Posted on 08/07/2010 9:06:12 AM PDT by marthemaria
It's interesting that you ask the question that way. It's the same question asked in Acts chapter 16 and the answer is still the same: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."
I am really trying to become a better person.
Now here is the root of the problem. You are focusing on your own good works as if they could save you.
How much white paint do you need to add to a can of black paint to have truly white paint. Of course no amount will do the trick. You'll always have some kind of gray paint.
It is good (even necessary) to strive to be a good person but that will never save you. In response to your initial question, YES!!! God can and wants to forgive everyone. That necessarily includes you. Jesus died for the WORLD. That includes you.
As I read your other comments in this thread, I hear both a sense of self condemnation (God wouldn't want to forgive me) and a sense of self righteousness in that you hope you are "good enough".
marthemaria, these are *both* forms of pride. You are not God and can neither condemn nor save yourself. You must let go of both these wrong attitudes. Only Jesus can save you and he has already made provision for your salvation by dying and rising from the dead. He has conquered sin and death already.
So, trust in Him, not your good works, for salvation.
Then, let him transform you and, by grace, by His presence in your life, make you the righteous person you were created to be.
Blessings,
newberger
Have you asked for Christ’s forgiveness?
I suggest you find a priest that you can sit down with and just have a talk. Then you can take further steps if you wish.
I sent you a FReepmail. Check it out. And get back to me.
I am well aware that this passage is directed at the teaching false doctrine, but the concept of people who focus on generating controversies based on wording is what I'm concerned with.
At least you didn't dismiss the entire argument because of a spelling error, rather you dismiss the entire argument because I am concerned about deconstructing the language.
Regarding your complaint, how about really bad doctrine that leads to death? Can I raise up a complaint about that ? Or can I only do that if lots of words and thoughts are used to convey that error? As a famous past President once fought over: "depends on what meaning the word "is" is. We can go after a president's legacy on a two letter word, but a doctrine that leads to error I must remain silent or be accused of raising "disputes about words"?
As a simple example, lets say that I make a sudtle change to the word "Faith" so that it really only means cognitive assent (rather than the traditional fiduciary trust) to the concept of a God. Can I go around and charge you with raising "controversial questions" because you dare quibble about the meaning of the word "faith"? You should land on me like a ton of bricks, and would be derelict in your duties if you did not.
Furthermore, when defending primary doctrines, is that really coming from "envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings"? Is one who cares about the preservation of orthodox soteriology the product of "men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth"? That is downright nuts to even imply that it does. So why on earth did you press the nuclear button by accusing me of a 1 Timothy 6 violation? Wouldn't that be better reserved for those preaching a social gospel, denying the trinity, promoting Mormon doctrines, gnosticism and antinomianism?
(sigh)
The Doctrines of Grace are summarized in that familiar mneumonic TULIP. So when you speak of Grace, but imply a synergistic salvation, then you have changed the meaning of the simple word "Grace" and have undermined the fundamental doctrines of Redemption. Is it OK to criticize that? If not, where is the line drawn ? It didn't seem to bother Paul, for we read in the epistle to the Galations where Paul observed that they "were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel"(2:14), and so he was compelled to "withstand [Peter] to his face" (v11). When speaking of the fundamental doctrines of Grace and Redemption, is it OK if I question something that has been considered by the Church since Augustine to be a heresy?
Jesus Christ gave specific instances where there would never be forgiveness, yet people call our LORD a liar and impute to Him a false characteristic of universal forgiveness. Then you post a bottle-rocket passage that can very easily be interpreted incorrectly that seems to suggest that God is wringing His hands hoping that people will do the right thing - and God will put off His Son's return because there still might be someone who hasn't made that Free Will Choice.
I remember on Glenn Beck's program a long while back when he had the authors of the "Left Behind" series as guests. In the interview, he asked both LaHaye and Jenkins this question: "Do you expect to see the LORD's return in your lifetime?" Now LaHaye answered negatively because of his age, yet Jenkins response was thoroughally consistent with the Pelagian heresy that predominates Evangelical thought, he answered "I hope he does not return anytime soon so that it affords more time for people to come to Christ." Now this sounds very warm and compassionate, but it also conveys a high level of contempt for the Diety, Holiness and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ. The implied meaning of your post seemed to share the same sentiment - that is, that the world would be much better off if Jesus Christ never returned so that every person of every generation would have a chance to be saved.
