Originally Posted by buzzoff1031

What if my wife refuses this to. See, she grew up in a family situation that causes two problems. They taught her that whatever beliefs she has spiritually are okay. So obviously, she thinks religion in general is stupid. Also, her mom has had mental "issues" for a while. Her mom's bi-polar, agoraphobic, and a couple of other phobias. Also, her biological father abandoned the family when she was very young (like 2 or 3), and her step dad was a drunk cheat. The family counseling thing was tried and failed. So now she doesn't believe in counseling either. Going to a pastor for counseling...well, I doubt she'll even consider it.

Hmmm, well yes that is a bit of a pickle, but if she loves you and you set the proper tone and speak the truth in love, then I think she will follow her husband to the ends of the Earth. Women can be wonderful that way, we really got a wonderful gift from God. Your wife simply needs to hear and understand the Gospel of Christ, again I want to encourage you---seek out a Bible believing church and ask the pastor for some private marital counseling. I have seen this change MANY lives of young couples, I have prayed in people's homes and watched God heal those marriages and families... the Gospel is the REAL DEAL and I can say with confidence---it will work for you and yours.

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by buzzoff1031

What if my wife refuses this to. See, she grew up in a family situation that causes two problems. They taught her that whatever beliefs she has spiritually are okay. So obviously, she thinks religion in general is stupid. Also, her mom has had mental "issues" for a while. Her mom's bi-polar, agoraphobic, and a couple of other phobias. Also, her biological father abandoned the family when she was very young (like 2 or 3), and her step dad was a drunk cheat. The family counseling thing was tried and failed. So now she doesn't believe in counseling either. Going to a pastor for counseling...well, I doubt she'll even consider it.

I'm not sure you two need counciling (not that it would hurt later on, but it does sound like at this point in time it would make her very uncomfortable if you were to drag her into a pastors office). I just think your relationship with your wife needs consistency. Seeing you practicing what you've professed to believe will do wonders for her. My best advice I can offer is that you simply love her as Christ loves you. This, I think, will make her more open to what you've got in Christ Jesus. Oh and let her see you reading the Good Book everyday since this will be a huge witness to her that you mean business when it comes to your relationship with Christ. It may make her uncomfortable, but the changes she sees in you towads her will balance things out.

Peace and Love,
Stephen

[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.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by 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?

Get away from the internet. You can spend 15 minutes on the internet and find 500 different people who will tell you 250 different ways to be saved. It's a hell hole... and that's just the surface. The internet has such darkness on it.

I've been cutting down my time on the net. I got some good Bible commentaries today. I am going to start reading them prayerfully (along with my Bible of course, which I am reading more and more steadily).

[George]

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.

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.

[cb6445]

I'll be praying for you brother. I've been in worse shape. But God's GRACE is SUFFICIENT for THEE! Quit trying to do anything and just call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you're not sure if you're saved, ask the ONLY one who can give you the answer, the LORD JESUS CHRIST! Don't try to quit lookin at porn or try to quit any other sin in your life. Give it the Lord, he can handle it you cannot! Self reformation is just a waste of time. If you do manage to give up porn, you'll just get hooked on something else. Humble yourself before the Lord, hit your knees in prayer and beg the Lord Jesus to give you peace with your salvation. He'll show you! I would be more concerned with that right now than I would be your individual sin. "Examine yourself, whether ye be in the faith..." (1 Cho 13:5). The Bible says you in 1 John 5:13 "...that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life..." Do you know for a FACT you are saved? Do you have Godly sorrow, does the Lord chastise you for your continued sin? I just worry, 'cause I repeated a little prayer when I was a boy and have lived my whole life in sin, but thought I was saved. There's a whole generation of sinners with a false profession of faith w/out repentance. You cannot get saved without being drawn/convicted by God through the Holy Ghost and you cannot get saved w/out repentance. I'm sure plenty of you will disagree, but that's the truth!

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by cb6445

I'll be praying for you brother. I've been in worse shape. But God's GRACE is SUFFICIENT for THEE! Quit trying to do anything and just call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you're not sure if you're saved, ask the ONLY one who can give you the answer, the LORD JESUS CHRIST! Don't try to quit lookin at porn or try to quit any other sin in your life. Give it the Lord, he can handle it you cannot! Self reformation is just a waste of time. If you do manage to give up porn, you'll just get hooked on something else. Humble yourself before the Lord, hit your knees in prayer and beg the Lord Jesus to give you peace with your salvation. He'll show you! I would be more concerned with that right now than I would be your individual sin. "Examine yourself, whether ye be in the faith..." (1 Cho 13:5). The Bible says you in 1 John 5:13 "...that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life..." Do you know for a FACT you are saved? Do you have Godly sorrow, does the Lord chastise you for your continued sin? I just worry, 'cause I repeated a little prayer when I was a boy and have lived my whole life in sin, but thought I was saved. There's a whole generation of sinners with a false profession of faith w/out repentance. You cannot get saved without being drawn/convicted by God through the Holy Ghost and you cannot get saved w/out repentance. I'm sure plenty of you will disagree, but that's the truth!

Are you finished with that garbage? The last thing my brother needs is someone like you telling him he needs repentance to be saved. Take it somewhere else.

Stephen

[cb6445]

So, your saying no repentance is needed for salvation? I'm just simply trying to say, it's possible he's not saved at all. He even admitted earlier he didn't know. Sorry the word of God offends you. It's not garbage. If you're not ready to repent YOU ARE NOT READY TO BE SAVED! But anyway, sir, if you're unsure of your salvation take it to the Lord Jesus! Careful calling the word of God "garbage" Stephanos.

[MC1171611]

1) you have the wrong definition of repentance

2) nowhere in the Gospel of Grace is repentance for salvation found

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Repentance has been discussed on here many times, so I don't think this is the time to rehash it. However, as far as the issue at hand:

Pornography is a sin against yourself, your family, and against God. Trust me, I know plenty about that. As a Christian, you need to confess that sin and ask God to give you the strength to overcome it. "If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

[stephanos]

Originally Posted by cb6445

So, your saying no repentance is needed for salvation? I'm just simply trying to say, it's possible he's not saved at all. He even admitted earlier he didn't know. Sorry the word of God offends you. It's not garbage. If you're not ready to repent YOU ARE NOT READY TO BE SAVED! But anyway, sir, if you're unsure of your salvation take it to the Lord Jesus! Careful calling the word of God "garbage" Stephanos.

I'm not calling the word of God garbage. I'm calling your false message of "repent from you sin to be saved" garbage. Like Vince said, there isn't ONE verse that says we Gentiles have to quit sinning to be saved (no I'm not saying we have a license to sin!!!). If you've found one, please do tell. My beloved brother Luke IS SAVED! People don't worry about being saved when they're not saved. Luke is just battling the flesh, like we all do. But his problem, like a lot of ours is, that we've come under attack from self-righteous block heads (Lordship Salvation Calvinist heretics) that think you have to be sinless and perfect to be saved. Well I hate to break this news, we're all still sinners. I'm a sinner. I'll be a sinner until I put off this grave of a body when I hear the trump. So instead of adding fuel to the fire with Luke, could you do something productive and encourage him and love him in Christ? I hope that's not to much to ask. Because if you can't help one Christian battling with sin come to assurance of their salvation, then you have no place on the pulpit.

For Jesus' sake,
Stephen