was asked why I didn't provide scriptures. Please. I asked a question, and looked for someone to provide an answer - and no scripture was given to show what differentiates between the two - and had asked of me why I posted a thread that provided no scripture. A nice red herring thrown at me.
The thread was hijacked, twisted and taken in a plethora of directions, and thus that one question was never answered...
I went and read up on the first thread. Your premise and the answers you seek are ambiguous in a contextual sense. All humans are going to struggle with an answer. To make it tougher for the faithful that would like to help you with this deeply spiritual and personal dilemma, you are asking folks to make positive statements without reference to scripture. The problem is, and I suspect the root of your frustration, we are all human. No mortal person is going to give you an absolute answer that will satisfy you without a logical and convincing progression that includes some scripture as guidance.
I suspect that this confounding spiritual situation you seek to resolve is born of some conflict you find in your faith. That is, a soul is conflicted. This is a human condition. My faith is a journey. And my life is littered with sin along that journey. I have repented and have no heavy conscience at this time. I am ever improving and evolving in my relationship with God. Others stated, "only you will know" or "You can't possibly know until the day of reckoning." I think both are true. It is YOUR faith.
Consider the past in which convicted mafia members claimed to be believe in God, respect the Sabbath, understand sin and willfully committed mortal sins. Some would say they cannot "be saved". Others would claim they could, if they TRULY repented and reconciled those sins with God.
In all things its a matter of faith. You know what's right and wrong based on your own understanding and your relationship with God. The question is, are your truly sorry for your sin and do you truly intend to reject sin going forward. I suspect, that is the root of your dilemma. For example, Adultery is the hardest for some. You know its a sin. The evil rots the soul. The carnal pleasure is overwhelmingly tempting. Many succumb to the temptation, repeatedly, with full knowledge of their sinful ways. They also know they must be TRULY sorry for what they have done against God to be forgiven. But they aren't, exactly because they are conflicted with the human and carnal pleasure Vs. their spiritual wishes.
My recommendation... Go to your place of worship. Kneel in focused prayer until your heart accepts God's answer. Then follow that direction. I believe, God has already given you an answer. But your heart is still hardened to the truth, and you are looking for another answer. FReepers are not likely to give better answers than God. A soul is at stake here. You are going to have to work at it. ;o/
I will say a prayer for you in the mean time. ;o)
Excellent.