Can a sinner regain salvation if he/she lost it?

Hello everyone. I am new here, and I'm glad that I have finally found a forum that can possibly help me.

Long story short, I became born again in Christ back in June of 2005, and for a few months, I abided in Jesus successfully. However, little by little, worldly cares started taking the place of Christ in my life, and sin increased as well. I even stopped reading the Bible.

All this while, though, I was under a delusion that I was still fine, that I was still a "true Christian", when in fact I was ignorant. Recently last month, however, I read something online that shocked me and opened my eyes, and I resolved to try and get right with the Lord once more, this time for good: studying the Bible daily, praying a lot, etc.

Of course, there is one part of the Bible that troubles me to no end, and no matter how many times I pray to have my worry lifted from me, it still bothers me that I may have gone too far and can't ever get back into God's good graces. Of course, that line is the infamous Hebrews 6:4-6.

To me, somebody who doesn't believe in OSAS, this is troubling. I know that I fell away, and I'm sorry that I ever did that. Know that the worry in me can be so great at times that it prevents me from producing good spiritual fruit, and also is causing me acid problems as well (and occasional weeping). I love Jesus and am frightened of an eternity without Him, not just afraid of hellfire mind you.

So my plea is, if a sinner like me fell away and possibly gave up my salvation (and I think I did), is it possible for me to get right with Jesus, to be saved once more? Is there any Scripture I may be accidentally overlooking that supports I can be saved again? If I can regain salvation, how can I let the Lord take away the burden of my worry so that my life may be peaceful? Please let me know. Any help is appreciated. God bless!

PS, if I posted this in the wrong section, please do let me know. I'm sorry if I did.

Desr Jmooney6,

I was just discussing my 15 years of backsliding with a sister in the Lord yesterday and how in anguish I cried out to God to take me back to Him.

I had a two pack smoking habit,consumed enormous amounts of alcohol, was addicted to gambling, and in great sin. I struggled with the scriptures that accused me that I had "crossed the line" and blasphemed God.

Jesus said in the book of John that all that came to Him would He in no wise cast out. He reminded me of King David's sin before all of Isreal and how He forgave even him who should have been publically stoned.

You have barely begun to even walk with the Lord and I encourage you to seek Him with your whole heart and He will pull you up to Himself and daily strengthen you.

Seek Him and read His Word even if the battle is against you. He will help you and the truth will really set you free.

Don't even remotely trust in the counsel of men. Read His Word more than listening to others and you will begin to recognise His wonderful voice and see Him working in your life.

Most of all, pattern your life after the Word and not according to those professing Christianity. Ask for the fruits of the Holy Spirit which are meekness, humility and love.

I so pray you will recieve strength and encouragement. May you know that what He has begun in you He is also able to co,plete and will complete.

God Bless you and comfort you and grant you hope.

Kathleen

Dear Jmooney,

The post by Kathleen is very good and similar to what I would say to you. Please take this to heart and do not be condemed and confused by theological debates and positions based on theoretical situations. What is important is that you have a desire to come back to the Lord. this is the Lord's doing, He is drawing you. DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY, but seek him with all your heart. He will not reject any who come to Him.

There are many including myself, who can testify that we once backslid, but God in His mercy enabled us to return. I do not take this lightly, but am thankful that He enabled me to return and put that desire within me. It caused me to come back much stronger in my reliance and surrender to Him. As I said, I DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY and would not presume to think I can play with God's mercy and grace. I have no desire to drift away again, for who knows I may not have another chance of returning, my heart could be hardened. So this is why I say DO NOT miss this opportunity and run to Jesus Christ, seek him with all your heart.

I have just listened to the recommended sermon by Richard Owen Roberts called 'seek my face' https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=7429.
I would strongly recommend you listen to this. He talks at the beginning about the Hebrews 6 passage in a very practical (not theological) way.

What matters most is where we are with Christ NOW, not the past but the present. Our salvation is in Jesus Christ, not in a decision we made in the past. Are we trusting Him now.

May God bless you as you seek him.

jmooney6 wrote:

Of course, there is one part of the Bible that troubles me to no end, and no matter how many times I pray to have my worry lifted from me, it still bothers me that I may have gone too far and can't ever get back into God's good graces. Of course, that line is the infamous Hebrews 6:4-6.

The term "fall away" implye a total renunciation of your faith.

