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Will Be Saved Or Will Not Be Saved?, Faith Questions |
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May 10 2008, 10:47 PM
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Newbie
Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 10-May 08
Member No.: 745
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Hi, my sister used to be a Christian. At one point, she went on short missionary trips to spread the Good News. But a few days ago, she told me that she did not believe in Jesus Christ any more for some reasons. Since she lost her faith, will she still go to heaven when she dies? Also, what happens to someone that believed in Christ but continue to sin on Earth, when he/she dies, will the person get punishment from God in heaven? Please advise, thanks.
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May 12 2008, 06:26 AM
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Administrator
Group: Root Admin
Posts: 863
Joined: 13-July 06
From: Camino (Apple Hill) California, USA
Member No.: 1
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First of all, since I'm not God, I can't tell you what WILL be with someone's eternal life...only what I see from the Bible. Your sister may say something to you, but thinks a whole other thing when alone. I walked away from the church and all traditional public acknowledgment of God, into addiction and other misbehavior for almost 20 years after I had given my life to Him. Every once in a while He would speak to me and I would answer. Every once in a while, He would ask me to do something and I would do it...even though I wasn't even acknowledging Him to anyone else. I don't know what i believed at that time or, if I had died, what eternity would await me.
You can't know what God is doing in your sister's life, even while she professes not to believe. I stand with the Bible..."He who began a good work in you will...complete it."
Now, as to someone who believes in Christ but continues to sin. At the Jerusalem Counsel, Peter said nobody can follow the Law. John wrote to Christians, 'if you claim to be without sin you're a liar.' Paul wrote about his failure in the struggle against sin in Romans 7-8. When you take the whole Bible as counsel on sin, I see it like this. Jesus died once for all sin. As we continue to live in Him and He continues to work in us, we become better able to resist temptation and avoid sin, but we all sin as long as we're connected to this earthly body. The deal with Christians sinning is...it isn't where we've been, but it's where we're headed. All of the Apostles, though some admitted failing in the battle against sin, were very much against sin and strongly opposed giving in to temptation. Just because we've been forgiven is no reason to intentionally sin...it's reason to intentionally live up to our calling in the power He gives us. When, not if, we fail, we throw ourselves on His mercy, resolve to do better next time, and continue to walk in Him.
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Love & Hugs, Glen
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Jul 5 2008, 07:53 PM
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Advanced
Group: Members
Posts: 149
Joined: 27-June 08
Member No.: 799
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Hi Janet, I just came across your post and wanted to know how your sister is doing.. Is she still questioning her faith in God or has she found peace in the midst of whatever storms she is facing in her life to cause her to lose her faith and trust in God. Please be encouraged and continue to lift your sister up in prayers. It is not uncommon for a child of God to lose faith in God when passing through the trials and tribulations.. but the Lord has assured us that no matter what we are facing on this earth, he will be with us.. He will never leave us nor forsake us Heb 13:5. I do not know what your sister may be going through to cause her to lose faith but I assure you that with prayers, love and support from friends and family, the Lord will intervene and take control of the situation.
To answer the question whether she will still go to heaven when she dies, I will encourage you to read Heb 6:6, 1 John 1: 9 and 2 Pet 3:9. I hope they minister to you concerning your sister.
Now regarding Christians who continue to sin while on earth, just as brother Glen has said, as long as we remain in the flesh(our earthly bodies), we shall continue to sin however, because of the blood covenant( the shedding of the blood of Jesus on the cross, we have the grace to confess our sins and he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Having said this, it does not give us the ticket to knowingly or willfully commit sin when we do that we begin to mock God and believe me there are consequences to that. Roman 6:1 Praise God for the Holy Spirit who helps us daily to overcome the temptations of this world. I do hope I have been of some help in answering your questions.. Remain blessed and encouraged.
Shalom, taykems
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Jul 12 2008, 10:54 PM
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Newbie
Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 10-May 08
Member No.: 745
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Hi taykems,
Thank you for your answer and your care for my sister. I guess my sister still have her chance to go back to Christ before she dies. She believes in psychic reading now. Should I tell her that she should not seek after psychic readings because God probably doesn't like it? Please advise. Thanks.
Janet
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Jul 13 2008, 05:02 PM
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Advanced
Group: Members
Posts: 149
Joined: 27-June 08
Member No.: 799
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Dear Janet, You are most welcome and to answer your question, Psychic reading, fortune telling etc is not of God, it is an act of satan used to deceive and destroy people's lives..Psychics, fortune tellers, diviners etc are all servants/agents of satan. Its quite sad that your sister has turned to this after experiencing the power of God, but it is not too late for her.. So please tell her to cease from engaging in this activity, it is a sin unto God.. and more importantly, continue to profess the Love of Christ to her and that he is at the door with open arms awaiting her return back to him. I do pray that I have answered your question. Remain blessed always and continue to trust in the Lord for your sister's life.
Bible references: Micah 3:7, Isa 44:25, Jer 27:9, Jer 29:8 Shalom Taykems
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Jul 13 2008, 07:33 PM
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Newbie
Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 10-May 08
Member No.: 745
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Hi taykems,
Yes, you have answered my question. Thanks. And I will let my sister know that she should not go after psychic reading. God bless.
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