Trusting and Resting in Jesus; Salvation

[amandita]

I think I became a Christian a little over a year ago, but over the past year I have found myself facing torments of doubt. I have been diagnosed with OCD so I'm sure that makes it worse. I am on medication for it, and it helps some, but recently I've been having a hard time again.

I want to know for sure that I am saved. What I have problems with is trusting and resting in Jesus and also whether or not I believe (as weird as that may sound!).

You see, I know for a fact that Jesus died and rose again, but when you add in the statements "for your sins" and "for your justification" I want to say that I agree, but a little voice in my head questions whether or not I really do. It is so awful! Yet I fight it and tell myself that yes he did indeed die for my sins. I do believe that Jesus died and rose again, that he is fully God and man, that he lived a sinless life, etc...

My therapist and my doctor (who are both Christians) just keep telling me to trust in Him. But how do I know I am doing this? Is it just saying to myself "Okay, Amanda. Jesus died for your sins and rose again for your justification. He has taken care of the punishment and wrath for you. Just accept that and let him do his job as savior and save you." or what? I am terrified that I am going to "rest" but wind up not being saved. Also, where does repentance come into play in this whole thing?

I'm going to post this in the OCD forum, too. I would really appreciate some advice and encouragement. The doubt is getting so old.

 

[1watchman]

I think I became a Christian a little over a year ago, but over the past year I have found myself facing torments of doubt. I have been diagnosed with OCD so I'm sure that makes it worse. I am on medication for it, and it helps some, but recently I've been having a hard time again.

I want to know for sure that I am saved. What I have problems with is trusting and resting in Jesus and also whether or not I believe (as weird as that may sound!).

You see, I know for a fact that Jesus died and rose again, but when you add in the statements "for your sins" and "for your justification" I want to say that I agree, but a little voice in my head questions whether or not I really do. It is so awful! Yet I fight it and tell myself that yes he did indeed die for my sins. I do believe that Jesus died and rose again, that he is fully God and man, that he lived a sinless life, etc...

My therapist and my doctor (who are both Christians) just keep telling me to trust in Him. But how do I know I am doing this? Is it just saying to myself "Okay, Amanda. Jesus died for your sins and rose again for your justification. He has taken care of the punishment and wrath for you. Just accept that and let him do his job as savior and save you." or what? I am terrified that I am going to "rest" but wind up not being saved. Also, where does repentance come into play in this whole thing?

I'm going to post this in the OCD forum, too. I would really appreciate some advice and encouragement. The doubt is getting so old.

Hello friend. Your OCD surely causes you to never be settled about a thing, so you must keep DOING to feel it is at least partly settled ---right? I am a retired family and mental health counselor, so I know of this. What is more important is that I have been studying the Word of God for over 50 years, so I think I have some things to share.

If you have gone into your "closet" - secret place (Matt. 6:6) and spoken to God -the Father, confessing you are a sinner in general, and confessed that you are receiving His beloved Son into your heart as Lord and Savior, then it is settled. On the authority of God's Word it is thus settled. It is not about trying to follow Jesus and do right kind of things, but having a personal relationship with Him. If you are now walking on in happy fellowship and devotion with the Lord Jesus, you are saved. That is the truth of the Gospel in brief. Look up always!

- Yours by grace, 1 Watchman