Why

[Protoevangel]

I don't smoke pot anymore. But, that isn't the problem. I simply can not follow the commandments Christ has given and thus, I obviously won't attain theosis.

How about trying? Does God not know our shortcomings? The question is "can't" or "won't"?

This is exactly the problem. It's like Chesterton said:

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried."

 

[TristanCross]

How about trying? Does God not know our shortcomings? The question is "can't" or "won't"?

I've tried and have failed every time. In fact, last week was a good. I barely sinned (knowingly, at least), even my big sins. Three days ago I just started doing those same sins again.



No hope. This is why I always agreed with Lutheranism, that there is no hope, which is why we come to faith to be saved. But there is no salvation as long as I believe in Orthodoxy, which is the true faith (unfortunately).

 

[Antony in Tx]

I've tried and have failed every time. In fact, last week was a good. I barely sinned (knowingly, at least), even my big sins. Three days ago I just started doing those same sins again.



No hope. This is why I always agreed with Lutheranism, that there is no hope, which is why we come to faith to be saved. But there is no salvation as long as I believe in Orthodoxy, which is the true faith (unfortunately).

This is exactly how it is for each and every one of us. Even the Saints struggled with sin while in this world. The thing to remember is that it is part of our fallen nature to come up short and fall back into sin. What is asked is not perfection, but to ask forgiveness and to try again. If we make even the most incremental of improvement in our struggles, then we have done great. That said, if we should backslide and fall further than ever, God is there waiting lovingly to welcome us home again and to continue loving us as we start over yet again. I suspect that you are doing better than you realize. Talk with your priest and try to develop a sense of peace over God's saving grace being a fact in your life. None of us are deserving of His Grace, but all are given it freely. It is not through your acts and behavior that you are saved, but by God's Grace. If you can believe that (this is called "faith"), then you will find yourself inspired to continue to struggle against sin so that you will be able to be closer to God more of the time.

In Christ

 

[Anhelyna]

Tristan - this is defeatism .

You need to do two things -1) get help from a trained person - a Psychotherapist

2) a medical person to get any medication at the correct level - this will require testing blood levels over a lengthy period . You will also need regular follow ups

Once that has started then get in touch with an Orthodox Priest.

BTW we all sin - and usually it's the same sins time after time after time But we take them to our confessor / Spiritual Father and confess them to the Father , time after time, after time, after time, after time, after time. I acknowledge the fact that I'm a great sinner and will be until the moment I die - but with God's help and the guidance of my SF I will try to do better

 

[Dorothea]

It is impossible. Do not doubt me. There is no hope. If I went to confession and died a minute later, I would still be damned. Even after my baptism, if I were to die immediately, there would be no such hope of theosis.

Be careful, this is frighteningly sounding like you're denying the Holy Spirit....

 

[TheCunctator]

I don't smoke pot anymore. But, that isn't the problem. I simply can not follow the commandments Christ has given and thus, I obviously won't attain theosis.

If God only wanted simple obedience to his commandments, he would have never sent his Son to die for us.

Clearly, he wants us all reconciled to him. And if you believe his promises, he will help you become reconciled.

What you feel is normal. I think we all feel times where it seems like God's mercy isn't there. When I was younger my youth leader once gave us all copies of this letter. I thought it was beautiful. Perhaps you might like it:

The cry of a Father's heart from Genesis to Revelation.​

You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2)
I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31)
For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27)

In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28)
For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28)
I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16)

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6)

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16)
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11)
For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48)

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalms 139:17-18)

And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)
I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40)
For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3)

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)
For it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13)
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20)
For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4)
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4)

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26)
He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3)
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32)
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39)

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7)
I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15)
My question is, Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)
I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32)

Love, Your Dad.
Almighty God​

 

[Dorothea]

Tristan, is there some reason why you would go to the Catholic forum and say you need the church there? What exactly does that mean?

I've written your name down to add to my prayers. You are indeed in need of them and help. Please see a priest and also a doctor.

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

I've tried and have failed every time. In fact, last week was a good. I barely sinned (knowingly, at least), even my big sins. Three days ago I just started doing those same sins again.



No hope. This is why I always agreed with Lutheranism, that there is no hope, which is why we come to faith to be saved. But there is no salvation as long as I believe in Orthodoxy, which is the true faith (unfortunately).

