Repentance

[Gerioke]

I can say that it's not for the lack of repentance on my part.

I have things that I struggle with time and time again, I ask God to remove these sins from my life but they seem to always return, sometimes on the same day. Am I really repenting? Do I have the actual meaning of repenting in my heart? Am I really saved? I am not an motional person so I have a very difficult time approaching God with passion. Am I spiritually dead? Did I commit the unpardonable sin a long time ago and am now paying the price? I know I want to live a righteous life and have the Lord say "well done" to me , but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen. I keep confessing my sins and asking to be cleansed but ,ooops, there I go again. I know it's not just me. I've seen lots of people on these boards alone , that think they are righteous but they continue to spew poisonous, hateful, prejudice, prideful remarks on a regular basis. Whether they repent or not I do not know. What I do know is that repentance doesn't always work as a cleaning agent.

1. Repentance means being sorry enough to quit. Repentance begins by making a quality decision to live for God. It also involves sacrifice. If you have anything in your life that influences you, or entices you away from Christ you need to end its power over your life. Sometimes it means telling our friends and family that we are going to serve the Lord. We love them, but we love Jesus and we are goingn to follow him.

2. Repentance is not a "cleaning agent." It is not designed that way. Repentance is a 180% reversal. It makes the cleaning agent (the blood of Jesus) able to cleanse your conscience of all unrighteousness. When you remove those things that hinder your walk with Christ, you need to replace them with influences and associations that help you. It means taking your family to a good church, and getting involved with other Christians, in fellowship and ministry. It means enveloping your life with the Word of God and prayer.

As a side note, I play Bible CDs in my car and at home. I also play lots of praise and worship music. I try to keep an atmosphere of praise in my home since it says that God inhabits the praises of His people. When your life is full of Godly influences, you will see it begin to change your life. It never ceases to amaze me to see how much our environment affects our lives, especially where our walk with the Lord is concerned.

The more you center your life around the Jesus and His Word, the more you build up your defenses against the wiles of the enemy. It is a lot easier to keep sin out of your life if you don't let it in, in the first place. If you are really concerned about living for the Lord then make Him the center of your life.

3. Don't worry if you have committed the unpardonable sin. If you have to ask, you didn't. Besides, those who have done that, don't care.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I read it again and I have have done everything that you have suggested

My church http://www.ebchurch.ca is a 45 minute drive one way. I can't remove myself from the community because I am not working and can't afford to move. There's nothing I'd like more than to move back to Ontario and fellowship with my old church family. I'm surrounded by sin. Pot smokers and growers, atheists, witches, pedophiles , we got em all here. I'm fortunate that I have as few vices as I have. Did you grow up in a christian home? I did not. I was raised in sin and grew up in it until my mid 30s. I'm not trying to use this as an excuse but there are dynamics that you may or may not understand. We play worship music almost exclusively all day. There are not many christians in my neck of the woods so the only influence I have is my family. You see, it's not as easy as you mak it out to be. I can only hope that God cuts me more slack than you do

[Kansasdad]

"Well I read it again and I have have done everything that you have suggested

My church http://www.ebchurch.ca is a 45 minute drive one way. I can't remove myself from the community because I am not working and can't afford to move. There's nothing I'd like more than to move back to Ontario and fellowship with my old church family. I'm surrounded by sin. Pot smokers and growers, atheists, witches, pedophiles , we got em all here. I'm fortunate that I have as few vices as I have. Did you grow up in a christian home? I did not. I was raised in sin and grew up in it until my mid 30s. I'm not trying to use this as an excuse but there are dynamics that you may or may not understand. We play worship music almost exclusively all day. There are not many christians in my neck of the woods so the only influence I have is my family. You see, it's not as easy as you mak it out to be. I can only hope that God cuts me more slack than you do "

It states very clearly in the Bible not to judge each other, Some should read that passage again. You are in a tough situation and it looks to me like you are dealing with it well. Just look at how you have used this community for support. God will provide you with what you need. Might I suggest that you contact the minister of your church. request a little time to discuss forgiveness. Have a conversation with him/her, Tell your minister "This is what I have done" "This is what I still struggle with" Ask your minister to pray with you for Gods forgiveness. I guarantee you God will forgive you of your sins. You will feel a great load lifted, and you will know you are right with God. This is being born again, Your old ways are dead, God forgave them completely. They no longer exist. You are fresh and clean. Isn't that great with Gods Grace we get "do overs"

Now, it is not going to make your living situations any easier and yes you will fail. You will sin again. But guess what, God gives you as many "do overs" as you need. Just don't give up. God will forgive you over, and over, and over again. The problem comes when we listen to satan and believe that God could not possibly forgive me again and WE walk away from God. God will never walk away from us. You just hang in there, and when you meet Jesus our savior you will hear the words, "come my good and faithful servant"

God Bless

Kansas Dad

[nebula]

Well I read it again and I have have done everything that you have suggested

My church  http://www.ebchurch.ca is a 45 minute drive one way. I can't remove myself from the community because I am not working and can't afford to move. There's nothing I'd like more than to move back to Ontario and fellowship with my old church family. I'm surrounded by sin. Pot smokers and growers, atheists, witches, pedophiles , we got em all here. I'm fortunate that I have as few vices as I have. Did you grow up in a christian home? I did not. I was raised in sin and grew up in it until my mid 30s. I'm not trying to use this as an excuse but there are dynamics that you may or may not understand. We play worship music almost exclusively all day. There are not many christians in my neck of the woods so the only influence I have is my family. You see, it's not as easy as you mak it out to be. I can only hope that God cuts me more slack than you do

Geri -

I don't know what sin it is that has you in chains. Often times, sin is a habit, and habits can be very difficult to break, I know. I recall hearing someone advising another about quitting smoking, and the this person said, "The key to quitting smoking is that you have to want to quit." The other person admitted, "Well, that's my problem - I don't really want to quit."

