[cb6445]

Ok, Bro. Stephen, just wanted to make sure about the "garbage" thing. I am trying to help Luke, by pointing him to the only one who can help him JESUS CHRIST. I don't agree you should EVER tell anybody they are or are not saved, you're not the Holy Ghost. There is but one who can answer that question for you, that's JESUS! I was just trying to help, sorry if it came across any other way. Luke, humble yourself before the Lord and beg his mercy upon you. He can and will give you peace with your salvation and give you the GRACE needed to get you through whatever you might be facing. Just be careful about using the Lord to get you out of your problems, then forgetting him when things go the way you want. Trust me, I've done it. God knows your heart and knows if you're serious about wanting Jesus to rule and reign in your life or if you're just using him as a "crutch." I don't no your heart and am in NO WAY saying that's what you're doing. I know I have tried to use him as a crutch and it got me nowhere. So, the only advice I can give is the same as before, humble yourself before the Lord and beg Jesus for mercy, grace, and peace. He can and will help you! I will continue to pray for you! Stephen, my King James Bible says NOTHING about preaching to give "christians" assurance of their salvation. God called me to "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctorine." Jesus is the only one who can give assurance of salvation.

[cb6445]

The Lord doesn't put preachers in the pulpit to give assurance of salvation. So, to tell a man he doesn't belong in a pulpit for not giving "assurance" of salvation is ridiculous. The only way I would make a statement like that is if I was fully persuaded a man was preaching another gospel as Paul dealt with in Gal 1.

[Diligent]

It's not all that complicated.

1 John 5:10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

It is Jesus that assures our salvation, but the Bible gives us all the assurance we need: do you believe on the Son of God? Then rest assured. Worrying about whether or not you've met someone's formula of repentance or baptism or whatever is just corruption from "the simplicity that is in Christ." (2Co 11:3)

And this idea that "if you're not ready to repent you're not ready to be saved" smacks of works-based salvation, or at least begs the question of how you define repentance. For us now, it's belief first, everything else after.

Ephesians 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,

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by cb6445

Stephen, my King James Bible says NOTHING about preaching to give "christians" assurance of their salvation. God called me to "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctorine."

Wrong, and Correct. You are supposed to preach to Christians that they have assurance of their salvation because it's in the Word!

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13 KJV)

You should be more like John and help people bear more fruit as faithful Christians who don't spend their lives doubting their salvation because their preacher never taught them to have assurance.

For Jesus' sake,
Stephen

EDIT: Sorry to repeat the passage Brandon gave, just now noticed it. Hehe.

[Bibletotingunslinger]

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?

BROTHER! Been there done that, HANG IN THERE, I will pray for you, I so know your pain....All else I can say is you must have big shoulders, God will never burden us more than we can take, and you have a load. Know that God will answer your prayers on a daily basis, the wifes salvation may be a while, hang in there and KNOW you are not alone.
Andrew

[Luke]

How did this thread become about me? Wasn't it started by buzzguy about his wife?

[peopleoftheway]

Originally Posted by Luke

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.

Brother its been a while since I posted on the forums, I completely understand what you mean about the internet being a dark place filled with doctrines of devils, let me say with the utmost brotherly compassion that your testimony and tender heart time and time again on this forum testifies with the indwelling Spirit of God that you ARE my brother and I can say that with full assurance,

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The gulit I know that you may feel over your sins are clear enough evidence that The Spirit of truth who abides in us and guides us IS convicting you and calling you to put them right, I would be a lot more worried if you were comfortable in your sins with no conviction.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

We all have different measures of faith in our life, some have faith in abundance some struggle daily, but the bottom line is we that are born again of Gods Spirit have FAITH
Temptations and trials are a sign of our suffering with Christ, for Christ. I am slowly coming to this understanding also, that the unworthiness we feel is a reminder that we are saved by the Grace Of God.

2 Corinthians 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


What an amazing work that has been done in us, and the simplicity of the assurance that Our Lord can say to us

My grace is sufficient for thee

God Bless Brother, feel assured

[peopleoftheway]

Buzzoff

I apologise for commenting on your prayer request not in regards to the request itself but I felt moved to post for my brother Luke.
I myself am not married so my advice is limited, but what I can say is that addictions (Strongholds) are certainly a tough thing to overcome in the flesh, which is why the Lord offers us the armour of God, some Christians have the full kit, and have faith and strength in abundance, but some of us, those of us that may struggle with things from time to time have that chink in our armour, that can only be repaired by prayer.
The apostle Paul said in
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; )
Dont try and give up the porn on your own or try to sort it out and clean you life up before you can commit to Christ, just pray for the strength to overcome through Christ
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Back to the Christians defence againt these fleshy lusts and influences, while it is most certainly a good idea to talk to Brethren about your problems I would urge you to be wary of looking to men rather than God for all of your advice, when we are called to battle (Spiritually) we have the helmet of salvation (which I believe to be sound proof to foolish and vain janglings) that we may not listen to doctrines of devils and heretics or that the may simply "bounce off" our minds that the Lord has strenghtened by his Grace.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Prayerfully go to the Word of God, ask the Lord to search out your heart for the things that hold you back that even you dont realise and take time to immerse yourself in the written Word.
Lastly my friend have patience for your wife, many Godly Brethren will testify that the hardest thing for them as Christian is to have an unsaved spouse or family member. Jesus told his disciples that they would suffer many things for his sake, including persecution of family and friends, but to have that patience to accept these things.

Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

I cant give much more advice My Friend but I can pray for you and your wife.

God Bless

[Hayseed]

How about showing her how serious you are?You say she dosen't take you seriously,so be serious.

If you know of a good Bible Believing Church,then get in there.Invite her to come,there will be family evenings,lunches etc,all non threatening.Take your children along,get them into Sunday School (if you have young children that is.) Your wife may attend when there is a programme for them or camp on.

Read your Bible at home too,say grace at the table,do the jobs and maintenance work around home that makes her feel special.

Let her see the changes Christ is making for you and in you by praying openly for your family and thanking God for her.

This may force her to be quiet or take off...worth the risk.

I hope this helps.

Hayseed.

[buzzoff1031]

I've felt lead lately to come tell you guys how things are going. I have to confess that the report is not good. I did this on this thread so that anyone who wishes can in back over the thread and remember my story, so to speak. Anyway, my wife had told me once that she'd rather me go to a Catholic church, if I must go at all. So I actually fell into that trap. Of course she'd want me to go there, they are deceived, and Satan wants me as far away from the truth as he can get me, and, at the moment, my wife is under his control. Well, as I said, I fell for the lie. I am inches away from being confirmed as a Catholic. I have yet again compromised the truth. Meanwhile, I still have the addiction I mentioned before. Also, my wife is just as adamantly against any religion as before. I know the truth, and I just can't follow it. My unsaved wife is suffering the consequences of my unfaithfulness. Of course, I don't think an abrupt change, like all of a sudden going to a fundamental baptist church, would take too well. She would probably leave, unless I could at the same show her love beyond what I an capable of. I need help again dear brothers and sisters!