Sure of Salvation?!

[Ryder]

Hey everyone, I've been reading threads here for a while, but this is my first post. I've heard some of you (alot?) have had serious struggles with your faith. Mine is driving me nuts. I've had moments where I'm somehow absolutely convinced I'm going to hell. I read the bible and all I can here is parts like "few enter the narrow way" "for them remains no more salvation" etc etc.... It's like being convinced that Jesus doesn't love me because I'm insincere or I've screwed it up or something. What helps to drive my fear is the fear of hell itself being a motivator aswell. IE, do I do good things only to avoid hell? Do I love Jesus or only fear Him? I seem to naturally desire selfish things, but I must mechanically force good acts most of the time. It's driving me CRAZY, I don't know if I'll see the Lords name on a billboard or whatever and feel hope or terror. Anything to help is MUCH appreciated. I just keep doubting my salvation, and the doubts come and go. How does one know their own heart?!

Thanx, Ryder

 

[ZiSunka]

Salvation is through the grace of God through His love:

When the love of God appeared in the form of Jesus Christ, He saved us, not because of the great things we had done, but because of His mercy. Titus 3:4-5

Now that we have God's approval by faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Romans 5:1

So, unless you think that God is capable of withdrawing the work that Christ did on the cross, then you have nothing to worry about.

Which of your sins do you think Christ forgot to pay for?

 

[Mr.Cheese]

The neat thing is God never gives up on us. That's the deal he made with us. It takes a while to get that. I know how you feel. But don't give up. Eventually you'll notice he is always there and he always has been. He knows the weak stuff we are made of. He knew before he shook hands on the deal he made with us.
God will breach no contract.

 

[ZiSunka]

Psalm 103:

"He will not always accuse us of doing wrong or be angry with us forever. He has not treated us as we deserve for our sins or paid us back for our wrongs. As high as the heavens are above the earth-- that is how vast his mercy is toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west-- that is how far he has removed our rebellious acts from himself. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him... "

"Praise the LORD, my soul, and never forget all the good he has done: He is the one who forgives all your sins, the one who heals all your diseases, the one who rescues your life from the pit, the one who crowns you with mercy and compassion, the one who fills your life with blessings so that you become young again like an eagle....

He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust. ..."

God will not let go of you. If you are His, He will never throw you out.

 

[ZiSunka]

But from everlasting to everlasting, the LORD's mercy is on those who fear him. Psalm 103

God will never, ever withdraw His mercy from those who know Him.

 

[Ryder]

Thanks for the good verses/advice, I know God never gives up on a believer. My fear (panic attacks more acurately) is that somehow I'm like Judas, in God's presence but out of it too. My hope is in Jesus, my fear is I'm not in Him properly. Faith is tough. How do I know I love Him enough/correctly? That's my nightmare, that maybe my heart isn't in it or I've screwed it up. Characters like Judas (maybe Lotts wife) are terrifying because resemblences to me can be seen in them. Not that I've sold Jesus out, but sometimes (alot) I think of myself first, etc. etc. What bugs me is, if I have faith that Jesus saved me, why can I be gripped by fear? I want to be changed by Jesus to be certain, I'm not exactly functional like this (it's tough to wittness with potmarked faith). Anyhow, thanks guys.

 

[ZiSunka]

Hey Ryder, panic attacks like this are usually caused by stress or a medical condition. Have you been having this very long?

 

[Ryder]

I'd be relieved if something were medically wrong with me... gee that sounds odd. I suppose that's possible, I've had this fear strongly for about a half-week, and once before I had the same fear over salvation about a year ago for a week or two. But I can't say as I know of any possible medical cause in my case. I don't know the meaning of the word stress, I've always been too cocky/laid-back to be stressed.  --- 'cept about this.

 

[Dalexsi]

I read the bible and all I can here is parts like "few enter the narrow way" "for them remains no more salvation" etc etc..

Hi Ryder,
I can most definitely identify with this...I feel pretty condemned sometimes when I'm reading the bible, and it's gotten to the point where I have to skip entire verses and paragraphs...not a great feeling; like intellectual dishonesty.
I've been struggling with my faith for the past year and sometimes don't know why in the world I continue.
Wanted to let you know that you're not alone in your trials. Hang in there!
Dani

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by Ryder Veldhuis
I'd be relieved if something were medically wrong with me... gee that sounds odd. I suppose that's possible, I've had this fear strongly for about a half-week, and once before I had the same fear over salvation about a year ago for a week or two. But I can't say as I know of any possible medical cause in my case. I don't know the meaning of the word stress, I've always been too cocky/laid-back to be stressed.  --- 'cept about this.

It might be a good idea to see your doctor soon. Panic attacks can sometimes be caused by a heart defect that can be treated with medicine, but won't go away by itself and left untreated, can create a more serious heart problem. The pattern you are describing has me a bit concerned.

Is anything going on in your life that would make you feel panicky?

 

[GodOwnsMe]

know what you're talking about....
k read 1. John 4/13...
things weren't going this cool w/ me sometimes in the last days.. I got a pretty weird pic of God & all.
I mean God's so been helping me & getting me out in the past & this time it was like....eh I read something on this board actually that just made me cry & know God loves me (also just got to read a devo with that verse in 1John)

so keep praying, knocking at God's door, crying out to Him, trusting in Him to love you (we haven't loved God first, but He gave us His love... 1John/10/19)

hey He's a perfect God & even died for you (I mean he died for EVERYONE )

so put Your trust in Him to break thru your doubts & all.. there's a cool song that was just an awesome 'reminder' to me in the past time..

