Salvation help please...

[Eleknar]

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step. Thank you.

 

[gennaoanothen]

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step. Thank you.

I like your post, it shows a lot, it shows your honesty, it shows your desire to want to be saved.
There is a reason for that desire, the reason is the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, Father has not abandoned you, even if you feel you have abandoned Him. If Jesus has abandoned you, you would not have those feelings in your heart.
You want to be a Christian?
you already believe that the Bible is the truth, you already believe Father sent His Son, Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins, Here is what you need to do, if you believe the above in all sincerity from your heart.
Stop saying that you want to become a Christian, and start thanking Jesus that you are a Christian, because you believe with your heart that He did save you from your sins, confess that with your mouth out loud, yes Thank you Lord Jesus from saving me from all my sins. I believe it with my heart and I confess it with my mouth, you Lord Jesus have already saved me.

Romans 10:9-10

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

There you go, the infallable Word of Father. Believe, trust, and confess what Father has said, your sins are not greater than His promises and mercy and the Blood that Jesus sheed for you. Start thanking Jesus for saving you, He saved you 2 thousand years ago.

In spite of your failures and sin Jesus has not given up on you, that is evident in your post.
Trust in Jesus to help you in your Christian walk, if you try to be a Christian in your own strength, you will fail, when you fail, take it to Jesus in prayer, confess it, ask Him to help you, that is why He is sitting at the right hand of Father, to help you, He loves you and will not fail you.

can the post salvation walk have some valleys, yes it can, are the valleys worth it, absolutley yes, nothing in this entire world can compare to having a loving relationship with Jesus and Father, and knowing in your heart that Father loves you.

lets pray
Father I do believe your Word, I believe that Jesus paid the penalty for all of my sins, and paid for them in full, I confess with my mouth that I am saved, because I believe your Word, and I thank you that I am saved. Father I have failed, I am sorry I failed, Lord Jesus forgive me for my sins and failing, Lord Jesus I want a right relationship with you, Lord Jesus I need your help to do your will, and I thank you Lord Jesus that you do help me to live my life for you. come in to my heart Jesus cleanse me of all my sins and continue your work in me, that I may be pleasing to you, because that is my desire. In Jesus Name amen

 

[gennaoanothen]

I would like to suggest a church in South Bend, if you are not attending a church, it is a church of God.

SOUTH BEND-WEST EDISON
Pastor: ROBERT GAMEL
23674 WEST EDISON ROAD
SOUTH BEND, IN 46628
Phone: (574) 232-6714

 

[jehoiakim]

what you are experiencing is typical for new believers, they go through a sort of high only to be let down and feel lost... your beliefs are all right on... that is the seed, James tells us that faith without works is dead. I am not saying that you can earn salvation, but what I am saying is that there is another step after belief. Once you believe it you commit your life to christ, give yourself up, offer yourself as a living sacrifice Romans 12...

how do you do that you ask? The first step is continual introspection and repenatnce, asknowledge your faults before God, ask for forgiveness and try to keep yourself from committing the same fault. It takes a lot of discipline and it certainly doesn't happen right away. Christ said you would recognize christians by their fruit, and in another passage he also told us you would also recognize christians by their love of eachother. Praying is a great way to get your heart in tune with God, it isn't always easy, but it's great. Of course reading scripture is important, one thing that you may lack that I feel many christians under appreciate is genuine fellowship with other believers to encourage you and help keep you accountable.

 

[Eleknar]

Thank you both for the great responses. Thank you

 

[SplendidTree]

Praying!

 

[msmorality]

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step. Thank you.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. You can talk to someone if you like by calling 1-800-NeedHim. or you can visit the web site . 1-888-NEED HIM - Why Am I Here? What Makes My Life So Hard? Answers to Life's Greatest Questions

God is patient with everyone. Psalm 86:15
He never leaves or forsakes us. Duet 31:6
He understand's our weakness.Hebrew 4:16
He has secured our salvation. Hebrews 9:12
and nothing can snatch you away from Him. John 10:25

 

[*Charis*]

...Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months?

How are you doing, friend?

I'd like to respond to the above quote. In our own human strength, the Christian life is impossible to live. But we have the Lord's strength if we are born of Him, and HIS power is lived through us as we offer our lives as a living sacrifice to Him.

The fact that you have the desire and faith for salvation, is evidence of God's drawing you in full relationship with Himself. His love for you is stronger than death, and He is able to complete the work He's begun in you. Your part is to REST in His love by faith and see Him write His laws on your heart and enable you to do what you could not previously do.

Praying God gives you a full revelation of His love, because this knowledge is a strong force in keeping our hearts turned to Him.
God bless you as you grown in Him!

