Results 21 - 23 of 23
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: GJH Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | forgiveness confirmed? | 1 John 1:1 | GJH | 61292 | ||
Prayon, I would like to thank you for your kind response to my question. The analogy of the employer is a good one. I can appreciate God's desire that we trust Him. But the real confusing part to me is, since my former employer is trying so hard to keep me, and my concern is so real to me, why doesn't the Lord try to reassure me of security in my new position with His company? Like I've commented to another who's been trying to encourage me, if my son was afraid that I didn't love him, I'd certainly reassure him that I did. Maybe this isn't real faith, I'm trying to figure it out. | ||||||
22 | Salvation is of the Lord... | 1 John 1:1 | GJH | 61307 | ||
Jrdoc, you are obviously well educated regarding these topics. I don't need to know all the nuts and bolts of it all right now, I just want to be saved. One Sunday three years ago, I woke up happy, with the thought "Go to church". So I did. I went to a small non-denominational church because I knew the pastor a little through a mutual friend. I didn't go in that day, but I did manage enough courage to go inside and grab a bulletin. I called him and met with him soon after. We had a 3 hr conversation in which I told him that I wasn't sure if Jesus was real or not, but if I found out that He was, I would follow Him the rest of my life. I did a lot of reading. Some books on apologetics. I read the bible looking for proofs. I spent many hours reading and asking questions. When I saw an apparant contradiction, I asked about it. I'm not an educated man, but I've never found anything that convinces me that Jesus isn't who He says He is. There are some things in 1 John taht I can say I believe. One, that Jesus is the Son of God. It also says some things I'm not sure I have, like love for others. I can't say I'm not free of hatred. I've had people tell me that I'm going to be a preacher. I've had people prophesy over me and say that I'm going to be the spiritual father of many. There have been other s as well. They are encouraging to me, but they never end the uncertainty I have in my heart. I know that salvation is all from the Lord, from begining to end. I've read so many different opinions on the how's and why's of salvation it makes my head spin. All I want is to be saved, to be born again. To be able to believe. To be sure. I know it's by faith from first to last. Why do I doubt so much. Why can't I believe. People tell me all you have to do is put your trust in Christ. I try, but I can't get away from the nagging suspicion that it's not finished. I believe that if it was finished, I would know. I believe the Lord would let me know that it was. That He wouldn't let me go on suffering like this, wondering whether I was or not. I know that God requires that we trust him, like Abraham did, despite the evidence to the contrary. Maybe He wants me to believe without having any evidence too. It's the only thing I haven't done yet. Surrender to not knowing. I apologize if I've gone over the boundaries of this forum. I just can't put this to rest. It's all I think about. It disturbs my sleep. I know now that I haven't committed an unforgiveable sin. I'm grateful for that relief. I just want this fear to be replaced by the Joy of Salvation. That the Lord would create a new heart in me. It's getting late, and I forget this is not a private e-mail. Forgive me. |
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23 | The Author... | 1 John 1:1 | GJH | 61458 | ||
JohnReformed, I thank you for your response. I welcome your prayers as well. I certainly need all the help I can find. Your suggestion to read Pilgrims Progress is one that I will take. Your short description of Christian's struggle in the swamp of Despair is certainly an analogy I can relate to. The few words describing his predicament brought a tear, and hope. The other thing you mentioned was to "place your hope not in your faith, but in the One who is the Author AND Finisher of that faith. Jesus Christ". If I had to rely on my faith, I wouldn't stand a chance. Putting my faith in Him, is what this is all about for me. I know I haven't really done that yet. The question it brings to mind though for me is, if He is the Author of my faith, since I'm having so much difficulty believing, does that mean He hasn't given me the faith to do so? That's been confusing me too. Thank you again for your thoughts and please, keep praying for me. |
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