This is indeed a sad state. I would like to know what is it that you are seeking? 25 posts on the forums and you are saying we can not be saved, saying things that cut close to blasphemy, and what Christian teaching ever says "there is no hope" Gospels are very clear where our hope lays?

Orthodoxy doesn't require you to be perfect, you can not be perfect, you can only want to be, and you can strive to be. You fall, you learn to pick yourself up, you try again, you will fall again, and the next time you will do better.

What I might suggest, please use the forums only if you are going to listen to what folks here are trying to tell you. I have seen a few examples of individuals recently come here and plow through with what they know and they are really not interested in listening. Doesn't help either party...

 

[TristanCross]

Whoops

 

[Protoevangel]

Uh, NO. Who are you trying to tell me to get mental health? You don't even know me. Also, medication? Really? That crap is garbage, truly. Sure, it may be good for some, but it should ONLY be used for short term things. Becoming dependent on medication is absolutely moronic. I am at peace, I am happy, and you need not comment on my mental status.

I felt like crap yesterday, and I vented my frustrations with sin. I'm feeling pretty good right now, so please don't [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] me off with your modernist "medicate everyone!" ideas.

I don't take aspirin when I have a headache either. Does it upset you that I don't take medicine when I have a little headache, or feel a little depressed from time to time?

So, it looks like Anhelyna hit the nail on the head.

 

[SoulFoodEater]

I don't smoke pot anymore. But, that isn't the problem. I simply can not follow the commandments Christ has given and thus, I obviously won't attain theosis.

You're not alone if you are feel like you cannot do it. I have felt this way many times and even may struggle with it from time to time. But I now realize that it was through false-humility that I was having such thoughts; we have no rights to denigrate ourselves in such a way. If God loved us so much to give His Son to die for us and
redeem us, then we have no rights to beat down on ourselves and despair, being tricked by the deceptions in our own heart.

You must recognize your weakness and the fact that you cannot do anything without Jesus, the Wisdom, Peace and Power of God. "For without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)



Its not that hard. If you follow the two greatest commandments which Christ told us to follow, then you are not far from the Kingdom of God.

28 5 One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" 29 Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32 The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, 'He is One and there is no other than he.' 33 And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions. 35
Mark 12




Christ does not ask us to climb up the entire ladder in one leap, that would be crazy. He doesn't ask us of that... We must ascend one rung at a time.

Besides this, St Anthony the Great of the desert said that God does not demand the same from people of different generations... That is to say: If the former generations (for instance, ancient, martyric, miracle working Christendom) worked miracles and raised the dead, and if we now live in a much more corrupt generation (one where finding a saint is like trying to find needle in a haystack), then Christ will only ask from us what our generation is capable, but no more than we can bear.

This is what he said (and this was the 4th century), 23."God does not allow the same warfare and temptations to this generation as he did formerly, for men are weaker now and cannot bear so much."


Anyhow, it is by Grace that we can do anything at all.

 

[Faithful Skeptic]

So, it looks like Anhelyna hit the nail on the head.

Taking medication is a personal choice, regardless, and if he does not wish to, then that is his choice and his alone. That statement probably isn't making matters any better. However, Tristan, I still think you should have a conversation about these feelings you're having with your priest. As Dorothea said, such feelings border on denying/blaspheming the Holy Spirit and are claims to know things that ONLY God knows.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Do you have a biblical basis for this, Matt? It sounds like a combination of Karma and a lack of God's judgment?

that depends on what makes hell, hell. God does not send anyone to hell. the unrepentant chooses to go there and stay. all sinners are free to leave at any time, should they repent.

I think something else to consider is that if God is love, He will desire to share His love with all creatures He creates, from rocks to trees to Satan to His Mother to you and me. a God who creates only that which would return His love is not a God of love. there must always be an option for love to be rejected. plus, even when Adam and Eve were perfect in the Garden, they still rebelled. even when there was no sin, a third of the angels rebelled.

 

[ExOrienteLux]

I'm going to tell you something very simple. I think you're getting yourself overwhelmed and confused. Put everything out of your mind (for now) that is confusing and overwhelming you. Christianity is simply this:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength; love your neighbor as yourself.

