I'm afraid I've genuinely lost my salvation - please read my story and help!

[Traveling teacher]

Salvation is a relationship for a lifetime with God your father through his son Jesus Christ.....
You must restore your relationship with God like any other relationship it takes time...
No imstant salvation........
Any relationship with God has its ups and downs.....
He who endures to the end will be saved
Matthew 24:13

Jeremiah 29:13
Seek Him with all your heart
Start the process...do what God has put on your heart.......
Go to church.....prayer from saints......
Take it one day at a time

 

[ezra]

Hello all,

As my title states, I believe I've genuinely lost my salvation.

At the age of 20, I took the altar call, went in front of my church, announced my belief in Christ and was baptized.

About fifteen years later, I became fearful that I was neither hot nor cold, but was lukewarm. It is here that I believe I made a fatal mistake: I decided that I'd be better off cold than lukewarm, as I was afraid I didn't have what it took to be 'hot'. So, in my foolishness, I renounced my faith in Christ. I began to testify that Christ was a myth, and that Christianity was a falsehood.

I carried this testimony of unbelief for several years. About four years ago, I felt as though God was pulling at my heart. Like He was saying "Okay Nicholas, you've played around enough, it's time to come home now." I proceeded to return to church, take the altar call again, went before the congregation and announced my belief in Christ and that I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, and took a second baptism.

However, I am greatly concerned. I backslid VERY egregiously, went waaay over the line, so far did I go that I'm afraid all is lost, and my soul is irretrievably consigned to Hell. Perhaps what I felt in my heart about God calling me back was merely vanity, and not really true. Bottom line, I'm terrified - very much so - and would like to get opinions from Christians here, who are surely more knowledgeable than myself, as to whether or not I am now eternally damned.

Thank you so very much, in advance. If I have put this thread in the wrong place, I apologize - please advise me if this is so, as this topic is of dire concern to me and I'm desperately seeking opinions!

not going to make a bunch of comments i suggest you study grace read every scripture there is about grace ,,then read about justification
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.

you figure it out could be you was never saved or could be your listening to the devil

 

[brujaq]

Hello all,

As my title states, I believe I've genuinely lost my salvation.

At the age of 20, I took the altar call, went in front of my church, announced my belief in Christ and was baptized.

About fifteen years later, I became fearful that I was neither hot nor cold, but was lukewarm. It is here that I believe I made a fatal mistake: I decided that I'd be better off cold than lukewarm, as I was afraid I didn't have what it took to be 'hot'. So, in my foolishness, I renounced my faith in Christ. I began to testify that Christ was a myth, and that Christianity was a falsehood.

I carried this testimony of unbelief for several years. About four years ago, I felt as though God was pulling at my heart. Like He was saying "Okay Nicholas, you've played around enough, it's time to come home now." I proceeded to return to church, take the altar call again, went before the congregation and announced my belief in Christ and that I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, and took a second baptism.

However, I am greatly concerned. I backslid VERY egregiously, went waaay over the line, so far did I go that I'm afraid all is lost, and my soul is irretrievably consigned to Hell. Perhaps what I felt in my heart about God calling me back was merely vanity, and not really true. Bottom line, I'm terrified - very much so - and would like to get opinions from Christians here, who are surely more knowledgeable than myself, as to whether or not I am now eternally damned.

Thank you so very much, in advance. If I have put this thread in the wrong place, I apologize - please advise me if this is so, as this topic is of dire concern to me and I'm desperately seeking opinions!

Many folks have turned and allowed thorns and thistles grow in their mind by becoming slack, you have some major bush-hogging to clean it up is all with mental discipline and the Word .. Hang in there, most all go through it in some way or another .. Revelation 2:4-5 .. No pain -no gain .. Take your whipping from the Lord and straighten up , you'll be good as new before you know it even though it's painful for now .. God bless bro ..

 

[I'M Grams]

Maybe you were not saved to begin with????????? Have you read the bible?
Read Romans - Philmen...........

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Eph.2:
7
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

[Kidron]

So, in my foolishness, I renounced my faith in Christ. I began to testify that Christ was a myth, and that Christianity was a falsehood.

