serve yourself and get lots of stuff is. It is the attitudes and values of the world you need to guard against, not shopping malls, and sports arenas, and video games.

That's how i see my self if i don't finish school and to top it all off i'm worried that the Rapture could come sooner than expected so i get these worries that i may not have enough time

If the Rapture occurs, finishing school won't be something you'll be thinking about. Trust me.

Adding to all of this i am a shut-in. I don't go anywhere so that's probably not helping either.

WHy are you a shut-in? Are you ill or disabled?

They say that "You don't find God, he finds you"

Sort of.

Jeremiah 29:13
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

James 4:8
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you...

Is it me or is it THAT hard to realize how bad sin is. I mean trust me i feel bad but i'm not mourning over it like so many people have said that's what happens when you truly see how filthy we humans are.

It is impossible to see ourselves as we really are. Only God can peel off our blinders and show us how totally depraved and sinful we really are. He will if you ask Him to - and sometimes even when you don't.

Selah.

 

[Willie T]

You want God to show you exactly how He sees you?

 

[Soverinth]

The Sinner's Prayer isn't necessarily a bad thing - except when it is separated from a full explanation of the Gospel, as it often is. If one treats the Sinner's Prayer as a ritual that of itself saves people, then one has made a serious mistake in their understanding of salvation. God saves people, not a particular prayer.

This is exactly what I was trying to explain how many churches were wrongly using this prayer so i thank you for clarifying it correctly. I fell into this trap by thinking i was saved.

Why do you want a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Simply to escape the judgment of hell? Why would you want to repent of the sin you enjoy? Just to avoid damnation? If so, you have entirely the wrong motive for being saved.

Ya know the more and more i read about this in particular i start to come to realization that i am in fact way to worried about going to Hell, So i thank God that he helped you and me come to this point of realization.

Do you know what "worldly activities" are? Do you believe that ceasing "major sins" will save you or make your salvation secure? I hope not! Nothing could be further from the truth! No good deed, no amount of cleaning up your act, will make you acceptable to God. You can't be saved because of some good deed you do. Salvation is only by God's grace, through your faith in Christ as your Saviour and Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Titus 3:5-7
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

That's it. The cleaning up of your life happens after you are saved and it is done by God's enabling grace, not your own self-determination.

Same as my last point, i really think that God himself is helping me towards this realization. The way you have explained it has helped so much I started to get it before but still had it in my mind that something must be done with my works, but no nothing like that will save me.

And what does that mean, exactly? The Bible tells us that we are to be in the world but not of it. Do you know how to do this? Be assured, God does not expect you to live like a monk in a monastery. Getting an education is not worldly; getting a degree so that you can serve yourself and get lots of stuff is. It is the attitudes and values of the world you need to guard against, not shopping malls, and sports arenas, and video games.

Finally some answers I never understood it right away what it meant by worldliness activities so i thought to just quit everything.

WHy are you a shut-in? Are you ill or disabled?

Well i consider myself to be a shut-in because of my homeschooling. I don't choose to go anywhere but i have the power to go out of my house if i ever feel the need to.

It is impossible to see ourselves as we really are. Only God can peel off our blinders and show us how totally depraved and sinful we really are. He will if you ask Him to - and sometimes even when you don't.

Yeah im starting to realize this as well.


Thank you so much for this WHOLE post it has helped me better understand

 

[Mediaeval]

There is no assurance in ourselves or what we do, as you and many of us others have discovered. You must always look outside yourself to Christ. He assures us of salvation through the Gospel and the sacraments, not by introspection with its inconclusive results. Have you been baptized? The Lord speaks to us in baptism, saying in effect, I wash away all your sins with My precious blood. It is a perpetual reminder of His grace.

 

[Soverinth]

There is no assurance in ourselves or what we do, as you and many of us others have discovered. You must always look outside yourself to Christ. He assures us of salvation through the Gospel and the sacraments, not by introspection with its inconclusive results. Have you been baptized? The Lord speaks to us in baptism, saying in effect, I wash away all your sins with My precious blood. It is a perpetual reminder of His grace.

And that is what confuses me a lot of the times i think about it. If were not capable of seeing how badly we hurt our Father then are we only shown through destruction?

Also no i don't think i have ever been baptized

 

[aiki]

Thank you so much for this WHOLE post it has helped me better understand