When we love God and we love each other, we desire a holiness and the fruits of the Spirit will grow inside of us. Don't confuse yourself with fancy words or traditions. Start small: just love God and love all mankind. The rest will come as you grow in your faith. Keep things simple. St. John says that God is Love.

 

[Riff]

Hey, wanna take a look at some stuff I have in my room?

Rosary:


Crucifix picture:


Another crucifix picture:


Some Mary pictures and a small rosary poster:


Picture of Jesus with a modern teen:


Two Second Advent pictures, a picture of Peter and Paul:


A cross, a cross necklace, and a brown scapular:


Orthodox Study Bible (that I got today) with a piece of paper that says "TristanCross" (to validate the pictures)


Cross made out of matches on my door


Cross and Jesus:


Lutheran Study Bible:


NKJV Bible with two of my notebooks underneath:


My Catholic books:


All of my Bibles and some Christian literature


A painting of the Last Supper by someone in my family (forgot who):



By the way: Yes, I do have a history of poor mental health. However, I'm generally better overall (by the grace of God, not by any moronic doctors that simply do nothing but bringing up bad memories and are not trying to help you but, rather, get your money), but I do have my bad days. Yesterday was one of them. Hey, would you happen to want to talk about how my grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt, and friend all died within the last three years?! Maybe you should think twice before making assumptions.

By the way: Yes, I am TristanCross. This is my other account, which I am solely using right now to post the pictures of religious items in my room to prove, without a doubt, that I truly am a Christian and that I am not here as a troll. Also, I made the TristanCross account because I did not like the name of this account, "Riff".

Furthermore, if I got a little ticked off towards any of you, I apologize. I simply was not in a good mood and was feeling guilty and despair due to my sins. Thank you.

 

[Paul 5]

Oh, look at you, thinking I'm a troll. Hey, wanna take a look at some stuff I have in my room?

Rosary:


Crucifix picture:


Another crucifix picture:


Some Mary pictures and a small rosary poster:


Picture of Jesus with a modern teen:


Two Second Advent pictures, a picture of Peter and Paul:


A cross, a cross necklace, and a brown scapular:


Orthodox Study Bible (that I got today) with a piece of paper that says "TristanCross" (to validate the pictures)


Cross made out of matches on my door


Cross and Jesus:


Lutheran Study Bible:


NKJV Bible with two of my notebooks underneath:


My Catholic books:


All of my Bibles and some Christian literature


A painting of the Last Supper by someone in my family (forgot who):



By the way: Yes, I do have a history of poor mental health. However, I'm generally better overall (by the grace of God, not by any moronic doctors that simply do nothing but bringing up bad memories and are not trying to help you but, rather, get your money), but I do have my bad days. Yesterday was one of them. Hey, would you happen to want to talk about how my grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt, and friend all died within the last three years?! Maybe you should think twice before making assumptions.

By the way: Yes, I am TristanCross. This is my other account, which I am solely using right now to post the pictures of religious items in my room to prove, without a doubt, that I truly am a Christian and that I am not here as a troll. Also, I made the TristanCross account because I did not like the name of this account, "Riff".

Furthermore, if I got a little ticked off towards any of you, I apologize. I simply was not in a good mood and was feeling guilty and despair due to my sins. Thank you.

If there is a formula for being a christian it is to cling to the Person of Jesus Christ like you would cling to a solid rock in the midst of a raging river.

 

[TristanCross]

Yes, that is me (Riff).

Forgive me for my hateful words, for I have much hate in me. Pray that I may obey our father, John Chrysostom, who said:

"Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor. "

 

[Protoevangel]

Yes, that is me (Riff).

Forgive me for my hateful words, for I have much hate in me. Pray that I may obey our father, John Chrysostom, who said:

"Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor. "

God forgives, and I, His unworthy servant, forgive you.

Please forgive me, the sinner.

 

[TristanCross]

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy!

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Lord have mercy!

There, seems to be doing better. I didn't mean offense with the funny troll caricature towards your person, although it seems so many folks dropping by here lately, just wanting their views accepted and they don't want to listen. Please pray often, it doesn't matter to me if you had a history of mental illness, God still loves you and He will not abandon nor forsake you. Seek Him, don't be hopeless, don't be desperate, if you do feel like that, come talk to the folks here. God loves you and we love you man, take it easy.