Nick,

If God was in the "casting into hell" business, then we'd all be there, in the end.
Fortunately He's not......instead, God is in the redemption business.
He is all about saving Souls and restoring lives.

Consider that God saves (justifies-redeems) the "Ungodly"..... "to him that worketh not, but believeth on him (GOD) who justifies the ungodly"...
And we still would be, (and in our natural Adamic state, still are), were it not for the Grace of God which allows the "ungodly" the right to be a part of God's family.
Nick, the issue with a lot of theology is that much of it it does not lead you into a close and loving relationship with Jesus The Christ and Father God.
And the reality is, ...Christianity is very simple......all we the redeemed are to do....... is Love God back, for what he has done for us, and love those around us and treat them as we would have them threat us.
Thats really all it is, regarding how we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling".

God is Holy.
We are not even close.
The person who mainly taught me about Christianity, once said that "God's holiness makes the SUN seem like an ice cube with regards/respect to HEAT".
Another person, an unbeliever says to a Christian..."well, if God will let you into heaven, (smirk) then he will certainly let me in, as i know all about you and what you have done (said the younger brother):"....... And the Believer (older brother) says......."sure, you are no doubt , as compared to me, a much better person then i have ever been or will ever be, but when you compare yourself to JESUS THE CHRIST, then you have a big problem that only the CROSS can solve".
So, even on our best day, practicing our best behavior, were are truly that piece of Ice when we compare ourselves to the One who gave His Sinless Son so THAT we might be made partakers of the "divine nature"....as we don't have it for ourselves, and can never achieve it.
And if we could, then Jesus could have just stayed in Heaven and saved Himself a lot of agony.
See, Its not in us, we are not good, and that is why God PUTS HIS GOOD in us.
And once its there, ("Christ in you the hope of glory") We then forever belong to the one who bought (redeemed) us with His very own BLOOD.
And this BLOOD (God's Blood) is so cleansing, is so HOLY, and is so purifying and eternally sustaining to us, we are now and forever being made able (by God's blood) to be accepted by God.
And, once we realize that God accepts us based ONLY on the BLOOD being shed for us, and not EVER based on our silly little lifestyle of good works.....then we begin to realize that "losing our salvation", is not a possibility.
To put it in street lingo, .....".you cant lose yo salvation because you cant get rid of de Blood"..(ever)....once its been applied to you.
The Blood of God, Jesus's blood, it marks you, it seals you, and its maintains your "sonship" position with God.
In other words, Jesus SAVES, God did it, and you are eternally secure because of what THEY provided for you to be so.
See Nick, you simply can't out-sin the Blood of Christ's ability to keep you eternally atoned - redeemed.
Thats just the eternal fact of how God's redemption is implemented.
See Nick, God is not stupid....... and that is why He didnt create a salvation that human's could mess up, as they certainly would if they could.
Follow me?
Didn't you try?
Most do.
And aren't you glad that God is so SMART, that He didnt create your salvation so that you could mess it up?
God is SOOOOOOOOO smart, and i am SOOOOOOOO Glad.
Aren't you?
Now understand....i didnt say you could not mess your life up....and i mean destroy it, while you are saved.
Many do, but not one of them can undo the blood atonement.
Not one.

Now, what about the Devil.
Now that is the issue.
Here is the thing..... there is conviction, which is the stinging of the conscience that is related to the Holy Spirit's being grieved by our activity.
However, there is CONDEMNATION, which is not the same as conviction, and is ALWAYS the Devil at work....always.
See, God does not condemn, He does not drive you into a mania or a savage guilt trip or a regret that is so strong that you want to die.
That is NOT God, that is always the Devil.
So, HE, the Devil, is the one who has been jamming you and pounding you with...."see what you did.....you went too far.....you can't go back, you are LOST".
Never fear Nick.....you are not lost, you are absolutely on your way to Heaven, and on your way there, Love God back for all He has done for you, through Christ.




K

 

[WinterPuma]

Hello all,

As my title states, I believe I've genuinely lost my salvation.

