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To: pinochet
Hi, pinochet! I am a Christian foremost, raised mostly as a Baptist. We are taught that when you are 'saved' (accept Jesus into your life as your Savior) that He forgives your sins, big, small, whatever they may be, FOREVER. :*) Jesus is the ONLY way to reach the Father; "I am the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE: No one comes to the Father but by ME" (John 14:6).

Sins are 'washed away' through the blood of Jesus--remember the Old Testament sacrifices, where unblemished lambs and goats had to be killed year after year to remove the stains of sin from the children of Israel? Jesus was the ultimate Sacrifice, and with His death on the cross He took the place of the animal sacrifices, ONCE AND FOR ALL, FOR ALL OF TIME. This is sort of a 'blanket' coverage that can NEVER be removed--i.e. you CANNOT lose your redemption, no matter what, unless you commit the 'unpardonable sin' (denying the Holy Spirit when you know better).

As Christians we are to continue to ask for forgiveness for sins as they occur, but if you suddenly die this moment and you were committing a sin, you would still find yourself instantly standing before Jesus. He will either say, "Come to me, my child!", or "I NEVER KNEW YOU!!" and you will be eternally separated from God. :*( "Fresh repentance" is not mandatory with us. If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you ARE sinless the moment you truly believe, because HE takes on your mantle, and replaces it with His own, and the Father sees Jesus in you, and not your once sinful self. Hope this makes sense. :-)

One interesting thing I learned over the years was that Jesus forgives EVERYONE who asks for forgiveness, no matter how horrible that person might be (even Hitler!! But it is truly doubtful he repented on his deathbed for his many evils), and once that sin is forgiven, it is nevermore there (so you don't have to ask repentance for the same sin over and over and over again); however, their reward in Heaven will be less than what it might have been ('jewels in their crowns'), so there *are* consequences. You can't just repent, then sin willy-nilly and go your *own* way and think you've got all your bases covered, LOL. In that case, you have not had *true* repentance.

Two good examples are Judas Iscariot, who wantonly betrayed Jesus, and Peter, who wantonly betrayed Jesus. Both committed terrible sins against the Son of God, but one did NOT ask for forgiveness, and one DID. Who did Jesus forgive? Peter--"Feed my sheep!" :*) We are all like Peter--we can commit sins, but when we truly repent and ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven, forever. :*) Thank you, Lord Jesus!! :*)

As Christians, we are mainly entreated to follow Jesus, obey His commandments, and carry out the Great Commission--Matthew 24:19/20--"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."- Jesus Christ

Hope this helps a little. I wish I was a bit more eloquent in explaining this, but hopefully I got my points across. :-)
63 posted on 10/28/2007 5:45:10 PM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom and proud RUSH REPUBLICAN! WIN, FRED, WIN!!!)
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To: pillut48

I certainly enjoyed your lack of “eloquence”, may God continue to bless your straight honest testimony....(stay away from the telegenic black suits or at least don’t worry if your tie isn’t straight all the time...)!


98 posted on 10/28/2007 6:18:55 PM PDT by mdmathis6
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