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

[amy_elisabeth]

I'm not trying to cause problems, but two things:

What is the sinner's prayer to you? Like what are the words?

And two, check out this sermon about this very subject called, "True and False Conversion"... changed my life! http://www.spiritualthirst.com/listen

[1angel4u]

:heythere I've said it bunches of times at church. Our Pastor does an altar call every service, but doesn't always include the sinners prayer. But, when he does, I always recite it with him.

I figure :idunno I'm still a sinner until I get to Heaven...so why not? I know I'm saved through grace and washed clean through the blood of Christ, so I don't think it can hurt my salvation and I kind of look at it as a reaffirmation of my faith. :)

[twinkle]

I'm not trying to cause problems, but two things:

What is the sinner's prayer to you? Like what are the words?

And two, check out this sermon about this very subject called, "True and False Conversion"... changed my life! http://www.spiritualthirst.com/listen

:wave It's simply saying a prayer, in your own words or following someone elses prayer that includes this:

Romans 10:9-10

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
___

The prayers include a confession that you're a sinner and that you repent of your sins.

There are as many prayers as there are sinners. I've seen and heard countless individual prayers. :)

I do wish I could listen to your sermon. I have problems with my computer, I dare not challenge it. :)

[Born2worshipHim]

:pray:pray:pray

[God's Trombone]

My experience is that as we grow in Christ, God will show us our "shortcomings". This is where I have "repented" more than a few times and recommitted my life to Christ.

Christ's "revelations" to us can be quite striking and some I think call them "spankings."


I think it's a valid question and I'd like to hear what people have to say about it.

Personally, I've prayed asking for salvation more than once because at the time I'd have doubts.

After speaking to my pastor about my doubts, he told me that it was probably because I was not putting God in the place in my life that he should have. And indeed he was right. I was big into World of Warcraft, so much so that it had pretty much become my god. I think the doubting was God's way of slapping me around a bit and letting me know I needed to get my priorities straight.

I still have doubts from time to time, but I think that's natural. When they come, instead of asking God yet again for salvation, I remember his word and thank him for the salvation that I know he has given me (even though I might be doubting it at the moment) because he said so, and it's not up to me so long as I believe in him.

Also, I've noticed that when I slack off on my Bible reading is whenever the doubts start to gain a foothold again. There is no substitute for spending time daily in God's Word. :nod


Yes, I have, but I've come to realize that I only needed to say it one time because 'He who began a good work in me will see it through to completion." IOW, when I look back at what kind of person I was when I first said the sinner's prayer and fast forward to how the Lord has changed me in all of those years. I see how I've become the clay in the Potter's hands. So, when I begin to have doubts about my salvation all I need to do is remind myself how much the Lord has done in my life and I realize that He is still at work in me. :)


My original sinners prayer was pretty rough around the edges, I was alone, without instruction, and simply going by what was in my heart. Didn't even know there was a "sinner's prayer". I've since led others in the prayer and I guess whenever I catch myself in sin I pray an already saved version of it as I believe we must continue to repent of new sins, even though we've been forgiven.


I've said it several times since I was only 5 when I was saved (so my mom said) and then I believe I was in 6th grade at a camp when I rededicated my life. I rededicated my life another time, but I have still said the prayer, and I believe it a thousand percent! Our pastor makes me a bit uncomfortable in that he says that you should remember the day you accepted Christ, but it's a life changing decision. Since I don't remember a specific day, I don't know what to think when he says that at the end of his sermons. (we always have an altar call) I've grown alot as a Christian as I've gotten older and I do believe I am saved because I am so vehement in my belief as Jesus Christ dying on the cross and shedding His blood for all. He died for us all, but not all will accept Him, and His love, grace and mercy. I don't know why I have doubts, probably of the enemy because I believe I have been through alot of growth in the past year, growing closer to God and awaiting (impatiently I might add) for His return.


I have prayed and went forward more than once about my salvation. It is because I was always afraid of the preachers that would say are you sure? Do you believe in your heart or just your head? And I have set under preachers that say remember time/date. It is insecurities and knowing you haven't always lived like you should. I for awhile felt I needed to go forward every altar call. :lol2 I was always so afraid I didn't "get it".

I am not quite so insecure now. And I pray at itmes to bring back the joy of my salvation because there is one time I remember well. For a long time I remembered the date/time but have since forgotten it. But I believe it was in 1976. I was told to remember because when satan throws those insecurities at you then you can tell him "nope, on the day and this time I gave it all to Jesus".

My brother said the sinners prayer doesn't have to be said to be saved and I believe that. It is in the heart. If someone leaves their seat to go forward in an altar call and drops dead before they get to the altar to pray those words, are they saved? Yes...I beleive so, they made that decision when they decided to go forward. They made that decision in their heart already. They believed and God heard their heart's cry.

Just my opinion. :hat


:heythere I've said it bunches of times at church. Our Pastor does an altar call every service, but doesn't always include the sinners prayer. But, when he does, I always recite it with him.

I figure :idunno I'm still a sinner until I get to Heaven...so why not? I know I'm saved through grace and washed clean through the blood of Christ, so I don't think it can hurt my salvation and I kind of look at it as a reaffirmation of my faith. :)

[theroc]

Many people who are already saved but have backslidden will say the sinners prayer as an act of re-commitment...

where is back slidding in the bible? Can you give me one example of it under the Disspensation of grace/the new covenant? :)

[theroc]

since the altar call is being talked if i may give my 2 cents for what ever its worth.

I think alter calls create false converts because they have the uneducated people thinking that if they go up and say a prayer they are saved.
I also dont understand why alot of preachers dont preach one must repent as well as believe?
I mean head knowledge of what christ did on the cross or His deity is worthless because it says "even the demons believed" but they couldnt what? God didnt grant them repentance...which is a turning from sin to God.

[theroc]

I'm not trying to cause problems, but two things:

What is the sinner's prayer to you? Like what are the words?

And two, check out this sermon about this very subject called, "True and False Conversion"... changed my life! http://www.spiritualthirst.com/listen

Yes guys please listen to this amazing sermon called true and false conversion.

and or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8

[His Bride]

I came to the Lord as an adult. I said a prayer only once and trusted Him with it. Even though I was a babe and found that I had to obey Him in many areas of my life where sin reigned I never repeated the sinner's prayer. When He showed me those sinful areas I prayed different prayers that pertained to my sin and my life. But I have always been sure of my salvation.

[BrideOfChrist]

where is back slidding in the bible? Can you give me one example of it under the Disspensation of grace/the new covenant? :)

The word 'Rapture' is not in the Bible either...neither is homosexual or abortion etc. :)

I was backslidden for many years - a carnal Christian. I'm not clear on what the "sinner's prayer" is exactly. I'm constantly in a repentent state, it seems. So, I'm constantly repenting and asking for forgiveness. I asked the Lord to save me, in faith, when I was a child. Have I asked Him to save me since? ...Sure, I think it's human nature to have doubts...it is, after all, our eternal state we're talking about. I do find myself asking God for surety and peace of mind these days. As we see the day approacing, I think Satan is going to work overtime to try to cast doubts on all of God's children.