May 2, 2013
Can I Deliberately Keep Sinning And Still Be Forgiven?
A Waterfall Of Grace
Imagine that it’s 120 degrees outside. Hot.
But then imagine that you are standing under a waterfall — cool, clear, and refreshing. Aaaah.
Through trusting Jesus Christ you are standing under a waterfall of grace —
- All your sins are forgiven — past, present, and future.
- You are seen by God as clothed in Jesus’ perfect righteousness.
- God is your Father — loving you, guiding you, providing for you, satisfying you in Himself.
- God continues to forgive your sins day after day, year after year — forgiven, forgiven, forgiven, forgiven.
- God will keep you persevering in faith so you will surely enter heaven.
- God will supply everything you need for the rest of your life.
- God will ordain everything in your future to bring you the greatest joy in Him.
A waterfall of grace.
But This Raises A Question
Does grace mean someone can deliberately keep sinning and still end up in heaven?
One passage that speaks directly to this question is Hebrews 10:26-31.
Verse 26 is sobering —
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
What Does That Mean?
What does it mean to go on sinning deliberately?
“Sinning” means disobeying clear commands of Scripture — which would include unforgiveness, sexual immorality, and love of money.
So — if yesterday you harbored unforgiveness against someone, does that mean you can never be forgiven? Not at all.
Notice that the author is not just talking about “sinning.” He’s talking about “going on sinning deliberately.”
The words “going on” and “deliberately” mean that you are continuing in this sin without confessing it, without sorrowing over it, without battling it.
So if yesterday you harbored unforgiveness against someone, but today confessed that to the Lord and by faith fought to overcome it — then you are NOT “going on sinning deliberately.”
But — if yesterday you harbored unforgiveness against someone, and today you are continuing in that unforgiveness without confessing it and without fighting by faith to forgive them — then you ARE “going on sinning deliberately.”
Which means that unless something changes, there no longer remains a sacrifice for your sins.
What Does That Mean?
The author explains in the rest of the passage. If, after receiving the knowledge of the truth, you go on sinning deliberately, then —
- V.27 says you would face “a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire.”
- V.29 says you would face a “worse punishment” than death.
- V.30 says you would face God’s “vengeance,” and that He would “judge” you.
- And v.31 says “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
I don’t see any way around it. If, after receiving the knowledge of the truth, you go on sinning deliberately, then you will not end up in heaven. You will face God’s judgment forever.
But Be Careful
At this point you could draw a very wrong, and very dangerous, conclusion.
Let’s say you are NOT going on sinning deliberately. Not that you are perfect, but you are trusting Christ, which includes fighting sin by faith. You often overcome sin. And when you do sin, you turn back to Christ, confess your sin, and return to the fight.
So you are NOT going on sinning deliberately. But you could let this passage make you fear that someday you might start going on sinning deliberately, which would mean facing God’s judgment forever.
But I’ve got good news for you. If today you are trusting Christ — then YOU WILL NEVER FACE THIS JUDGMENT.
Because if today you are trusting Christ, which includes fighting sin by faith, that shows that God has saved you. And because God has saved you, He will —
- complete the good work He started in you (Phil 1:6),
- keep you from stumbling so far that you face eternal judgment (Jude 1:24-25),
- not let anything (not even you) snatch you from His hand (John 10:28-29).
So no one who is saved by God will experience the judgment described in Heb 10:26-31.
But you might wonder — hadn’t the people described in Heb 10:26-31 been saved?
Hadn’t they “received the knowledge of the truth” (Heb 10:26)? Yes, but that does not mean they were saved. Because the parable of the four soils shows that there is a shallow way to receive the word that does not include faith in Christ (Mark 4:1-20).
And hadn’t they been “sanctified” (Heb 20:29)? Yes, but that also does not mean they were saved. Because the word “sanctified” can mean something less than salvation (see 1Cor 7:14-16).
So how can anyone know for sure they have been saved? We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9). So, to be assured of salvation, turn from whatever else you have been trusting to satisfy you, and trust Jesus Christ to forgive you, strengthen your weak faith, help you battle sin, and satisfy you in Himself.
If your trust is sincere, then you will want to fight sin by faith, and you can be fully assured that God has saved you. Which means He will keep you persevering in faith to the end. Which means you will never face the judgment described in Heb 10:26-31. Never.
But What If You Are Not?
What if you are not fighting sin by faith? What if you are going on sinning deliberately?
Lord willing, I’ll talk about this more in my next blog post.
But for now, understand that if you are going on sinning deliberately, then unless something changes, you will face God’s judgment forever.
But — if you will turn to Jesus now and confess your sin, admit your helplessness, ask His forgiveness, and trust Him to forgive you, strengthen you, help and satisfy you — He will.
And you’ll be under the waterfall of His grace — and kept there — forever.
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And here are some related posts you might find helpful –
- Can A Believer Lose Salvation?
- Should I Wait For God To Change Me?
- Are You Misdiagnosing Your Sin?
- A Promise For When You Are Tempted
(Picture is from Microsoft Publisher Clipart.)
I’ll never forget meeting with you at Denny’s all those years ago, when I shared with you my concern for my salvation. You told me that the very fact that I was concerned was a good sign I was saved, because those that are not, do not have that conviction. I have sinned against God in many ways, yet my guilt drives me to my knees. There have been times where I have persisted in a particular sin where I have felt a terrible fear, like a hint of hell, and that has shocked me out of my pattern, and to repentance. I then heard one of your sermons on, if your saved God will put up gaurd rails in your path that will keep you from losing your salvation. That horrible fear I believe has been a gaurd rail. If I would have ignored the warning I wonder if that is how you lose your salvation.
Thanks again Steve for your ministry.
It’s a joy to hear from you, Bill. I am so grateful that the Father had our paths cross — and how His grace has worked in both of our hearts.
Your friend and brother,
Steve
I just posted something to Bill. He trusts you with his spiritual growth and God has put a big responsibility on you I hope you can relay the message to him faithfully. If you want to discuss the Hebrews passage that you wrote about it would be awesome too, but the gist of the Hebrews passage is all of Hebrews is a compare and contrast essay pretty much. Hebrews compares Old Testament to New Testament. The writer of Hebrews was warning the Jews that their only hope for Salvation is Jesus perfect sacrifice because the blood of bulls and goats never takes away sins. Furthermore even if they did the only sins that they could remove according to the Law was sins done in ignorance; consequently, they would go to hell if they confided in the Old covenant for salvation they would be rejecting Jesus as savior trampling his blood under their feet in favor of the dead useless to save Old Testament
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Alejandromagno.
Regarding Hebrews, I agree that if we turn from Christ and trust animal sacrifices then we will not be saved.
But I believe Hebrews teaches more. It teaches that if we turn from Christ and willfully continue in sinful rebellion against him, whether that involves sexual immorality (13:4), or not being willing to suffer for Christ (10:32-35), or not meeting regularly with other believers (10:24-30), then that would show we were never truly saved to begin with (Heb 3:12-14).
I do not think it’s accurate to limit Hebrews’ warnings to just the sin of turning back to the Old Covenant.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Hello, thank you for these words to help explain these passages. My question and concern is this. Recently, after reading some Bible passages I have concluded that playing and watching sports and watching movies with sin in them is sinning because we are not filling are minds with what is good. This scared me because all my life on earth revolves around is sports seemingly and if I can’t watch sports I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want to sin and go against God, but it seems like what God asks us to do is spread his word and strengthen our faith everyday 100% of the time and I feel like my life would be awful if I have to avoid sports for the rest of my life. I don’t want to deliberately sin by watching and playing sports but I also don’t want to not watch them. As in I want to do what God says but here on earth all I want to do is anything else because I and the world is filled with sin. The last couple days I have done some of these things and have prayed to go before and after doing them telling him I am sorry but I feel like I will be banished to heaven if I continue watching sports and I can’t deal with this. So what do you think about this, thank you and I need help so please help me?
Good question, Nick.
I think the question to ask is: what is it that you are trusting the most to satisfy the longings of your heart?
Sports are not necessarily sinful. They can be a wonderful form of recreation and relaxation.
But sports, like anything else in life, become sinful if we are seeking our heart-satisfaction in them, and not in Christ himself.
So I would focus on nurturing heart-desire for Christ and genuine love for him — lots of blog posts on this site talk about how to do that.
It would also be good to have some wise and godly men from your church praying with and for you about this.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
May l please e-mail you about a struggle with past sin and forgiveness
Hello Tanya —
Unfortunately my time is quite limited.
I think you would be better served by finding some wise, older believers are your church who could encourage and pray for you.
Wish I could be of more help.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Steve
I am extremely addicted to pornography and masturbation. Recently I have prayed and asked The Lord into my heart but I did not feel anything when I did so. Since then I went 4 days without viewing pornography or masturbating which is the longest I have ever gone. However lately my will power dropped and I started masturbating again and have done so for the past 4 days. I have prayed about this almost every day and I ask for Gods forgiveness every time I do it and I am left with the worse guilt i have ever felt after I do because I know I am letting God down. This addiction is causing me to doubt my salvation I have been struggling with this sin for years now and sometimes I feel as though God has left me. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and I want nothing more than to be in heaven when I die. Does the fact that I didnt feel anything when I asked The Lord into my heart mean I wasn’t saved in the first place. Or does the fact that I am truly remorseful when I sin mean that I am saved.
Hi Bradley —
Thank you for sharing your story.
Assurance of salvation comes from looking to Christ by faith, and trusting Him to forgive you, change you, and satisfy you.
So look to him. Don’t look to any supposed goodness in you — just look to Him.
Sorry for sin is encouraging, but what assures us of salvation is that we are looking to Him and trusting Him.
As we look to Him, seeking His help, and meditating on His Word, He promises to strengthen our faith and help us.
We bring nothing to the table but our sin — and we trust Him to save us. And He will. He promises.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Hi. I came across your article in my quest to find answers to my husband current status. I am struggling greatly in on i could better understand his adulterous relationship. Well, our marriage was not perfect, we fight and i constantly nag him about his womanizing,late night drinkings and marijuana. I actually came to the point that i just stopped nagging him and leave him be, but, evidently, it became worse. I became too fed up that i told him last yr that if he has no plans of changing,maybe we should just separate, and he left me and our 9 y/o son in just a snap! I wasn’t surprised when i learned that this girl he brought to our home before whom he introduced as his friend turned out to be the reason for his sudden change of heart. And the sad part of it now is that he claims that ever since he left me, he never touched a single alcohol, a single joint and other women, he remained faithful to his other woman. He claims that he is now washed clean by the blood of Jesus, now a new creation thru Christ. They’ve been attending this church that is pastored by a common friend (mine and my husbands), so this pastor knows what is going on. He allowed my husband and the other woman to be part of their music ministry but later on stopped including them to their sets. Being raised in a Christian home, of course our parents and other relatives on both sides have attempted to talk to my husband, rebuke him and confront him,but we were all unseccessful. Just last month, the pastor had a dialogue with them about their situation and how and why is it a sin,and that they should end the affair, but they still continue with their relationship and is actually now more open with their relationship (which before they used to keep secret from people). Please enlighten me as i would like to understand, perhaps i am not seeing things correctly and have only convinced myself that my husband is deliberately sinning when in fact he is not. Any input would really help. Thank you so much!
By the way, my husband claims that our marriage is not in God’s Will and his affair is the one that is in God’s Will because it is God’s will to make His children happy and now he has never been happier.
I am so sorry to hear about your difficult situation.
It sounds like your husband is wrong. I would encourage you to talk to the leaders at your church so they can pray for and with you, and take further steps.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
dude that is terrible everyhting you said is wrong. There is no way that fear for God draws you closer to Him. God tells us how a relationship with Him works in the Bible. God tells us In Romans 2:4 God’s grace leads is to repentance not Fear. Furthermore, the John says perfect love casts out fear in 1 John 4:18. God loves us unconditionally because of Jesus and all your sins are paid for by his death on the cross. God is telling us What our relationship to Him is. No one can lose salvation it is called eternal life for a reason. We started by the spirit we are not being perfected by the way we live read Galatians and in fact Hebrews 10: 10 -15 lets us know clearly we were perfected for all time by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Read the verses and you will realize that the verses are in past tense not future tense. This means God has always and will always view you as perfect because Jesus is perfect. I love you Bill I believe that you are a Christian but if you believe you have to earn heaven by living a certain way then you are not a believer read John 3:16 it only says believe then read Ephesians 2:8-9 so that You can Know heaven is only through Jesus That is how Christians can say God loves us unconditionally no matter what. You don’t have to live a certain way to keep Your spot in heaven either your spot is secure in Heaven because you are secure in Christ no part of the body of Christ ends up in hell that is why we call each other brothers in Christ God is not going to Cut a piece of Jesus off and send it to hell you like Jesus are perfect read the verses keep your spot I hope You read this I’ll be praying for you to read it.
“dude that is terrible everyhting you said is wrong” I am sorry but how is that Christian-like? As a Christian myself I think you could’ve got your point across a little nicer. We are supposed to bring each other up and if you think they are wrong thats okay. You can tell them. But maybe you should be a little kinder with your words, you know? 🙂 Thank you and God bless
Should we continue in sin now that grace abounds? God’s love is unconditionally.His love is constant and eternally. I feel the burning in my heart at your introduction of your discussion but I know too we forfeit our right to God’s kingdom if we continue to live in sin. Once you have repented and begun to live the dictates of Christ Jesus, you are saved, but if you backslid, you have transgressed the relationship with Jesus Christ. he made provision that we confess our sins daily, as he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.it is important that we walk with the Lord in the light of his word and that we trust and obey.
1John 3 puts it plainly.
Hi, sorry not to seem impolite in any way or any other way. I came across this website, and if ok… just wanted to give a word of encouragement. You might want to also read in the Holy Bible Romans 5, if you want! God bless.
That helped me very much. This very comment.
But for now, understand that if you are going on sinning deliberately, then unless something changes, you will face God’s judgment forever. What does that mean does that mean I lose my salvation? If I die in my sin does that mean I’ll go to hell pretty harsh considering a lot of people I know have led pretty harsh lives addictions etc .. Are you implying they went to hell even they were saved but still died in their addictions
There is only one cornerstone.
i have wayy too many questions first off my relationship towards god has been on and off simply cuz im confused simply cuz the bible says one thing then says another my qustestions are 1. is it a sin for women to wear makeup 2. is it a sin to have money to pay for things such as houses ect. 2. is it a sin for women to wear jewlry 3. is it a sin for women wear pants 4. is it a sin to eat meat 5. is it a sin for women to get their hair cut 6. is it a sin for women to paint their nails ect… can anyone please tell me what is and isnt a sin simply cuz ive been informed everything is a sin and every church ive gon to has something different to say so it is very confusing am i supposed to guess what is right and what is wrong?
If you say you know God and continue sinning then there is no forgiveness because you never really knew God , you are not saved if you continue to sin .
“In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not holding their trespasses against them.” 2 Corinthians 5:19
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.” (2 Cor. 5:14)
“…and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6).
“for he who has died is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:7)
“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for ALL people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for ALL people.” (Romans 5:18)
God is reconciled with humanity by the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Humanity died with Jesus and our sin died with him. It is finished.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing these Scriptures, Dick.
But I do have a question. Are you concluding from these Scriptures that every single person is saved, regardless of whether or not they are consciously trusting Christ?
If not, then forgive me for misunderstanding.
But if so, I would urge you to consider that there are many, many Scriptures which show that the only way we receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection is through conscious trust in Him. Here are some of them: Gal 5:21; Mark 3:29; Col 1:20 with 1:23 and 3:6; Rom 9:22-24.
I hope this helps, and thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I have a question, what if I am deliberately sinning but I want to stop but in all honesty I don’t feel convicted. I know the truth and I wish I could love God, really love Him but I can’t seem to fall in love. And I know the things that are wrong and right but i don’t feel conviction. It’s like I feel bad for not feeling bad. How do I ask God for forgiveness when I’m so spiritually dry and dull? If its not from the heart, then Gods not gonna forgive me and change me, do you see what I mean? I feel like I want to totally surrender control of my life to Him because I’ve made a mess of me on my own. But most of the times I get discouraged and I feel like I’d rather sink than swim. How do I fix my situation?
Hi Laci,
Thanks for sharing your heart so openly.
The beauty of Jesus Christ is that all we need to do is look to Him with faith — even weak faith (Mark 9:24) — and He will give us everything we need, including conviction for sin, and freedom from being spiritually dry and dull.
So I would encourage you to turn to Him just as you are. Trust Him to do everything you need — to forgive you, change your heart, strengthen your faith, and fill you.
Confess to him your lack of conviction, and whatever other sins are weighing you down. Ask Him to forgive you through the Cross. Ask Him to strengthen your faith, show you His glory, change your heart.
The main way He will do these things is through His Word, so I’d start praying over crucial passages of Scripture, like Psalm 51, Psalm 25, John 6:45, 1 John 1:9, Mark 9:24, 2Cor 5:21, Revelation 21:1-3.
And are you part of a church where you have some women who could pray with and for you? I think you’d find that very encouraging.
Let me know what God does, and I will pray for you right now.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Thank you Steve…I receive and pray the Lord God not to abandon me…thank you it was by Devine intervention that I stumbled to this page
Hi Laci,
I’m doing my quiet time listening to praise & worship music, and doing my devotional. i was searching for some Bible verses on deliberate sins, and i came across this Blog. I don’t believe in coincidence.
I am moved by what you shared, and Steve Fuller’s response, and I felt the Spirit, wanting to pray for you. I know this might be late and i’m not even sure if you’re gonna be able to read this. But i’m going to share anyway.
Jesus loved Sinners. He hate the sins that consume us. That’s why He gave His Life to pay for the punishment, condemnation, and the suffering. He wants to give Living Water to those who are spiritually dry (like you confessed you are).
All over the New Testament/New Covenant/Gospels, He showed Love, Mercy, undeserved and un-earned Grace to the Prostitute who was going to be stoned, to Thomas the Doubter–who said He needed proof to believe that Jesus is alive again, Peter who kept committing to Him then denied Him, His Disciples who left Him at the point of His death, and countless other imperfect people. All over the Old Testament, David sinned, Solomon sinned, the Israelites kept on sinning. GOD forgave them NOT because they worked for the forgiveness, but because He loved them. When we focus on HIM, not us, not what we do, not how we serve or how we try, I am believing for you to see HIS GLORY in your life, and you’ll fall in love with Him.
God can fix your situation. In fact, He already did when He sent Christ to die for us. And He knows our hearts. We can surrender our lives, sure.. and still feel condemned, convicted, like I did my first 5 years of being a “CHRISTIAN”. i was attending church regularly, led Bible studies, taught Sunday School or Kids’ Church. But the enemy still had power over me, my insecurities, fears, doubts, pains still consumed me…
Only when i surrendered my HEART did i truly feel GOD’s Love consuming me, overpowering everything else in my life. Our lives are already His. But our HEARTS have the free will. He knows our hearts. Just surrender your heart to Jesus–where free will/self-will resides. And from there, may you see His glory in your life, and how much He loves you.
I almost cried when i prayed for you. He loves you so much. i pray you find Christian Friends to fellowship with, and to learn more about God, so you can commit to Him in a Relationship. That’s all He wants 🙂
God bless you! 🙂
Much Love & Prayers,
CHRISTine +
Thank you for sharing with Laci your encouraging words!
thank you Christine, I was meant to stumble across this today…I receive your prayer
So in other words those that have been saved have to live perfect lives
Hi Laci
thank you for sharing your story…I am going through the same thing, I felt I was the only one with this experience.
Christina, I just saw this comment today, a year after you posted it. Thank you so much! It is such an amazing feeling to have someone genuinely pray for me like you did. I am very, very grateful.
And Karabo, I am very glad we’re in this struggle together. Not happy about the struggle, but at least we’re not alone.
Thank you both
THE “Falling in Love part comes AFTER Christ comes into your heart.
Come before God with simple HONESTY.
Tell God exactly what you wrote us here. Tell him to save you, and send his Holy Spirit to cover your heart and mind and RENEW you. Ask him to give you a passion, a love, knowledge, wisdom, of Him and His Word.
Then, conitnue every day reading God’s word and praying with God. Be honest with Him and ask him to CHANGE your heart. HE WILL! If you’re honest, and ask for change, HE WILL !
Now, get to it! You will see how God works when you are honest with him and ASK in prayer.
Remember, STAY IN PRAYER ALWAYS, STAY IN THE WORD ALWAYS! It’s a WALK. Even when you don’t feel like it, DO IT. Just be HONEST with God.
Once you are, God can work in your heart.
AMEN!!!!!
Laci, look to this truth, which is from the bible, the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God. “Here is what love is: NOT that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the kapparah for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (CJB aka Complete Jewish Bible version). I am not Jewish, but consider that the Jews were the very ones entrusted with the Word of God, how much more the New Testament translated by Messianic Jews? I had a difficult time with some of the other versions, and not that God is limited and cannot speak by the power of His Spirit through other versions for He has done so with me, but reading the CJB version has seem to speak more to me than others. Throughout there are some Hebrew words, but if you don’t know the meaning they can easily be looked up on the internet. Regardless, I pray the Lord bring you to rest in Him. Love in Christ, Tracy
Hi steve,
Whenever I read that scripture, Hebrews 10:23-31,
I have always had fear and wondered if I was guilty of what is being said. I have my weak points, and my conscience always brings me back to my knees, many times in tears.I thank god today ive got an interpretation to that scripture.I had gotten it wrong.I thought it meant if for example i fall in the same sin say three, four …times, even when i get conviction and sorrowfully confess and take steps to avoid falling in the same sin prayerfully, am lost. now I know.
