[Here Am I]

buzzoff, I have a question for you:

Do you ever recall a time when you asked God to save you, really wanted Jesus Christ to be your Saviour?

We all have the head knowledge, but many don't get beyond that, don't truly become born again children of God.

Tell us about when you think you first became a believer. That will help me, for one, to better discern your spiritual condition, and be able to offer advice.

BTW, reading the Bible, as George suggested, is an excellent way to avoid the sinful things that tempt us, whether it is porn or gluttony or smoking or gossip or ...

"Sin will keep me from the Bible, but the Bible will keep me from sin"

[buzzoff1031]

I recall a time when I was a kid when I said "the prayer." But as far as actually repenting and making Christ the Lord of my life...I'm not sure I know how. I've gone to church my whole life (until I was 18, I'm 28 now and still don't), and don't know.

[buzzoff1031]

I also wanted to add that, as of now, I still don't go to church. I allow any doctrine or belief that comes across to influence me. I want to know I'm saved, and I want my wife (who's completely against religion) to be saved with me. What must I do?

[stephanos]

Buzzoff1031, you don't need to do anything to be saved except believe that Jesus Christ is the only way for a man to be saved. If you've done that, or if you'll do that now you WILL be saved. If you haven't done that, then do it now. Know that God sent His Son to be sin in your place. I posted these verses in your other question. I'll post them again since it's very important that you read these and believe them.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:29-31 KJV)

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9 KJV)

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15 KJV)

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22 KJV)

If you have any doubts that you've not trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ then now is the time to do so. Go to God in prayer and tell Him that you're sorry for your sins and that you trust in Jesus Christ alone to atone for your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Ask God to have mercy on you and to forgive you of all the sinful things you've done in your life. It doesn't matter how you word things in this prayer. The only thing that matters is that you believe. If you've done this now, or believe you've truly repented of working your way into heaven in the past and trust Christ alone to save you, then tell someone about it now. Find a good independant fundamental baptist church and tell them you've believed and recieved Jesus Christ as your savior and that you wish to confess Jesus as Lord and be baptised. If you've done this, then YOU ARE SAVED! You will spend eternity with the Lord Jesus. And know that you can have fellowship with Him now, and every day by going to Him in prayer and by reading and believing His Word, the King James Bible.

Peace and Love,
Stephen

[buzzoff1031]

I believe in Christ's atoning work alone as the vehicle for my salvation. Also, I know a great church to go to. My wife says though, that I can have church or her. I've changed my mind so much, she doesn't think I'm serious. What to do now?

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by buzzoff1031

I believe in Christ's atoning work alone as the vehicle for my salvation. Also, I know a great church to go to. My wife says though, that I can have church or her. I've changed my mind so much, she doesn't think I'm serious. What to do now?

Your wife must submit to you as you submit to Christ Jesus.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:21-33 KJV)

Your wife must realize that as a man, and spiritual leader of the home, you have a responsibility to do what is right for that home. But I must warn you, that you mustn't fall into the sin that Adam fell into. Don't let your wife drag you down if that's what she's ultimately going to do. Just keep seeking Christ every day and let your conversation (lifestyle) witness to her. I'd suggest that you pray for her without ceasing. You know, if anyone will notice a change in you, it will be her. Make sure she sees one and it will speak volumes of the power of Christ.

Peace and Love,
Stephen

[biblereader]

Originally Posted by stephanos

Your wife must submit to you as you submit to Christ Jesus.

Your wife must realize that as a man, and spiritual leader of the home, you have a responsibility to do what is right for that home. But I must warn you, that you mustn't fall into the sin that Adam fell into. Don't let your wife drag you down if that's what she's ultimately going to do.

Stephanos, I was married for years to a lost spouse, and believe me, lost spouses won't submit to ANYthing from the bible. It makes them angrier, and that doesn't produce good fruit.
His wife SHOULD realize that he's the head, but, being lost, she sure won't.
The best thing to do is pray, and to live your life in such a way that she sees Jesus in you and hears love from you. We are unlovable before we're saved, and I said that, because I know I was an idiot before I was saved, and sometimes after too, but, we're commanded to love the unlovable.
Talk about a HARD thing to do, that's one of them.

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by buzzoff1031

I believe in Christ's atoning work alone as the vehicle for my salvation. Also, I know a great church to go to. My wife says though, that I can have church or her. I've changed my mind so much, she doesn't think I'm serious. What to do now?

I also want to add that when I got saved my folks thought I was joking when I up and out of nowhere told them I recieved Jesus Christ last night (after years of mocking them for their faith). I was like you, in that I was into nearly every religion before I received Christ. So my advice to you is to shew your wife that you mean business. Put your foot down brother and join that church. Shine the light for JESUS!

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. (Luke 11:33 KJV)

Peace and Love,
Stephen

[buzzoff1031]

There's no way that my wife will either understand or submit right now. I can love her with all my being. But, do you think I still need to start going to church no matter what she says or what happens?

Originally Posted by buzzoff1031

I believe in Christ's atoning work alone as the vehicle for my salvation. Also, I know a great church to go to. My wife says though, that I can have church or her. I've changed my mind so much, she doesn't think I'm serious. What to do now?

Listen, for the sake of your marriage, the two of you might want to seek out a Bible believing church and ask the pastor for some private marital counseling. You are the head of the home and you need to take leadership in this. This might help your wife make a shift from her current posture. I have seen this save many marriages and make stronger couples too. A few hours with an experienced pastor who believes the Bible can often make a big difference in a marriage.