As if some Christian would come to the point and claim all he has been through, namely tasted of the heavenly gift, and partook of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come...
And after all that, he proclaims that it was all worthless and regrets it all; he takes it all back to the point that he want no more part in it.

THEN it is impossible for him to be renewed again unto repentance.

the always coming to God as a sinner statement, and paragraph , is not truth . we aught to be few on words and really know Gods mind before we speak anything about Him .

Dear jmooney6,

First let me say that I agree with Kathleen's advice that you take this matter up with God one-on-one and not let the doctrines and interpretations of mere men bother you.

Having said that, I would like to express my take on this to you in the hope that it will help --- just remember to seek God's leading first through his word.

I'm pasting below what I had posted in another thread. This is my personal understanding of rebirth or regeneration, so it is open to criticism.
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If you ask any Christian if they are born again, almost all of them will say yes. But we know from scripture (Mt 7:21-23) that on the day of judgment, many who claim Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will be disappointed to learn that they will not be allowed into God's kingdom.

The truth is one does not become a born-again Christian by declaring himself to be such. Neither can the declaration of a "religious authority" like a priest, or a pastor, or an evangelist make it so. Only God is qualified to decide the matter. However, he has provided sufficient guidelines in the Bible to help us assess ourselves in this regard.

First, we must make a distinction between a professing Christian and a born-again Christian. A professing Christian is one who has turned towards God and openly acknowledges Jesus as Lord. In a sense one can say that he has faith in God... but the critical question is what kind of faith? This distinction of different levels of faith or belief is explained in the Bible in Mt 13:1-23 (Parable of the Sower) and James 2:14-26 (Faith and Deeds).

A professing Christian can be likened to a new believer who believes in God and his word, yet has not yet imbibed a sufficient understanding of scripture and God's character to experience a life change (being born again). A professing Christian is still a seeker who has not yet reached the end of his journey. A reborn Christian is one who not only believes in God and his word, but also has come to a point of understanding where he is overwhelmed by the greatness of God's love, the majesty of God's holiness, and the sinfulness and unworthiness of his own life. The reborn Christian is so moved by these things that he truly falls in love with God the way it is prescribed by Jesus in Mt 22:36-40 "with all your heart and with all your soul and will all your mind".

I believe it is this "falling in love with God" phase that constitutes true rebirth. Of all human values, virtues, or emotions, it is love that has the power to change lives. It is love that changes one from being a "taker" (self-gratification) to being a "giver" (selflessly gratifying the object of our love). Love is what makes parents die for their children; it is what makes patriots die for their country; it is what made God give up his only son for us; it is what made Jesus die for our redemption; and it is what will make us live or die for Christ. That is why scripture says in 1Co 13:13 that love is greater than faith.

Mt 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

1Jn 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

The journey from being a professing Christian to a reborn Christian depends on how well the Holy Spirit is able to lead the believer. It can take an instant, or it may take a lifetime, and sometimes the journey is never completed. As explained in the parable of the sower, if we allow ourselves to be distracted, if we lose interest, and if we fail to become deeply-rooted we could fail to complete the journey --- thus we have a situation where a "born-again" Christian appears to lose his salvation and end up in hell. The truth is he was never born-again, though he claimed to be.

I am of the persuasion that a true born-again Christian --- one who has come to know God intimately, one who has fallen totally in love with God, and whose overriding goal in life is to please God and God alone --- such a one can no longer be lost (Jn 10:29).

Love is so powerful that one would seek to please his or her beloved even in the absence of rewards and even with the threat of punishments. Thus we see how the apostles and many Christians devoted themselves to serving the cause of Christ even though they suffered and died for it.

One way I try to distinguish true born-again Christians from those who have still to reach that point is to ask: Why are you a Christian? Most would answer something like: To gain eternal life; to be blessed; to become righteous before God; to be with fellow believers; to gain guidance; to get to heaven, etc. To paraphrase these responses, they are saying "I am a Christian to get something good for myself" -- still with the attitude of a "taker" but definitely moving along the right path (thank God). But those who have been transformed would answer "I am a Christian because I love God", and if pushed they would admit that they would still be Christians even without the promise of salvation, even without heaven or hell, even without the promise of blessings. These are those who would suffer and die for Christ. These are those of whom the Bible says "the world was not worthy of them". These are the ones who can never fall away --- because they are in love with God.