I think every saved person out there should always in their daily prayer ask the holy spirit not to lead them in sin, but deliver them from temptation, as Jesus taught in the Lords prayer. We pray, but as we walk out there from our prayer, the devil will lay traps for us, targetting our weak points by bringing things and scenarios that arouse sin in our weak points. If we have the Holy spirit, he will help us by guiding our paths so we dont fall into sin, Thats my thought.
Thanks again steve.
You are so welcome, Marrie!
I was so blessed with the revelations you have shared in this blog and i believe fully that i have been saved and foregiven from all my transgressions without anymore condemnation in my life. Many thanks Steve.
You are so welcome, Bino. Thanks for letting me know!
Thank you so much for maintaining this blog and being a blessing to people.
I am so glad you found this helpful!
This is so very true, I have experienced an addiction that I thought I would never come. I was so deep that I had no communication with god. I was raised in a Christian family going to church so I knew god, but he wasn’t in my heart yet. It took me truly wanting to over come my addiction, and the only way I had the strength was to turn it over to god. After I asked him for the strength because I couldn’t do it alone, it mysteriously seemed easier to deal with life, and if u tried to go back, it would always be an extreme burden to get back to my addiction, I believe that god kept me away and made me appreciate life and his grace without a mind altering substance.
Hi steve. I have been a beliver all my life . i still blieve and love him. But recently I made some sins, I knew it was wrong over and over . but I didn’t understand the severity of it. Each time I asked for forgiveness. And then I fell again. I feel convicted and want to dedicate my life back to God again.I love Christ so much and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to try to get back with him and start my life over. I’m just worried God won’t forgive me because I knew I was sinning.
I gave Jesus my life and I felt His true power and I felt amazing gifts from God but then I listened to satan tempt me to look up women in barely any clothes once again when he last did it before I gave my life to Christ and I gave in and ever since then God has given me gifts when I was faithful but I have just sinned again and yesterday I sinned the same sin and sought forgiveness but then a few hours later I committed the same sin and I once felt like I was someone after God’s heart and that I had His blessing but now I feel as if I have lost all the gifts and I regret my sinful nature but I feel as if saying sorry or seeking redemption is no longer enough because then I will just sin again and “kill” Christ. I am sorry if I bother anybody or am an inconvenience but I feel like the scum of the earth who received God’s blessing but just keep doing awful things. I don’t know if anybody can help me but if so I would be very thankful. I don’t know if I can ever again receive God’s blessing and I didn’t find any Bible verses that could address my issue. Thank you for reading this and helping me when I don’t deserve it.
Hi, Matt!
As long as you confess your sins and ask the Holy Spirit to live inside your heart. Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Meaning, Satan will love you to sin against God because its his only way to farther you away from Him. But the moment you completely surrender and invite the Holy Spirit in your heart, only then you will see the power of God manifest on your behalf. You will even be surprised yourself. Keep Looking unto Jesus!
Hi, thanks for the message, I have a question,what if my wife divorce me because she don’t want to pray or walk with faith with God and what if I met someone new who understand me ,does that mean I am sinning or keep on sinning
Hi..Matt. I know what you are going through. Because I’ve been struggling too. But, you are allready forgiven. And if you’re on here its because you do feel some conviction for what your doing. God won’t let you down he’s just waiting for you to ask for help.No matter how many times you fall just get up again. We all fail. But God restores us again. Don’t stop praying and going to church. Keep your faith going! I hope this helps. God bless.
Hi Steve, I’m curious about this topic. About not confessing to the Lord, and not fighting by faith to overcome it. If I were to confess my sins, but did not fight by faith to overcome it, does that mean I’m going on sinning deliberately?
Thanks for your question, Thomas.
The question I would ask is, what do you do when you are tempted? Do you desire not to sin? When you are tempted, do you turn to Christ and pray and meditate on Scripture until you are strengthened to resist? Or do you just go ahead and sin?
If you just go ahead and sin, without wanting to overcome it, without fighting against it, then it would seem to me that you are going on sinning deliberately.
Or maybe I’m misunderstanding your question. Let me know if I am.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Hi Steve, I don’t kind of understand the word, “desire”. Does that mean I wish to sin and show no results of stopping to sin?
By “desire” I mean something you want. So desiring TO sin would mean that you want to sin; desiring NOT to sin would mean that you want not to sin.
I hope that helps!
Hi Steve, I also don’t really understand what you mean by “overcome it”. Does that mean try to get rid of?
Yes — desiring to overcome sin would mean wanting to not commit that sin anymore.
Sorry Steve, I’m sorry for asking you so many questions, but this is to clarify my doubts. Hope you understand me.
So my question to you is, “Can I go ahead and sin “deliberately”( not the one which you mentioned about not confessing and not fighting by faith to overcome it ), but after that, I tried to overcome and fight against it, does that mean I’m going on sinning deliberately?”.
Hi Steve, I have come to know that the violent game I have been playing is satanic, and thus it made me have evil thoughts and blasphemous thoughts. And so I tried not to think about it, trying to replace my mind with other things, and I also confessed my sins. Sometimes I don’t know whether I was the one who wanted to think about those thoughts or it was Satan made me think those thoughts. And so, I was thinking, ” if I can control my thoughts, that would be good.” Can you help me solve this problem ?
Hi Steve, forget about all the 4 questions I just asked. This should be the question I wish to ask. Here’s the question, “I am having evil thoughts and blasphemous thoughts( played violent game, which is satanic, not playing anymore ), so when I’m having evil thoughts / blasphemous thoughts, I’m not sure whether Satan is the one tempting me, or I’m the one thinking it myself. I also have read from a website about OCD sufferers that the more you are afraid of thinking those thoughts that you will be condemned, the more you will have those thoughts. So, from that day onwards, I felt much less worried that I will be condemned. So, sometimes I will still think of evil thoughts / blasphemous thoughts for a moment, then immediately stop thinking. I’m kind of worried that I will be condemned because I think of the evil thoughts / blasphemous thoughts. And I’m confused whether i did that purposely or not.Do you see what I mean ?
Thanks for sharing your question, Thomas.
I don’t think the issue is whether or not you have evil or blasphemous thoughts. We all have ugly thoughts that pop into our minds from time to time.
The issue is how we respond to those ugly thoughts. If we turn to Christ, wanting to be freed from those thoughts, asking for his help to deliver us, that shows that we are trusting him.
And the fact that we are trusting him shows that we are saved.
I hope that helps – let me know.
In Christ, Steve Fuller
And what do you mean by “just go ahead and sin”? Does that mean not turning to Christ and pray when I have sinned intentionally?
I’m not seeing where I say that phrase. But yes, that’s what I think it would mean.
Hi Steve, I thought you said in this page that those who deliberately keep on sinning, cannot be forgiven? When Laci wrote he/she deliberately keep on sinning, I don’t understand why you tell him/her to trust Jesus to forgive him/her?
Thanks for your question. I am not sure I understand it entirely, but here’s an answer I hope will be helpful.
When I talk about someone who deliberately keeps on sinning, I mean that they never turn from their sin to trust Christ to forgive them, change them, and satisfy them.
If someone has been continuing in sin, but then turns to Christ, they are no longer deliberately keeping on sinning. And they can be completely assured of forgiveness.
Let me know if I’m not understanding your question –
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Hi Steve..what if I were to commit a sin again, after deliberately keep on sinning but having the heart to repent / change?
And also, before learning about “deliberately keep on sinning”, I know that I can’t sin intentionally, but I didn’t know the severity of sins, so I just committed it with intention( if I’m not wrong ). After that, I think I know about the severity of sins, but I still commit it( if I’m not wrong). But that was before learning about “deliberately keep on sinning”. After learning, I got kind of confused about “sinning intentionally” and “deliberately keep on sinning”. So I thought that I can sin intentionally, as I thought “sinning intentionally” is just nonsense. So I think I just go ahead and sin. After that, I learnt about willful sin. I wish to turn to Jesus now, hoping He will forgive me.
Do you think I can still be forgiven?
Because you see, I know the severity of it, and I know I cannot sin intentionally, yet I still do it. I wish He could forgive me.
Sometimes I think I didn’t know whether I have sinned or not. Will God punish me for not knowing ?
Hi Steve..Im going to summarize everything so that you don’t have to keep on replying. So in conclusion, I know the severity of sins and I know I cannot sin intentionally, but still committed it, and after confessing to the Lord, I got confused, and thought there’s no such thing called “sin intentionally”. Then after that, if I’m not wrong, I should have sinned intentionally again because Im confused. Then, I learnt about what you wrote about “deliberately keep on sinning”. Now, I wish God will forgive me. So, do you think God is willing to forgive me for what I have done?
Yes. You are only “deliberately keeping on sinning” if you don’t turn back to him, confessing your sin and fighting with the word and prayer to overcome the sin.
So if you are turning to him, confessing your sin, and fighting with the word and prayer to kill your sin — you can be fully assured that he has forgiven you.
I hope that makes sense — let me know if you have more questions.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Last question, “Will God forgive me for not knowing/remembering whether I have sinned or not?”
I believe he will convict you of sin, based on John 16:8-10, and Psalm 139:23-24.
So pray Psa 139:23-24, confess whatever sins you are aware of, and you can be fully assured that you are completely forgiven.
May the Lord strengthen and encourage you, brother!
Steve Fuller
Thanks for letting me know! Thanks Steve!
Based on what you said, does that mean I can still be forgiven even if I deliberately keep sinning in the past, but now I wish to turn to God?
Because that was before i learn about “deliberately keep on sinning”.
And by the way, what is the meaning of “knowledge of truth”? Does it mean to KNOW Jesus and the Law of God?
I have read that if a Christian who is still commiting sin by deliberately breaking any of the Ten Commandments, and is anxious to repent, then he is not one who has come to the knowledge of truth and turned away from sin. The very fact that one wants to repent is proof that he is still able to be saved, for God has not rejected him and has sent him a delusion as described in 2 Thessalonians. So have I come to the knowledge of truth?( Sorry I know Im irritating >.< )
if I have come to the knowledge of truth, does that mean I cannot be forgiven since i feel I have sinned deliberately ?( only by clearing my doubts will make me stop asking you questions. Sorry for any inconvenience caused! )
ive been battling with this deliberate sinning for sometime…and it sometimes comes to a point i cant pray…
buh i really appreciate your article…it will change a lot in me…i pit a stop to such sinning today,
We are not saved by forgiving those who have wronged us. We are saved because we have been given faith in Jesus Christ, as a free gift. If we have genuine faith in Jesus Christ we are saved even if we have Unforgivness. I believe the reason people can’t understand this and believe that we can’t be saved if we have Unforgivness is because we think that what saves us is God forgiving us for our sin. But this isn’t true. Getting saved or being reconciled to God happens when God imputes the righteousness of Christ unto us. Our sins are covered not forgiven. Our sins are forgiven when we confess them.(1st John 1:9- IF one of the biggest words in the bible) When we believe on Jesus we become convicted of our sins(or convinced of our sins) Our eyes are open to the fact that we are sinful and not good. At this point a lot of forgiveness happens, because we acknowledge to ourselves and to God the we are sinful. But we must from that point forward continue to confess or sins. God many times will deal with our hearts about past sins we have committed against others and move us to go to them and ask for forgiveness. As God deals with us about our past sins and any present “strong holds” in our lives a battle begins between our flesh and God (and the devil). It is at this time we must begin to learn how to forgive. If we never learn how to forgive our life will be miserable because it leaves a door open for the enemy to rob us of Gods blessings. Forgiveness isn’t as simple as saying God I forgive so and so. If only it were. Many believers deceive them selves into believing this and yet still harbor Unforgivness. I wish I could say more but I GTG. Just remember only God can enable you to forgive, apart from him we can’t do it.
Many Blessings – Johnny
Thanks for your thoughts, Johnny.
I agree that we are not saved by forgiving others.
But I do not agree that “if we have genuine faith in Jesus we are saved even if we have unforgiveness.”
The reason I don’t agree is because genuine faith will always produce forgiveness, and this forgiveness is one of the ways we know our faith is genuine.
And I don’t believe the Bible teaches that your sins can be covered by God without being forgiven by God (or vice versa).
But again, we are only saved by faith — but genuine faith will always confess sin.
I hope that explains my convictions — and again — thanks for your comments.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
To Steve Fuller:
Here’s one of the issues regarding this. There are many, this is just one. Many people believe forgiveness constitutes going to God and saying God I forgive this person or that person for wronging me. If forgiveness were this easy then all we would have to do is make a list of all of those who have wronged us, go down it and tell God that we forgive them. But forgiveness, true genuine forgiveness, isn’t just a matter of what we say with our mouth but of what we are experiencing in our heart.
I knew a person – a genuine, born again, believer who would always talk to me about how certain people had done them wrong, and it was true, they had been done wrong. Their dialogue regarding the events that happened between them and a particular person (that had wronged them) would go on for 10, 20 or 30 mins. sometimes longer. They would always end the dialogue with the comment “but of course I have forgiven them for all of these things”. This person would repeat these dialogues about a number of different people many times through out the year. Sometimes 5 or 6 times (about the same person). The fact was they hadn’t really forgiven these people, to the contrary they were harboring Unforgivness towards them, despite the fact they were “mouthing” forgiveness. The scripture that comes to mind with regard to this is Romans 10:8 If we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus AND believe in our hearts…(different subject but the same principle) How do with get forgiveness from our mouth to our heart? That’s a 30 min sermon or perhaps a series of 30 min sermons.
I believe salvation or more succinctly “reconciliation to God” is an event. It happens at a moment in time, the moment we believe on Jesus. Forgiveness on the other hand is a process. It’s something we have to learn how to do. Sometimes forgiveness comes relatively easily, other times it seems to be a very difficult challenge. Some people have a “strong hold” of Unforgivness due to the fact that they were born in to a family that had a history of several generations of “grudge holders”. This is a spiritual inheritance, what some might call a generational curse. Others come from a family that have had several generations of “forgivers”. You could call this a generational blessing. Some things are just easier to forgive then others. That can vary depending on the particular persons life experiences as well as their spiritual heritage.
Believing that simply saying that you forgive someone – ends the matter, can be very misleading. One error it leads to is “denying” instead of confessing our Unforgivness. The first step to overcoming a sin is to confess it. If we have ourselves deceived into believing we have genuinely forgiven when we haven’t then we will see no need to “confess” our Unforgivness and will remain bound by it. If we believe that having Unforgivness means we have been rejected by God and are lost then we are faced with this “horror” that we could never seem to believe about ourselves. Especially if we are a person that spends so much time thinking about God, praying, reading scripture and a great number of other religious pursuits(which the particular person I have referred to can be described as). Another point to be made would be: we’re believing we have to get our heart right before we can go to God with our sin, when instead we have to go to God with our sin to get our heart right.
I personally consider myself to be growing in forgiveness. I don’t walk in perfect forgiveness. I’m learning more and more how it works and how to do it. I confess that I sometimes have Unforgivness and during this time that Unforgivness seems to be ruling my heart God isn’t rejecting me, I’m not lost, to the contrary God is leading me, showing me how to respond and how to forgive. I’m safe and secure in Gods loving hands. Jesus walked in perfect forgiveness, it’s that righteousness that has been imputed unto me and gives me standing with God and the courage to come to God with my sin “in hand” (including my Unforgivness) and say “here God take this sin of mine, I’m finding myself powerless to overcome it, but your not powerless, use your power to overcome my sin so I can be free to live the life you have given me to live, to live a life of Love, Joy and Peace. I trust in the word of your son Jesus who said If I had faith and doubted not, that what so ever I ask in prayer believing, I would receive.(Matthew 21:21-22) I have faith God, I don’t doubt that you want me to walk in forgiveness, just like your son Jesus did. I can’t do it apart from you, but you can enable me – please Father, do that for me, I ask in Jesus name. AMEN? AMEN!”
God is faithful, He’s done this for me – He’s doing it for me – and He’ll continue to do it for me. If we confess our sin God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. 1st John 1:9
I agree that forgiveness involves more than just words spoken by the mouth.
Biblical forgiveness involves changed desires in the heart – so we desire the person’s well-being and do not seek his harm.
We are not saved by forgiving others. We are saved by faith in Christ alone.
But Matthew 18:21-35 teaches that genuine faith will be so satisfied in the billion-dollar treasure of knowing Christ that we will not be devastated by the $20,000 losses brought to us by others. As a result, we will be able to forgive them from the heart.
But it’s also true that every believer will have times when his or her heart is not forgiving.
At those times, what we must do is turn back to Christ and trust him once again to forgive us, change us, and satisfy us in himself.
As we ask for his help in prayer, and meditate on who he is in the word, the Spirit will once again change our hearts so we are fully satisfied in him and able to forgive.
I hope that helps clarify my understanding of what God’s word teaches –
And thanks for sharing your thoughts!
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Thank you for posting this Johnny, i have the same problem that you said about the person in here above ^, i kept asking God how do i fully forgive, He told me but no i haven’t submitted to it fully. Like He told me to read his word and fill my heart up with the truth for my self and some other things he said to. But, reading your response i bare witness to it so much it lit up my HEART and helped My FAITH it like makes me wanna cry. ugh but yeah! I believe that this is absolutely truth that i needed to hear and know. Because i know that i hold forgiveness for the person in my heart, when ever its rubbed it comes out upon other persons that remind me of this person. but i don’t mean it, ah but when i pray i tell God that i do love them and i don’t mean it, so when he said through you (forgiveness is a walk ) that’s what i believe not only i needed to hear but MANY.
Michelle: I remember one time I was praying. I was very disturbed about a particular person in the church I was attending. I was looking to him for leadership & encouragement. He was a musician. I was a song writer. I was asking for help with some of my songs. He wasn’t very enthusiastic about giving me any. Finally, one day during an “open mic” session, I summoned the courage to get up on the platform & try to sing one of my songs. I was so nervous I think I was vibrating. I sang with a quavering voice & of course, out of key . As I sang I noticed this brother in the very back (our church was only about 12 rows deep at the time) standing there shaking his head, laughing. I was in disbelief. He was a in a position of leadership in the church. Was it appropriate of him to respond to me in this way? It devastated me. I was encouraged by one in the church who wept at my song despite my ineptness. I could see that they were genuinely touched.
I took my hurt feelings to God in prayer. I had had other issues with this brother, which I approached him about & we prayed about. But he was never very receptive. He always treated me with a kinda… dislike. That was it, this guy simply didn’t like me. In fact as the years have past I’ve seen that he was “jealous” of me. I was young in the Lord maybe 3 or 4 at most I’m guessing he was 10 or 15(in the Lord). So as I was saying, I took my hurt feelings to God in prayer. I told God I forgave him and that I loved this brother, a lot of other things along those lines. But then, suddenly I blurted out “I hate Brother so & so!” It shocked me. I’m a Christian I can’t hate anybody or I would be lost. But it all began to come clear. I did hate this brother. I had to confess that. Other wise it would continue to plague me.
I wound up leaving that church – broken hearted. I didn’t get over my hard feelings toward him for a long time. I was very spiritually immature. I had to grow. I went thru some intense bitterness. Through all of this & a lot of other nasty spiritual issues, I remained connected to God thru my faith in His son Jesus. I was even angry with God for allowing this to happen. I thought becoming a Christian was supposed to make me happy. I wasn’t very happy. I’m convinced that God never left me nor forsook me during all of this. He saw me for who I was, his broken hearted, hurting little boy, filled with confusion & ignorance. You could call what I was going thru “Spiritual growing pains”.
I thought I was lost. The word “Christian” means to be like Christ. I certainly wasn’t like Him. I had even become involved in a premarital relationship. I remember talking to a brother once at a convenience store, actually he was witnessing to me. He ask me if I were a Christian I said no. He ask if I believed in Jesus I said “yes”. He said well then your a Christian. I said no I’m not. He ask why. I said because I’m not living a life of obedience to God. He said it was faith in Christ that gave us standing with God, not our manner of living. I remained unconvinced. I can’t help but to think that this brother must have started praying for me. I’m convinced now. It takes time. We want it all at once.
Impure precious metals are melted down, so all the impurities will rise to the top. Then they can be seen & skimmed off the top. God always knew they were there. That’s why he’s melting us down. So he can skim them off the top. God knew they were there & what they were. But not us. At least not in full. Once we can see them & then confess them, we can be cleanse of them. It’s a process none of us wants to go thru. But it’s necessary if we ever want to live a righteous, overcoming life. So many of us remain in denial. We won’t submit to the cleansing process. We don’t need it, were good, obedient, faithful believers. We choose to be. We think we have the power to be. But we don’t. We become “self-righteous”. It’s human nature. We want to earn it. Proving to ourselves, to God & everyone else, that were a “good person”. But as I’ve mentioned time & again “Good people don’t need a Saviour – only sinful ones do”. I need a Saviour. Theoretically we can “come unto the measure of the stature if the fullness of Christ”, we should all be pursuing that, but that pursuit can never really begin, in earnest, until we see just how sinful we really we are. All we can really do about it, is to ask God to do something about it. Then he begins to enable us to do all he ask us to do. That’s why He get’s all the glory.
Amen brother
Steve:
Yes! But I think it’s important to clarify(or emphasize) that when our heart is not forgiving our faith in Christ keeps us connected to God. I think people are so afraid of giving the impression that it’s OK not to forgive.
Unforgivness is a serious issue and left unaddressed and unresolved it can literally destroy you in this life. Keep you from experiencing any kind of genuine fulfillment. Left unchecked Unforgivness can lead one to die a bitter, miserable and defeated person. Your soul might be saved and your life in the here after may be secure but your life in the here and now is fruitless and meaningless. It’s hard for most Christians to conceive of, but be assured it can be true, it is true, this very thing has happened, time and again. I’ll also bring up a point that many Calvinist would not want to even consider. Apostasy. I believe continuing in unrepentant sin can ultimately lead to a place where one stops believing on Jesus. God will never take the faith he has given to you away, the enemy can’t take it away either. But can we reject it? Can we abandon it?(this is the definition of apostasy – how can you abandon something you have never had?) I think we can.(I could sight many testimonies including a most notable one – Charles Templeton’s “Farewell to God”).God won’t stop us from rejecting him and Satan can’t make us reject God. But we can choose to. Christ will present us holy unblameable and unreproveable in his sight “IF” we continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel. Colossians 1:22-23.