I also recall hearing the testimony of one man who in surrendering his life to the Lord spent a long time laying out everything that he knew he was doing that was sin - cursing, drinking, drugs, the whole works. He completely confessed them to the Lord, admitting he was guilty, admitting they were sin, not making excuses for his behavior, and genuinely grieved over his heart condition and asked the Lord for His forgiveness. When he was done praying, he testified that the desires for these things were completely gone.

The Scriptures tell us we need to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling."

It takes work, but it possible to overcome.

But of course, sometimes we need to get to the root cause of our sin, as more often than not acts of sin are our ways of dealing with our wounds. As the expression goes, hurt people hurt other people. But this can be applies to other sins as well (sins that harm your own body, for instance).

Maybe you need to look at: "Why am I sinning in this or that way?" and then deal with that issue rather than the action itself.

Make sense?

[Trinity]

Amen!

[dgolvach]

I would like to hear from someone who has given everything over to God. This means that there are no more repetative sin areas in their life . Pride sins...Thought sins...so on and so forth. I'm not talking about an occasional mess up. I know we all do that and always will. I mean no particular sin areas in your life. In fact, you can answer the question this way:

a) I occasionaly sin but I no longer have habitual sins.

b) I still have sins that I have not had victory over even though I wish I did.

A or B?

Habitual sin list: sex (impure thoughts), greed, pride, anger, envy, lying, no tithe, potty mouth, lack of forgivness, general not completely putting God over everything....well the list goes on but I think you get the idea. You must be free of any of these types of sin.

Dan

[tsth]

I would like to hear from someone who has given everything over to God. This means that there are no more repetative sin areas in their life . Pride sins...Thought sins...so on and so forth. I'm not talking about an occasional mess up. I know we all do that and always will. I mean no particular sin areas in your life. In fact, you can answer the question this way:

a) I occasionaly sin but I no longer have habitual sins.

b) I still have sins that I have not had victory over even though I wish I did.

A or B?

Habitual sin list: sex (impure thoughts), greed, pride, anger, envy, lying, no tithe, potty mouth, lack of forgivness, general not completely putting God over everything....well the list goes on but I think you get the idea. You must be free of any of these types of sin.

Dan

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Who are the ones telling you of the Power of the grace of God in us to overcome. If I tell you it is possible to overcome habitual sin, do you think I would be struggling with something currently? I am either (A) lying, or (B) ignoring sin. Only I would know the truth. So if I said I am not currently struggling with habitual sin, would you even believe me? I am not Dan. But, that is not to say that I won't be in the future. I could come upon a temptation soon. In fact at any moment. So, I keep myself girded up each and every day, with fervent prayer and conversation with my Savior, and time filling myself with the Word of God, which is able to fend off any sin, if I listen to the Holy Spirit within me. He guides and keeps us. We only have to listen, when He speaks. (oh, and by the way, anger is not a sin, unless it is without cause or if it causes you to sin, but anger in itself is not a sin.) I have been angry a time or two.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

1 Peter 1

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

2 Peter 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

1 John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

What is that power?

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Meditate on these things, that you might understand and receive these Words.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Kansasdad]

Additional question. Do you feel it is necessary to confess to another human as apposed to confession just between you and God. I have shared some of my thoughts on this but what do you all think?

God Bless,

Kansas Dad

[Kansasdad]

Sorry I should have said confess with another human to God> Big difference.

Kansas Dad

[dgolvach]

Additional question. Do you feel it is necessary to confess to another human as apposed to confession just between you and God. I have shared some of my thoughts on this but what do you all think?

Not really..But I do find it interesting that many will write post after post about God's standard, "visions of judgement day" and others who died with out victory over habitual sin will fry in hell. But then they won't answer a simple "A or B" question concerning their own status with God. They just answer my question with another question. Thats not an answer. Suzanne answered my question and I believe her. It was a long thoughtful answer with some very good points but in the end I would read her answer as "A". She has victory over habitual sin in her life. I admire that. I don't have victory over everything. My answer would be "B". Even though I'm working on "A". Your original post seems to serve as a warning to people such as me so I thought it would only be fair to pose the "A or B'' question to you. From your post I would guess that you are in the "A" catagory. If so, thats wonderful and I really mean it. I admire your faith. But I'm not sure because you never said so I thought I would just ask..."A or B"?I don't need to hear about specific sins. A mere "A or B" will do.

God Bless

Dan