Someone who is truly saved can not lose their salvation. The question is not "can someone lose their salvation" but instead should be "was that person truly saved to begin with". Krispy

Good observation, brother. :-)

You reminde me of a few things first you reminde me of the parable of the sower.
Matthew:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say to you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet he hath not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, forthwith he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty.
24 Another parable he proposed to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field:

Next Im reminded of the Prodigal Son.
Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided to them his living.
13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave to him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him in health.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore his father came out, and entreated him.
29 And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither have I at any time transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son had come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me: and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

So if originally a son, but comes to his mind and decides to go back for mercy, he will find it. But Only God brings this thought to mind, granting Repentance.. next verse.

2Tim 2:25
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth:
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Here God clearly grants repentance to those that oppose themselves, and recover out of the snare of the devil.

Quote:Of course, there is one part of the Bible that troubles me to no end, and no matter how many times I pray to have my worry lifted from me, it still bothers me that I may have gone too far and can't ever get back into God's good graces. Of course, that line is the infamous Hebrews 6:4-6.

True, it is impossible, but with God nothing is impossible, he is merciful, and that is why he is longsuffering, suffering us to repent and come back to him.
If he calls us, and we hear that call, we come to him and tell him our troubles and ask him to forgive us.

In your case, only God in my opinion is putting in your heart to get right with Him.
Only you can repent and follow him.
dont worry about if your were saved before, or not, what matters is what are you at this acceptable time going to do, today is the day of salvation.
Turn to Jesus, confess, repent, and believe, and purpose to live for him.
God will hear you.

Quote:
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Someone who is truly saved can not lose their salvation. The question is not "can someone lose their salvation" but instead should be "was that person truly saved to begin with". Krispy
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Good observation, brother

Yes dear Brothers, quite an observation, and if I may, I would like to compair it to what Jesus said here.

Mat 25:31

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Besides having a literal meaning in that when a brother or sister is hungry, needing phisical food. Thirsty, needing a real glass of water. A stranger who needs lodging or a helping hand. Naked in that they have few clothes to wear. Or sick and in prison, in that we go visit them in the hospital or the prison.

ALL THESE THINGS, also represent how we are to know enough of his Word, that we can feed them the bread of life. Give them to drink of the wather of life. Welcome them and treat them as family in the family of God, when we know them not. Clothe them with the Words, of righteousness,helping them turn from their sins, unto him who called them. Release them from the sickness and prisons of the strongholds of sin and unbelief in their minds, into the glorious liberty of those who truly know and understand the scriptures, the gospel of our dear Lord.

This dear Sister, has found herself to be in these situations, in her heart. Yet you give her no bread of life, you give her no water of life, you share nothing to turn her to righteousness, that will clothe her and bring her out of her prison, from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God.

Why here a sister in the Lord (if truly be that you are brothers) has a heartfelt problem and is asking for wisdom and understanding, and you come up with this "canned" quote, THAT DOES NOTHING, to teach, reprove, convict, encourgage or comfort.

What do you give her? You give her a "CANNED" observation bothers.

"CANNED" in that you got that out of some religious "CAN" of quotes, that get passed on from one person to the next, that don't have a pinch of truth in them. No bread, no water, no clotheing, no deliverance, no salvation.

I can only say what Jesus said, in that every idol word that men shall speak they shall give an account there of in the day of judgment, and that means you two, brothers.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, (Well remember that girl on the internet) Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Someone who is truly saved can not lose their salvation. The question is not "can someone lose their salvation" but instead should be "was that person truly saved to begin with". Krispy

You both need to repent for treating this sister like she is not even present, does not matter, and her posts do not have a real human being, beloved of the Lord, on the other end of them.

Let us hope your user name "Krispy", is not prophetic brother.

TaylorOtwell wrote:

Someone who is truly saved can not lose their salvation. The question is not "can someone lose their salvation" but instead should be "was that person truly saved to begin with". Krispy

Good observation, brother. :-)

Can a saved person be deceived?
Yes.

Can that deception lead to apostasy?
Yes.

Was that person saved?
Yes.

Can a saved person have "no root in himself" come up and be offended when "persecution occurring because of the Word"? (Mat 13:20-21)
Yes.

Can a saved person have the anxiety of this age, and the deceit of riches, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful, because of "thornes"? (Mat 13:22)
Yes.