Ever heard the statement “We need to learn how to stay saved? I agree we do need to learn how to stay saved. Here’s how: by keeping your faith in Jesus Christ. I cling to it tenaciously. Come hell or high water keep on believing. Persevere. Confess your sins every day. Jesus disciples ask him “Lord teach us to pray”. Jesus responded in part by saying when you pray say “forgive us our sins”, just before that, he said for them to ask the Father to “give them this day their daily bread”. I believe this word “daily” applies to the entire prayer. We should confess our sins daily, praise him daily, ask that his kingdom come daily, ask that his will be done daily, etc. etc.
If we let our sin lead us to abandon our faith..
..Then we’ve abandoned the only thing that can lead us to abandon our sin.
Let me share this. A man and his wife had been attending a Christian assembly for several months. The church held a membership class. In it’s membership book it said “When we sin we need to confess our sin as soon as possible so we can be restored to right standing with God”. This was a statement one had to affirm and agree to in order to become a member of the church. The man and wife discussed it and decided they couldn’t sign the place in the back of their book affirming this, because neither believed that when they sinned they lost standing with God. So they couldn’t join the church. How can one lead someone to Christ and tell them that their standing with God comes through faith in Jesus Christ and that alone and then get them to join a church that teaches other wise? I can’t.
Our standing with God doesn’t come from abstaining from sexual immorality or alcohol or recreational drug use. It doesn’t come from church attendance, having a daily time of prayer and devotion, it doesn’t come from reading your bible regularly or sharing your faith with others. These are things we need to learn how to start doing or other wise learn how to stop doing.
Paul many times admonished true genuine believers to stop stealing, to stop lying, to stop fornicating, even to stop killing.(James 4:2: I know many commentaries contend this isn’t literal killing, I beg to differ – remember they killed by stoning in this day with a fair degree of regularity, it was this attitude that continued to prevail in the hearts and minds of many true believers) Can a believer lose his temper and strike out at some one and kill them? True genuine Christians have succumbed to the temptation of committing acts of retribution of the grossest sort. An honest reading of history makes this truth undeniable. It’s a sin on the part of other Christians when we reject those who have genuine faith in Jesus Christ because of their sins.(they couldn’t really be Christian or they wouldn’t have done that). We want to disassociate ourselves from them for fear we will be judged by the world with them. We need not affirm nor support them in their sin but we need to accept them despite it. We need keep on loving them – love them even more, because they need it more. Just like Jesus did. They may need to be severely disciplined and even executed for what they’ve done. But if they have faith in Jesus Christ they have standing with God.
Sometimes I wonder if Jesus came back today and did the same thing he did when he came the first time, making friends of drunkards, prostitutes and convicts. How would many Christians respond. I fear many would respond by shouting “CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!”
We crucify people differently today then they did in Jesus day. Would He be rejected, reviled, called a heretic and figuratively spat upon, his character assassinated. Would he be hated by the religious leaders of today just as He was in His own day?
Have we come full circle? I fear we have.
THINK ABOUT IT.
That was amazing. It answered my question and then some! 😀 I always thought I was sinning deleberatly with my porn addiction but now I know that fighting it takes Gods knowledge and help. So relieved to find I’ll still go to Heaven. if you could say a quick prayer for me, my biggest sin (porn) and my walk with God. An evangelist said I was going to do great things for God so I can’t have my addiction in the way of His purpose for me. I’m still quite young so I don’t think I’ve found my purpose quite yet, but when I do I know He’ll be right there with me.
Jasmine, Michael and man in pain:
Porn isn’t just a problem with rank and file believers (lay congregation members)it’s a problem with people in positions of leadership within the church(by church I mean all genuine believers taken together collectively as a whole). There is the story of a pastors conference. All in attendance held some position of church leadership. The conference speakers subject? Internet pornography. After he gave his address he made an appeal for all who were dealing with this issue in there own personal lives to come forward for prayer. There were over 200 in attendance. Over half came forward. I think it’s a safe assumption that many, out of shame and fear of their reputation being ruined, needed to come forward but didn’t. This is usually considered a mans issue but of late I’ve been hearing more and more women testifying of their bondage.
Let me tell my story. My mother, essentially, was a prostitute (she was 1st prostituted as a preteen girl). I have reason to suspect that she prostituted me (she at least tried too – time prevents me from telling the whole story) before I was even in the first grade. Both my mother and father were involved in forms of sexual immorality with each other and others that were of a very lascivious and unclean nature.(contrary to popular belief, [even the beliefs of Christians], forms of sexual immorality can be engaged in by a husband and wife). In our modern vernacular we would call it debauchery and perversion. They engaged in all kinds of fetishes and what we call today kinky sex. In our American culture today one wonders whether we believe there is such a thing as perversion and debauchery. The Bible calls it inordinate and vile affection and evil concupiscence(KJV), among other things. I can remember acting out in sexually immoral ways as a very young child, again before I was even in the 1st grade. The reason I mention these things is it is important to get in touch with our “spiritual heritage”. What ever a father allows in the home has an impact on all in the home. Sexual immorality comes about as a direct result of the influence of evil spirits. The evil spirits that my father brought into our home through pornography and all his sexually immoral practices gave those spirits access to all his children. All my brothers and sisters were impacted. Candidly exploring our past family history can be very liberating, freeing us from shame and guilt. It’s important not to place blame on our parents, we must remember that they too were undoubtedly subjected to things that were beyond there control. Blaming our sins on our parents becomes an endless digression that leads to the beginning of time. While our parents and others may have had a extraordinary impact upon us, once we are adults, we need to call our sins our own. Our father and mother nor anyone else can free us. Only God can. God is not asking us to say “this is our sin and we brought it on ourselves” He is simply asking us to acknowledge that we do have sin no matter how we got infected with it.
I became a Christian when I was 23. Some things I was instantly delivered from. Others I was not. The primary one I continued to deal with was sexual immorality. It remained a “strong hold” in my life. It can also be called inherited sin (iniquity) or a “generational curse”. I have to cut to the chase. I was separated from my wife. Not working, but having time and money to burn. Living alone just me and my computer. One morning I got up at 7 AM and began browsing Internet porn sites, I didn’t stop till past 12 mid night. I remember getting up to use the rest room, I was bleeding. I thought about it all. I had been angry with God because I ask him to free me from this and He and never would. I said God I don’t want to be this way any more(half way crying half way angry). It was as if he answered back “You don’t want to be this way any more?” I thought about that for a minute. God was telling me I did want to be this way. I thought about that for a while. I had to confess that it was true. Then I said “OK God I do want to be this way, but I don’t want to want to be this way”. Then it was as if he answered back, “you don’t want to want to be this way?” I thought about that for an even longer period of time. I wanted a strong muscular body, I wanted to look the best I could in every way, wear the nicest clothes, drive a cool chick magnet sports car, have a sophisticated bachelors pad. I wanted a blond a brunette and a red head. I wanted an Asian, a Latina, and African and good ‘ole American girl. I wanted a skinny one and a chubby one. A tall one and a short one. I had all these different fantasies I wanted to come true. It all was coming clear. I didn’t just want to be this way, I wanted to want to be this way. In other words if I had an opportunity for all my unclean and inordinate fantasies to come true I would have jumped at the chance, I wouldn’t have turned it down. I had to admit that I wanted that even more then I wanted God. It was my Idol. The thing I was becoming convinced would satisfy and fulfill me.
I had spent a lot of time in prayer and study of the scripture in my life, even in the midst of my sin. So I knew that in order for all of these things to come true I would have to encourage a lot of people to do things I knew were wrong, that would ultimately lead them to darkness and destruction. Not only them, but me. I didn’t think I would necessarily lose my soul but that I would die a defeated, miserable person and that I could be a person that would lead others to lose their soul, instead of leading them to Christ I would be a disciple of the devil, no matter how much I tried to tell myself other wise. I knew enough to know that sin was a big lie, sexual immorality and lust were a big lie, a way for Satan to keep Gods people from living the life he wanted them to live, the kind of life that led to true fulfillment. It was Satan distracting Gods people from their true purpose in life.
So then I answered God back ” OK God, I want to be this way and I want to want to be this way, but you can change me, make it where I don’t want to be this way and don’t want to want to be this way. To make a long story short, I gave away my $600 computer. I began watching Christian television, studying and praying, calling ministry prayer lines, writing letters to ministries asking for prayer. I can’t remember exactly if I ever looked at porn again, I think I might have once when I went to my wife’s house to see my kids.
I got back with my wife and we began attending church again, which was very hard for me because I had a lot of “church hurt”. But I made myself. This one thing I know for sure. I do not now look at porn at all. I haven’t for over five yrs. I currently live in an extended stay motel by myself (my radical change didn’t set well with my wife, oddly enough)I have a lap top, and two channels on the motel T.V. that show porn. This is a perfect scenario for someone to look at all the porn they want. The thing I think is most significant is – I don’t want to. I don’t have to discipline myself nor do I have someone who monitors all the web sites I visit. Am I tempted? Yea, some. But the temptations are weak and easy to resist. What would I say the major change is? It’s this. Now my desire not to look at porn far exceeds my desire to look at it.
I do still have battles with my fantasy life. For decades I would entertain inappropriate thoughts and act out with myself at least daily (getting married affected no change in that at all). Now I’ve gone months at a time without doing that, which was absolutely impossible for me to do in the past. I’d say over all I’m 85 to 90% improved in this area. God is showing me how to see this completely overcome, and oh how I look forward to that.
Now I want to pray. Dear God in Heaven our Creator, you who’s Son is Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, prophesied of by the Hebrew prophets dispatch your heavenly host in Jasmines presence to do war on her behalf. Bring into her life all the things she needs that this enemy might be defeated. Nothing is to difficult for you God, you are able. You are God and I am not, you know where to touch Jasmine, you know how to reach her with what she needs. I leave her in your able hands. Bring deliverance to her in this realm, insight, understanding and revelation. Do the same for Michael and “the man in pain” let this prayer count for them as much as it does for Jasmine. Father your son Jesus said that if we had faith and doubted not that whatsoever we ask in prayer believing we would receive*. Father I have faith and I don’t doubt that you want to bring deliverance to Jasmine, Michael and “the man in pain” you hear and honor the prayers of your needy children, they are your needy children of yours, have mercy on their souls! Inspire and anoint them to pray prayers of deliverance for themselves, evidently manifest your power and presence in their lives in that way that each has need. I ask all these things in the precious name of your son Jesus Amen? Amen! SAY AMEN !
*Matthew 21:21-22
Here’s my story in an email I sent to my pastor from my childhood
As you know I confessed Christ as lord and savior at a very young age in your church, I believe 4th grade. As 6th grade started I became a kid of this world who loved the illusions of this world. I forgot about Christian life and grew into a life of indulging flesh and every sin I can think of. I was into drugs and alcohol most my life, chasing women. At a point in my life, all my friends just dropped off the face of the earth. I blamed things going on in my life to conspiracy theories. I never realized the scripture that said he who disobeys the son, the wrath of God abides on him. It might have been 5 years ago or more, I was lying in bed with my eyes closed on pillow. I saw a picture of a head of a beast. Let me state, let’s not attribute what is happening to me being of Satan, if it’s God, isn’t that blasphemy? I just want to throw that warning out there. But this vision was clear, I can’t remember it at this point, I’m thinking something like a cartoon bull. I was sober and awake, I brushed the vision off. Maybe a year or 2 later, my cousin moves in. I start sharing a lot of his interests in philosophy, meditation, and pagan video games. I get into an argument with my dad one day and make statement “Christ was just a man, or Christ might have been just a man”. I said it out of anger, I didn’t believe the statements to be true, that I can recollect. I was just trying to shut my dad up. Maybe a year after that, which would have been probably 2 years ago, I was reading the bible again and had a moment where I cried out to God , I felt a peace that I attributed to God or the Holy Spirit. Maybe it was all in my head, but it felt awesome. I felt like I was on the right track in my walk with the Lord. Before long though, I’m drinking, doing drugs, committed adultery, indulging flesh ect. About 5 months ago on a Sunday, I have urge to start reading Bible again and all these urges just stopped in me. I was still smoking cigarettes but that quit. I haven’t had a drink or done a drug since, Nothing sexually either which is crazy for me. I felt like God had supernaturally cleaned me up. I was reading Old Testament and got a frightening peak of how God viewed sin. I felt like I had a week of repenting I’d never experienced. Looking back, I think it’s better to repent first, then be saved. You have to see sin the way God sees it so you don’t get stuck in it. Then about a month ago I was having a bad week. I was attending bible study at a baptist church and there was a parable about Christ sending out invites to everyone, but some showed up and weren’t properly clothed and were thrown out were there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. Eyes where on me during that part of story. I call a minister I know in Dallas, he is trying to give me scripture of support. He reads from Hebrews chapter 10 but stops on vs 25 at 10am cause he had to get off phone. I continue reading 26 and am terrified. I turn on radio and john MacArthur is discussing Same passage. I had a hard time sleeping following 4-5 days. It was as if something was terrorizing me right after I went to sleep. I was reminded of King Saul when he disobeyed God, God sent an evil spirit to him. Third night of tossing and turning I prayed to God and sparks shot out of my fan light, which hadn’t worked in at least a year. A couple nights later, at about 2am, I go in front yard to pray. I see sparks about 20-40 feet in sky in different directions, I ran inside. I laid in bed and felt a presence over me that was just, for lack of better description, lusty. I tried to pray it off and fell asleep. I had a dream that was lusty. Next morning I open scripture up as if taken to passage about those who defile the flesh even in their dreams. Minister in Dallas sends me a chapter to read for encouragement, it’s Philippians 3. All I get out of that chapter is verse 18. I’m also reminded of Peter talking about a dog returning to it’s vomit, 2nd state worse than first, and it would have been better for that person to have not known the truth than to forsake the Holy commandment given him. I went to church last night, interesting enough they have a segment about the spirit that terrorized King Saul. I had things happen last night I’m not going to go into that I tie into all this. There are things happening to wildlife around me I can’t quite explain. Did I commit apostasy by saying Christ was just a man? Am I the dog that returned to its vomit and is doomed? I have a fear of God in me and a view of sin that was missing my whole life. I sold all my movies, stopped listening to music, stopped watching tv and have a much more focused mind but feel like I’m condemned. I’m like an outcast at this point, but maybe God is protecting his people from me. Maybe that’s why you won’t have a phone call over this. Anyhow, I feel like I’m seeing the gospel really clear as being much watered down, but I’m hoping I’m seeing it wrong out of arrogance. There’s so many subtle forms of idolatry we all engage in and don’t realize. This is my story Pastor
>
> Thanks,
> Michael
I do not know who you are and why God put you in my path. I am in so much pain, words cannot describe them. Please answer me a question. DO NOT sugar coat it. I want to hear the truth.
I was re-born 5 years ago. I read the bible, serve in the church, attend church 2-3 times a week. I would give my life for Christ in a second. Yet, it seems that every 4-5 weeks, I fail and fail miserably. I have a problem with Porn. I know I am sinning. I know I am slapping God in the face, yet I do it. And while doing it, I know the HELL I am going to face afterwards. And I do. I tear myself inside out, cry, pray and ask God for forgiveness. Now, I am beginning to wounder if I am even saved. HELP PLEASE.
To A man in pain, I am struggling with stuff too and wondering if I am really saved. If I’m reading this correctly, we just need to keep fighting and not give up. There were 2 commenters above, Laci and Matt, who were in our situation and were given encouragement to turn to Jesus even in failure. I would also suggest finding another guy to talk to personally. There is only so much help you can get online. Every Man’s Battle might be of some help.
I’m “feeling led” (if I can use that phrase) to share something here. Many don’t believe that God speaks to us directly today. That the only way we are to be led is to read and rightly interpret scripture and live them out as a set of principles. There’s no doubt that this is an important approach. But it is not the only one. God speaks to us, to our hearts. We get thoughts that come from him. Just as the enemy “tempts” us via our thought life so God “inspires” us via our thought life. It can be a difficult challenge to distinguish between the voice of the enemy and the voice of God, because Satan many times comes as an “Angel of Light”.(2nd Corinthians 11:14) Our salvation certainly isn’t dependent upon learning how to distinguish between God and the enemies voice. (though many other things are). God many times shows us, without us even asking. We don’t even know it’s happening. But be assured God is speaking to us. Can learning how to recognize that hurt? It can and does prove more challenging because it requires the exercising of our faith. It’s a learning process. There is a scripture that says “we walk by faith not by sight”(2nd Corinthians 5:7) I ask God “what is faith?” The answer that came back was “it’s not sight”. How do I know that was God? I don’t “know” it was God, I “believe” it was God. Which means I could be wrong. Walking by faith keeps us humble.
Taking the scriptures, reading & studying them and coming up with a “carved in stone” interpretation which we refuse to deviate from (or consider could be wrong)is not spiritual but carnal. It’s a way of administering the new covenant as if it were the old. The letter kills – the spirit gives life.(2nd Corinthians 3:6) The flesh doesn’t want to walk by faith, it wants to “see”. See it all right there, in black and white. It leads to sectarianism.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. (Romans 8:1) Some translations leave the “who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit” part out.(ever heard the term “conjectural emendation”?) I wonder if the ones who decided that that part should be left out were walking after the flesh or after the spirit? Ask God – if you dare – He knows.
Many Blessings – Johnny
Dear pastor , here is my story , it started when I was little , I saw a clicked on a video that was so meant to been seen for a young person eyes. I referee it everyday of my life. But I made promises to god that I wouldn’t do any of these wrongs doings again. But one day I broke that promise and watched it again and after that I started to sin ( sexual immorality ) but I was still a child so even if sinned I would still be guided into heaven but as I got older I couldn’t stop watching these degusting things but after I was done , I always asked god for forgiveness everytime I did it. I don’t do it nearly as much as I did when I was younger but when ever I get this feeling it’s like I can’t stop it and I hate it. I feel like I’m sinning deliberately but again i always ask for forgiveness and I want to stop right now. I’ve declared that I will never sin again because I know it’s disappointing god. I feel like I’m not going to go to heaven even if I repent and ask for forgiveness Because I feel that god is just so disappointed in me and doesn’t love me anymore. I love god , Jesus , and anything it god’a holy word. I hate myself for diss appointing god after all he has fine for me. Is there any way I can still go to heaven with all the sins that follow me behind my past. Does god still love me? Will I go to hell because of me watching all these videos for pleasure , even though I hate looking at it so much? Will god give me a second chance? I really needed to get this of my chest. I hate myself everyday because I disappointed god and went against his word. Please help me. Thank you so much if you respond to my answer , I really need help.
Thank you steve .
It helped me alot to run back into the arms of my saviour who is waiting for me….and please whoever see this pray for me to overcome my sin and be attached to jesus..
Thank u all who shared their testimonies.. please do remember me in your prayers
I hope there is still someone to comment on my message. Recently I’ve been fearing of going to hell and being denied entry into heaven. I sleep almost all day and since I lost my job recently I’ve just been existing I guess. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and all my sins. With all my sins I’ve been committing especially sexual immorality and fantasies. I feel as though I am sinning deliberately. I turn to God again and again. And like most of these people who have left messages. I get back with God temporarily and then drift back to sin. All I really want is to go to heaven when I die. I’ve been living in constant fear for a long time now. Please pray for me.
Tony:
Have you confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus? Do you believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead? (Romans 10:9:10) If you have – you are saved. Jesus said in John 5:24 They who hear my word and believe on him who sent me have everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but are passed from death unto life. I could cite many more verses John 17:3, John 3:16, Romans 10:13, etc. etc. Salvation comes thru faith in Jesus Christ and that alone. My advice to you is to keep on believing and …Christ will present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: “IF” ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel… Your issue isn’t a salvation issue but a spiritual growth issue. Paul said in Romans 7:16 – 19: If I do what I don’t want to do, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no longer I that do it but sin that dwells in me(1)For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwells no good thing, to will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would do, I do not do, but the evil that I would not do, that I do. Here we have the apostle Paul Himself confessing “the EVIL that I would not do – that I do”! Good people don’t need a Saviour, only sinful ones do. You want your sinful desires to go away in the blink of an eye – it doesn’t work that way. Read Romans chapters 5 thru 8, pray to God for understanding and be blessed in receiving Gods grace and overcoming power! Also read the other post I’ve submitted on this cite I believe they will help you.
(1)here God has separated us from our sin – He judges our sin with out judging us.
Many Blessings – Johnny
P.S. John 8:31 & 32 Jesus said, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
P.S.S. Genuine faith in Jesus Christ is what saved you. Only when you no longer have that genuine faith in Jesus Christ are you no longer saved. If you didn’t have genuine faith in Jesus Christ this issue wouldn’t even be bothering you.
Tony, it sounds like you are suffering from depression. I know it’s probably hard to get out of bed, but probably the best thing you can do to get out of the sin spiral is to be with other Christians. We need one another to encourage us. Online friends can only help from a distance. Someone in a local church can come alongside you, and if you let them, speak into your life.
If you check on The Gospel Coalition website they can direct you to some churches where people know they are sinners and trust Jesus for salvation. http://churches.thegospelcoalition.org/ You might even find a brother or two with the same struggles.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for this post. I too was suffering from the notion of how to deal with deliberate sin and reading this has been an absolute great help. Thank you for writing this and may the Lord Bless you and keep you in all his ways.
Cheers!
Jelly.