 

[ananda]

Perhaps these Scriptures might help you clarify your walk in Him, as it helped me:

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. Jn 14:6 If you love me, keep my commandments. Jn 14:15 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love. Jn 15:10 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. 1Jn 5:3 He that has My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Jn 14:21 If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jn 8:31,32

Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord", and do not do the things which I say? Lk 6:46 Not every one that says to me, "Lord, Lord", shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mt 7:21 Struggle hard to enter in at the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and has shut to the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, "Lord, Lord, open unto us"; and He shall answer and say to you, "I do not know you, or where you are from": Then shall you begin to say, "We have eaten and drunk in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets." Lk 13:24-26 Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in Your name have cast out devils? and in Your name done many wonderful works?" And then will I profess unto them, "I never knew you: depart from me, you that work lawlessness." Mt 7:22-23 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Lk 13:27-28 Whosoever committeth sin violates also the law: for sin is the violation of the law. 1Jn 3:4 Whosoever abides in Him does not sin: whosoever sins has not seen Him, neither known Him. 1Jn 3:6 Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Ac 3:19

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Jn 14:27 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jn 3:16 And he that keeps His commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. 1Jo 3:24 The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and His righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them. Ps 103:17,18. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev 14:12.

 

[foundsheep]

Praying for you!

 

[food4thought]

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step. Thank you.

Praying for you, Eleknar.

 

[Jamesja]

It seems you are struggling with the old and new covenant. Testament means covenant or contract. Today we would say Old Contract and New Contract. (Old Testament--)

God made a deal with man, you can read the deal in Gen. 17:1 . Be perfect and I will be your God.

God clearly says that the old covenant ( contract) was broken. God didn't break the deal man did, he (man)couldn't be perfect. The whole Old Testament is a expansion or a record of mans failure to keep the contract that God made with man.

The new contract is completely different. Admit your not perfect and I will be your God. IJohn 1:9

All men everywhere know in their hearts that that fact is true. All you have to do is admit that God is right, you are not perfect, and God will forgive you. Thank God for Jesus.

After we start out being Christians we are all tempted to go back to the old covenant.

Paul writes many warnings about turning back to the old way.

Romans 7 is the frustration of someone trying to be good enough. Read Romans 8. Thank God for Jesus.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

all I can do is pray for you.

 

[simplicity]

I find that we tend to live our lives with our heads rather than hearts, and there can be great detachment between the head and heart. As a starting point, I would erase all uncertainty. You will definitely succeed. Don't worry about how. Don't be concerned about doubt.

Prayers accompany you.

 

[Laurelflower]

I'm praying for you!! I can tell you are very genuine in what you are saying. You may be on your way to a great relationship with Christ! Keep praying, keep reading your bible, and express love to God everyday. He will reveal things to you if you just listen

 

[tangled]

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 John 4:14
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

John 8:11
And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

John 3:20
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 John 1:9
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

 

[brinny]

Currently, I am not a Christian. At one point in my life I thought I was but I've fallen so far from God that I'm not even sure I was ever serious about Christianity to begin with. I want to be a Christian but I'm not sure how I believe in the Bible, I believe that it is innerant, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on a cross to defeat sin so that we may all be saved IF we choose to die to ourselves and live for him, I believe that he was miraculously resurrected and ascended to His Kingdom where he now sits at the right hand of God the Father, I believe that we should want to be saved not just so that we can go to Heaven when we die but so that we can have a real, close, personal, intimate relationship with our Creator, I believe that all of my sins can be forgiven and that God wants to have a relationship with me too, etc. I believe all of this, I know all of it is true and that I need to do this because I want to and because it's right, but I don't know how. Probably sounds weird, huh? I know It all looks/sounds/seems so easy but something is keeping my from taking the leap and just giving myself to him. Maybe I'm feeling like the post-salvation lifestyle is too difficult? Maybe I'm afraid that, like every time I THOUGHT I was a Christian in the past and failed, I'm just going to go with the motions or think that I'm saved and then back off or fall away again after a few months? I don't know. I really don't know what it is. All I know is that the Bible and all that it contains is absolutely undeniably true and that I want to live my life as a child, servant, and friend of the God of this universe. Please pray for me. I don't want to waste anymore time. I just feel so detached, like my heart is so hard. I'm afraid that I won't be able to take this step. Thank you.

Bless yer heart. Lifting you up to our Abba. (((hug)))

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;" ~II Corinthians 1:3

Lord of the poorest heart....our Comforter, our Redeemer, our Friend;

Fernando Ortega - 'Sing To Jesus' in memory of Derek Cox - YouTube