Job 33:23 "If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness,

Job 33:24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom';

Job 33:25 His flesh shall be young like a child's, He shall return to the days of his youth.

Job 33:26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness.

Job 33:27 Then he looks at men and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted [what was] right, And it did not profit me.'

Job 33:28 He will redeem his [fn] soul from going down to the Pit, And his life shall see the light.

Job 33:29 "Behold, God works all these [things], Twice, [in fact], three [times] with a man,

Job 33:30 To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.

In verse 27 the individual comes to understand that the ways he or she once live for do not profit the individual. Due to experiencing the goodness of God this individual testifies that his or her relationship with the Lord will not allow them to continue in the old ways.

In verse 29, we find that God continues to bring this individual back two or three times during his or her life so that they might be enlightened with the light of life.

But those who continue to disobey will die, for God will give them over to their carnal ways.

In Christ
Jeff

Beloved Sister in the Lord,

When you first believed you were SEALED, with what is called the holy spirit of promise. You have this gift sealed up inside of you until the day of redemption.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest (TOKEN) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The day of redemption, is the day that Jesus comes to gather together all those who are his. At THAT TIME, the seal will be opened, and the Lord will look at what is really in your heart and what you did with your life.

2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

People do not totally change overnight. Though we have heard stories of this, this is not the "norm". Rather it takes time, and learning of the Word of God, to overcome sin, and learn to walk righteously before him.

We slowly become transformed.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The word transformed is a Greek word which meant metamorphis, as in what a catipillar goes through to become a butterfly. You have issues, sins and contrary thoughts in your mind that you do not even realize.

You have strongholds in your mind, that you do not even realize are there, and again this takes time in learning with the Lord, and living life to overcome them.

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Many Christians do not realize that the moment they believed on Christ, they entered a real WAR. So when the enemy comes along and tempts them and get's them to fall, they are totally unprepared for it. They think they lost their salvation.

But the truth is, you are given and assured of salvation, if you keep coming back to and following Jesus, even though you may fall. A baby has to learn to walk, a baby Christian has to learn to walk with the Lord, and overcome sin. Babies fall, but keep getting up and trying to walk. Even mature adults fall from time to time.

Keep this scripture as the apple of your eye. Listen to it, commit it to heart, and follow it.

John 8:31 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Those Jews, he was talking to, had just finally and initially heard enough of his words, to make the decision to believe on him. But then he told them they must CONTINUE in his Words.

To continue means to live, abide and dwell in his words. By this they would become disciples (disciplined ones), they would eventually come to a knowledge of the truth, and be set free from the sin in their lives.

Being set free from the sin in your life, is not just continuing to sin, and then saying Jesus paid the price for it. Rather being set free from sin, is learning how to overcome sin and QUIT the sin. And it is not living a lifesyle of 'habitual" sin.

We have an enemy, and his main purpose is to tempt and lead us into sin. Part of learning the truth, is also learning about this enemy we have, who so easily temps our old man nature and draws us away into our own particular sins.

But as we learn of Christ, and resist the devil, and the temptation to sin, by putting on his commandments, sayings, and words, we receive faith and power to overcome that sin, and walk in righteousness instead.

God gives you SPACE, and TIME to come to repentance. But do not take that grace for granted, to purposely continue on in your faults. Seek the Word of God, keep your head in the word, and most of all PRAY, that you enter not into temptation, and that God will help you to escape. For as Jesus said: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. So we must watch and pray every day for God's strength and guidence in overcoming these things.

You have not LOST your salvation, you have just begun your salvation. And must now that you have believed work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. You must come to a knowledge of your Lord, by daily reading of the gospels, and spend time with him.

If you sin, which you will, if you confess you sin, he is faithful and just to fogive your sin and clease you from all unrighteousness. But never take him for granted, and never sin presumptuously...as in..."Oh well God will forgive me."

God loves you, and he's given you all the tools and knowledge to be victorious, but it all takes time. Receive his gracious forgivness, and move on to run that race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith.

Here are some more scriptures on this subject to ponder.

2 Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; [b]but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.[/b]

Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have [b]put off the old man with his deeds;[/b]

Col 3:10 [b]And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:[/b]

You don't do this overnight. And it's not a ever just a DONE DEAL, for any of us. You can ALWAYS go back...ALWAYS. Or you can as some who claim to be "saved", never do it at all, and yet claim they are "born again". These are those who write you good words and fair speaches telling you not to worry about overcoming or quiting sin.

