Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[Truthlover]

You have a very complicated situation...but from what you've told about your ex's family, I would have to question if they actually have a REAL born-again experience at all. They don't seem to be bearing so much good fruit.... Lying, gossip, harrassment, trying to "drive you over the edge". These are not the fruits of the Spirit. Be mindful, there are many wolves in sheep's clothing these days. (Which would explain how they manipulated the system so easily.) I'm so sorry that you wound up in a den full of them. There is no such thing as a person that doesn't sin, but I don't believe that a person can commit that magnitude of sin against another if they are truly walking with Jesus. For whatever it's worth, (hopefully more than we feel safe believing), I'll pray for you.

[Tall Timbers]

You're clearly in a difficult place, JadoreAdonai. Given your description, the people you describe do not sound like Christians (true believers), of course, God knows the hearts of man better than we are able to. Conviction for sin can be a long time in coming.

In terms of OSAS, most true believers agree on that. The big question then, is, did the person in question ever actually become born again? Someone who doesn't surrender their life to Jesus while going through the motions misses the boat. I believe the Christian churches are full of those who don't know God and make no attempt to live in accordance with the Word. I'm only partly in the OSAS camp. I have a suspicion that we personally can decide to return the gift given us, though I won't know for sure until I'm in heaven and ask the question. I think though, that most people who identify themselves as Christians, do so for a multitude of personal, cultural, and societal reasons, and many of those are not children of God.

Most important for you is that you are separated from your child. I'm not a stranger to long-suffering, but I'm blessed to have my children with me. I will pray for you, as that is the most I can give you here.

J'Adore Adonai is a beautiful moniker. May you give all of yourself to Him, surrender your entire will over to Him, may He cause His face to shine upon you, may His joy bubble over in you, may His peace embrace you :pray:pray May you be consoled.

[HeIsEnough]

I'm just really having a hard time wrapping my head around the thought that they get to raise my son, totally alienating me, and that after all the bad they did, they still get to be rewarded with getting into heaven.

So, they really going to heaven? Cause if that's the case, why should anyone break their backs trying to be perfect for God. :idunno

Hello, welcome.

I understand your story, and it is and will be heart wrenching till it is resolved for you. I would say to not give up and keep in fervent prayer. Be righteous through this trial, as difficult as that may sound. Which leads to what I quoted from you, and this may sound a little harsh. I would say for your own sake, don't go there. Don't wonder about them, don't let your heart go towards revenge or hate, take care of your portion, and keep fighting for your child. That they bad mouth you or lie about you will be proven out by your own actions. I've known several individuals who have gone through things of similar circumstances, the persons came through ok, with much heartache, but was shown to be true and righteous in the end. I emphasize with your trial, but we need to tell each other the difficult truths sometimes.

We 'break our backs' trying to be perfect because we love Him, because we delight in His law, because we know the way of truth and love is the only way. I would call other reasons for trying so hard, incorrect. That doesn't mean there won't be heartache in this life.

[JadoreAdonai]

I just wanted to Thank you all for the advice, and words of encouragment, and prayers as well.

I'll keep holding to my faith and trusting in the Lord, and praying for good things all around. Thank you again and God bless all of you too!

JL

[homesick9748]

I'm praying for God's will in your life and that the lies will be exposed and that truth will prevail.

[twinkle]

I have, probably 15-20 times over about 40 yrs. I got to wondering why? I decided that it's because I truly love saying the prayer. I love the idea of it, how it sounds, and expressing my belief. I will see the prayer in a book or hear the prayer somewhere and pray it again, occassionally.

Once in a while I admit, I say it because I want to be sure, again. I hope that saying it again occassionally isn't a lack of faith, because I know you only need to say it once to be saved.

[icebear]

i have- maybe only 3 times, i know it gets looked down on for a lack of faith in God to not save me the first time i ask, but for me it was a lack of faith in my own sincerity.

the more i grow the less i worry about it.

[twinkle]

i have- maybe only 3 times, i know it gets looked down on for a lack of faith in God to not save me the first time i ask, but for me it was a lack of faith in my own sincerity.

the more i grow the less i worry about it.

Oh no, I hope I didn't start something here. :fear

Mods please remove the thread if you think this is a can of worms. Thanks.

[icebear]

i think as long as nobody comes in here accusing.... it shouldn't be a problem

[FunMudder]

I have. It's less about me trusting that God saved me the first time, and more about me recommitting to Him.

I know I am saved. Been saved since the first time. My saying it usually comes when I've allowed the world to take precedence over Him *sigh* again.