The only sin that will send one to hell is rejecting Jesus Christ. When we genuinely accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we receive a new And Perfect Spirit.It is totally Perfect. We are positional righteous. Then we must walk into Pratical righteous which we can achieve through and only through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we can overcome the power of sin so that that satan will not destroy and spoil us. When one truly repents and surrender to Christ, He is the one who gives you the desires of your heart. Those things that are contrary to His will begin to diminish through fasting, praying, studying and spending quality time with God.
I am blessed from this site ,thank u Lord Jesus Christ.thank you
i keep sinning…but every time i sin i feel sad…i ask for forgiveness but it doesn’t last up to a day before i commit that same sin again…
Wat do i do…
Do you think i can be forgiven
No sin is worth separation from G-d. Unfortunately, this is a fact a lot don’t learn until it’s too late….
Jeremiah 2:19New International Version (NIV)
19 Your wickedness will punish you;
your backsliding will rebuke you.
Consider then and realize
how evil and bitter it is for you
when you forsake the Lord your God
and have no awe of me,”
declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
If you still have convictions about this sin, that sounds like a chance the Holy Spirit is still trying to draw you to repent. What is this sin, what influences it? Is it the people you hang out with, find christian friends. Is it the music and TV you listen and watch, turn off both. You can not love the things of this world and love G-d. Psalms 51 is a beautiful example of a man who not only realizes how he sinned against G-d, but there is a fear there of G-d that is just missing in today’s culture. King David had just committed adultery with Bathsheba and also had her husband killed. He is pleading with G-d not to take away His Holy Spirit, to give him a clean heart and clean spirit. In the Hebrew, he is asking G-d to create in him a new heart as if one was missing or he was afraid of this might be the result of his sin. G-d’s spirit will not strive with man forever. It’s not preached in a lot of churches, but as awse as G-d’s Grace is, he at some point has enough and it becomes too late. No sin is worth it. Nothing in this life is worth losing a relationship with G-d through Christ. Repent and turn away from your sin. Pray that Christ cleanses you from that sin, I stills a new spirit and a new conscience. Pray that He makes your paths strait and keeps you from evil. Read scripture and obey. Hopefully you are near a true Christian, Gospel preaching, and G-d fearing congregation
Dear Michael:
Believing that God rejects us when we sin or that were lost until we repent of a certain sin is an extraordinary hindrance to living an overcoming life. We are innately unable to live an overcoming life in our own power. Once we see this (are convinced of it) and acknowledge it, we can begin to ask God to enable us to live an overcoming life. We don’t choose to be in awe of God, God begins a work in our life that causes us to be in awe of him. I’m not good, I’m sinful and so are you, all of us are, unless that is, you want to claim that you have come unto to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). You fall short of Gods Glory Michael, you are not as Adam was before the fall of man. What makes you different then Adam? Your sin. The sin that still lives in your heart and mind today, this moment. The sin that still lives in Termies heart and mind and in mine as well. If righteousness comes by the law (striving in our own power to live a righteous life by keeping any set of rules) then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21). Termie you need to come to the end of yourself and realize your powerless to live above sin (and Michael it sounds like you do to). Call yourself what you are: a sinful person completely unable in your own power to conquer your sin.
Hear the word of the Lord your Maker this day for He has spoken!
On Judgment day I’ll stand before God to give account of the fact that I’ve stated this. Just as all of you will give account of the fact you have read it. Pray and ask God with and honest heart (in other words be willing to consider you could be wrong) If what I’ve had to say is true, he will be faithful to hear and honor your prayer.
Many Blessings – Johnny
Romans C6, Romans C8, read what Dr Martin Llloyd-Jones say’s and John Owens says to. The verbs here in the aorist tense meaning (eternal), the old man is gone buried, reserected, crucified and risen with Christ. That’s just one of umpteen proofs u can’t lose uir salvation. These are the things that Armeniasts always ignore………..the Aorist verbs Paul, petet, John, Jesus used for example.
I’m neither Calvinist nor Armenian. Some don’t seem to think there is another position. If one can’t lose ones soul after they’ve been saved then their is no such thing as apostasy. One of Martin Luther’s primary contributions to the Church was “Justification by faith alone”. His position was that our salvation or justification was dependent on our faith. If you have genuine faith your saved, if you don’t your not. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you have been saved. Many People have had the testimony of having once believe on Christ and now have the testimony that they no longer do. This is a tricky issue. My current take is: God won’t take our salvation back, Satan can’t rob us of it, but I believe we maybe able to discard it. Why would Paul express to believers: Christ will present you holy unblameable and unreproveable in his sight ” IF ” you continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. The book of Hebrews is filled with admonishments for believers to “keep” their faith, where many others were beginning to doubt, suggesting it was all bogus. So salvation doesn’t come from your manner of living . Some Calvinist assert not living a holy life indicates a lack of genuine faith and thus salvation. The Armenians contend that we need to be “faithful” and “obedient” and if were not, our salvation is in jeopardy . I contend that If we let our sin lead us to abandon our faith, then were abandoning the only thing that can lead us to abandon our sin. Our faith which was a gift given to us sovereignly by God is what saves us. Learning how to live a righteous, overcoming life doesn’t save us, it blesses us. I want to live a blessed life. This motivate me to live a righteous life, not the fear of losing my soul. But then there’s this question: Is there a point of no return? I’ve lived in willful rebellion against God. I believe I may have come to such a point. One more step would have put me over the edge, God wouldn’t let Satan push me over that edge but God wouldn’t have grabbed me by the collar to stop me if I decided to take that step. Satan told me there was no way I could ever really know if all of this “Jesus business” was true or not. It was then that I turned to God and ask him if all this “Jesus business” was true. He answered with one simple word. ” YES “. I made my final appeal to God. What saved me? My Faith. The faith that God gave me. Is this the final word on this matter? Some how I believe most won’t think so. But it certainly does give us some more to think about. WHOSOEVER CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED! Romans 10:13 My final word? KEEP ON BELIEVING!
My story : I am a Christian married to a tamil /hindu’ recently my faith increased in God and I had the courage to tell my husband that I believe in Jesus Christ and that all the time ‘I had no faith in idols and that when i stood with him I prayed to Jesus. He told me he felt traumatised. He then told me that I must respect him and follow his religion even after I told him about my faith. He is a very good husband and a wonderful father. I don’t sin deliberately ‘ I respect my husband and will always seek God in my heart. Please keep me in prayer as I pray for my husband eyes to be.opened to the truth. His family pushes him to do prayers that I feel sick to my stomach. But I have all faith that God will and can change my husband. I always rebuke his prayers when I stand next to him.
I am struggling with something. My faith is strong. I’ve been saved but I have a sin I keep asking for forgiveness for. I have trouble with telling the truth (lying) I keep asking the Lord forgiveness for. But I’m really struggling. Will I still make to heaven.I Believe in Jesus. I’ve had spiritual visions. I’ve seen the cross and a crown with jewels around it. I’ve seen the hem of Jesus’s white garment. I’ve spirituality touched it. I know I’m his but am I still going to make it to Heaven because of the lies I tell. I can’t stop doing it. I’m praying and wanting to stop them.please help
I know how you feel, be strong and fight in prayer for His precious soul my dear Sister. I’m a Christian man who’s been waling alone as a Minister for many many years, misunderstood, misrepresented, falsely accused, abandoned, rejected just cos I have earrings and bleached blonde hair and I smoke to help me with my mental illness. My Wife who’s a Christian and on fire thankfully goes through the same to cos like me she wont compromise on Gay marriage, multi-faith salvation etc etc. Marriage is for a man and a woman, salvation is only in Christ. We’ve been called falselly adulterers, homophobic, racist, child abusers, bigots the lot. You name it we’ve been called it falselly, had this for 12 years as a Christian and trained Minister whilist praying for these who accusse us falselly. Many many other things to, so chin up, press on and know that ur doing the right thing. God bless the Revster!!
Also remember Calvinism is the closest interpretation of the Bible word for word, and the safest to, incidently 98% of the world revivals have been through Calvinist-reformed preaching, not that preaching causes revivals God does when he comes down on the church. The last 2% were Wesleyen-Armenians, so church history has a stronger association with revivals through Evangelical Reformed-Calvinist preaching. Had to study this myself as a historical-theologian. Also u can’t understand Armeninism unless u understand Pelagianism and semi-pelegianism, forgive my spelling I’m slightly dislexic beloved.
Isn’t the bottom line: Do I love God in Christ more than I love sin? Am I a lover of God more than a lover of sinful pleasure? 2 Timothy 3:1-5. “The grace of God … instructs us to say no to ungodliness …” Titus 2:11-12. But sometimes we say ‘yes!’
We all deliberately do stupid, sinful things at times. King David did; but his heart was with God. God forgave his heinous sins because he was “a man after God’s own heart,” which meant he loved God much more than he loved sin.
Dinkum downunderwriter David
David:
This is interesting. Because the thing that lead me to deliverance from my sin(certain of my sin) was the realization that I(that is my flesh) loved my sin more than I loved God. It wasn’t until I saw and confessed this that God delivered me. It is human nature not to love God but the things of the flesh & of the devil. These seeds of rebellion & disobedience were planted in us by the devil. When we received faith in Christ (given sovereignly by God) at which time Christ righteousness was “imputed” unto us, that is to say credited to our account we had standing with God despite the fact that we would continue to sin. A work of cleansing or sanctification was begun at this point. This work continues throughout our life. It’s important to distinguish between this “actual righteousness” & “imputed righteousness”. As a new believer I can remember being so devastated by having these continuing sinful desires. But it seemed that all the other believers I was around were just twiddling there thumbs like every thing was “all good”. Was I the only one who cared about being sinful? It seemed so. But no one bothered to explain to me what I’m explaining here. If only they had, it would have help me so much.
Spiritual growth takes time just like physical growth. God is faithful to hear & honor the prayers of his needy children. Pray, ask God to guide and direct you, to bring wise, loving & mature Christians and mentors into your life to help you & join you on your walk to your celestial home. Before you reach that home you’ll find his will for your life & learn to walk in Love, Joy & peace! Keep on believing !
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, make me to stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, and so alone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me on.
Written(8/1932)by Thomas A.Dorsey (1899–1993)
Many Blessings – Johnny
Every morning in ur devotions give this prayer to God “Lord please remove my lieing tongue and replace it with an honest tongue!!” Just keep practicing it daily every time the sin of lies wants to come in, resist unto blood. Fight it with God’s strength and not ur’s. We all embellish and exagerate, we3 have to ask God to help us and practise it every time we feel it coming in. “repent = confession = mourning = hateing the sin (refusing to do it for Christ’s sake) = resisting and rejecting and fighting sin till the last breath. U will stumble and fall, but get back on the holy horse and keep doing the same process above. Resist sin like Aragon waging war against the Ork’s in return of the King. “fight till death!!” U are a warrior of Christ, God bless. Hebrews C12.
Rev Alexander:
Amen Brother !
I’ve had umpteen oppurtunities to look at women lustfully today, but I refuse cos Christ doesn’t l;ike it. Simple as that “just don’t look” starve ur eyes, same with pride, lieing, cheating anything. God is in u to help u do this, fight till death, fight the good fight.
Wooow, amazing. God bless u
I every now and then start thinking about all my sins and even though I have asked God for forgiveness on I think all of them, I will sit and try and think if there was anything I missed. I’m so scared if I did a sin of some sort and can’t remember and confess it, then have to face judgement. I’m really struggling with TV right now, every time in see a commercial or even family movie I watch someone sin in some way, I know God is calling me out on watching TV but I can’t seem to get away from it. I feel like it’s like enjoying people sin, even though a lot of the time I’ll close my eyes or something if the people on TV are sinning, so I feel terrible. I’m not slow to anger either, when I get extremely frustrated I start yelling or raising my voice, God please help me.
I feel relieved a bit reading this. But I’m so ashamed and I don’t know what to say to God.
I made a Vow not to engage in sexual immorality anymore ..I was doing well for months till yesterday I sinned again.
I’m scared cos I know about soul bondage and a lot.
I knew the truth but I still allowed myself to get that far.
I’m disappointed. ..Please help me ask God to have mercy on me. In Jesus name .amen
keep fighting and resisting unto blood, u will fall, when u do, mourn for that sin after repenting, thank God for the cross-forgiveness. Get back up, come out of mourning, look at why u fell, then put up barriers to stop u self from falling. If u av net, get rid of it and use public one like i do in the library. Or go to Covenant eyes to put a block on u filter lap top. Just keep everything in u life in today, 24 hours such as sex lust, pride, anger etc or whatever u struggle with, live for today. It’s a command from Jesus to. Ask Holy Spirit to fill u to keep u from sinning, cry out to him and he will aid u. Hebrews for “resist unto blood” can’t remember what chapter. If u went well for months then good praise God it means it’s getting longer between relapses which means ur growing in holiness. 1 john C1, v9. This is written for Christians not the lost. Also Romans C6 if u are worried about any unconfessed sin, in ur positionally before God ur old man has gone, any unconfessed sin the holy ghost will nudge u dude. Know who u are, ur old man is dead, gone, u aint that man anymore. but the old nature remains, old nature is not the old man. Our flesh isn’t evil but indwelling sin remaining in us/. Lloyd jones romans commentaries, get em they’ll blow u away in joy.Raiseing ur voice in anger and yelling isn’t sinning, as long as u didn’t swear, anger is good, just don’t sin in it.
If I have sinned deliberately does that mean I’m not saved?
Hi Brandon,
Thanks for asking such an important question.
The answer is No, deliberate sin does not mean you are unsaved, IF you hate that sin, want to be freed from that sin, and look to Jesus by faith to forgive you, change you, and satisfy you in Himself.
I base that on verses like 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 4:14-16.
I hope that helps
I would suggest u describe what “hate” means in accordance with that sin, mentally ill Christians freak over this, in word definitions.
Steve:
One thing I have begun to feel about participating in this blog is: I know you are the creator of this blog and as such am I free to disagree with you? Or would you consider this inappropriate? In past post I have expressed my views on this blog treating it as an open forum blog where all comments are welcome. But I am aware that some believe that one should not express dissent publically of a leaders teaching in their church. I could cite a number of scriptures regarding this. But I won’t at this time. I hope you have not taken offense at my post though some were contrary to your views. My intent was never to undermine your ministry or to sow discord among your disciples. If that’s what you consider the participators of this blog to be. I was only engaging in open discussion. I have become convinced I have standing with God thru faith in Jesus Christ and that alone and I have found this to have brought to my spiritual life more power over sin then I’ve ever had. This has excited me so much that I’m passionate about sharing it with everyone.
Please inform me if me continuing to treat this blog as an open forum and freely expressing my convictions even if they oppose your own is something that you are “good with”.
TYVM your friend in Christ Johnny
Judas commited a wilful sin. His sin was not believing that he would be forgiven in full knowledge of what Christ did for him on the cross. He was never saved in the first place. Wilful sin is rejecting Christ and trampoling on what Christ did on the cross. The first time being born dead(forgivable by his saving Grace), the 2nd death willfully denying what Christ did. All sin is the same, wilful or otherwise. There is only one sin- denying Christ. If you had a change in heart, then find yourself in sin again you are grieving the holy spirit, not commiting blashphomy. You may lose your joy of salvation or your rewards in heaven, but not your salvation.
This is correct, but remember that Judas killed himself before the Cross.
You are right Rev. Didn’t mean to judge another mans heart, just to provide an example everyone could understand. I have no idea about what was Judas’s final fate. There is only one sin. To break one part of the law is to break the entire law. Hebrews:10: 26-31 really means to wilfully deny Christ. W
Am a student and have being sleeping with my lecturer for about a year now. I sometimes come back to cry and ask God for forgiveness after sleeping with him because I knew what I was doing was bad but I couldn’t stop going back to him
Have being having this rear dreams recently and these dreams are scaring me . The last dream I had , I was seriously laughing and imitating someone I woke up laughing so I decided to check the meaning of my dream at the net and it meant falling into sin.
Want to give my life to Christ and don’t know how.
Hello Rosemond —
Thank you for sharing your story.
God is convicting you of this sin. Please take his conviction seriously.
If you don’t, it’s possible that the sin could grow until it completely hardens your heart and you don’t want to turn to Christ.
So turn from that sin, and look to Jesus Christ to forgive you, change you, and satisfy you infinitely more than your relationship with your lecturer.
Read Romans 5, Ephesians 2, Romans 8. Pray over these passages, turning your heart from sin and looking to Christ by faith.
Ask some wise, mature women in your church to pray with you and for you.
Start reading God’s Word every day, and pouring your soul out to the Father every day.
Become part of a small group in your church so you can be encouraged and strengthened with fellowship.
I hope that helps — and I will pray for you right now.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
i disagree with the dude who said if u are not meeting up with beleivers in church regulary u aint saved, ,load of rubbish that is. What about those of us that are mentally ill and to paranoid to go to church?? despite being saved. Also those that have beem messed up by the church and legalist christians to?? Also old people who can’t get to church?? so that blanket statement negate’s it’s self in it’s application. I’ve gopne into the resons and context literary and historically from hebrews c6 and a hypothetical situation it was. So i aint wasteing my time explaining that again. A lot of churches have their heads so rammed up their own backsides with saelfishness in speaking at people instead of listeing to people. As soon as a person pukes over em their straight in oferening scripture instead of just shutting their mouths and listening. read Romans C15, v1. Rosemond repent and cry out to Jesus for mercy and u’ll get it, then put up barriers to stop the fornication my dear. Peter said that “Juda has gone to his own place!!” I assume that was outer drakness, no evidence of that though. Dear brother steve fuller u have not described what “hate” means in accordance with sin??? Any hatred of sin we have doesn’t come from us that i can guarantee u, it comes from the holy ghosdt within ius.
forgive my spelling despite being an ordained minister i am mentally ill, and also mentally ill to the glory of God.
we all sin every day, there’s never been a man in human history except Christ who hasn’t sinned against God, by the time he get’s up in the morning to the time he goes to bed. Whether that sin is in thought, word or deed. The trick is to repent, mourn, put up barriers to stop it, but from time to time u will fall, human nature. But as we grow and fight and resist it will become less. The falling will become less in our lives. Remember baby christians are babies and take time to grow to on milk before they go to food. The Bible was written by holy men through the holy ghost in about the fullest of their maturity to. James even said “we’ve made many mistakes along the way!” mistakes being sin in this context. If u don’t make a mistake then how are u to know not to stumble again?? we must beg God for help, because self cannot overcome self!! we have to have his power.
Dear Rev Alex:
I appreciate your straight forward candor. It’s refreshing. On the other hand you risk people shutting you out due to your sometimes abrasive speech. Some of those people shutting you out are the ones who need to hear your message the most.
I agree with you. Our standing with God comes from our genuine faith in Jesus Christ not thru Church attendance.
I do think it is important to find other believers with whom we can enter into genuine healthy fellowship, it’s necessary to our spiritual growth to have spiritual mentors, spiritual peers and spiritual disciples but we are reconciled to God thru faith in Jesus Christ and that alone. When we get a vision of this,(being reconciled to God thru faith in Jesus Christ and that alone) our feet our planted on the solid bed rock from which we can move forward in confidence, knowing we are unconditionally accepted by God despite our sin. We come to God with our sin in hand. Only then can God free us from it. If we think we have to get it out of our lives before we can approach God, then were placing our trust in our own ability to free ourselves from our sin. If we could then “Christ is dead in vain”(Galatians 2:21). If we could have done it, Christ wouldn’t have needed to die.
Like you, I too suffer from mental illness. (Depression and a mood disorder). It’s a extraordinary challenge. The mentally ill are definitely under served in the church. We need to reach out to them with compassion and understanding.
People want to paint it as a exclusively spiritual or moral problem but it’s not. I had a stay in a psychiatric hospital for about 3 weeks due to severe mood swings, (they were agonizing). Afterward I went on to a 2 week out patient program, that essentially consisted of group therapy. There I met a man that had suffered what is called TBI(Traumatic Brain injury). He was cutting some large branches from a storm damaged tree. One fell unexpectedly when he a acquired his head injury. Guess what his symptoms were? Depression and mood instability. They placed him on the same (or similar) medications that I was on. He couldn’t do his job as a chef any more. Was this a moral or spiritual problem? Obviously not. People who suffer from mental illness have damaged and malfunctioning brains as well, only the cause of the malfunction is different from those who have suffered a TBI. It can be genetic(inherited), due exposure to toxic chemicals in the work place etc., traumatic mental and emotional experiences during childhood and beyond can cause neurochemical imbalances, the use and abuse of mind altering substances (recreational drugs), is a major cause in my opinion. I could name many more causes. People who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) suffer from mood disorders and depression as well as other mental and emotional problems. I believe what God has shown me is that people who suffer from mental illness are more vulnerable to “spiritual attacks”. Sometimes I would have terrible “fits” of intrusive, negative and agitating thoughts. They would come completely “unsummoned”. I would pray and ask God “is this a demonic attack or due to my mental illness”. The answer that came was: Both. Satan was taking advantage of my mental and emotional weakness. We all suffer spiritual attacks. Those who suffer from mental illness are more profoundly affected by them. They are harder for us to deal with. For this reason it’s all the more important for us to surround our selves with caring, empathic people. Both mental health care consumers and mental health care professionals.
I do believe it is possible that there are people who have what would appear as mental illness that is of an exclusively spiritual nature. It’s important that the origin of a persons erratic, aberrant or other wise inappropriate behavior be carefully considered before any conclusions are jumped to.
TYVM – Johnny
Rev Alex perhaps we could begin a dialog with and be of help to one another. My email address is moretalman@gmail.com> I’d love to hear from you.
Let me end with a portion of this adaptation of a song most of us are familiar with “Rock of Ages” written by Augustus M. Toplady in 1776.
Could our tears forever flow/Could our zeal no languor know/These for sin could not atone/The Lord must save and him alone/In our hand there’s no price that we can bring/But simply to his precious blood we must cling.