This line of thought categorically denies the Doctrine of Election that permeates the Scriptures. If God is unable to save unless man does something, then all the work on the cross is hypothetical as opposed to 100% effectual for those to whom it was intended to save.
How this directly relates to our inquirer here, is that this person is getting very bad advice from those who ignore the amazing grace that is apparent by this person's inquiry.
The Bible teaches that without God's preëmptive intervening Grace, that none would come to Him. We see through doctrine and through the history within the narrative that universally man hates God and loves his sin. We see this in the most powerful and strongest contrasting "but" in all literature of all time:
Gen 6:5-8 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
The natural state of man is to turn his thoughts to evil and evil continually. Now the poster here is dismayed over the evil within their own life. How can that possibly be unless there is a stirring of the soul by the Paraclete? And how can there be this work of the Spirit without Amazing Grace? Now, more importantly, why should anyone lie to this person regarding what one must do to be saved? The answer is: You have done nothing to merit salvation, the work has already began by the True and Faithful One.
A person doesn't need to conjure up from within a sense of remorse and repentance - for that same shame and knowledge of unholiness was first seen in the Garden, and best illustrated in Matthew by the Centurion:
Matt 8:8-9 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.
The sign of regeneration is already apparent in the poster's recognition of sin and the need for atonement with the Creator.
Is this not all that which is required to come to saving faith? What more did Lazarus need to emerge from the tomb? Did he have to activate something beyond the automatic and irresistable response to "Come Forth"? So why suggest that God forgives all (a lie), and all one has to do is "activate" this "vaccine" (a lie) and experience God is to do: ________ (a lie). Rather, is it consistent with the Gospel to seek forgiveness from the Almighty Judge? And will that forgivness be found here in FR? Anywhere on the web?
As I posted earlier, run, not walk to a confessionary minister of God's Word, where far more than a pithy "sinners prayer" and a pat on the back will be given to the one who recognizes through regeneration that our LORD alone "will save a wretch like me".
Check the schedule in your area, and listen. This question is addressed every week.
That’s one of the astounding things about God. You can’t do anything He can’t forgive, if you come to him with a broken and contrite heart.
Marthamaria, God can hear you and His answer will be yes if you ask Him to forgive you of all your sins, because He sent His Son Jesus to pay for your sins. Go to God and ask Him personally right now for forgiveness if that is what you want.
Do you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins?
Do you want to turn to God and follow Him?
Then just ask Him to forgive you and save you ..... then make time each day to read His word, talk to Him and hear Him....for He loves you and will not turn you away. Find a good church in your area by asking Him which church and let the Pastor know what you have done (come to Christ). Know the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ and enjoy Him as He enjoys you. You were created to have relationship with Him.
May God fill you with His Holy Spirit and peace.
5 I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
When you see the all Caps LORD, that is David directly approaching G-d. That is the name YHvH, the most Holy name of G-d. That name is HaShem...which in Hebrew means "the name". So....Cry out to HaShem! Creator and King of the universe! Just as David did and he will hear your prayer and forgive you.
If I can jump in, I’d suggest watching Fr. John Corapi on EWTN. He’s on almost every day; check your listings. He’s also on Relevant Radio if you don’t have EWTN. His answer to whether he is “saved” is, “I won’t know I’m saved until I’m looking Jesus in the eye.” — He’s got a sin-filled past to the max, and he talks about it frequently. Great speaker; very inspirational!
Fr. Corapi is on EWTN right now ... just started if you’re interested ... we watch him most Saturday nights. If you’re able to tune in, enjoy!
2. Do you believe Jesus died on the cross to bear the burden of of your sins so that you may have eternal life.
3. Do you believe that on the third day that Jesus arose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God.
There is nothing that you can do to earn salvation, it is a gift to all who put their faith in Jesus.
Think of it this way, when you sit down in a chair you have faith that chair will hold you up. The same goes for putting your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
God did not make it hard to earn eternal life. All you have to do is pray to God and admit you are a sinner and ask Jesus to come in your heart and forgive yours sins. If you truly mean it you will be a new creature in Christ. You will stumble at times but God is always there to forgive.
May the Holy Spirit lead you to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
Yes
The broken and contrite spirit He will in no way cast out. But the haughty and proud He will not hear. He is the ‘Deliverer’ from your tresspasses and sins, but you have to ask for His Deliverance to receive it. It is in His purview to acknowledge the plea where/when He decides ... including in any Time of that broken and contrite spirit.
Beautifully put and so simply true.
B'H
B”H
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