The inward man is renewed according the the knowledge of the Word of God, that we MUST put in DAY by DAY. If we go a few days, we get weak and can sucomb to sin, or fall back into the ways of the old man.

Rom 8:21 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Rom 8:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

rom 8:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Only by staying [b]IN CHRIST, which means to stay in and abide DAILY in his words, by reading and meditating on them, do you receive POWER to obey them.[/b]Then you will not so easily succomb to that old man nature which lies latent within your human body and mind.

Running with you, in the Lord Jesus Christ,
El Harris

NOTHING we ever did BEFORE we came to or believed on Jesus Christ, could make us good enough to receive that holy spirit of promise. Both those who naturally walked very righteously and those who are great sinners, and all those inbetween, are in the same boat, before Him.

ALL must believe on who Jesus Christ was, the son of God and that God raised him from the dead. At that instant of innitial belief,you receive a spiritual cleansing by God through his spirit.

But AFTER this is when your work begins. For regardless of how wicked you may have been before you came to Christ, he now expects you to LEARN to walk worthy of what he has done for you, and called you to.

THIS TAKES TIME! You have habbits and strongholds in your mind, that are contrary to what Jesus Chrsit taught is "right" or "righteous". He will reveal these things to you as you walk through life.

Many times we fall into sin, because there are things in our hearts the Lord is trying to show us, that we need to deal with.

Dear elharris,

Quote: Someone who is truly saved can not lose their salvation. The question is not "can someone lose their salvation" but instead should be "was that person truly saved to begin with".
Krispy

You both need to repent for treating this sister like she is not even present, does not matter, and her posts do not have a real human being, beloved of the Lord, on the other end of them. Let us hope your user name "Krispy", is not prophetic brother.

I agree that it is better to also cite the scriptural basis (the meat and drink) for such statements, but we don't know the circumstances under which he made his response. Maybe he was pressed for time and just had to post quickly.

Like you, I have not been an active member of this forum for very long, and I still have to get to know most of the regulars here. But I have read enough of Krispy's posts to be able to say that he is a loving Christian brother, and that his forum name "Krispy" is not prophetic.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Before I continue, I just wanted to clarify that I am a fellow brother in Christ, not a sister. :lol: My name is Jim.

Thank you and God bless you all for your loving insights and help! I came as a naked stranger, hungry, thirsty, burdened, and I feel as if my thirst is quenched, hunger is satisfied, and mostly clothed in the Word (the rest which I must read on my own, of course). My burden has become a compelling, as I am compelled more than ever to get into my Bible to gain more spiritual understanding than I ever had.

I'm also starting to come to an understanding of things that really didn't occur to me. For one thing, I was running with my blinders on, being afraid of losing the salvation and love of Jesus because of my sin, seeking answers on Hebrews 6:4-6 everywhere on the net and not in the Bible, even though I started to read it seriously a month ago (which is why I discovered that passage in the first place).

The second is the main problem I have - swearing (not the oath kind) and quickness to anger (not full-blown anger, rather irritation, and not Holy anger either). I felt that if I'm truly in Christ, that this anger problem would go away. True, it produces thorns, and not fruit, and I feel it hinders the relationship I should have with Jesus.

The third thing is, I realized why I fell away originally. I wasn't reading my Bible at all back when I first accepted Christ, being under the foolish thinking "I'll read it when I have some time" rather than "I will make time to read it each day, at minimal 30 minutes if not more, more being better!" What a fool I was! :oops: I also need to pray a lot more fervently as well.

The fourth problem I'm having is my heart. There are times when I feel joy in my heart when reading the Bible or thinking about Him, but sometimes my heart feels like a rock. I'm praying that my heart be melted and be made into good soil, as I don't want it to be rock whose seeds become scorched and withered plants. Why does it feel that way sometimes?

The last problem is finding a way to get through college while making time for reading the Bible and talking to God. I feel that it gets in the way of what's truly important, and that is God.

Any assistance would be greatly welcomed, even just simply pointing me to passages within the Holy Scriptures to help open my eyes even further. :-) You all have been so helpful to me. I know now that God has directed me to a forum that can help me out and has already. God bless you all.

-Jim