Many Blessings – Johnny
Very helpful, Johnny. Thank you.
1).I aint being abrasive, ur misreading what i say. 2). i don’t come on ere to be liked, if people want to shut me out that’s their right, no evidence of shutting me out either. 3). genuine faith in Christ isn’t generated from us, but a gift from God, Epheisians C1. 4). I never said don’t go to church, i laid out the credentials of people who simply can’t get there, we must go to them, Romans C15, v1. 5). ur third paragraph bout being reconciled to God through Christ, ur telling me what i already know, so what’s ur point?? 6). Reaching out to the mentally ill is what i do 6 days a week on the streets for the last 12 years. 7). If it’s a medical problem u and i have no legal right to diagnose that cos we aint Doctors, I am a Counciller though with a degree, as well as being mentally ill. My mental illness isn’t a burden, it’s a living, i surf it every day and have dun for over 20 years, i choose when i got saved to change my perception of what i like to call poetically being a Poet myself “the dark gift!” and i don’t mean that in a Demonic way either. I use it to help others, it doesn’t beg answers, it begs experience as well as the Word and Spirit. 8). I agree bout mentally ill christians suffering harder attacks from Satan, that’s why i teach intense warfare. 9). I agree with mental health professional people to. 10). mental illness and spiritual i agree, as an exorcist i deal a lot with this, fine line in sum cases, but not all, i sit people down with my Wife and ask a survey of questions. read Merril Umber and Kurt Koch their some of the best on the subject and Dr Martin lloyd Jones cos he’s a medical doctor to as well as a Pastor before he died. read his book “spiritual Depression” All these above u can get on Amazon. 11). Yes Toplady is pretty cool, the things u talk bout on ere i do for a living in my Ministry, keep in touch in public for now to aid others. Stay cool and God bless u boy.
Dear Rev Alex:
This is what I mean about you being abrasive.
You said: A lot of churches have their heads so rammed up their own backsides with selfishness in speaking at people instead of listening to people.
I say: I agree with what your saying. It’s how your saying it that might cause people to be put off.
You said: 2). i don’t come on ere to be liked…
I say: This is true being a minister sometimes necessitates speaking some truths that will rub people the wrong way, sometimes there’s no way around it. But where is that scripture that talks about “speaking the truth in love”? I think this is especially important when engaging other professing believers.
You said: …if people want to shut me out that’s their right, no evidence of shutting me out either.
I Say: What good is it for you to post on here if people are shutting you out because your coming across as argumentative? I went back and checked this blog and I don’t see many responding back to you.
In fact I ask Steve Fuller who is this post creator if it was OK to disagree with him, i.e. if this could be looked at as an “open forum”.(Steve if your reading this I would appreciate some clarification on this) Generally speaking you don’t go to a church where you disagree with what the preacher is preaching & and get up and contend with him on the matter. There’s a scripture about “building on another mans foundation”. I’m closer to you then I am to Steve’s theology but still he’s my brother in Christ and I have to honor his place here. But this is an internet blog so are the rules the same? I’m not so sure. That’s why I was asking Steve for some clarification.
You said: 4). I never said don’t go to church,
I said: Nor did I say you said you don’t to go to church. But some of what you said could be construed, by some, that going to church in general was a bad thing, even though you didn’t state that flatly. I tried to temper that with what I said in my post. I personally have had some really bad experiences in churches, where there was no doubt I would have been better off staying home and reading my bible and praying. These experiences haven’t been infrequent either. A big part of it is the mental illness stigma. Another part is that a large percentage of church people, ministers included – are just plain messed up. And I’m not just referring toward people who suffer from mental illness either. There’s two thousand years of incontrovertible history to prove this, to any honest seeker of the truth. I hope I’m not coming across as to abrasive.
You said: 5). ur third paragraph bout being reconciled to God through Christ, ur telling me what i already know, so what’s ur point??
I say: I was simply expressing myself, to inform you and others, that might be reading this post, of my convictions.
You said: 6). Reaching out to the mentally ill is what i do 6 days a week on the streets for the last 12 years.
I say: I’d love to hear more about that, email me or post it on here if Steve is good with that. Given my current situation I think it could be very helpful to me.
You said: If it’s a medical problem u and i have no legal right to diagnose that cos we aint Doctors
I say: I’m not diagnosing anything, just giving my take on it all. I believe what I had to say has merit – it speaks for itself. Even doctors get it wrong and differ in there opinion of what’s going on with regard different mental health consumers issues. I thought I’d chime in as a consumer. I’ve carefully thought through all of the experiences I’ve had in life, to help me determine what has caused and what might benefit me in the way of treatment. I have a God given & and constitutionally protected right to express myself. I don’t mean to be cynical but I’ve met a good number of psychiatrist that are psychiatrist not to serve the suffering but to make at least 100K a year and retire at forty. Sad but true. If I want to get better, much depends on me. I believe in and use conventional medicine, alternative medicine and my faith in God to good effect in caring for myself. With out my faith in God I believe I’d be dead or institutionalized right now. Prayer has proven absolutely indispensable. OK. I’ll get off my soap box now.
You said: 10). mental illness and spiritual i agree, as an exorcist i deal a lot with this, fine line in sum cases, but not all, i sit people down with my Wife and ask a survey of questions. read Merril Umber and Kurt Koch their some of the best on the subject and Dr Martin lloyd Jones cos he’s a medical doctor to as well as a Pastor before he died. read his book “spiritual Depression”
Rev. Alex: I’m very interested in this last stuff (#10) you had to say. I will read these books. Any thing you could share with me on the exorcist part and your other insights would be sincerely appreciated.
Oh Rev Alex let me suggest that you use one name, it’s a little confusing when you use three or four different ones, it is for me anyway.
Reverent Alexander eley, the Revster, rev alex eley, rev alex, Reverent Alexander
“Rev Alex” is short and sweet maybe you ought to stick with that one exclusively, or stick your last name in there too.
I really am interested in getting to know you better. I think maybe we could work together on a book about all your experiences on the street.
Many Blessings – Johnny
1). What u find me saying “heads rammed up their backsides abbrasive???” Wow u and i live in tow completelly different worlds. U wont survive in my world if u can’t handle that comment mate. I mean what the hellis wrong with u i aint swore at u or named u something nasty?? I’m just speaking my language of the council estate where i come from. If i swore or abused u then u’d have a good point, Epheisns C5. But this proves my point excatly “heads up their own backsides!” with self righjteoussness and middle class double talk. That aint my world, or my Christian world dude. We rough and rugged Christians who live in a different Universe to u, we get stoned on Jesus and high on Jesus. Not literraly using drugs, but that’s the expressions we use, cos that’s all we know, that’s us that’s our sub culture we operate in. We wont change our language of the vernacular or coliqual to be something we aint, take us as we are as God does. 2). I aint interested in what people think of me in church’s and how they take me, remember as Pstor is above reproach,I’m one of em, learn to acept me with my faults, read Colloasian C3, v14, not pick up on em. 3). Don’t go looking for exorcisms boyo, it aint pretty, i hate it but have to do it. If God wants u to see it he will bring it to u, but don’t look for it. u really don’t want to know, it aint nice. 4). Different names lol ha ha ha. Most people in SWansea, Wales call me Godfather cos everyone comes to me with their problems like Don Carlioni, had many names over 42b years, nicknames. 5). I wasn’t talking down to u bout medical advice, just be careful, but u know that anyway. My experiences, it would take 16 3000 page volumes, lol. That’s just as a Christian.
also i aint saying ur heads up ur backside or ur middle class and looking down on people just what i see in church’s i’ve been to, awful mate. what i’ve seen, i know all church’s aint like that.
Michelle are u referring to me in saying “I’ve had this problem with the same person on here???” I don’t know who u are love?? Or is this for someone else?? Cos this e mail came to me earlier.
Rev. Alex. Have you heard of this passage in the Bible and where it’s add? It is something like this- Some people have saved themselves from hell fire by quitting their sin. I remember seeing this along time ago. What does this mean?
Depends where it fits in redemption history and the literay context into which the word or word phrase sits. “Save themselves” in this literary context would be a “verb phrase” i should imagine. But in the context of whatever this scripture is it would be by God’s grace dude. “look man, take ur shot and walk with the Lord and never give up fighting, wage war man, i’m in pain with mental illness but i aint5 going down, i’m fighting back like u in God’s strength!!” time’s up for Satan soon, we must fight back come on wage war fight til the last man, fight for ur lives. “hardcore and hard to the core street Christians in the House!!
Frank Crawford:
There is no such verse.
if u people are referring to me saying “a lot of people’s heads in church are up their own backsides.” Then if u think that is harsh or me being hard,n then u live in a different world to me. If u can’t take that then u wont take a battering from Satan, that is mellow stuff man, really mellow. The facts are u are to oversensitive and av completely ignored or even botherd to mention the other helpfull things I have put up. But pulled me up on a minor thing, what about the other edifying things i put up?? why aint u mentioned those if these dude comments are meant for me?? we aint to pick each other up on our faults, collosians c3, v14.. But to bare with them, this is just another case of snobbish people of the middle class range in church expecting us wormking class christians to use the same language as u. Sorry i am what i am, this is the kind of behaviour that drives people away from the church. I aint argueing bout it, got better things to do. I’m possibly leaving this site, no wonder mentally ill people don’t want to go to church.
a little nicer, u don’t know anything bout my life, and the comment wasn’t meant to be nasty, church like the world see oversensitive and demanding it’s rights instead of practicing self denial and bearing with each other.
i can’t find a verse either, i’m getting off this site to, to many Religious Pharisiees on here.
Rev Alex,
The mere fact that you responded to one of Jonny’s posts by asking him “what the hell is wrong with you?” In fact clearly shows the abrasiveness that Johnny was speaking about. This post was designed to help those of us struggling with sin, making it sole about how you perceive you are being viewed is very selfish in my humble opinion. I not trying to start an arguement, but as soon with a BS in Christian Couseling and Theology, I felt led to speak Truth in Love. I will pray for you as a brother in Christ always.
Blessings,
Lester
what u think me saying “what the hell is wrong with u” is being abrassive??? It’s just a question, my emotions and feelings in that were tears. Truth in love, i agree, however there is a thing called tough love to. I wasn’t being abrassive or using tough love to Johnny, I just said “what the hell is wrong with u” If that has offended u then I’m sorry, but it wasn’t meant in that manner of being abbrasive. Like i said, u completely ignore the rest of the nice councilling i put up on there and have igored or failed to mention what I said about bearing with each other’s faults in Collosians C3,14. I have plenty of faults and u don’t seem to be bearing with them but picking me up on mere words and the language of the street I speak as a street person, a vernacular tongue. Nothing harsh meant by it, just the way we speak in South Wales. I don’t pull u up on ur speech I bear with it. We all struggle with sin and this demarcation aint doing any good, walls of demarcation i didn’t set up but u did. If u can’t handle my speech, then i will continue to go back to my own church in Swansea to find that love and acceptance. if by saying ” a lot of people’s heads are up their backsides in church” as a general statement but not meaning “all” Christians, then we live in different worlds, like i said i didn’t swear or use bad language just the speech us street Christians use. We will not change to make u happy, as we don’t expect u to change to make us happy.
i don’t need or want ur prayers thank u, the Ministry I run in Swansea has been run purely by God with no help from a church in Swansea or wales for 12 years. We asked for help years ago and didn’t get it, so we run our church without the help of what we consider patroniseing Christians who expect us to conform to their non-biblical principles before they can accept us. I can guarantee u if u saw our church face to face u wouldn’t want to hang round with us. We are the unclean one’s, the scumfactor of the gutter meets Chrenobyl and deformed. That’s who we are.
Rev Alex,
Yes, if anyone asks someone “what the hell is wrong with you”, that is abrasive speech. I’ve listened to hundreds of Pastors over the last 20 years throughout my walk with Christ and you are the first to say that you don’t want someone’s prayers….that is not biblical and quite frankly shocking to hear from a pastor. People can be abrasive without swearing, and the mere fact that you made a statement like, “we won’t change to make you happy”, is in itself contrary to the Gospel. We should all strive to allow Christ to change certain parts of us for the sake of others. I lived in the UK for 6 years, and am very familiar with the language…..I will continue to pray for you to.
God Bless,
Lester
My husband who is an unbeliever just told me within the last 3 weeks that he has found someone else and wants a divorce from me. He promised me he would take care of me and our children and he lied about all of it and I feel so broken and scared. People keep telling me to just trust in God but I’m finding it so difficult. I keep running to my husband pleading with him to come back because I am worried about money and things like that. I feel like through this whole thing I have abandoned my faith in God for faith in my husband that he will come around when it’s obvious he isn’t. Is this forgivable ? God has never shown Himself to be untrustworthy and yet I keep running away from Him to my husband. I feel like this sin is on level with taking the mark of the beast. Please help.
Hi Kelli —
Thank you for sharing your situation.
The sin of trusting in your husband is definitely forgivable. Turn to Christ as you are, confess your sin, and trust him to forgive you, change you, and satisfy and help you.
He will.
And do you know some wise, older, godly women who can pray with and for you? That would be deeply helpful at this time.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
RE:So you are NOT going on sinning deliberately. But you could let this passage make you fear that someday you might start going on sinning deliberately, which would mean facing God’s judgment forever.
But I’ve got good news for you. If today you are trusting Christ — then YOU WILL NEVER FACE JUDGMENT
You need to make this more clear..Even if you sin deliberately after you have been saved you will not go to hell. Once we are saved we are sealed God said..In 1st Peter it says we cannot lose our salvation. So the question is, would you sin deliberately once you are saved? Why would you if you love God with all your heart all your mind and with all your soul and asked for forgiveness because of how you use to be and really really dont like it and never want to be that kind of person again..No you wouldnt..also the Holy spirit lives in you to enable you to turn from deliberate sin.. He convicts your heart deeply.. Now there is temptation. It’s easy to fall into temptation. Which is not planned sin and you feel bad afterword and later tell God your sorry. I wouldn’t put that in the category as deliberate sin. Well that’s it..God Bless
Laci the fact that u are aware that u don’t feel convicted shows that u are convicted love. Also their are different degrees of conviction depeneding on the severity of the sin. Also the holy ghost works with a persons personality, he wont crush u if he knows that deep conviction will hurt u badly. he’s give u enough conviction to know that u’ve sinned.
Dear Rev Alex:
I’m sorry I haven’t been addressing current post, I’ve wanted to but things have prevented me. I gave a post to one:(rev alex eley says: December 4, 2015 at 10:48) and lost it inadvertently to a computer glitch. I’m sure you know about those. Be patient, I’ll be back in the fray after Christmas. I’ll catch up on all the post I missed. Mean time: Many Blessings to all my dear friends on Living by Faith blog, especially to you and yours Rev. Alex. In the Love of our Lord Jesus – the Lover of our souls – Johnny.
OH I almost forgot. MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
Below is a powerful song of Christ for the Christmas season
HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING!
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Written by Charles Wesley 1739
(Hark: Is an a word no longer in use meaning: to pay close attention – listen!)
P.S. I don’t know about you but I could sing this song all year round !
‘We’re bringing up the LOVE vibe, if ur in Jesus Christ come alive.’ MC Alex.
I so much love this articles
Hello Everyone?
I have read most of the writings here and I would like to say, this article did what it was meant to do(make you think)! Many people feel that once they confess with their mouth that God loves the world so much He sent his only son to cover/die for all our sins and raised him on the third day, and ask God to forgive us of our sin, that it stops there. Now they are saved and there salvation is sealed. At this moment, your soul is saved and your name is written in the Lambs book of LIFE for judgement day( and your right all of this takes place the moment we confess this and mean it).
Now this makes us all happy? it made and makes me happy everyday knowing this, but yes there is a but! This is the part that many people don’t like to hear and the part which made Alejandromagno write the reply a few years ago. Once we become saved we cannot keep living in sin, God sends us a part of him called the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost(same spirit, doesn’t mater which name you use) that teachers us from the inside, guides us, speaks to us and shows us all we need to know. This is how we start learning the truth in right and wrong.
If you know you keep ignoring what Gods spirit is showing and telling you then what you are doing is picking your desire over Gods desire and if you keep doing your own will and living your own way without repentance, ignoring all the signs God brings you( He will even send people your way to tell you the right things, He will even bring you across a blog to read to get your attention). Now after all this if you still chose to live the way you like- the way the world likes then you reject Jesus and all he did for you and you take your own salvation away.
Someone was right God will not take our salvation away, we do that ourselves!!!! God wants his people to live different from the world- sure we all fall short everyday, but that’s not what the article was talking about its talking about the sin you know is wrong against God. There is no other sacrifice for sin God is not sending Jesus again to die for what you now know and the enemy is happy when Gods people know the word but they pick worldly living over living for God.
Once you know the truth you become acceptable for your choices, it’s not always easy changing your life but it is always worth it. I wish you all the best, don’t beat yourself up just make better choices?
These book are a good start in learning, pray and ask for wisdom the book of James. Gal 5:21; Mark 3:29; Col 1:20 with 1:23 and 3:6; Rom 9:22-24
Getting on my sodding nerves now this is, ordinary Christian church going folk who think their Theologians and Pastors, just cos they’ve read a few books or looked on a few sites. Unbeleivable delusion and arrogance and an insult to those of us Ministers who had to go through absolute hell in 4 years of training with sleepless nights, exam deadlines and hitting out two 3000 word essays and exams to within two hours. Had to read all the books and put our families on hold for 4 years to get the training dun to benefit our local church and commnunity. Christians coming on ere thinking they better than their Pastors, Christaisn who aint got a clue how to do exegesis and hermenutics and so on and so forth. Makes me bloody sick this does.
Rev Alex,
How do you know which one of us is “ordinary church folk” when you don’t know us at all? I have a BS in Theology and Biblical Studies, and am working on my masters in Christian Counseling, so I hope you haven’t placed me in the category of someone who can’t speak on Apologetics as this would be a gross error on your part. I am sorry for what you have gone through in your ministry however that is not any fault of any person on this site so why you are consistently taking out your frustrations on your brothers in Christ is a question I can not answer. I will no longer comment on this as the conversation has become unproductive to the original intent of the post.
God Bless You Rev Alex,
Lester
I am going to stop the interaction between rev. alex and others — as it has become unproductive.
Let’s try to keep comments focused on the topic of the blog post — how its impacting our lives or questions or thoughts we have about it.
Thank you,
Steve Fuller
Mr. Fuller,
Thank you for your attempt to reach those of us struggling with this, I applaud your efforts and sincerely thank all of the people who have had the courage to post intimate details regarding their struggles. I am removing myself from this site as I can no longer subject myself to the negativity that Rev Alex engages in here. I would love to speak with you further regarding this topic possibly on a one on one basis.
Thank you and Blessings to all.
Lester
Thanks, Lester. I agree that the interaction with Rev Alex was no longer edifying, and so I have stopped it.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I have been wondering if I can still be saved. I have sinned and asked for forgiveness, but within one day I go back to that same sin. I feel guilt and regret. I want to fix the wrong on my life, but do not know how.
Hi Brandon —
Thanks for your question.
The way we know we are saved is because we are looking to Jesus by faith to forgive us, change us, lead us, and satisfy us in Himself.
It’s good to feel guilt and regret when we have sinned, as long as we let that guilt and regret drive us to God like David did in Psalm 51.
So I would work on overcoming that area of sin, using the many blog posts on this site dealing with that topic.
I hope that helps —
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
That really helps a lot Steve I appreciate those words. You really can’t get more simpler than that. We all struggle with the same things it’s what creates our bond in Christ together. Fight the good fight!
When a person becomes born again their nature change, we have God’s nature. When we were born in sin we had the devils nature and we sinned just like he sinned and it didn’t matter how much good we did, we were still sinners that sin. Well when you give your life to God you have his nature, a nature without sin, you can’t sin anymore because he lives in you and there is no sin in him and if he be in you, there is no sin in you because he destroyed sin once and for all, and you are pure just like he is pure; thats having fellowship with him because you are now the same. Remember sin is darkness and no sin is light, so if you still in saying you sin, you are still in darkness and there is no fellowship between you and God. 1john 3:1-9 tells you all about the clear difference of who you belong to. It says in 1john 3:8 whoever sins belongs to the devil and Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil which was sin.Think about this, right or wrong things is not sin, sin is a nature that you were born with, but when you confessed your sins he forgave you, and you became a new creature, old things have passed away and now you are a new person; and a new person is not the same, if you can still sin after being born again then what did he take away, don’t you know that his blood is so powerful that you don’t have to worry about sinning because it has been destroyed, he took it away . When God do something, he do it right he don’t have do it. We just have to believe that we are pure just like he is pure; he already said he took sin away once and for all, but no one believes that because they are too busy looking at the wrong things they do and they think that they are sinning again, you do right and wrong things weither you born again or not, but the difference is you dont want to continue doing wrong just because its not named sin anymore, why? Because you have God’s nature. Before you had Christ you were a sinner no matter what good or bad thing you did, well we have to believe now that we are born again that we are righteous, holy, and without fault and without sin in his eyes.1john.3.9.kjv Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Patricia.
It sounds like what you are saying is that once we are saved we can’t and don’t sin.
But I do not believe that’s what 1 John 3:9 is saying.
The reason is because in 1 John 1:8 he says “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.”
Notice the “we” — John is including himself in this statement. Notice also that “have” is present tense — if we believers say that we at this present time have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves.
In light of 1 John 1:8, I believe what 1 John 3:9 means is that anyone who is born of God does not keep on sinning, in the sense that we do not keep going in a sin without confession and without repentance.
We will not be free of sin until heaven, and in the meantime we will keep fighting and confessing and fighting again until Christ returns.
I hope that helps.
