Re ur question and Save_4ever's about my belief in God as my personal saviour, I want to - it would be so much easy to do this and it would be comforting; however, I'm doubtful - reason points me otherwise.
Lex, the issue is not the
reasons you are doubtful, but the doubt. Each of us doubted prior to our salvation. It is in human nature not to accept something we cannot tangibly feel or see. There is great risk involved in accepting this comfort you are looking for. But think about this my friend, what's the risk? You simply lose what you've held onto. A disbelief in your own worthiness for salvation perhaps. Where do I get that one from?
Forrest:
Huh?! Salvation has nothing to do with being good and evil?! I think not.
Why bother with the Ten Commandments?
And what is it exactly that you need to do in order to be saved?
Here. Let me help you with something.
You are not worthy. Yes. There are actually thousands of overpaid psychologists now issuing a collective gasp at this statement!
But that my friend is the whole point. None of us will ever be worthy of this great gift. It is, afterall, just that. As a son, I've disobeyed my parents, broken my hand hitting a wall rather than taking my anger out on my dad, and a bevy of other sinful practices of my youth where my parents are concerned. And yet, every Christmas, I still get a gift. Why? Because that's what a gift is. It isn't earned, or purchased for one's self. It is given.
There are many issues out there Lex that can distract you from the main point you've come to. Focusing on them, rather than this opportunity, would be wrong. You said that you have reasons for disbelief. I say that belief will explain any reason. If you wait for the satisfaction of answers to those reasons, more reasons will arise. If you wait until you think you may be worthy, or able to remain worthy of this salvation, more unworthiness will come to light.
I truly believe that in your reply to mine, I sensed a genuine desire to accept, yet a holding on to doubt. Lex? Do you believe in God? If so, how much further would you have to go to believe
God?
At the latter part of your post to Forrest, you asked:
And what is it exactly that you need to do in order to be saved?
God says, for starters, that each and every single one of us is born into one position:
SINNERRomans 3:10-12
as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands;no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless[/b];no one does good, not even one."
And in verse 23 of the same chapter...
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Do you believe Him? If so, then you need to hear what He has said about the price for being in this position:
DEATHRomans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Again, do you believe Him? Death my friend is something each of us can relate to, but not all of us understand. Death isn't ceasing to exist, but rather a
separation. Physically, one's soul and spirit are separated from their bodies when death occurs. Spiritually, death is an eternal separation from God in a place called the lake of fire:
Revelation 20:11-15
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
God has said it. Do you believe it? Some may deny that a God of love would do such a thing. But God is above all things
holy. Do you know what it means to be holy?
Separate. God is set apart from sin and will not accept us without a payment for our. But here's the great part! The God of love
paid the price for all, through His Son Jesus Christ's death on the cross[/b]:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Hebrews 10:7-10
Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
God paid the price! There is no need for man's work, hence...
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
God says that salvation comes from His Son's blood-bought payment by God's grace to us and our faith in Him. What must you do to be saved? First, change your mind about this. Take away your belief in your doubts and replace it with your belief in God! Second, change your heart about this. You've sinned and are accountable to a Holy God. Ask His forgiveness and know that ..."he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - 1 John 1:9. And third, change your will about this.
Accept His gift of loving salvation!
I know this has been a lengthy post, and I trust you've read through it. You asked. I hope you accept.
In prayer,
Kevin