At the age of 20, I took the altar call, went in front of my church, announced my belief in Christ and was baptized.

About fifteen years later, I became fearful that I was neither hot nor cold, but was lukewarm. It is here that I believe I made a fatal mistake: I decided that I'd be better off cold than lukewarm, as I was afraid I didn't have what it took to be 'hot'. So, in my foolishness, I renounced my faith in Christ. I began to testify that Christ was a myth, and that Christianity was a falsehood.

I carried this testimony of unbelief for several years. About four years ago, I felt as though God was pulling at my heart. Like He was saying "Okay Nicholas, you've played around enough, it's time to come home now." I proceeded to return to church, take the altar call again, went before the congregation and announced my belief in Christ and that I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, and took a second baptism.

However, I am greatly concerned. I backslid VERY egregiously, went waaay over the line, so far did I go that I'm afraid all is lost, and my soul is irretrievably consigned to Hell. Perhaps what I felt in my heart about God calling me back was merely vanity, and not really true. Bottom line, I'm terrified - very much so - and would like to get opinions from Christians here, who are surely more knowledgeable than myself, as to whether or not I am now eternally damned.

Thank you so very much, in advance. If I have put this thread in the wrong place, I apologize - please advise me if this is so, as this topic is of dire concern to me and I'm desperately seeking opinions!

I would surmise you are no longer on this forum so I'm answering in the event search engines bring searchers to this very topic.

When you are in Christ you can never lose your salvation. Because your salvation was not of your doing. It was a gift of God's grace.
John 6

God's gifts as we're told are irrevocable. Romans 11:29 Meaning God doesn't revoke your eternal life, salvation, in Christ. Nor can you revoke your eternal salvation being you were God's before you were a thought in your mother's womb.

Psalm 82:6 I have said,"Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."
Some people have misunderstood that text to say we are God's as if we are like unto that power. That is not the case. It is saying we belong to God. John 10:34 Yeshua said to them, “Is it not written in your law, 'I have said, “You are gods”'?”

 

[Honey]

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3–5


Can a saved person ever be lost?

"For a believer to lose his salvation would demand a reversal and an undoing of all the preceding works of the Father, Son, and Spirit. The key issue in the discussion of the believer's security concerns the issue of who does the saving. If man is responsible for securing his salvation, then he can be lost; if God secures the person's salvation, then the person is forever secure."
-Paul Enns "The Moody Handbook of Theology" (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989), p. 341.​

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?"
-Romans 8:31​

 

[Count Duckula]

I'll be honest with you. I've seen people be preached to and it drove them away from God. I've seen people promoting atheism make people go or get closer to God. Can't explain why. Maybe the religious person makes them feel safe like they will carry their load so they don't have to do anything. Maybe the atheist makes them feel that no one will help them and they better make sure for themselves that they are right with God. Either way, both methods seem divisive to where they cause someone to be reactionary to move in one direction other. God works in mysterious ways. Maybe you brought more in by scaring them straight so to speak.

 

[Person of the way]

You DO Have an Advocate -Jesus Christ The Righteous. Many Christians Have felt That way. Your Advocate will vouch for you. God looks at the heart of every person. If there is LOVE in your heart, just an inkling, HE's there. Remember, in every human there "dwells no good thing"do not trust only your mind, so you must look to the LOVE that's in your heart. Also look at all the people that responded to you. I am not proud,but I was what some people call an agnostic atheist. Both my parents were also until GOD (love) converted them. There was no human that you could say convinced them.( Pardon my spelling ). Read your Bible, It will help your unbelief.Also, I do sincerly believe I was sent here if just to help you or anyone thinking that way, so this may be the last time here for me, See the definitions of agnostic and atheist. thank you for reading. GOD BLESS!

 

[GodsGrace]

What great answers you've received!
Christianity answers so many of our questions.
I don't have anything to add since it's all here...
just this: If you're worried about having lost your salvation,
99% you haven't.

Stay close to Jesus...
He loves you.

