Child, get off that backslide and come on over to the frontslide. Get yourself a new routine, like working out, self discipline. You can do it with God in your heart, you'll be OK.
The testing of our faith is done by seeing if there are "fruits meet for repentance." Never mind the KJV word; basically the things which come out of our inner being should demonstrate that the Spirit is at work with love; joy; peace; patience; longsuffering etal. These are in contrast to the BAD fruits of our old nature (adulteries; fornications; anger; strife; dissentions; greed; etc). The test first of all is whether we have truly been saved. That is evidenced largely by whether we have genuine remorse for our sins because we love God and have offended Him; or if we simply wish to be as Judas Iscariot and avoid the consequences. He even went so far as to realize that Christ was a "righteous man"; but never acknowledge Him as God in the flesh and worship Him. If we love God; and truly have that Agape supernatural all encompassing type affection for Him; then we realize that the Spirit of God inside us grieves at our sin (as the Spirit lives within us). Romans already indicates the "done deal" for the regenerate; those who are justified are sanctified then glorified (I'll let you find the verse). For the elect; the corridors of time are already seen with the end from the beginning; as these good works have been predestined for us since before the beginning of time (another verse to find in scripture). Another KEY concept and command is that we love one another (the brethren) and others will know we are Christians that way. What we do; whether sins of commission or omission probably have far more collateral effect on others than in our own lives. As part of His Body; we should esteem others above ourselves; and see ourselves as "unworthy servants" merely doing our duty and working to help fulfill the Great Commission ( Matthew 28 I believe). It does help to confess our sins to one another to have accountability; and also as a believer the Lord has those He wishes us to disciple and to build us up in the faith. If we are His; we "hear His voice".
I could not finish. "NEVER MIND THE KJV?" If you feel and believe what you are, than you are in the wrong place! All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one! Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The word of God is this word you see! This is the word that said let there be light! This is the word that said this is my beloved Son, hear ye Him!
Without faith it is impossible to please Him. We are saved according to his righteousness found in those who believe his words . NOT OUR WORDS!
Please know that Jesus will always receive one who returns to Him in faith and repentance. he will not cast anyone away no matter how many times we backslide and return to Him.
I will pray for you today.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for sister Lisa and the move of Your Holy Spirit within her to change her ways and return to You from a backslidden condition that has not honored You or helped her one bit. We ask that You will restore to Lisa assurance of salvation, strengthen her when she is tempted to return to her sin, fill her with the joy of knowing You receive her when she calls on You, build her up in faith and knowledge of You and Your Word. We ask these things from You Lord Jesus, in Your name. Amen.
Hi Lisa. You've probably read the whole of Matthew chapter 3, where the view there is of John the Baptist baptizing in the Jordan River & many folk coming to him in response to his message to repent. Amongst those coming to him, were some of the religious leaders (the Pharisees & Sadducees). Did they come with the same understanding as the others, stating that they were sinners in need of such declaration? But John looked at them sternly & stated those words of condemnation in Matthew 3:7-10 to them.
Those religious leaders came physically to be baptized but their hearts did not align with John's message of baptism with repentance. They came in pride of their heritage in Abraham, that their salvation lay in being God's elect & not because of a personal heart examination. They came with their own interpretation of the Scriptures & adding more rules & regulations that bound a heavy yoke on the people & so made themselves superior by giving those extra requirements. They came pretending to show piety whereas their hearts were full of themselves & not full of self examination. They should have been exercised in heart in how far they had strayed from God's pure Word & ought to be lovingly teaching & guiding the people by it.
So John was questioning the motives of these leaders, that they ought to bring forth fruits (evidences, demonstrations) that come with a penitent heart, & not dead decaying evidence to which God's Axe would one day come to that tree of death, to destroy it.
From your testimony of a backslidden life, the first step forward is recognition of your sad state, the weight of unforgiven sin you feel, & the grief that brings to a Holy God Who has given His all to secure you into His family. When you humbly come to Him, & not as those religious leaders, He will forgive you, accept you without reserve, fill you with His Spirit, & give you joy for this life & hope for the life to come. Luke 15:10; 1 John 1:9; John 1:11-13. Bring all this to God in prayer.
Out on the red page where you came into this site, is a Link: BECOME A BELIEVER.
It will walk you through sound doctrine on how to become a Christian, or to renew your commitment.
You have to make a stronger commitment to read the Bible (Gospels through to the End). Visiting Proverbs and Psalms also ( Psalm 51).
It's helpful to attend church, listen to church programs on the car FM radio in gridlock. You'll like Greg Laurie on YouTube. I do.
It's easier to come back if you'll draw close to the Lord. Begin to say no to the world and that voice that makes us despair. Come away from it for a while. We all deal with it; so we are here For You. Someone's here day or night.
Explore the other links or the boxes. You'll like Testimonies.
I am asking for a clearer understanding. I am backslider who wants to return to Christ through Repentance.
The word of God is this word you see! This is the word that said let there be light! This is the word that said this is my beloved Son, hear ye Him!
Without faith it is impossible to please Him. We are saved according to his righteousness found in those who believe his words . NOT OUR WORDS!
Please know that Jesus will always receive one who returns to Him in faith and repentance. he will not cast anyone away no matter how many times we backslide and return to Him.
I will pray for you today.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for sister Lisa and the move of Your Holy Spirit within her to change her ways and return to You from a backslidden condition that has not honored You or helped her one bit. We ask that You will restore to Lisa assurance of salvation, strengthen her when she is tempted to return to her sin, fill her with the joy of knowing You receive her when she calls on You, build her up in faith and knowledge of You and Your Word. We ask these things from You Lord Jesus, in Your name. Amen.
Those religious leaders came physically to be baptized but their hearts did not align with John's message of baptism with repentance. They came in pride of their heritage in Abraham, that their salvation lay in being God's elect & not because of a personal heart examination. They came with their own interpretation of the Scriptures & adding more rules & regulations that bound a heavy yoke on the people & so made themselves superior by giving those extra requirements. They came pretending to show piety whereas their hearts were full of themselves & not full of self examination. They should have been exercised in heart in how far they had strayed from God's pure Word & ought to be lovingly teaching & guiding the people by it.
So John was questioning the motives of these leaders, that they ought to bring forth fruits (evidences, demonstrations) that come with a penitent heart, & not dead decaying evidence to which God's Axe would one day come to that tree of death, to destroy it.
From your testimony of a backslidden life, the first step forward is recognition of your sad state, the weight of unforgiven sin you feel, & the grief that brings to a Holy God Who has given His all to secure you into His family. When you humbly come to Him, & not as those religious leaders, He will forgive you, accept you without reserve, fill you with His Spirit, & give you joy for this life & hope for the life to come. Luke 15:10; 1 John 1:9; John 1:11-13. Bring all this to God in prayer.
It will walk you through sound doctrine on how to become a Christian, or to renew your commitment.
You have to make a stronger commitment to read the Bible (Gospels through to the End). Visiting Proverbs and Psalms also ( Psalm 51).
It's helpful to attend church, listen to church programs on the car FM radio in gridlock. You'll like Greg Laurie on YouTube. I do.
It's easier to come back if you'll draw close to the Lord. Begin to say no to the world and that voice that makes us despair. Come away from it for a while. We all deal with it; so we are here For You. Someone's here day or night.
Explore the other links or the boxes. You'll like Testimonies.
Mishael
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