In Christ
Steve Fuller
Once you have confessed your sins he forgave you, remember you can’t be in light and darkness at the same time. Listen to what it says and read it carefully or you will miss it.1john.1.8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Check this out now, if you are a sinner saying you have no sin you are deceiving yourself, but if you confessed your sins and asked God to come into your life and forgive you, then he he did that. He cleansed you from all unrighteousness; but if you say you have not sinned which is past tense then thats a lie because all us christians before we were born again have sinned, but now that we belong to Christ we don’t anymore. We can’t listen to preachers and teachers and the world about sin, we have to read the word and let God break it down and give us the understanding we need, i was just like you at one time, i thought i still sin even after being born again and then my husband and I started reading the word for ourselves and God put the puzzle together for us in the scriptures. This is something no one understands because its a secret, remember the bible talks about the secret truths and this is it. John.16.8-11 And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God’s judgement.They are wrong about sin, because they do not believe in me; they are wrong about what is right, because I am going to the Father and you will not see me any more; and they are wrong about judgement, because the ruler of this world has already been judged. So if a born again christian still believes they still sin, then they just don’t believe in Jesus like they claim they do because he’s not going to die on the cross so you can still have sin in you that makes no sense at all, he didn’t do all that he did so that you can say you still sin, what would be the point? You would be just like sinners still, because the wages of sin is death. And the knowledge of sin is the law, Romans 3.19-20 Now we know that everything in the Law applies to those who live under the Law, in order to stop all human excuses and bring the whole world under God’s judgement. For no one is put right in God’s sight by doing what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make people know that they have sinned. So if a so-called christian still sinning you dont have Jesus yet like you claim and you still joined to the law that shows you that you need to be born again for real so you won’t sin again. Remember I’m giving scriptures this is not me saying this, its the word of God saying this. Its better to read for yourself than to listen to any preacher or teacher because God can show you how he set you free from sin, you just have to believe that its already done for you, sin is not rights or wrongs its a nature that you are born with and once you have Gods nature you are just like him without sin. I’m not sayig you’re not going to do thing wrong but that’s not sin its a nature. I have so many scriptures to back up what I’m saying, but i don’t want to overwhelm you because i know you don’t understand what I’m saying. But read the scriptures i wrote you and ask the Lord for understanding.And remember this scripture if you think about that word sin again 1John.3.8-9.kjv He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Thank you for your thoughts.
But with all due respect, I have to disagree.
John does not say “if A SINNER says he has no sin, he deceives himself,” but “if WE say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8).
He says “we,” referring to himself and all believers.
So if any BELIEVER says he has no sin, he is deceiving himself.
So, in 1 John 1:9 when John says Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness, he is not saying Jesus frees us from all sin in this life. He is saying Jesus cleanses us from all guilt in this life.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Patrina:
In 1st John 1:8-10 the Apostle John is addressing born again believers.
You said: …”but now that we belong to Christ we don’t[sin]anymore”.
If by this statement you are saying that people who are born again never sin, this certainly cannot be supported by an honest reading of the N.T. Paul was constantly admonishing all of the believers he addressed in his epistles, to the various churches, against every sort of sin. If our sin completely ceased after conversion why would this be necessary?
I will say this: I believe that in this passage, John , while addressing born again believers is referring to those who are coming in among his disciples & and saying that they are not sinful but righteous & had no need of confessing their sins & therefore no need of forgiveness. Undoubtedly these were self-righteous, Judaizers trying to persuade Johns disciples they needed to keep the Mosaic Law & that Jesus wasn’t really the Messiah. This explains his references in other parts of 1st John regarding how to recognize “the spirit” of the anti- Christ. These Judaizers were anti-Christ. So 1st John 1:8-10 could be rightly restated:
Those who are saying that they have no sin, are deceiving themselves, and the truth is not in them. If they confess their sins, God will be faithful and just to forgive them their sins, and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness. If they’re saying that they have not sinned, they make him (God) a liar, and his word is not in them.
The Apostle John is instructing his followers in this way to enable them to recognize the errors of these Judaizers. Why wasn’t John more direct? John, in expressing himself in the way he did, avoided being drawn into an contentious argument with these Judaizers. He discerned, that in them was a vehement opposition to anyone claiming Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, it would have been fruitless to try & persuade them & undoubtedly detrimental to the faith of his disciples. John spoke in such a way, that Jesus, being the Messiah, was an unquestioned fact. Prompting his disciples to avoid them & not be influenced by their doubt & unbelief.
I also believe that this would be the best way (along with the rest of the text of 1st John) for John to convince these Judaizers that Jesus was the Christ. I’m sure these Judaizers had access to Johns epistle to disciples.
I’ve always wanted to do a full treatment of the book of 1st John, because I believe it is one of the most misinterpreted & misunderstood books in the N.T.
In closing I’ll quote this passage below.
Paul said in Romans 7:16-19. When “I” (The Apostle Paul) do what I don’t want to do, I consent unto the law that it is good. NOW THEN IT IS NO LONGER I THAT DO IT BUT SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME. For in me (that is in my flesh) dwells no good thing. To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would do, I do not do, but the evil that I would not do that I do.(Paul here acknowledges that he did evil – I wonder if he confessed these sins? Be assured he did.)
NOW THEN IT IS NO LONGER I THAT DO IT BUT SIN THAT DWELLS IN ME. If in saying this you mean, we no longer sin, this is true. But here what I believe Paul is really doing is showing that God has separated us from our sin. He judges our sin but not us. The righteousness of Christ has been “imputed” unto us. This imputed righteousness gives us standing with God. If living a completely sinless life (in thought, feeling & action)was necessary in order to have an audience with God, who among us could even pray? Most certainly not I.
Many Blessings – Johnny John 3:17 KJV
P.S. I should also note that I still believe that “if we confess our sins God is faithful & just to forgive us our sins & cleanse of all unrighteousness” still applies to believers & confession of sin should continue after conversion. Then there’s the other verse that says “If we sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the Righteous.(1st John 2:1)
Hello I just want you to know that I’m having a hard time fighting my addiction everyday before I use I pray to God not to but not the same and then there sometimes I know I’m going to do it and I still pray to God to take it from me. I really need someone to talk to because I live alone in a room with two cats Impper and powder. I really need someone to talk to. Cuz I don’t want to be strung out and I’m afraid I’m getting to that point. Thank you and God bless you all.
Thank you for sharing your story, Annie.
I would encourage you to talk to some wise, godly women at your church, so they can pray with and for you.
Jesus will meet you, but he often works through our fellowship with other believers.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Hello to all, I have read every post on this thread. I found this blog the same way the others did, trying to find answers to my questions about deliberate and willful sin. What I found was not only informative, but also found some information on my biggest issues, that being mental illness, spiritual attacks and spiritual depression. I shed tears daily. I actually wonder if my diagnosis of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and c-ptsd all stem in some way from demon spirits on me since early childhood. And I wonder if in some way all this is the cause of me constantly feeling that God doesn’t love me the way He loves others and therefore when I fail Him, He’s done with me. How can I overcome this? I don’t want to die this way. And I do pray, very hard.
Thank you for sharing your question, and the difficulties you are facing.
I want to encourage you that God is patient and abounding in mercy to us, because of what Jesus did on the Cross.
So when we sin, we should not assume he is done with us. Quite the contrary, he invites us to return to Christ to receive all the grace we need.
And the moment we turn to Christ, and trust him to forgive us and change our hearts and satisfy us in himself, we can be fully assured that we are saved and loved by God now and forever.
And do not conclude from your mental illness that he loves you less than others.
Sometimes, in his great love, God allows us to have illnesses.
In some cases he does this to show his love and glory as he heals us.
But in other cases he does this to give us even more closeness with him in the suffering.
But you should not conclude that your illness is because he loves you less.
Read Psalm 119:67-68, 71, and 75, and Job 1-2.
Are you part of a church with some wise and loving and mature believers who could pray with and for you, and open God’s Word to you to comfort and strengthen you?
That is such an important way that God meets us.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Help!!!!!!
I’m having a real issue when it comes to sexual sin. It’s like I just can’t seem to stop permanently. Like I’ll win battles here and there, and I’ve even gone as long as three days without sinning sexually, but I don’t know it’s like I just can’t seem to stop. I got saved almost two and a half years ago and have struggled with this ever since. Before, I was A sinner who felt no conviction, I’d just pop open the laptop and that was that. Now it’s like, I feel convicted and even scared sometimes. I genuinely fear God and am afraid of losing everything because I cannot simply stop (referring to the story of Sampson, a man God chose to be leader of Israel and we know how that went). Or Esau who sold his birthright. And now, after fighting so long it’s like I’m not sure how much fight I have left. And I get tempted and when I try to turn away I just can’t. And sometimes I simply just want to give up, I mean like on every single thing. I can’t give up, but I don’t see another way. I have tried and tried and tried and I know I am at fault here to a degree. I will admit that, but I am constantly tempted day and night, and if it’s not temptation it’s the enemy pushing really really tough questions to challenge my faith. I’ve even wondered if God really does love me. And now I just feel like a condemned sinner, because I gave in to my sinfulness yet again. I want this to end, and end now. I can’t seem to understand why it’s so hard for me to break free. And I’ve asked God for a pure heart so that my motives are right, and I have asked for a fire to desire him more than I do sin ( he must increase, I must decrease). I sometimes feel like I’m outta options. This battle seems to only have intensified. I see many comments on here, so if you cannot reply I certainly understand but I do ask that you pray for me because I am going through it.
nd without I wonder God can forgive me.. i ve committed willful and deliberate sin due to me falling into temptation. i be been really sick for a long time.. a deathly kind of sick. I have adhd and have been impulse and without self-control.. I started eating bad again and in a glutton manner. well I began to feel like Jesus left me at that point. So I kind of gave up on my eating habits. then I started looking for ways to be healed like reiki voodoo crystal and I knew all this was wrong but I kept trying and after a while I realized how much I just desired to have God but my eating habits were still getting worse and now I want to repent but my heart feels hard and I don’t know if hell let me or if its possible.
Just know how much Jesus loves you. He wants to show you this. Even through the worst wilful sin he will not let you go. You did(X), but YOUR SINS ARE AS FAR AWAY FROM YOU FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST. You know what sin is and still do it. The key is “you know”. Those that don’t have him don’t know. Forgive yourself, he has already forever- all of them.
1st I want to address Rev Alex. Apologizing for my lack of follow thru. When I say I’m going to do something & don’t, I’ve not kept my word & I at least owe an explanation. I’ve been going thru some extraordinary challenges over the course of the last 4 to 6 weeks & these have prevented me. Be patient with me Rev. Alex & I’ll get around to our interrupted discussion.
Secondly with regard to this Threads title: Can I Deliberately Keep Sinning And Still Be Forgiven?
Let me restate it thusly: Can genuine believers in Jesus Christ continue in repeated, habitual sin & still have standing with God?
My answer is Yes. Here’s why. This explanation is going to fly in the face of the conventional understanding of what happens when a person receives genuine faith in Jesus Christ, which is what reconciles us to God. What happens when we get saved, are born again, are reconciled to God, are converted, are redeemed? (These are essentially all synonymous terms). Some believe that what happens is we are “forgiven for our sins”. I don’t believe this is exactly accurate. Equating God forgiving us for our sins with being saved or born again or whatever other terms you wish to apply, (I believe the most accurate one is “being reconciled to God) is a misconception. What is happening when we are reconciled to God is the Righteousness of Christ is being “imputed unto us”. It’s being given to us as a gift. This doesn’t mean we will no longer sin. Name one person that has been born again that never sinned again – you can’t. The Apostle Paul Himself said ” for the good that I would do, I do not to do, (sins of omission) but the evil that I would not do that I do (sins of commission). Romans 7:19 Paul confessed that he did evil. Someone should look in to how long after his conversion he said that.
Why would we receive something we don’t think we need? Because at one & the same time we are receiving this gift of righteousness we are being made aware of our need for it. We’re being convicted or convinced of our sinfulness. Now a lot of forgiveness does happen at conversion, because we see for the first time how wrong we have been. First this happens inwardly, we admit to our selves our wrong, then we admit it to God, then to others & as we grow it becomes a public testimony. Forgiveness begins when we are reconciled to God & as we confess our sins thru out the course of our lives we are cleansed of our sins. This is called “spiritual growth”. When the Apostle John said: If we confess our sins God is faithful & just to forgive us our sins & cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1st John 1:9) he was addressing believers, people who had been reconciled to God, not unbelievers. God is accepting us despite our sin, not instantly turning us in to sinless people who never sin again. Once a person gets hold of the fact that they having standing with God despite their sin then they are free to pursue discovering God’s will for their life & receiving the power to carry it out. Which in large part has to do with being cleansed of our sin. Because our sin stops us from being able to carry out Gods will. It’s like not being able to get up & go to work in the morning because we’re sick, were not able. We are sin sick. Being cured of this “sin sickness” makes us able & willing to do what God has called us to do. The remedy for sin sickness is “confession”. Jesus taught his disciples to confess their sins every day. (Matthew 11:12).
If we think our sin separates us from God (1), many times we deceive ourselves into believing we don’t have any, because we can’t bear the thought of being rejected by Him (& thus thinking were lost). So instead of confessing our sins we deny them or rationalize them, we engage in every sort of contrivance to convince ourselves we are right with God. Because we’ve been deceived into believing it’s OUR righteousness that gives us standing with God & not the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Once we get our feet planted on the solid rock Of “justification through faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ & not our own righteousness” then were free to focus on & pursue discovering & carrying out Gods will for our lives instead of wasting our time trying to stay right with God so we can have peace about our eternal destiny, that has already been purchased for us by the holy life of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:19 For by one mans disobedience (that is Adams) many were made sinners so then by the obedience one (that is Jesus) many shall be made righteous.
Get off of your guilt trip & putting everyone else on one, acknowledge that you are, in & of yourself – sinful & in fact are innately unable to live a righteous life in your own power & begin to confess your sinfulness to God so you can be cleansed of your sin & begin to experience some genuine spiritual growth. Search your soul for sin. Ask God to convict you of it.
God doesn’t save us because we give up our sin. God frees us from it. He uses his power to do this, we don’t use ours. If we could give up our sin, then Christ is dead in vain.
(Galatians 2:21) (KJV) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. ( Not only keeping the Mosaic law but any set of rules we set up & establish for ourselves that gives us confidence in our standing with God thru the keeping of them) The letter kills but the spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills but the spirit gives life.
(1) Romans7:17 (7:17)
Now then it is no more I that do it (no more I that sin), but sin that dwells in me.
THINK ABOUT IT. PRAY ABOUT IT.
Many Blessings – Johnny
hi,iam a backslidden christian.the lord called me a long time ago to while i was in prison and i refused him.he kept calling me and i did the samething.he has called me many times and i did the samething.he has blessed me with so many things while i repented but the guilt remains.i regret everything that i did but the guilt still remains.i know that if i confess my sins that i will be forgiven,but the guilt will still be there forever because i cannot forgive myself for what i did to jesus.i had so so many times to witness for him but didnt do nothing.i wish jesus never called me because look what i did,i flat out refused him!!!!!!!!!! i dont know what to do???
How can we determine our faith in Christ?
Jose:
Back slidden? I never did like that term. Why? Because people take it the wrong way, they take it to mean that God has rejected them & that their lost. Jose you gotta get a hold of the fact that you can’t do nothin’ for God, til He does something for you? You can’t obey God. If you could, Christ wouldn’t of had to die (Galatians 2:21). None of the old testament saints could live a righteous life & none of them did.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. (Romans 8:1) Walking after the flesh is living your life believing you have standing with God because of your own righteousness. When your doin’ that, every time you sin you will feel condemned. Walking after the spirit is living your life believing you have standing with God because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. When your doing that every time you sin you know you have a forgiving God you can go to who will forgive you of your sin & cleanse you of it and this doesn’t happen all at once, if only it did we could sit down write out all our sins, confess them to God & we’d be good to go. Something’s got to happen inside of us. And I can’t explain what all that is. But it takes time. I’ve described it this way. If ten believers were in a room, all lined up behind a red line that was painted on the floor. Ten feet from that line was a wall & on that wall there was a big red button. A referee was standing behind all of them with the starting pistol & as soon as it sounded the first one to get to that big red button & press it would receive the prize. What would the prize be? It would be that never again in their entire earthly lives would they ever have to deal with thinking, feeling or acting in sinful ways. If I was one of those believers, I would knock down every single one of those other believers, if I had to, to get to that button 1st.
You are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit your not comfortable with your sin, if you didn’t have the Holy Spirit it wouldn’t bother you as much & that’s a good sign.
You gotta get to the place where you admit to yourself, to God & to everyone else that your not good but sinful, in desperate need of God’s mercy & forgiveness, that in & of yourself, your evil & completely unable to live a righteous life. Jesus speaking to his disciples said: If you being “EVIL” know how to give good gifts to your children how much more can God give good things to those who ask him? (Matthew 7:11) The spiritual giant (or so we all think) the Apostle Paul himself said ” The good that I would do I do not do (sins of omission) & the “EVIL” that I would not do that I do (sins of commission – Romans 7:19). Jesus disciples came to him ask: Lord Teach us to pray. Part of what he told was that they needed to confess their sins every day. (Luke 11:1-4 Matthew 6:9-13). The Apostle John said “If we confess our sins God is faithful & just to forgive us our sins & cleanse us from all unrighteousness.(1st John 1:9)
Good people don’t need a Saviour, only sinful ones do. I need a Saviour – every day. How about you Jose?
Many Blessings – Johnny
Thank you Steve Fuller for your reply back. I’m glad I got up the courage to post. It’s warm here ?
I’m a 36-year old guy from Finland, I believe in Christ and consider Him as my one and only Lord and Saviour. Have done so since 1989 and, luckily, more intensively for the last couple of years. I surely can’t save myself, no matter what I do, no matter how good things I try to do, the sinner that I am – only Christ can save me, so all I can do is to ask for His mercy and love. As the world grows colder and more evil, my current motto is: “no matter what happens, no matter what anyone would say or do, I trust in Christ.”
I read a great comment from somewhere that said “when we turn toward Christ, in that instant we turn away from sin and are forgiven.” or something like that. But the idea remains: turning to Christ immediately causes the sins to be washed away.
Here’s a few Bible quotes that make me happy:
1 John 1:8-9
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 6:9-15
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
Psalm 109:21
But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
—
Lord Jesus Christ, please forgive me my sins. I also want to forgive to those who may have worked against me. I don’t want to hate anybody or remember anyone’s bad things, I want to get over them and start over. Please give me strength to walk in Your honour. Please carry me with Your mighty hand, now and always. In You I have everything. Amen.
I’m not a sinner. I’m a saint. But I’m not a sinless saint. Well, in one sense I am – sinless, that is. I’m sinless in that the righteousness of Christ has been imputed unto me, credited to my account. My sin… it’s no longer I that sin but sin that dwells in me. I’ve been separated from my sin. That is God see’s me & my sinful thoughts, feelings & actions … separately. He judges my sin but not me. He hates my sin, but not me.
In another sense I am sinful, in that the sin that dwells in me still comes out.. of me. Have any of us in this Blog – room (if I can call it that?) “come unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ?” The answer is an emphatic… NO! There are two ways to be saved one is to live the a perfectly righteous life. Another is to have the righteousness of Jesus Christ be given unto us as a gift. But this still doesn’t address the sin that was ours before we received Christ righteousness. It’s seems that every corner we turn we run into another thing we just can’t get our head around.
It’s all quite a mystery isn’t it. Will we ever completely understand it? I’m not so sure we will. Paul answered this in part by pointing us to the concept of faith. He brought up Rahab. A practicing prostitute, who had feared the God of Israel. She had heard of His exploits in the land of Egypt and ” believed” in the God of Israel. It was at this moment that she received the gift of righteousness not at the moment she stopped practicing prostitution. Could we have a surer, deeper, more explicit picture of just how far Gods grace reaches? I think that what God is trying to get thru to us is: Look, own it, your not righteous, you can’t be, you were born irreparably broken, incapable of fixing yourself. Let me fix you. I’ll start by giving you this gift of righteousness, to make you acceptable to me, then I work on you to make you fit for my use in the earth until the final restitution of all things. But still many questions remain unanswered… no I stand corrected there is an answer… its faith.
On that day when we stand
Before His throne
There – where all our sins
Could & would be fully shown
All that God will see
Is the holy Blood
Of His only Son
Yes all the work he’s already done!
I know, I know…
You all are already saying
But, but… but what? Have “FAITH” IN GOD!
That’s all fallible, finite creatures like us can do. And even God “gives” us to do that. All I think we can do after He’s “given” us this faith, is to “keep” this faith that he’s given us. I think we can do that. God won’t take it back, Satan can’t steal it from us. But can we discard it? “I think” we might be able to do that. But please don’t do that! Keep your faith. Keep it! It’s your only hope. He’s your only hope. Amen? AMEN ! ! !
Many Blessing – Johnny
For about three years now, I have been dead in the spirit, I resurrect and fall again and again,
am always sad, lonely in heart and emotionally ashamed of some acts I know is evil but cant refrain from it. my life has been lonely. I cant even pray, cant read the book of revelational destiny, the bible, . I sometimes feel dead.
I cant forgive myself, fornication is destroying me. I dont know what to do again, because I have been stolen and ashamed because I know the word.
I dont know what to do now in my life because I have broken a promising convenant with God.
please help me in prayers. my name is atta Frimpong samsford. a church youth president yet I am being down burden with lust, anger etc.
I earger to hear from u either by mail or voice ( my number : +233207956520)
thank you
I have a friend who’s from a different denomination than I am.
And in his mind he believes that even if anyone keeps committing sins, just believing in Jesus, they will be saved.
I have told him otherwise, but he still persists in showing me passages of the bible where ” give ” him right to keeping in sinning.
Then I decided to look up and he I found this article explaining it clearly.
