sms
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Posts: 7
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Post by sms on Sept 17, 2007 21:27:57 GMT -5
This is where I get totally hung up. I was raised believing I would not know if I got into heaven until Judgment day. Then, I would be judged by my WORKS (deeds, clothes, hair, spirit, no TV, etc . . .). I never, ever once felt saved. Not then (not even at my "most" "Professing"), not now.
I wasn't in SBB's meeting - but I was at a convention where the VERY same thing was preached. 50% were going to hell (just the professing - the rest already condemned to hell!). I have tried to read Charles Swindol's Book: "The Grace Awakening" and it's full of verses that I learned point to WORKS that I wrote into the margins (yes- I argued with the book! LOL.) I made it to Chapter 3 and gave up. (My poor SIL - we were trying to study together in it!)
So - those of you who now believe you are saved by GRACE - how did you get there? How do you get to that acceptance? What did you read/see/feel that convinced you?
The verse lately (and I doubt I can find it) I've been thinking of on this topic - says something like: You believe that Jesus is the son of God - the devils also believe and tremble.
But I did find Scott's emphasis fascinating (on the above verses) - I haven't ever looked at those verses as an affirmation of grace, rather as an affirmation of works through faith.
Thanks for those who share here!
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Post by friend on Sept 18, 2007 9:23:05 GMT -5
Wanna expound on that, friend? It sounds like you are saying that one should not feel that they are saved. Is that what you are saying? Do you have more scripture than that? How 'bout this? But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Rom 3:21-24) My sinful old heart finds a lot of comfort in those words. Brick, I just take that as a warning that I can get caught up in my own reasoning and thoughts on matters and later find that my thinking was all distorted. However, I am glad you added the verses in Romans that give you comfort. To live only on the passage I quoted would certainly produce a distorted service, as would to live on the basis of any other passage to the exclusion of all the others. On the other hand, it is helpful for me to realize I can quite easily get a little too much into myself and need to realize that is also wrong.
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Brick
Full Member
Posts: 120
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Post by Brick on Sept 18, 2007 16:06:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification, friend.
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Post by shushy on Sept 19, 2007 7:36:39 GMT -5
[So - those of you who now believe you are saved by GRACE - how did you get there? How do you get to that acceptance? What did you read/see/feel that convinced you?]
My Pastor everytime I had feelings of guilt to return to meetings would take me to scriptures of assurance of my salvation. Believing that Jesus Christ is the word of God ..John 1:1. I verbalised the sinners prayer many times. To get it into my spirit.To make sure I understood. Confessing him as Lord, King of Kings etc, Praising and worshiping him for who he is. I had to change my mindsets.My old mindsets kept shaking me. My mind had been brainwashed...Gradually my spirit became cemented in faith through confession fo scripture. It took faith to accept him. (Which had happened yrs before I even professed. I was a small child but never talked about it.) Trusting him for everything. I understood the Grace of God after all this. Which is His 'unmeriited favour' towards humanity. We cant earn his favour he did it because of Love. The Love between the Father and the Son.
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Post by myquest on Sept 25, 2010 11:43:24 GMT -5
As a very young child, I attended the Catholic church because my mother took me. I was baptized as a baby. A few years later, I answered the alter call in two different churches to take Jesus, as my Saviour. Why? Because I was scared into it. I didn't want to go to hell and burn. It is a terrible message for a young child to hear...either be converted or die in hell. A message of fear, not love. Too many churches preach this. As a boy of 11, I went to live with a professing family, they took in foster kids. after going to Gospel missions I made my choice Dec. 1951. Did I feel I was saved? No. But, I continued to profess. My past probably had some bearing on my response to the question. Despite how I felt, it didn't take away or lessen the revelation I received...that, I believe Jesus is the Son of God, that he lived and died for me, that He resurrected and is my Friend and intercessor and His Holy Spirit will guide me into ALL truth, as I continue putting His will first in my life. So, when people ask me if I am saved, I respond by telling them that I am in the process of being saved because Christ is continuing His work in my heart..we are all a work of God, in progress. Let our faith be made whole.
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