Salvation

[roman8]

I would like to ask a question.

How do you know for sure that you are saved ? There are times when I am so overcome with the reality of God and I can feel him there and then I question it. I can go from falling on my knees and begging for forgivness to wondering if I am really sincere. Would someone who is really saved feel like this? I prayed for Jesus to come into my life and change me a little under a year ago , and ever since then it hasbeen like a rollercoaster ride of ups ands downs.

[Jane Doe]

I would like to ask a question.

How do you know for sure that you are saved ? There are times when I am so overcome with the reality of God and I can feel him there and then I question it. I can go from falling on my knees and begging for forgivness to wondering if I am really sincere. Would someone who is really saved feel like this? I prayed for Jesus to come into my life and change me a little under a year ago , and ever since then it hasbeen like a rollercoaster ride of ups ands downs.
Greetings roman8!

You say that over a year ago you prayed for Jesus to come into your life. If that was a genuine prayer I believe that a seed of the Holy Spirit was indwelt into your soul. Someone that is saved could for sure distrust at times, especially when newly born in Christ, there is so much up against us! Self/flesh, the demonic world, the tangible world, untruth and so on are constantly at odds with the Spirit within. I found that when I was freshly saved doubt targeted me, but with the word (Bible), prayer, and fellowship the easier it was to overcome these "episodes." How do you know FOR SURE that you are saved? Only you and the Lord know, I think.

[roman8]

I have to say I am afraid that I am not saved, I pray constantly. How would you know that the the Holy Spirit is with you . I want to give my life to Christ , but why is it so hard . I think I am missing something.

I am going to church , reading my bible everyday, attending Alpha, part of a small bible study, but I still dont feel like I have the holy spirit.

Its God that draws us to him right? I dont want to be one of the seeds that was planted in bad soil I want to be the seed planted in the good soil .

Am I trying to hard?

[CoreIssue]

You might just be missing the fact that born-again is of the spirit, not the flesh.

Are you different inside? At peace with the idea Christ has to do it all for you?

Is there an inner contentment?

The flesh will always fight you. Understand you cannot go what the flesh says to judge a new inner reality.

How that helps.

And Jane summed it up quite nicely.

[roman8]

"The flesh will always fight you. Understand you cannot go what the flesh says to judge a new inner reality."

Is this site more for mature Christians? I dont understand what you mean by the above statement.

I do feel different , in the way that I am contantly aware of when I do wrong , and I want to give up my old ways. I have led a very sinful life.

[eahaddix]

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus, roman8. :tiphat:

I do feel different , in the way that I am contantly aware of when I do wrong , and I want to give up my old ways. I have led a very sinful life.

If you have . . .
(a) a genuine sorrow for your sins,
(b) a genuine belief in Christ Jesus as your God and Savior, and
(c) a genuine desire to serve Christ Jesus with proactive good works, obedience to his commands, and abstinence from your old sinful habits,
. . . then you fulfill the basic Scriptural signs of a genuine "born again" believer.

I can provide you with Scriptural prooftexting for and/or further explanation of these points, if you wish to see it.

Is this site more for mature Christians?

No. You are equally welcomed and valued.

[CoreIssue]

"The flesh will always fight you. Understand you cannot go what the flesh says to judge a new inner reality."

Is this site more for mature Christians? I dont understand what you mean by the above statement.

I do feel different , in the way that I am contantly aware of when I do wrong , and I want to give up my old ways. I have led a very sinful life.
As Lucky said, all are welcome here.

You answered your own question.

You get natural urges to do wrong, but now you are keenly aware they are wrong. Your spirit resists. You feel that guilt and strong conviction down inside of your being.

You cannot escape the knowledge and feelings concerning what you have done. None of us can.

You want to change. But it is hard. Our bodies in whole and our minds in part are still addicted to sinning. It is a war within us, as the Bible says.

Sounds to me like a very born-again person talking here. One who knows what they were, does not like it, wants to change, but finds the old ways are hard to get away from.

Think of it like one who has been on drugs. They may have a 100% demand to get clean. But the body and mind either like what the drugs did, and don't want to give that up. Or, they don't like what one has to go through to give it up and want to surrender and just stay with it.

It is a war. That does not mean you are not born-again.

Best thing to do is keep studying. Understand the Bible and God recognize these issues are very real. They are there to help you get past them, not condemn you for them.

And real Christians will be there for you as well. We, here, will help as much as is able. And will be there as friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

You are not alone.

[Jane Doe]

Is this site more for mature Christians?

I do feel different , in the way that I am contantly aware of when I do wrong , and I want to give up my old ways. I have led a very sinful life.

Romans 8,

this site is for all, people. Personally, I wouldnt consider myself a "mature" Christian, but I am striving to be...

You have accepted God's gift of an eternal life and are in the process of giving up your old ways, it's a process. Don't think you are automatically failing (Satan is TRYING for that!), you have the want and God's sprit working with yours. I am saved, I know for sure, and I still lead a sinful life, although I am trying to do better, and God shows me more and more of how to give sin up. At times sin is so powerful I am useless against it without directly asking God to intervene. And he doesnt always! It doesnt automatically put you at risk of losing your salvation. Not to sound like I am advocating a sinful life, but please understand that just like good works wont get you into heavon, follwing a certain Christian template doent get one automatically saved.

romans8 -"am going to church , reading my bible everyday, attending Alpha, part of a small bible study, but I still dont feel like I have the holy spirit."

Sounds like you're on a productive track, what type of church do you go to? What is Aplha?

[Jessie]

Is this site for mature christians only? nope! they are still working with me and its been I think 2 yrs!

a wonderful bunch of people here.

and good to see you!

[roman8]

Thanks everyone for your replys to me.

Jane. alpha is a course that is offered around the world . its held in churches , schools , retirement homes, prisons, where ever they can . Its an basic course in Christianity, done in a none threatning way for people who are seeking or have questions about the christian faith . The course is 10 weeks with one extra day devoted to the holy spirit . I have only just started the course. Its is taught over a meal , very casual so people will feel comfortable asking questions , although im still a little uncomfortable, I am the only one who hasnt taken the course before , so all eyes are on me:eek: .

The church I attend is non denomanational , a community church , with a contemporary service.

I am grateful I was led to this site , I have alot of questions.