Results 1 - 2 of 2
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why was the man speechless? | Matt 22:11 | rbt56 | 29544 | ||
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I am consumed with the fear that my 30 years of salvation have been false. This was made worse by studying this page at Grace To You (http://www.gty.org/IssuesandAnswers/archive/genuinefaith.htm). I am just dumb founded at these feelings and hope and trust that this is either Satan attacking or Our Father "pruning". Thank You again, all of you. Rob |
||||||
2 | Why was the man speechless? | Matt 22:11 | Hank | 29565 | ||
Rob, I don't feel worthy of salvation -- never have -- and for a perfectly good reason: I'm not. Neither are you. Neither is anyone. We are all of us who are saved, saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Not of works, lest we should boast. Salvation is not so much a matter of feeling as it is believing in the saving power of the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross for our sins. I know I am unable to save myself. I believe Jesus is able. I believe He did save me, just as He promises to do for all of us sinners who come to Him in faith and trust Him. It's nice to have those warm, fuzzy feelings about our walk with the Lord, but oftentimes we are closest to the Lord when we don't feel close, at those times when we feel empty inside, and alone, when God seems farthest away. In my 50-plus years as a Christian, I've experienced peaks and valleys, joy and sorrow, emptiness and fullness -- in short, my subjective feelings have scaled the heights and they have plunged to the depths. But always God draws me back to the realization that His word is true, His promises are faithful, His love is eternal, His peace passes understanding. My feelings have nothing to do with God's grace..... In practical, everyday living I have found three things that have help me keep the gremlins of doubt and insecurity at bay (1) Prayer. Talk to God about it. "Take it to the Lord in prayer" is infinitely more than a line from an old hymn my mother used to sing when I was young. It is a way of life for the Christian. The poet said, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." So true. (2) Bible reading and meditation on the word of God. Let God talk to you. I shall never forget the healing power of Psalm 23 that my wife and I experienced in the wake of the death of one of our children. (3) Christian fellowship. I have found that association with other believers is an excellent antidote to my spiritual doldrums. These, Rob, are not very profound suggestions, and they don't have much gloss or High Theology. You have received other suggestions, and likely better, ones than these. They are merely some things that I, who have spent more than half a century struggling to keep the faith and walk -- stumble would be more like it -- in His steps, have found that helped me and I pray they may be of some help to you also. May the good Lord bless and keep you is my prayer. --Hank | ||||||