I pray to God that this will make him realize how wrong he is.
God bless
Thank you.
Hi there everyone.. I came across this blog tonight and I’m very glad I did.. I’m a Christian, I think I love God alot because I think about Him all the time and I want to know him and do what is right with all of my heart! But I sin sometimes.. some times I know it’s wrong what I’m about to do, I realism I’m being tempted but I still choose to do the wrong thing. It hurts me alot because I feel like a failure. I feel like I’m not being true to God and therefore leaving myself open to punishment. Now I know that God in forgiving and the bible says that he doesn’t always deal with us according to our sins but I just don’t want to give the enemy any place in my life… you know? I struggle with guilt because I don’t fully understand yet how I could do something wrong one minute and then feel genuine regret the next minute and ask God to forgive me… and according to the bible, He does.
Good questions, Kris.
The reason God can forgive you is because, by trusting Jesus Christ, you are joined to him in his death and resurrection.
So his death paid for all of your sins.
And even tough we have been born-again, and have received a new heart which loves Jesus and hates sin, yet because our sinfulness is not removed this side of heaven we can go back and forth between sin and repentance.
What’s important is that you keep repenting, and asking God to set you free from sin, and praying over God’s promises which will strengthen your faith.
I hope this helps answer the concerns of your heart.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I’ve heard it taught that Hebrews 10:28 was directed towards Jews going back to Temple worship, animal sacrifices. Taken in context we must understand the writer of Hebrews , ( Paul I believe) is exhorting the Jewish believers not to count the blood of the covenant a common thing. There is no other sacrifice for those who continue to sin that sin in unbelief. Temple worship won’t cover your sins only belief in the new covenant who is Jesus. Also sinning is willful , not done accidentally.
It’s not clear that this is the focus of Hebrews 10.
But even if it is, what the author says would certainly cover any other sin that’s committed knowingly and deliberately.
But the good news is that when we turn back to Jesus with humble and heartfelt faith, he will always forgive, redeem, and deliver us.
I remember having truly accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Savior in April 2012, at the age of 15, after speaking with my youth pastor. I was still young at that point, and I was still committing sexual sin regularly. After I was truly saved, I noticed that I heard a voice speaking to me, telling me I should stop with my cursing, sexual immorality, and bad temper. That was from the Holy Spirit, who came to indwell me forever, to sanctify me, and transform my life to the likeness of Christ.
I still struggled with sexual sin, and I remember masturbating many times a week, and even looking at filthy images of women on the internet. I thought because I was going through my teenage years, I had hormones that trigger my sex drive, causing me to have lustful thoughts regularly. After a few years of struggling with sexual immorality, I had the desire in my heart to eventually stop with my sexual sin completely. So I began to battle against looking at women with lust, having sexual fantasies, masturbation, cursing, bad temper, envy, disobeying societal laws, etc.
I realized that the Holy Spirit has definitely been convicting me of my sin, drawing me to come closer to God in repentance, and trusting in Him alone to help me overcome the temptations and struggles I face every day. I have also experienced God’s chastisement by examining myself to see if I am a true believer, responding to Jesus’ warnings, fearing Him, and confessing my sin to Him. Even though I am still being tempted to sexual immorality and may even fall into the trigger again, I have a strong conviction in my heart from the Holy Spirit telling me to flee from immorality and trust in Christ to set me free. When I do sin, I feel very sorrowful, so I tend to come to God in repentance, asking Him to cleanse me from my filthy thoughts and actions.
I thank God so much, and I do trust that He is continually transforming my life to become more like Christ, and He is continuing to shape me to become more mature in my relationship with Him. I am more willing to suffer for Christ, read His word, spend time in prayer, and spread the Gospel whenever God is giving me the opportunity.
In Christ,
John He
Thank you so much for sharing your story, John.
So if you willingly sin and have no intention to stop (in my case acting on lust in a manner that only requires myself, cussing, and being entertained by fictional violence, the last of which I’m not exactly sure if it’s sin or not), does that mean you actually aren’t a christian even if you believe Jesus is the messiah? Iv’e never been entirely sure if you have to simply believe in Jesus, or that and consistently try to stop every sin you do. I’m sure every person, christian or not, willingly sins a lot by doing something, because the willingness to do so is exactly why we sin to begin with. How does one reconcile John 3:16 with 1 Corinthians 6:9-11? I know believing in Jesus doesn’t excuse sin, but if he came to die for us knowing that we can’t meet his standards for works precisely because we’ve sinned and sends us to hell anyway because we were less willing to stop some of them, then what was the point of his sacrifice? Is it that we need works as well as faith to be saved from the second death, since faith without works is dead, or simply that only faith can make any works we do worth something?
Dave:
I just finished reading the entire book of Hebrews. Hebrews 6:4,5 & 6 as well as Hebrews 10:26(you said Hebrews 10:28 I think you meant Hebrews 10:26, correct me if I’m wrong)are passages that are interpreted in many different ways. I can’t expound on it now(I will later) but be assured it doesn’t mean that those who sin willfully after they are saved can’t be forgiven for those sins and are lost forever which is how some suggest it should be interpreted. If this were true all of us would be lost. Who hasn’t sinned knowingly & willfully after they have been saved?
I’ll share more later.
Many Blessings – Johnny
Dave:
1st I’m going to address Hebrews 10:26 which says (here the writer of the epistle of Hebrews is speaking to Jews who have become Christians):
… Hebrews 10:26 – If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. This can’t mean a person is lost if they sin after they’ve been born again, redeemed, converted, saved, reconciled to God (5 different ways of saying essentially the same thing). I’ll cite only 2
scriptures, I could cite a dozen more. 1st John 1:9 (The Apostle John speaking to believers) If we confess our sins God is faithful & just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. 1st John 2:1 …if any man sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous.
It’s clear to see that if Hebrews 10:26 meant a person couldn’t be forgiven after they became a
believer then these 2 passages in 1st John couldn’t be true. Some may want to make a distinction between willful sin & sin done in ignorance but there are many more verses I could site to refute this. Here’s one: Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no more… Why would Paul have to admonish these believers in Ephesus not to steal? Could it be because some of them were stealing? Common sense can go a long way. One could steal in ignorance not knowing it’s wrong, but by & large most people who steal know what they’re doing is wrong (especially a believer). Can a person who steals & knows it’s wrong be forgiven? Of course they can. I could go on & on citing dozens of passages to support this as scriptural. Not to mention that it is plain reason & common sense. The big question in Hebrews 10:26 is: When the writer of
Hebrews uses the word “sin”. Just what sin is he referring to? One way to discover this it to read all the writer had to say before Hebrews 10:26. Really we need to start at the beginning of chap.10. We need to study it prayerfully,
think about it, pray about it, meditate on it, its not easy reading. It takes thought, effort, prayer, along with a genuine desire to discover the truth. I encourage all to do this.
The real clues about what specific sin is being referred to begins in verse 22.” Let us draw near in a full assurance of “FAITH”… then in verse 23: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering… in verses 24 & 25
… let us consider one another to provoke unto love & to good works not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but encouraging one another… verse 26 For if we sin willfully after we have come
unto a knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins.
What we see from verse 22 thru 25 is admonitions & exhortations (urgent pleadings) for these
believers to “keep” their faith. Then comes the whopper…
For if we “SIN” after we have come unto a knowledge of the truth…
If the writer is urging his readers to “keep the faith” what must they be doing or not doing? They are not keeping the faith. They are not drawing near in a full assurance of “FAITH”… They are not holding fast the profession of their faith without wavering…. They are wavering in their faith, beginning to doubt. They stopped provoking one another to good works… they’ve stopped assembling themselves together (at least some of them) they stopped encouraging one another in their faith.
Now the biggest whopper of all. If we reject this truth that Jesus is the final sacrifice for our sins then we have cast away our only hope, for the blood of bulls & goats can’t do it. We must continue to believe that we all are sanctified through the body of Jesus “ONCE FOR ALL”(HEBREWS 10:10). And again: But this man (Jesus) had offered one sacrifice for sins “FOREVER”… (Hebrews 10:12 – look at verse 14 too). Finally in the last 2 verses of Hebrews chap. 10 we read. 38 …The just shall live by faith, but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39: BUT WE ARE NOT OF THEM THAT DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION, BUT OF THEM THAT BELIEVE UNTO THE SAVING UNTO THE SOUL!
That last verse is powerful. This inspired writer is countering all the doubt & unbelief that these Hebrew believers were being beset by.
One of the things these passages here in Hebrews 10 do, is throw a big ugly wrench in the gears of hyper-Calvinism which contends that once a person is saved its impossible for them to ever be lost. If this is so why would this inspired writer find it necessary to admonish these believers to continue to believe “unto the saving of the soul”. Essentially the message of Hebrews Chapter 10 which was to believers is:
KEEP ON BELIEVING!
The question we ask at the beginning of all of this was: When the writer of Hebrews uses the word “sin” in Hebrews Chapter 10 verse 26 just what sin is he referring to?
It’s the “SIN” of unbelief which when continued in & not countered can lead to “apostasy” which I believe is the only sin that can cause a saved person to be lost.
Apostasy by definition is: …the total renunciation of Christianity by embracing either a false faith, or no faith at all. The offence can only take place in one who has [genuinely] professed the true faith. – Blackstone
Here the word religion has been replaced by the word faith, bracketed words are mine.
To date, in my studies, I believe it is a sin (genuine apostasy) from which there is no return. Any person who has gotten into this spiritual state would have no concern about their standing with God, they’ve become completely indifferent, they just don’t
care & that excludes all of you here. If you didn’t care why would you even be asking about it?
Some don’t possess genuine faith but may believe that they do, due to a lack of understanding. Genuine faith requires more than saying “yes I believe that” One must genuinely believe in their heart. That is, be convinced. (one way to find out is to pray, ask God “God do I have genuine faith in you? if not give it to me please). Many grow up in a Christian home & think this makes them A Christian. Others join a church & think the same. God gives one faith in himself & when he’s given it to you, you’ll know it, it changes you.
Others may have renounced their faith in word but in heart it still remains. There are examples of both. In the final analysis this is an issue between the individual & their maker.
It will all be settled one day, when all darkness has been finally dispelled, at the time of the restitution of all things.(Acts 3:21)
Until then I admonish all of you to believe & to keep on believing!
Romans 10:13 For whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Call on his name, the name of Jesus, he is faithful & true, he will bring himself to your attention.
John 5:24 Jesus said: They who hear my word and believe on him who sent me, have everlasting life & shall not come into condemnation, but are passed from death unto life.
I in due course I will address Hebrews chapter 6.
Many Blessings dear friends – in Christ – Johnny
Dave:
I just finished reading the entire book of Hebrews. Hebrews 6:4,5 & 6 as well as Hebrews 10:26(you said Hebrews 10:28 I think you meant Hebrews 10:26, correct me if I’m wrong)are passages that are interpreted in many different ways. I can’t expound on it now(I will later) but be assured it doesn’t mean that those who sin willfully after they are saved can’t be forgiven for those sins and are lost forever which is how some suggest it should be interpreted. If this were true all of us would be lost. Who hasn’t sinned knowingly & willfully after they have been saved?
Dave:
…I wanted to ad to this above comment.
I said: …be assured it doesn’t mean that those who sin willfully after they are saved can’t be forgiven for those sins and are lost forever.
Here’s my clarification. Not only are believers not lost due to willful disobedience but they are not lost even before they confess this disobedience. In other words one remains saved by virtue of the “imputed righteousness” of Jesus Christ even while they are in a state of unconfessed sin. Repentance does not save a person faith does. In fact a major misconception in my view is that repentance or confession is a precondition of salvation. We do not repent(or confess)and then receive salvation we receive salvation & then repent. We begin a life of repentance. If repentance were necessary to salvation then it would become a “work”. We are not saved by works.(Ephesians 2:8&9) The spirit of God convicts(or convinces)us of sin then we repent.
There is, what I call the lost-saved-lost-saved -lost-saved – theory of salvation. We start out being lost, then we come to faith in Jesus & are saved. Then we sin & are lost, then we confess & are saved again. Then we sin & are lost again etc. etc. But this is not how it works. This leads to a very unstable Christian life.
Here’s how it works. We receive faith in Jesus Christ & are saved and we remain saved until we no longer have this faith.(This was explain in my earlier post – apostasy) Sinning or being disobedient does not constitute not having faith it constitutes sinning or being disobedient. We still have standing with God thru the “imputed righteousness of Jesus the Messiah”. (a side note – I’m learning to use the word Messiah (Hebrew) instead of the word “Christ”(Greek) because Jews are offended by the term “Christ” because they have been accused of being “Christ killers” for centuries, which they are not. All of human kind are Christ killers. The Jews didn’t kill Christ – the Messiah – the Romans didn’t either – human kind did. I did, you did, we all did. In fact it was prophesied that we would. Had it not happened we would not have been reconciled to God. So in this sense we should be glad not – mad that it happened or we would all still be in our sins). Now back to the issue at hand. So our standing with God comes thru the gift of righteousness(imputed righteousness) we all receive at conversion. Over coming our sin is a work of “sanctification” not salvation. It’s the second step in the work that God does in us. Then he sanctifies us(sets us apart-makes us fit to live the new life he’s given us to live in service to him and to others).
Dave what you are experiencing is the convicting work of the holy spirit in your life. Your no longer comfortable with your sin, this is good. We all go thru it. Now you need to learn how to overcome your sin thru prayer, study, meditation, & receiving the ministry of the apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors & teachers. see below:
11 And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers,
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)
A key is:
31 Jesus said… to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed,
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.(John 8:31-33 -KJV)
Reading the bible & rightly understanding it is crucial to living an over coming life.
…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(Romans 10:17)
I can remember feeling so grieved as a young Christian, that I couldn’t seem to stop myself from doing things I knew were wrong and the church I was attending was at a lost to show me how. They led me to Christ, but couldn’t show me how to live an overcoming life. Why? Because themselves didn’t know how? At first I was angry because of this, but I no longer am, because had it not been for them I wouldn’t know Jesus. I had to learn for myself & I’m still learning.
I hope this helps.
Many Blessings in Jesus – Yours in the Messiah Johnny
I don’t believe at all that a Christian can commit apostasy. The pharasees were not saved Christians after all and those were of whom Jesus was speaking of. The unpardonable sin is as you said a continuing denying of what Jesus did on the cross and personally receiving that Grace. If one remains with us does not mean physically leaving the church. After all there are many unsaved Christians who remain in the church physically. If they leave by heart they never were Christians. Jesus is the Author And Finisher of your faith. Finisher-period. No matter what no one can take you out of his right hand. You can’t even walk away. He got you while you were declared dead in your trespasses and sins. How can you walk away. You will have to succumb just like you did when he saved you. When the door knocks too much you WILL answer. I need to get up at night no matter WHAT when my bladder is full, EVEN WHEN I AM TIRED and don’t want to. When can he not get those he predestined to become his children, not ever can Jesus fail TO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER. When you are saved you have already crossed from death to life.
The rest is following Christ and your rewards may suffer if you don’t. Yes, some have shipwrecked their Faith, some have become weak, and they doubt like I have so much. What about a dog returns to his vomit. When that dogs spits out his vomit he never received that sustenance. And those of you who think your sins can separate you from Christ are off also like Johnny said. That is your rewards at stake and boy you will regret that, but your salvation is secure. Those people who said -Lord, Lord but we did this or that HAD ONLY WORKS. Do any of you believe your works can get you to Heaven. I think all of you don’t. We are only saved one time-period. You can squander away all you want, receive little in rewards, but Jesus will finish what he started in you. You cannot walk away. You cannot undue what Jesus did. Yous sins are as far away as the east to the west. Your willful sins are covered-period. Jesus said he cannot leave himself. So, would your simple disobedience cause him to leave himself- NO. Can you commit the unpardonable sin once you have received Christ and walk away-NO. You can’t make Jesus leave himself and He is the Author And Finisher of your Faith. The word Finish is just what it says. God Bless.
Dear Frank:
Apostasy by definition is: …the total renunciation of Christianity [abandoning of our faith] by embracing either a false faith, or no faith at all. THE OFFENCE CAN ONLY TAKE PLACE IN ONE WHO HAS [genuinely] PROFESSED [or possessed] THE TRUE FAITH. – Blackstone
If you look at the statement above I think one must find this compelling. THE OFFENCE CAN ONLY TAKE PLACE IN ONE WHO HAS [genuinely] PROFESSED THE TRUE FAITH. Other wise what would one be renouncing or abandoning? The only one who can commit apostasy is one who has been genuinely born again. Other wise what would we be falling away from? (Hebrews 6:6) “fall away” in this passage is where we get our word apostasy.
But here’s a distinction for those who hold to the save-lost, saved-lost, save-lost theory of salvation. Let me define this for clarity’s sake. We become reconciled to God thru genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Then we willfully & knowingly disobey and we lose our soul. Then we confess our willful disobedience & we get saved again. Then we willfully & knowingly disobey – and again we lose our soul – again. And on and on and on. I don’t buy into this.
What determines if one is reconciled to God is do you have genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Have you confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus? Do you believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead? If you can answer yes then your saved. No matter your manner of living.
I think the insistence by some that one can never lose their faith is spurred on by fear. Fear of losing their soul after they have been saved. This fear is unwarranted. Because Satan can never rob us of our faith, nor will God ever take our faith away from us once he has imparted it. But I do believe we have the power to discard it.
Frank: Please address the following:
One of the things these passages here in Hebrews 10 do, is throw a big ugly wrench in the gears of hyper-Calvinism which contends that once a person is saved its impossible for them to ever be lost. If this is so, why would this inspired writer find it necessary to admonish these believers to continue to believe “unto the saving of the soul”. Essentially the message of Hebrews Chapter 10 which was to believers is: KEEP ON BELIEVING!
And we can keep on believing, we have the power to do that, we need not fear!
During my times of rebellion & willful, unrepentant, and even cavalier sin, many self-righteous Christians tried to tell me I was lost & going to hell. I didn’t let them rob me of my faith. I kept on believing! Sure I had issues, but I also had faith in Jesus Christ! Thru that faith I had standing with God.
We move toward apostasy. I don’t think it happens all at once. We come to a point where we have to make a decision. In my times of rebellion I was moving toward apostasy. But at critical points I made the right decisions. I could have forsaken God. Gone my own way and decided to live my life the way I wanted to(completely), been the Lord of my own life. In fact I believe I came to the point of no return. I could have taken one more step away from God & it would have been over with. What compelled me not to? I’ll tell it the best I can. AS I WAS BEING TEMPTED TO TAKE THAT STEP, I was thinking, how can you really know if this Jesus business is for real or not? There’s no way you can really know, it happened so long ago. Just forget about all of that, live your life the way you want to live it, enjoy, have fun, be free. (I wonder where these thoughts came from)? I pondered that briefly.
Then I ask: Well God, what do you have to say about all of this? Is this Jesus business true or not? One word came back. It was – Yes.* I pondered that for awhile. It didn’t take long. I had a choice – eternal life or eternal death. If I choose life I was going to have to suffer some more, fight some more, keep putting up with a dark, confusing & evil world that hated the decision I was going to make. But it was going to be worth it. What amounts to the blink of an eye of discomfort to an eternity of bliss. In real time it was a tough decision but in the long view it was easy.
You see Satan couldn’t push me over that line (the point of no return) God wouldn’t let him. But nor would God have stopped me if I decided to take that step of my own accord.
I don’t have all the answers. I’m sure the Arminian/Calvinist debate won’t end with these words. All I know is I’m going to keep on believing! I believe God created me for a reason & I want to discover that & live it out, in the here & now & in the here after.
Here’s another passage: [Christ]… will present you holy, unblameable, and unreproveable in his[Gods] sight “IF” you continue in the faith grounded & settled & be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. Colossians 1:22-23 Conversely what if we don’t continue in the faith grounded & settle and are moved away from the hope of the gospel?
Here’s another strong point. Hyper Calvinist have a belief known as “Double predestination”. This doctrine contends that all people are foreordained to either eternal death or eternal life. It’s all settled already there’s nothing any of us can do about it one way or another. How can this be reconciled with God being a just God? I know some who use this belief to judge others. There are some who are evil(foreordained to eternal death) & some who are good (fore-ordained to eternal life).If someone is evil we’re justified in hating them. They’re “EVIL PEOPLE”. I’m not saying your doing this Frank but there are some who are.
Reconciling Gods sovereignty with mans free will is what were looking at here. Were trying to make sense out of it all. I for one confess it’s no easy task.
It looks like I’m going to have to get to addressing Hebrews Chapter 6. Until then think & pray, see what God shows you. Ya know, I can pray this prayer. God: I believe that one must continue to have genuine faith to continue to be saved and I believe that a person who has genuine faith can come to a place where they no longer have it. Am I wrong? If so show me. Open my eyes to the truth don’t allow me to be deceived – I pray in Jesus name – Amen. I encouraged others to pray such prayers no matter your current beliefs. If we do so from the heart what possible harm could it bring.
I believe there are people on both sides of this issue who are genuine believers. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean we can’t be wrong. If it did who among would be saved? Not I.
Many Blessings dear friends. KEEP ON BELIEVEING!
* Due to this, in all matters of faith,I always tell people: make your final appeal to God. In other words what ever it is your facing, before you decide – PRAY! Bring God into it, he can always be trusted, to steer you right.
