Is there hope for a backsliding Christian??

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May 31, 2013
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#1
I became a born again Christian in 2008 and water baptized in 2010, I experienced the joy , peace, faith, love. I was the happiest man alive. In 2009 I joined in marriage to a non Christian, which slowly caused me a lot of struggling, plus my family is not Christian, and have many problems, first I was able to stand because my relationship with Christ was strong, but from time to time, I stopped praying reading the Bible, and dying spiritually until I did not realized I was back in sin, and my conciense was not convicting me anymore..... I would go to church but I would not feel God precense and something wasnt right with me,,,, right now I been asking God to take me back to HIS hands, and to help me but it seems very hard, to pray , to read the bible, seems like God is not hearing me anymore,,, which really worries me. I begun listening to many sermons and teachings, which only brought confusion and made everything worst. I suffer anxiety , depression, OCD and I feel like I have no hope.... Have someone been in this horrible situation? Is there hope for me?

Thanks and God Bless .
 

sacraig67

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2014
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#2
Hello and thank you for such an honest post. First no you aren't lost. A lot of Christians (including me) begin our walk with Christ full of zeal and determination then, like you, start to drift off. One of the first things I personally think is you need some good Christian fellowship. Second don't give up on yourself God won't give up on you.
It's a spiritual warfare that is going on inside you. The demons of this age will do everything to take your focus away from God. For us as sinners it is sometimes easy for them to do that.
Pray to God for guidance and help. I won't lie it won't be easy but faith and trust in our Lord Jesus can get you through.
 

Dan58

Senior Member
Nov 13, 2013
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#3
Of course there's hope, just repent and stop backsliding. How do you think Peter felt after he denied even knowing Christ 3 times? He later turned it around and professed that he loved Christ 3 times (John 21:15-17). There's no sin you can't recover from (save one). Most Christians screw-up and backslide, so just get back on the horse and do the right thing. Remember the prodigals son, he came back and so can you. God never let you go, you just voluntarily stepped aside. And don't be discouraged by thinking its all joy, peace, and love., because its often hard and a struggle. But there's nothing confusing about it, those thoughts come from elsewhere. Just love the Lord, walk in his way, and keep the faith.
 

sacraig67

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2014
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#4
One thing you did for sure correct is bring it before other Christians so we can help you and support you in this struggle. Jesus loves you and in Christ so do we my brother!
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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#5
Doesn't 1 John say that if we confess our sins He will forgive us our sins? If we say we have no sin we are liars?

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
May 31, 2013
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#6
I sometimes feel I went too far away in sinning , and I dont even remember every sin I did.. I even wrote a note pad all my unconfessed sins, and confessed them, and decided not to do again...I am affraid that I could have lost my salvation...like King Saul 1st King of Israel
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#7
As an example from Scripture look up an individual by the name of John Mark (or even Samson).

Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Acts 15:38-39 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Apparently Mark had some type of falling away insomuch that Paul (Saul) after first receiving Mark did not want him on his 2nd missionary voyage, but later in time Mark proved himself profitable for the ministry.
 
W

waterlily

Guest
#8
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart. Oh god and renew a right spirit within me.

Keep renewing your mind with the word. Once you have gone before God and repented. ..then you accept His forgiveness. The Lord wont condemn you or remind you of past sin. That is the enemy who longs to keep us in bondage to sin. You should never focus on your ability to sin..you should always focus on God's amazing love and patience .. and the completed work of the cross which met every sin and was sufficient to pay the price for your sin.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
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#9
I sometimes feel I went too far away in sinning , and I dont even remember every sin I did.. I even wrote a note pad all my unconfessed sins, and confessed them, and decided not to do again...I am affraid that I could have lost my salvation...like King Saul 1st King of Israel
Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

All sin means as many as you have committed.
Unless your conscience bothers you about a certain sin , a general confession will do.

Luke 18:13-14 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
 
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Eva1218

Guest
#10
My advice would be to Repent truly Repent. That is not just you asking for GOD to forgive you, but turning from the mindset in which caused you to turn away from GOD. Know GOD is a jealous GOD HE does not take one being in front of HIM which is idolatry. After you have sat at the feet of GOD and truly Repented work on having a relationship with GOD. Get back into praying, studying, fellowship with others who are Christian and pray for your wife and speak to her about the importance of her soul. Have those who are strong in the LORD prayer over you, with you and for you, get anointed you, wife and your house. GOD knows if you are truly sincere so get your heart and spirit right before HIM.

The Bible says in 2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Once GOD has forgiven you do not look back move forward you will be tested and tried because satan will not let you go easy just trust that GOD has you and allow yourself to be delivered from the anxiety, depression, OCD.

There is Always Hope GOD is Able and will do just what HE says

Blessings!!!!!!!
 

