Delve Into Jesus : Questions : Losing Salvation

Comments

Manny,

Thanks so much for your question. We did receive your question which you left as a comment to a devotionals, and we were in the process of getting in touch with you. There are no concerns with the words you used at all - it's that the devotionals is a difficult place to have a back and forth dialog. I'm really glad that you posted your question here. One of out staff is going to put together an answer for you today. Thanks for your patience, Manny.

arsindelve- 1/23/2008 6:56:43 AM

Good morning, Manny. I apologize for the delay in answering your question and thank you for your patience.

The short answer to your question is no. Your salvation does not depend on anything you do, good or bad. You cannot lose the gift of salvation. All you can do is accept your sinful nature, repent and ask Jesus to save you. Once you have done that, Jesus Christ will save you and will not let you go.

None of us are good enough to earn salvation and therefore, since it cannot be earned, it cannot be lost. Our salvation depends entirely on the grace and mercy of an amazing God who reached out to us even when we were "enemies" (Rom 5:10) and saved us. Christ's death on the cross covers all of our sin, past, present and future, and it covers your bad habit as well as it covers all other sin.

However, despite the fact that you are not in danger of losing salvation, that does not mean you can continue on in your sin, and I think you know this. Paul writes in Romans 6:12-14, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness."

Not for your salvation, but because you love Christ and want to live in obedience to Him, you need to find a way to overcome your habit. But, as you wrote to us previously, you've tried everything you can and you are still a slave to it. For this reason, it's time that you go outside yourself and get help. I realize how difficult and potentially embarrassing it is to talk about this with anyone, but you reached out to us, and I know you can do the same in your community. I truly believe that the first step in overcoming an addiction or bad habit is to get it out into the light by telling someone else. That very act alone may not break the habit, but it will be a very important first step. You can tell your pastor, a trusted male friend and especially your wife, if you are married. Next, make yourself accountable to that person. Allow them to ask you how things are going, and to ask you if you're making progress. Be honest with them about when you slip and fall back into your habit, but also share the joy with them when you begin to break it.

Next, there is nothing more powerful than prayer. (I know you have been doing this and feel it is not working). You need to let God know that you want to break this habit for Him and for His glory. Let Him know you are committed to this and will permit him to control this problem and take it over - that you surrender it to Him. Tell God that you are too weak to do this on your own and you need His strength and power. Prayer that frequently, and do no be discouraged. If you make yourself accountable to another person as I mentioned earlier and pray to God earnestly, you will most likely overcome this habit.

If all else fails, talk to your pastor or a Christian counselor about getting some professional help. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting the help you need, for God often works through the people he has called to counseling ministry (it is not a sign you do not trust God), and let them guide you to a solution.

All men understand the seriousness and difficulty of this habit, and I will pray with you to overcome so that God can be fully glorified in your life. God bless you Manny. Always know that you can come back and ask us anything, (even if it sometimes takes a few days). We'll be praying for you.

marklang- 1/27/2008 10:13:28 AM

Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. I admit, I was starting to get a little impatient because I wanted to know the answer so badly, but now, I'm really relieved. I completely understand that I cannot continue in this habit, and believe me, I don't want to. Just the way it makes me feel, so far from God and ashamed. But you gave me advice to tell someone about what I'm going through. I could barely tell God the first time, and he already knew. How am I going to work up the courage to tell someone. The only reason I was able to tell you guys is because I can't see you. It's harder for me to confess to someone when I can actually see their facial expressions. But your absolutely right, nothing that I've done on my own to stop has worked, so I have to seek help elsewhere. The thing is, I'm a part of the music ministry in my church playing the drums, and I'm afraid that confessing to my pastor will get me kicked off for a little while. But besides that, my pride keeps me from telling anyone. I'm going to pray on this decision and for God to guide me to the right person to tell. I can't tell my wife because I'm fifteen! Thanks for praying for me, just the thought will comfort me.

mannyD- 1/28/2008 11:29:12 PM

Knowing that you are fifteen changes things a bit. I never want to condone a sin, however, you need to understand that your particular habit is extremely common at your age. I know it feels like you are powerless to it now, but the temptation does diminish for most people as they get older. It is a temptation that every male teenager goes through. So, please understand that you are not alone.

Considering your age, I would say that the absolute best person to speak with is a pastor you trust. If your pastor has even an ounce of wisdom and compassion, he will NOT condemn you or embarrass you. His only concern will be to pray with you and find you some resources to help overcome. There is NO reason why should you even be asked to step down from music ministry. If that happened, I would be shocked and appalled.

I will continue to pray for you. Be strong, pray and have faith!

marklang- 1/29/2008 6:58:51 AM

i need help! i dont remember y user name or password so i cant loh on....... but i do need to stop this back steppin it s embarrassing to GOD my fam and my church i hate the fact that so easily i resort back to my ole nature its like if i talk to some ole folks i use to hang wit or go in a certain enviroment or maybe ill stay away but an overwhelmingness comes that i cant seem to overcome and i give in. i truly hate this fact. i know im a worshipper i was created to worship GOD and the mere fact of knowing that when i stop fightn i utimitaly give in......... after ive had a beer hung wit some folks i shoudnt have and get all alone i began to think of how awlful it was to do this to JESUS..............the one who has been sooo good to me and my family...............please pray that i will walk in true obedience unto the LORD he so deserves all of me!!!!!!!!!! and its true 4 real im afraid cause i know he will not allow me to continue in sin

anonymous- 5/17/2008 5:45:33 PM

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