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Old 01-21-2009, 10:25 AM
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George George is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Posts: 891
Default Re: "Brother Luke"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke View Post
Did I come here and join up in my sleep or something? It's like I am watching myself post, but it's someone else.

I have, for the longest time, struggled with assurance of salvation because of sin in my life and my lack of total and complete devotion to Christ.
Dear brother Luke,

IF our Salvation is dependent on our being "sinless"; or IF our Salvation is dependent on our "keeping it"; or IF our Salvation is dependent on "our devotion to the Lord" - then we ARE ALL LOST! For "all have sinned and come short of the glory of the Lord".

But the Lord Jesus Christ said: "IT IS FINISHED"! WHAT was finished? Why - OUR SALVATION! He did (for us) what we couldn't do in the flesh.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Brother, your general "assessment" of the net is true. However, this Forum (although imperfect) is one of the few places on the net where one can find people (not all) who are directing others to God's Holy words. And if there be some that don't do that; or if there is some confusion in the advise that is given, Christian men (brethren) like Stephanos, Bro. Parrish, Forrest, Josh, Kiwi Christian, MC1171611, and sister "Here Am I" and even myself (Post #2) are trying to help out a young man who obviously is crying out for help.

Some of us have lived long enough to know that in this present world we (Christians) are going to have TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS:

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Our HOPE is in the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the ONE (THE ONLY ONE) Who has "overcome the world"!

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The above verses tell us WHY and to WHAT purpose "Tribulations" serve. The longer you live, the more you will understand this (take my word for it). I have been particularly hard-hearted, and it has taken me far to long to understand many of these truths, that I should have understood decades ago. But, praise be to God, He has broken through my stubbornness and hard heart and has gotten me to understand things out of His Holy word that I had no "inkling" about even five years ago!

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Brother, don't despair over sin in your life - at least your conscience hasn't become "seared", or "defiled" (you're still aware of sin). At least your conscience hasn't become "evil" (where you justify sin). Keep praying and be aware:
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

And remember to keep:
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
"

[Hebrews 12:2-4]

May God bless you brother for having an honest and sincere heart. I pray that God will always bless you in your "walk" with Him, and throughout all of your trials and temptations, and that He will make His presence known to you.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.