Worried About Spike

[Hermit7]

Well, I was shopping just recently at a store buying gift cards and the such for my Christmas shopping, when all out the blue I heard a thought going "God please forgive me for giving up my salvation."

I freaked out and had an OCD spike worrying that I would lose it if, I bought the things I gathered.

Well, after some struggling, I went to this forum and looked at some of the threads to give me comfort that I won't lose my salvation. And through reading some of them, I gathered the strnegth to go ahead and purchase the items that I had.

But now the worry still hasn't went away.

Just for the sake of arguing--is it possible that God would ever approach a believer and offer him a choice between keeping his salvation and something else?

I know it's absurd, but God would never do that, right?

I don't want to lose my salvation. I believe, once you have it you can't, no matter what you do or choose.

But I can't seem to make the worrying go away.

-Hermit

 

[HopingForJesus]

God would never do that to one of his children he loves. It is the OCD which always has a way of messing with us. May the Lord keep you safe and help bring you peace which I know many of us are in need of. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

[CrossPilgrim]

Dear Hermit,

Please do consider these words. I've also suffered from similar thoughts, so I know your torment. However, I found God's own Word to be my greatest comfort.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?' Ezekiel 33:11

That said, God reveals to us in His Word that...

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Hebrews 1:12


There you have it. To put in in a single statement, no, God wouldn't tempt you to turn away from Him and forfeit your salvation. In fact, that brings this to mind:

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; James 1:13


You were right to say the thoughts were absurd, because indeed they are. But having suffered the same, I can confess to being crippled by even more ludicrous thoughts.

The thoughts come homing in fast and hard, but you have to ask yourself... Would our Heavenly Father, who gave His only begotten Son for us to save us, who endured such suffering we can't imagine and loves us with an everlasting love would all of a sudden change His mind concerning your salvation? From you calling the thoughts absurd, I'd say you would agree that the answer is no.

I do believe that God's children, those who are cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb, are indeed saved and God will keep them until the end. I found hope in this verse. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.

Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4


Now you know. Once again, I know the torment that these thoughts can bring, and that torment is a wonderful sign that you don't want it. My advice is the same to one and all. Pray to God. Really seek Him and draw near your Heavenly Father desiring to be before Him, knowing He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Trust in the truth that Jesus tore the veil and we can now come before His throne of grace. Pour out your heart to Him; He already knows what's there, so don't feel ashamed to tell Him.

I can attest that He does listen and He will respond if you approach Him with what faith you may have, though it may be little. And when you pray, regardless of the thoughts, believe that He heard and will answer. I know it's tough, but ask Him for the strength and you will make it. God understands what you are going through. Jesus is our High Priest and intercessor, and He sympathizes with us in our weakness.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence (in the finished work of Christ) , so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (expounding mine)

 

[tripletiger1200]

No, God would not do something like that. Something that I am learning more and more is that if we were the ones who had to carry out the work to save ourselves, or even to keep ourselves in God's grace, then no one would be saved. God is not going to let you go once He has you, and He knows enough about the condition of the human heart not to expect that much of you.

 

[darknessb4themorning]

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.
1 Corinthians 14:32

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
John 10:27-29

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16