If they went out from among us, they were never with us. I can still say with my mouth That Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead on the 3rd day and Lives on the Right side of God and I do believe this in my heart. I am very weak however. Remember there are many degrees to faith. Some have a strong faith, some have a weak. Some have a great love, some don’t. When your love has not been made perfect you will fear. As far as love, I love the sinner even more than the saint. And put no emphasis on any predestination. You still have to say the words, I believe Lord. No one is going to Heaven without believing He died for your sins. I don’t care that he chose this or that an infinite amount of years ago. Those words or sentiments from the heart still need to be spoken or thought. We have a free will. What happens to you in life can bend your will. He said the best deciples I break. I will get up if the door knocks too much, yet it is my will that caused me to get up- that door knocking. Jesus knocked on the door. It is the dog’s free will to spit out his vomit. That vomit represents the word, and it was never palatable. Frank
To All:
There are 181 responses to this thread. I thought: I need to go back & read this entire thread including the initial article composed by Steve Fuller, the founder of this Blog. If I did how much might I learn? I encourage everyone who considers this issue of import to do that. That will take a commitment, since it amounts to a short book. I confess I can’t make that commitment right now, at least not any time soon, but I will in due course.
Just a thought. Johnny
I have begun deliberately sinning again. The same sin I thought I was done with. Every time I used to sin like this I would cry because I felt so bad about it afterwards. Now, I feel nothing. No fear of judgement. No sincere remorse. I don’t want to be like this. But I don’t think I’m saved. I think God washed His hands of me a long time ago. I don’t like the way I am, and I still want to change even though I’m pretty sure I’m not going to heaven. What do I do?
Turn to Christ, confessing your sin, and crying out to him to forgive you, change you, and satisfy you.
Pray over the truth of God’s Word — He will use His Word to strengthen your faith and encourage you.
And find some godly women in your church who can pray with and for you.
I hope that helps — Jesus stands ready to do everything for you that you need, if you will turn to him and trust him.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I’m so upset now!!!! I’m really really worried help me!!! I love our father, and I am so worried as I DON’T want to deliberately sin but I do!! For instance I love clothes and spending on money on clothes and I know that’s bad but I still do it, and movies that aren’t Christian yet I still keep on watching so now i’m going to hell because I keep deliberately sinning??? without repenting. I thought Jesus died for our sins i’m so upset and scared right now 🙁
Jesus DID die for our sins. And we receive the benefits of his death by faith alone.
And repenting of sin shows that we have faith in Christ.
So, please, turn to Christ, and repent. Ask him to help you. He will satisfy you infinitely more than sin — and he will give you everything you need so you can repent.
Don’t delay — he is standing before you with open arms.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Marie & Rosie:
Have you confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus? Do you believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead? If you can answer yes to these questions then you are saved. God gave you this faith in himself as a free gift, whether you know it or not. That’s the first step. Step One: Receiving faith in Jesus Christ. That’s what saves you, what reconciles you to God. Step Two: Learning how to live a righteous, overcoming life. Step one happens at a moment in time. Step Two continues through out the course of your entire life. It’s very unlikely that you will ever live a completely sinless life. You’ll need his grace to live your life, (the life he’s given you to live) from this point forward. It’s very humbling if you think about it. I don’t know about you, but I would like to be able to live a sinless life in my own power. But I can’t, I’ve tried. Hopefully you both will learn that too. You’ll come to the end of yourself and see in all of it’s fullness that you are simply unable to right your own ship. Most believers continue trying to right their own ship, until in utter exasperation, they throw their hands up and finally fall at Jesus feet, begging his mercy, knowing that they are at his mercy. And ooooh how he has so much of it.
That will be the real beginning of your new life, when you’ve died to yourself and begin to live to and thru him. Then you learn in earnest the words of the Psalmist:
Psalm 103:8-14King James Version (KJV)
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
Dear God in Heaven Place your hand upon Marie & Rosie. Bring into their life the things they need. Do for them what they can’t do for themselves. You are God and I am not, nothing is hidden from your eyes, look and see, bless them with your extraordinary power & love. Give them a revelation of your grace, an intense desire to seek after your truth, despite their many sins, grant them all of these blessings, and many more that you know they need – that I could never name. I ask in Jesus name. Amen? Amen!
Hello. I’m very thankful to have seen this posting. It encourages me that there are true believers out there. There is the scary error doctrine out there that once saved always saved no matter what. We shouldn’t argue about that honestly, that’d be foolish. Noone seems to be preaching or teaching about repentance. They all say repentance is the old covenant and denies Christ. It’s the craziest thing because I am consistently close to God. Always in fellowship with him and there is a lot of repentance in my relationship with him. It’s like this. If I can paint a picture, if you’re in a relationship with someone. And you know that something you do really hurts there feelings would you continue on doing it? Or would you say sorry and try to stop doing that thing? I understand that many sins are strongholds and believing lies really can hold people to sins also there’s spiritual entities involved. But repentance closes all the doors to the enemy. Aligns us up back to fellowship through Jesus’s sacrifice we can receive forgiveness now. Repentance to me is like scrubbing in the shower. Do you only need to shower once to stay clean? As I walk with the Lord I have been changed dramatically even the most seductive or addictive sins he’s removed and delivered me from. He’s good, repentance is not legalistic either! It even says in the end days people won’t repent! No-one wants to feel bad or remorseful. They blame, hide, excuse themselves. I’m not angry, just passionate. People need to know the truth! But anyways thank you for your devotion to Jesus. Even if you suffer for what you believe I know he’ll strengthen you through it all. Praise Jesus for speaking the truth in love 🙂
If you really believed in him you wouldn’t even want to sin anymore. It may take time. I remember it took a long time to stop smoking cigarettes. It took guilt, fear of the Lord, his convictions, repentance, effort, scripture (truth), relationship, prayer, people’s help, devotion to him, worship etc. But I was delivered! Praise Jesus Hallelujah! All of that comes from relationship with him so it’s not really a list of formulas or anything. When you’re in relationship with Jesus the sins have no power over you.
hello my name is Jackie and I am 35 years old and I live with my mom and I sometimes get on her nerves and I say things I do not really mean and when I do I cuss and say mean things and she also says that god will get you and I think it will only me and me only and she tells me that god will forgive all sins and then I ask god to forgive me what I am trying to say if I keep asking god to forgive even if I am still cussing and saying mean things will he send me to hell I am scared and confused
Thank you for raising such an important question, Jackie.
Apart from what I wrote in this blog post, the best advice I can give you is to share your situation with some godly women at your church, so they can pray with and for you.
Often God will give us the wisdom we seek through other godly believers.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Hi, I have been saved for many years, but recently found myself slip back into an old sin I used to struggle with. In the past I promised God that I would never committ this particular sin again, but I ended up breaking that promise knowingly. I knew beforehand and during this certain act that I shouldn’t do so and Hebrews 10:26 even slipped in mind, but gave into temptation anyways. Afterwards I felt extremely guilty and shameful. The next day I cried and begged God for mercy. I asked for forgiveness and repented. This time I felt I had truly repented and that I would never fall short in this area of my life again. I did not however promise God I wouldn’t do it again, not because I wanted to continue in it, but because of fear I would break another promise to him. After doing all this I felt a lot better. Unfortunately about 3-4 wks later I slipped up again in the same sin. The part that bothers me the most is that I knew I had already dealt with God about this and that I had repented. Once again Hebrews Ch. 10:26 popped in my mind as well, but I still chose to go through with this sin anyways trying to ride it off as not being that big of a deal and trying to justify that it’s okay and that Jesus will forgive me even though I knew it was not. I still have not been able to get over this and am heartbroken,disappointed, and angry with myself that I chose sin over God’s ways. Through all of this I still believe Jesus is Lord and my Savior, even when the act occurred, but since it was deliberate sin does that mean I cannot be forgiven? Even if I repent again? I feel as if I have abused grace. Before I committed the act I kinda had this thought that if I end up feeling guilty Jesus will forgive me. I know Jesus didn’t die so that we could continue in sin, but rather free us from it. I truly have NO desire to continue in this sin, but am just afraid I will not make it to heaven based off what Hebrews 10:26 says. Can you please help me? I am desperate. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Jesus can and will forgive any deliberate sin, if we will turn our hearts from that sin and trust him to forgive us, change us, and satisfy us in himself.
Do you have some godly believers who can stand with you and pray with them for you about this? I think you would find that helpful.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I’m addicted to opiates, I desperately want to stop but am unable to endure the withdrawls. How can I ask Jesus to forgive me when I know I will do it again? I am a backslider. I want to return to the relationship with Christ, but Satan has this stronghold in my life. I have determined I am bound for hell and eternal damnation. I’ve sought help but can’t afford the cost of going to a detox facility. I guess my only hope is suicide if God won’t help me, my life Is over and Satan has succeeded in robbing, killing and destroying. I’m reaping what I’ve sown and Jesus is not obligated to deliver me since I turned my back on him.I deserve death and hell.please pray I can have a ray of hope before I give up.
No matter how much we have sinned, Jesus will forgive and help us if we will simply turn to him and look to him with faith.
Please share your struggle with the leaders at your church, so they can encourage you and pray for you.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
If you did something against God’s will, but getting back out of it to get on his plan constituted performing a sin, would God ever will you to do that?
Would he lead you to sin in order to get back onto his original plan for your life?
I’ve been looking for an answer to this question, but am not finding it anywhere.
I don’t believe we should ever think that we need to sin in order to get back into God’s will.
I would encourage you to share the details of your situation with the leaders at your church, so they can pray for you and give you their counsel.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I have committed the unpardonable sin. I know I am going to hell. I divorced my husband of 4 years because I had always been in love with another man although never acted on it. I asked God for forgiveness. I also had Lyme Disease at the time and asked for Him to heal me. He spoke to me and said “I am” and took away all my symptoms. I knew it was God that was talking to me and I knew He was with me. After my divorce and after I was given forgiveness I contacted the man I was in love with who was married and ended up that he touched me. I wasn’t in my right mind at the time. Following this God has left me. I only did it once and have asked for forgiveness millions of times, but I know that I have committed the unpardonable sin because I sinned after receiving knowledge of the truth that God is with us. There is no hope for me. I feel no love anymore. I feel nothing. My heart is hardened. I don’t feel convicted of sin. I am doomed. Please have faith in Jesus. Do your best not to sin and always turn to God. I can only pray that He will come back to me, but I’m pretty sure He won’t. Please pray for me.
I can assure you that if you turn to Jesus with confession, and trust him to forgive you, change you, and satisfy you in himself, he will.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Hi Nicole,
I’m going to try and make this short. Yes, Jesus will forgive you even right now this moment if you are sorry with a pure heart. Jesus told the lady in the bible- the story where the people wanted to stone her “to go and sin no more.” Jesus would tell you the same thing, sin no more. We all know right from wrong and yes at times we make bad choices but guess what we don’t have to make them anymore, does that mean you’ll be perfect(No) but it means you have the power to make the right choice. Nicole you said you were doom and that statement is straight from the devil, he wants you to feel that way so you can stay away from God. You must forgive yourself now and move forward, keep a repenting heart. Jesus will always have open arms for you. Even when we mess up he is still right there waiting for us to say sorry, sin no more and move forward living for Him. I pray you find it in your heart to know the Lord is still waiting on you, tell the enemy to get out your head space in the name of Jesus and ask Jesus to help you from this moment on. You’re not doom unless you allow the enemy or people around you to tell you these lies. Happy to hear of your health.
Read Hebrews 7:25
Titus 3:5
and also Jesus said I came for the sick not the healthy, we are living under Grace and if you’ll take it- it’s there for you. I pray this can help you turn back to God because He is waiting. He can forgive all wrong….
Nicole you strayed. You backslid. Many people do. By the fact that you have asked for prayers says that you have not committed the unpardonable sin. You say you don’t care but you care enough to ask for prayers which means you have some shred of hope and concern. Had you committed the unpardonable sin, you would not even be concerned. Don’t let your dry spell fool you. I will pray for you also, but pray to the Lord to help you get your feelings back. I don’t have all the answers and I feel like we all get punished for our sins at some point in our lives even if we do repent BUT we can be forgiven. God gave us plenty of biblical examples. A Pastor friend once told me, don’t give up on God and God won’t give up on you. Sometimes God allows us to feel this way to get our attention and teach us. He wishes for none to perish. The unpardonable sin is when you die denying the Holy Spirit, while your alive you can choose instead to repent and serve the Lord. It’s not about us. Don’t stop praising God. Every day you wake up is because God wakes you up and gives you His new mercies. ❤️❤️❤️
I just want to know what if we try to fight with faith but sometimes it happens that we bound to fall in the pit of sin and commit sin even when we know we are doing this wrong still in a split of second we commit sin? still can we be forgiven?
Yes, we can certainly still be forgiven, if we will genuinely repent and turn from the sin, and trust Jesus to forgive us, change us, and satisfy us in himself.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Steve:
What happens if we don’t genuinely repent & turn from the sin and trust Jesus to forgive us, change us & satisfy us in himself?
What will become of us then? We’re still confessing with our mouth that Jesus is the Messiah & Lord, we still believe in our heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. But we’re lingering in our sin. In fact we seem trapped in it and unable to overcome it. We desperately long for deliverance, but it just won’t come. All our efforts to right ourselves fail. We throw our hands up in exasperation! It’s no use, we just can’t make the grade. We’re not going to even try any more.
If we die in this state are we lost? Bound for hell? Damned?
Sincerely, Johnny
You ask a really important question, Johnny.
If you are not genuinely repenting and turning from sin to trust Christ, then you are not truthfully confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Savior and Lord, and you are not believing in your heart that God has raised him from the dead.
The reason I say that is because to believe that Jesus is Savior and Lord and that God has raised him from the dead, means trusting that he is your all-satisfying Treasure who alone can forgive, change, and fill you.
I’m not sure that if you die in this state that you will not be saved. But if you want to be sure that you will be saved, you must turn from your sin and trust Christ to help you.
I hope that helps, and thanks for the questions.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I am trying to avoid some bad habits but whenever a temptation comes I cannot resist myself. I regularly pray to Jesus to forgive me. But again and again I just commit that sin. Will I be forgiven? What should I do to avoid all these temptations?
Hi Steve. I feel blessed for reading this. I am a born again believer since 2010 and have at times lived very holy but I have lately been stuck in habitual sin. Gambling, Drinking, Smoking, Recreational drug use and it is killing me that I keep on with it. I do good for few months then do 1 sin and then I think oh well now that I did one Ill just do them all and then stop it all again in a day or so.
The thing is, it is not fun. I don’t enjoy sin. I hate sin. The way I feel, the money I lose, harming my health, the guilt but mostly I cry because I love Jesus. I love Him so much for what He has done and it hurts me to let God down. Please can you advise me of why if you hate sin and repent and have real regret and really want to not sin and plead with God to help because I am weak. Then why if I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to disappoint God and I really pray hard to not do it again then why do I do it again. This makes me ask am I really saved? Is there some family curse on my life? I want to be obedient to God. I don’t want to just be saved and go to heaven I ask Him daily Lord use me. Help me to follow the example of Christ and help me to expand Your Kingdom and make disciples for you. This is what He wants for us and I also want to do more for Him but how can I if I keep falling back into old habitual sin. Please can you shed some light and assist me in this. I believe that the Holy Spirit led me to this site for a reason. Blessings, Jaco
You are asking a really important question, Jaco.
The most important way to be assured of salvation is by turning to Jesus and trusting him to forgive you, change you, and satisfy you in himself.
It is sad that we turn back to sin. All of us should be heartbroken over that.
But no matter how many times we turn back to sin, if we turn back to Jesus with humble confession and genuine faith, then we can be fully assured we are saved.
I hope this helps –
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I appreciate this article and would love for some advice..I know that I dont sin delibratley and do my best to fight against sin,but its difficult for me.I need Jesus in my life..I understand and read the bible to help me know God more but each time I think,that I’m free from sins i knocks me back to where I was.Thank you
The best counsel I can give is to have you read other articles on this site regarding sin and temptation.
Then, if you have further questions, let me know – and I’ll see if I can help.
In Christ,
Steve
Good day Steve. I’d just like to ask something.
I have this male friend who’s married, but had an adulterous relationship with another woman. He has repented and came back to Christ, and his wife has forgiven him and they are now serving the Lord together. However, my friend is bothered because of what his pastor has uttered right after he got out of that sticky situation. The pastor said that “If you do this thing again, I pass judgment that you will experience something far worse than this.” (My friend nearly went to jail with his adultery coz the girl he had a relationshjp with was below 18.)
Now my friend is bothered that he was just cursed. Was he? What if my friend indeed slips again and has an encounter with another woman? Is he out of heaven for good? Wiaiting for your feedback, thanks..
Good question, Donnie.
No human curse has ultimate power over us; only God has ultimate power.
And if your friend commits adultery again he can be assured that if he will genuinely turn back to Christ, he will be completely forgiven and welcomed into heaven.
So was the pastor right in what he said? Encourage your friend not to focus on that, but to focus on Christ and his precious promises, and the eternal dangers he could face if he continues in sin without repenting.
In Christ,
Steve
Thanks very much for your reply Steve.
Two nights ago, my friend opened up to me. The problem is, his wife doesn’t want to sleep with him. My friend is struggling with this deprivation, and at the same time there’s another woman who really is passionate about him and will gladly give herself to him. My friend admits that he loves his wife and son very much and is trying real hard to avoid this woman, but with his wife’s attitude towards him and to not lie down with him, he’s really stuck in a tight spot. He doesn’t want to sin because he loves God and his family, and at the same time he fears the aforementioned curse of the pastor. But what about his sexual need? What if he loses control, has sex with this lady, but he doesn’t feel any real love for that lady?
Hoping for your reply again Steve, thanks.
Jesus paid for it all. Your sins are as far as the East to the West. You may go through extreme turmoil, fear, whatever. You had nothing to do with it in the first place and nothing now. Through the most extreme God will show you how much love there is for you. None of you will be let go. You had tried to confess before being saved. You are not going to get many verses without experiencing it and God will take you through it even if you don’t believe it. Nothing you can do to lose Him. You are stuck with Him forever and ever. You only believed in Him, you had mustard seed faith. Running the race is what God does. He chose you more than an infinite years ago. You cannot even will your way out, sin your way out. The depth of His love has no boundaries and the depth is beyond what your going through and He will show you. Only you can understand what you are going through. If you even forget who He is He will not forget you. God is Love. He chose you. Even if you don’t see it now.
I need pray for saving of my soul. I keep committing the same sins over. Like missing church, lust , and pride. I beg the lord to,forgive me and show,me the way.
I believe in Jesus and that he Died for my sins. I got full water Baptism, and love him deeply. However, I keep on sinning. I want to stop doing so. All I hear is that I am a work in progress. I cry when I pray.. He knows my heart..I have lied to get my last job..to pay my bills, I lied when I was I in the first grade…I always felt I needed attention…What I need is Jesus. I need more of him.
Praise the LORD. He has used this blog post to help me understand what I’m going through. I’m a woman. And I have this weakness that I couldn’t overcome no matter what I do. I’m in a relationship that is involve in sexual immorality. I have so many questions in my mind and I couldn’t figure out the answers. Am I truly saved? Did God already cursed me because I still keep on sinning eventhough I already know that He will hate what I’m doing. Can I fight this weakness?
I’m just here to say that after reading your blog, it opened up my eyes. I know I have to spend more time in reading my Bible because the answers are already there! I was busy asking myself, and worrying if God hates me already, but I know now, that no sin will ever separate me from His long, wide and deep love for me. I just have to focus on my faith and hope in Christ! And I know I can do all things through Him who strengthens me! I know He will strengthen me to fight this battle of sin! The devil will never win over me. Christ has already defeated him!
So praise God for you! This message has helped me! And will help other people! I will also share this message to our Young people in our church. Thank you so much! May the Lord bless you and your family.
Below is a response to Steve Fuller on September 29, 2016 at 7:02 am. I give Steve’s response then mine. It wasn’t posting when I clicked on replied
Steve said: You ask a really important question, Johnny.
If you are not genuinely repenting and turning from sin to trust Christ, then you are not truthfully confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Savior and Lord, and you are not believing in your heart that God has raised him from the dead.
The reason I say that is because to believe that Jesus is Savior and Lord and that God has raised him from the dead, means trusting that he is your all-satisfying Treasure who alone can forgive, change, and fill you.
I’m not sure that if you die in this state that you will not be saved. But if you want to be sure that you will be saved, you must turn from your sin and trust Christ to help you.
I hope that helps, and thanks for the questions.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Steve:
I don’t believe that us making a decision to turn from our sin constitutes salvation. If it did that would constitute a “work”. God gives us faith in his son, its a free gift. After this happens then we begin to “change our mind” about how we have been living our lives. That’s how repentance begins. What we once believed was OK, we no longer believe is OK. Were becoming convicted (convinced) of our sin. Then the process of sanctification begins, God begins to enable us to be obedient, to live a righteous life. Salvation comes the moment we believe on Jesus.
We believe(are saved)then we repent. Not we repent(are saved)then we believe.
It’s faith that gives us the power to repent, to overcome. Christ had to die because we couldn’t live the righteous life God requires to have fellowship with him. He imputed the righteousness of Christ unto us, now were acceptable to him, now he can allow us into his presence without compromising his holiness, where he can begin doing the work in us that’s necessary for us to be conformed to the image of his son, that’s actual righteousness, it comes over the course of our lives, imputed righteousness comes the moment we believe. Romans 5:19 has been very meaningful to me.
For by one mans disobedience(that is Adams) many were “made” sinners so then by the obedience one(that is Jesus) many shall be made righteous. Romans 5:19
Since we were “made” sinners by no fault of our own, God was justified in making us righteous by no merit of our own, thus “imputed righteousness”. God had to make a way for us to be righteous by no merit of our own, or he would have been guilty of an act of injustice when he allowed us to to be made sinners by no fault of our own.
God came to earth in the person of a man, Jesus of Nazareth, lived a sinless life, died & rose again, that all who believe can be reconciled to God, not by their own righteousness but by the the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Being found in him not having any righteousness of our own but having the righteousness of God which comes thru faith in Jesus Christ.(KJV adapted)
Many Blessings to all – Johnny