FOR ME
Nigel Briggs
Copyright © 2000 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) Full music score songbook available from VMG.
37 Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4AH, England
International copyright secured. All rights reserved. Used by permission.


I know that you’re there when I cry
With every heart beat you’re there by my side
And all that I am I give to you
For I know that you will break through
I give you my heart for I know that you
You’re for me
I know that you’re for me
Oh you are for me
I know that you’re for me
I know that you’re there when I call
Your love to surround me your grace to restore
All that I am…

God please show Your awesome love to us in the coolest ways and let us know we are saved and understand what you mean by this stuff in the bible. Please keep us really close to You and let us not get desperate and scared but trusting You and fill our hearts with Your love and peace. I know you totally know everything from what we're feeling like and don't understand to how to get us out there. Please carry us thru & get us out. It's in Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen

God Bless you bro

 

[DaveKerwin]

Hey Ryder, there is a lot of truth to be known about salvation. I recommend reading two books of the Bible in detail.

First read the gospel of John
Then read the book of Romans

If you have any questions at all about it, feel free to send me a private message and we can chat. Or send me an aol IM (Kerwin55 or DKforJC), email me, or PM me your phone number.

Cool man, happy reading!

 

[MyangelDems]

Judas wasnt a bad person, i dont think he was even an unbeliever. This usually makes people mad but I believe that if Judas hadn't hung himself, and returned to God, he would have been forgiven the same as many of us. Because like us....Judas was really only just a man. My point is this maybe what you're going through is just God's way of trying to get your full attention. Perhaps you should visit the doctor someone suggested, or maybe when you get really panicked you should start talking to God about it. I find that when I'm dealing with emotions that cause me harm, then it helps to start telling God about what I'm feeling, whats going on with me, and why I feel the way I'm feeling. God doesn't give up on you, Lott's wife and Judas gave up on God, you don't seem like you're dead set on doing what you want and not caring what God thinks of it, so I don't think any resemblances to those two that you might see will do any harm in you. Just keep to God.

 

[Blessed-one]

How do I know I love Him enough/correctly?

it's something that you may be able to relate to better as you spend more time with Him. It's frustrating yes, but the key is to keep praying and seeking Him, as many others have said here. I've had this question carried in my mind for the past few months too, but when you don't give up, God will open the door.

I've had this fear strongly for about a half-week, and once before I had the same fear over salvation about a year ago for a week or two.

this fear may arise due to the reason that you think you haven't done enough for God or that you think you don't love God enough. I've had doubt about my own salvation too, but i find that as time passes, i don't worry too much about it because God has opened doors for me, He's opened opportunities for me that i haven't encountered before. As long as this happens, i know that God has plans for me, that, is enough evidence. As to why this happens? i keep seeking Him and praying for His help.

don't let all the frustration get into you, take it one step at a time and you'll find things easier.
Praying for you.

 

[Ryder]

Thanks again everyone, I believe the thing to do is to keep trusting and seeking Jesus. It is soooo unnerving when your feelings run contrary to the truth of God, but I suppose my feelings are hardly the final authority in these matters anyways. Thanks again.

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by MyangelDems
Judas wasnt a bad person, i dont think he was even an unbeliever. This usually makes people mad but I believe that if Judas hadn't hung himself, and returned to God, he would have been forgiven the same as many of us. Because like us....Judas was really only just a man. My point is this maybe what you're going through is just God's way of trying to get your full attention. Perhaps you should visit the doctor someone suggested, or maybe when you get really panicked you should start talking to God about it. I find that when I'm dealing with emotions that cause me harm, then it helps to start telling God about what I'm feeling, whats going on with me, and why I feel the way I'm feeling. God doesn't give up on you, Lott's wife and Judas gave up on God, you don't seem like you're dead set on doing what you want and not caring what God thinks of it, so I don't think any resemblances to those two that you might see will do any harm in you. Just keep to God.

I have a hard time believing that if Judas really knew who Jesus was, he would have still betrayed Him. No one would knowingly betray the one sent to save him.

 

[Blade]

Originally posted by Ryder Veldhuis
Thanks again everyone, I believe the thing to do is to keep trusting and seeking Jesus. It is soooo unnerving when your feelings run contrary to the truth of God, but I suppose my feelings are hardly the final authority in these matters anyways. Thanks again.

Hi Ryder, you need to remember satan is the father of lies. When you asked Jesus in your heart satan came to steal the word from you. We all fall. As we grow in the lord you learn you can not go by feelings all the time. You go by faith. Jesus said your saved then your saved. He said if you believe in him you will live forever. And Jesus will never make you feel guilty. We just confess our sins and try not to do them again and go on. If we fall again we just keep running to Jesus. When we look at Jesus we feel like we are so bad and make so many mistakes. Yet he looks back and asks "don't you know I love you?" He loves you, your free DO NOT listen to the lies. Jesus is VERY VERY VERY real. Just keep reading, going to church and seeking him. I will be praying for you.