 

[artful horizon]

Good answers so far in that we can never lose our salvation. Never.
God saved us. We did not save ourselves. For us to lose our salvation God would have to be a liar. And we know that is impossible.


Maybe the OP writer found a false church that led them to fear they could lose their salvation. If that happens and a pastor or anyone for that matter teaches we can lose our salvation, RUN! Do not walk out of that church because you can rightly judge it to be a Satanic church. Not a church of God's true word.

 

[Pizza]

Hello all,

As my title states, I believe I've genuinely lost my salvation.

At the age of 20, I took the altar call, went in front of my church, announced my belief in Christ and was baptized.

About fifteen years later, I became fearful that I was neither hot nor cold, but was lukewarm. It is here that I believe I made a fatal mistake: I decided that I'd be better off cold than lukewarm, as I was afraid I didn't have what it took to be 'hot'.

The interpretation of those versus has cause SUCH harm to people. I once prayed, "Why am I not 'hot', why am I so 'lukewarm', I fear I am not saved, I fear I am not your's Lord..."

The message I got back was: "You are mine, if you were not mine, this would not bother you. You have not the power to remove yourself from my hand, just as you had not the power to put yourself INTO my hand."

 

[God Willing]

Hello all,

As my title states, I believe I've genuinely lost my salvation.

At the age of 20, I took the altar call, went in front of my church, announced my belief in Christ and was baptized.

About fifteen years later, I became fearful that I was neither hot nor cold, but was lukewarm. It is here that I believe I made a fatal mistake: I decided that I'd be better off cold than lukewarm, as I was afraid I didn't have what it took to be 'hot'. So, in my foolishness, I renounced my faith in Christ. I began to testify that Christ was a myth, and that Christianity was a falsehood.

I carried this testimony of unbelief for several years. About four years ago, I felt as though God was pulling at my heart. Like He was saying "Okay Nicholas, you've played around enough, it's time to come home now." I proceeded to return to church, take the altar call again, went before the congregation and announced my belief in Christ and that I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, and took a second baptism.

However, I am greatly concerned. I backslid VERY egregiously, went waaay over the line, so far did I go that I'm afraid all is lost, and my soul is irretrievably consigned to Hell. Perhaps what I felt in my heart about God calling me back was merely vanity, and not really true. Bottom line, I'm terrified - very much so - and would like to get opinions from Christians here, who are surely more knowledgeable than myself, as to whether or not I am now eternally damned.

Thank you so very much, in advance. If I have put this thread in the wrong place, I apologize - please advise me if this is so, as this topic is of dire concern to me and I'm desperately seeking opinions!

(HUG) I feel for your fear and heart break. The good news is, when you felt called to Christ in a sincere way that time when you were 20 and you were genuinely called by Christ to his service and answered then you were and remain in the grace of God.
God knows his sheep and those who will respond to the gospel. And he certainly knows how fearful humans are about their own sense of self worth . Especially as concerns being worthy of eternal salvation through Christ.
Why not have a talk with God? Pray. He's always there and he will listen. See how you feel after a sincere heart to heart. Because God already knows what has happened in your life. Even renouncing the faith. But that's just the devil at work trying to lead you away from what even he knows is absolute and true. That doesn't mean he won over God's calling you. That means he's won in leading you to think just because you said in your weakness you didn't want God that God would reciprocate.

It's called eternal salvation. Not temporary salvation contingent on your being a good boy or girl. God knows who are sincere and who are not.
Talk to God and see how you feel. Because what you feel right now is making the adversary very happy. While God is always right there waiting for you to talk to him. Because it was him that called you to join here and write this letter to fellow believers. That means you miss that feeling of being with Christ and that means you've never left him. You just think you did.

Pray! And welcome home. Again.

 

[islandrazor]

Sounds like the Prodigal Son. The only unpardonable sin is the failure to repent. King David had Uriah killed so he could have his wife. When he found out he repented. and got on with life. Scripture refers to him as a man after Gods heart. These things were written as an example for us. Draw near to God now and He'll draw near to you. You've already testified that He is calling you back. Be strong and move forward.