Backsliding vs. Having Never Been Saved

[StefanM]

I appreciate the contribution, but I am just going to have to agree to disagree on some points.

I firmly believe mental illness is real, and I firmly believe that I struggle with it. I'm not saying faith won't help, but not everything is as straightforward as you seem to imply.

 

[JonShaff]

Stefan, I would suggest to you that you differ from most people...not at all.

All of us "do better" when we are walking more closely with the Lord. My prescription for your "mental illness" is to immerse yourself in time spent with the Lord in His Word, which is one of the surest ways we have to allow God to communicate with us.

If you stay in His Word you are going to be less likely to entertain notions about other religions. All of us, having some knowledge of Scripture, can sit around and devise philosophies when we remain distant from the very Word that offers cleansing for our understandings and this is going to impact how we live our lives.

As far as questioning your salvation, my friend...that is a great indicator of salvation, in my own view. Religious people seldom doubt their salvation, and mentally ill people are not usually aware they are mentally ill. Some, like yourself, perhaps, think they are...because that is what they have been told they are. However, if you listen to what God has to say to you, and about you, I am quite confident that your "moods" will be improved.

Scripture demands diligence of disciples, and it isn't easy all the time, but, one thing I know from personal experience is the more time I spend with God in His Word, the more my own "moods" remain content. We can all, in the circumstances we are in, get depressed and unhappy at times. So don't overlook the resources you have as a Christian, the first being your relationship with the Lord Himself.

As I said, I am convinced of the power of the Word of God to change our hearts and lives, and to direct the quality of life we have. Doesn't mean circumstances are going to be easy, but, we will be better able to navigate when we are seeking to be close with the Lord. As one preacher mentioned, people are always asking what God's will for their life is, and the simple answer he gives is holding up his Bible. It's right there for us to learn.

And if you ever need someone to talk to, let me know. I was a drunk and a druggie and have some experience with court-mandated "intervention," lol.


God bless.

This really helped ME, thank you brother for posting this.

 

[Reynolds]

Nobody said it was separate.

I appreciate the contribution, but I am just going to have to agree to disagree on some points.

I firmly believe mental illness is real, and I firmly believe that I struggle with it. I'm not saying faith won't help, but not everything is as straightforward as you seem to imply.

Mental illness is definitely real. Its as real as the flu, stomach virus, or any other medical condition. I firmly believe you can reach a level of fellowship with The Spirit where He becomes as real to you as any human being you know.

 

[Rlee]

Ravi Zacharias has a good treatment on the feeling of salvation and I believe it's called "Why don't I feel my faith". I'm sure it's easily found on the web.

 

[Mr. Davis]

In a normal situation, yes. Most people can have confidence in their salvation if they are walking in obedience.


Bailey Smith has a long history of saying unbiblical, damaging things about salvation and many other topics, including his infamous, "...God Almighty does not hear the prayer of a Jew" teaching.

While I do believe there are many who are on the church rolls who have not truly come to faith, a simple assertion that a period of doubt is evidence of not being in the family of God is false. Especially in an age and culture where the church does not emphasize discipleship and spiritual formation. If one is not being discipled and experiencing the reality of the Kingdom of God each day, then it is quite reasonable that someone would doubt.

I have had friends who passed through the baptismal waters four and five times trying to get the salvation "feeling" (no doubt) because they believed the lie that Bailey Smith and other evangelists teach, when they simply needed to relax and engage themselves in the Kingdom and experience the life of Christ developing in them.

Stefan,

There are false teachers everywhere (Just look at what Christ said before He would return: Matthew 24.) And also Paul's letters to Timothy.

Don't be misled by those who say you can have a miraculous healing. Sometimes God will do that. More often, He has His own reasons not to. Even the Apostle Paul did not get a miraculous deliverance from his thorn in the flesh! God used this thorn to teach him humility and for Paul to rely entirely on God's grace to give him the strength to make it through another day.