Ella85

Senior Member
May 9, 2014
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#11
Hello :)

I would like to tell you that first of all you are not the only one who experiences this.
I think from time to time we all go through these emotions which is fairly normal to help with our healthy development in life.
I feel as though a positive can come out of a negative, so just because you feel this way NOW doesn't mean it will necessarily last forever.
You will be surprised how God works wonders in our hearts.
When the time comes you will know why He has allowed us to feel a certain way.
I feel He wants us to grow more in love with Him, so He shows us different ways of dealing with certain situations.
God bless you and good luck with your journey.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
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#12
I sometimes feel I went too far away in sinning , and I dont even remember every sin I did.. I even wrote a note pad all my unconfessed sins, and confessed them, and decided not to do again...I am affraid that I could have lost my salvation...like King Saul 1st King of Israel
Satan tries to beat us down and he is the accuser of us to God, he will whisper in your ear that you are not good enough and you have gone to far. THIS IS A LIE, Jesus loves you so much that He would have gone to the cross if you had been the only sinner on earth. I have been in and out of church up until I turned 56 as I did not understand salvation, but once I understood that I don't want to ever leave the Lord again.

You are right it is hard to read the Bible and pray when you don't feel like God will accept you. But He does accept you He already died for you and you turn to Him and confess your sin it is Jesus blood that covers you and you are forgiven. Even though you don't feel like reading the Bible do it anyway. Start back in the Psalms as a lot of them praise God and they also tell you about David's struggles and continue to pray to God even if you say to God that you don't know what to say. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will speak for us when we don't know what or how to speak to God. DON'T GIVE UP EVER. Even if you just say please help me Jesus. He will come to your aid and never let you go.

It is hard being the only Christian in a family but just love them, pray for them and keep your eyes on Jesus don't believe the lies that satan is trying to tell you because you have been saved by the blood of Jesus and He is stronger than satan and has already defeated satan.

Praying that you will rededicate you life to the Lord and walk toward Him that you will start reading your Bible again as this is one way for God to talk to you and you can get closer to Him through prayer and Bible reading. God bless you in your walk with Jesus.
 
Jul 25, 2013
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#13
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
‘You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?’

The Lord replied,
‘The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.’

-Mary Stevenson
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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Tennessee
#14
Satan tries to beat us down and he is the accuser of us to God, he will whisper in your ear that you are not good enough and you have gone to far. THIS IS A LIE, Jesus loves you so much that He would have gone to the cross if you had been the only sinner on earth. I have been in and out of church up until I turned 56 as I did not understand salvation, but once I understood that I don't want to ever leave the Lord again.

You are right it is hard to read the Bible and pray when you don't feel like God will accept you. But He does accept you He already died for you and you turn to Him and confess your sin it is Jesus blood that covers you and you are forgiven. Even though you don't feel like reading the Bible do it anyway. Start back in the Psalms as a lot of them praise God and they also tell you about David's struggles and continue to pray to God even if you say to God that you don't know what to say. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will speak for us when we don't know what or how to speak to God. DON'T GIVE UP EVER. Even if you just say please help me Jesus. He will come to your aid and never let you go.

It is hard being the only Christian in a family but just love them, pray for them and keep your eyes on Jesus don't believe the lies that satan is trying to tell you because you have been saved by the blood of Jesus and He is stronger than satan and has already defeated satan.

Praying that you will rededicate you life to the Lord and walk toward Him that you will start reading your Bible again as this is one way for God to talk to you and you can get closer to Him through prayer and Bible reading. God bless you in your walk with Jesus.
I am starting to read my bible again starting today. The advice you provided is invaluable and came from your heart.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#15
Are you still breathing? Then there is hope if you will simply remember that GOD forgives and forgets....he renews his MERCY daily and still loves you even in spite of yourself and your own difficulties...

Paul said.....When I go to do GOOD, I find then a LAW...that SIN IS PRESENT with me

He also said, The things I say I am going to do I do not do, and the things I say I am not going to do I do...He then calls himself a wretched man.....

Jesus said... I came to seek and save that which has been lost......and another place...NEITHER do I CONDEMN thee...Go and sin no more!
 
May 31, 2013
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#16
What about if I did something really in my past as backsliding Christian, really,really bad? Would that be forgiven??
 
S

Sophie88

Guest
#17
Hello, hope you are well, don't worry too much, it sounds like your making the right steps to have a full relationship with God again, try waiting on his presence too, each time you do this youll become more aware of when he might be appearing. I have been backslidden twice and God sticks to his promise, never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. It will take time, and you will need to be patient but your relationship with God can be restored again back to how it was. Please read, Jeremiah 3:22 , 15:19 (backsliding) be blessed coming back to him :)
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#18
What about if I did something really in my past as backsliding Christian, really,really bad? Would that be forgiven??
Paul said to forget the past and move on...do not let the past hold you back and if you have repented and sought forgiveness then God said He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins......
 
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kennethcadwell

Guest
#19
What about if I did something really in my past as backsliding Christian, really,really bad? Would that be forgiven??

It does not matter how bad the sin you committed was, it can, and will be forgiven.

Put your faith and trust in Jesus, and know for certain that if you have repented and asked forgiveness of that sin it is forgiven.


Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more
 

Ella85

Senior Member
May 9, 2014
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#20
What about if I did something really in my past as backsliding Christian, really,really bad? Would that be forgiven??
You know that when you think this way..... that is from Satan.............. saying you can't do it... you know that don't you..