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

[psalm84]

Hmmmm.(profound thought)

[jelaine]

Forgive me for using these words that are not popular, these two words that I am about to use tend to hurt my heart because when I hear them I think Catholic church, and religion ... but they are doctrines that have been lost in the modern 'apostate' church What happened to me, was I got hit by a mack truck... when you get hit by a mack truck you know it.

Same thing with a real true encounter with God, you know it, Gods heart is He does NOT want ANY to perish but all to come to repentence, He wants to see everyone saved.

But remember Jesus said "Many are called but few are chosen" Jesus also said that "Broad is the road, and narrow is the path (and few there be that find it)" - Jesus Matt 7

So the two big words I want to use are Election, and Sanctification.

References for these are 1 Thess 1:4 where paul says "Knowing beloved brethren your election by God" ... right well this jumped off the page at me and when that happens I go down a rabbit trail so

Coll 3:12 "Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved put on tender mercies etc"

Then in 2 Thess 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you beloved brethren by the Lord because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification (mack truck indicent) by the Spirit and believe in the truth.

Then again in 1 Peter 1:2 where peter calls YOU and ME "The elect according to the forknowledge of God the Father in sanctification of the Spirit."

and in Ephesians 1:4 Paul says "Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, have predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will." (whoa)

I also really like what peter built (rock solid get it haha) says in 2 Peter 1:10Therefore brethren be even more diligent to make your call and election sure" Anyways there is much more on this topic in the word. I hope this helps you to see that the 'wacked out God is sovereign doctrine" is dead on, because He knows everything, and it is written that "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and compassion on whom I will have compassion" Because God knows EVERYTANG He can make a totally righteous judgment every time!

However this does NOT give us an excuse to NOt evangelise to people, but we should do it as the Holy Spirit prompts ... amen?

[tenn4ever]

God knows his sheep. He also knows those who have a heart reaching toward Him. A good example of this is David with all his faults.

[scrappergirl]

amen.

[jelaine]

Amen.. I totally agree, the Lord knows who are His ... and something that was very difficult for me lately, but Jesus reminded me of John when He said "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me, they will by no means follow a stranger" Amen, thank you Jesus that your sheep will not follow any others, and no man can pluck us from your hand!:yay

[tobpleasing]

Yes, I agree, the Lord knows those that are His, and we that are His know Him. Since I was born again several consist things began to happen, 1) unending desire to study God's Word (bible or genuine christian writers), 2) unending desire to fellowship with genuine christians (with the Lord as our basis for assembling), 3) pray regularly (not always asking for things, but also thanking Him, other times just talking out loud to Him), 4) despise seeing pridefulness, corruption and insincerity 5) cannot walk away from a discussion about the Lord or scripture, no matter who or where the discussion is...... So, these are some of my tell tale signs that the Holy Spirit dwells in me, in spite of my sins and weaknesses.

[AbidingInHim]

Praise the Lord for this thread!!!!

I was "saved" when I was 9. But I was not raised in a Christian home and did not receive the earthly grounding in the truth. I thought because I "accepted Jesus as my Saviour" that that was all that I needed. I went through my life living for me, making my own decisions, being very independent (which was in my mind necesaary because I came from a very abusive backgound - if I didn't watch out for me, then no one was going to).

Went through my 20's, and 30's thinking, I'm saved, all is well.

Then about a year ago, I realized the one thing that was missing, I never truly repented. I believed, but I realized I had never given Jesus the reigns to my life to be the Lord of my life. I hadn't turned from my life of sin and fully trusted Him to lead me in His will. One day I said, Lord I totally surrender to your will, and then as plain as day, I heard Him say "Clear your schedule." I obeyed, surrendered, immersed myself in prayer and Bible study, and in fellowship with other true believers (whom God sent into my life in answer to my prayers). I asked Him to put an unsatiable desire for Jesus, His word, and His truth in my spirit, and BOY!!!! did He deliver!!!

I now know in my knower that He is Lord of my life. I would have it no other way. I know that if left up to me, my life would be a train wreck. I rest in the comfort and peace of knowing that He is in control!

[scrappergirl]

abidinginhim,
amen!
amen and amen!

[buzzbee]

:hug AbidinginHim :hug

You know what I personally lacked when I thought I was saved? A healthy fear of God. Now I weigh what I am about to do with what I understand the Bible to say about it before I make the next move. A healthy fear of God could have saved me a lot of time in a therapist's office.

[HeIsEnough]

Your thoughts and critisims are appreciated,
Mark

Shalom Mark.



Revelation 7:9

[ The Great Multitude in White Robes ] After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.


I do believe that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

I don't believe people when they want to confine salvation to their own form of prejudice, nor do I desire to fall into the same incorrect thinking that Elijah demonstrated.

The fact is, we don't know any facts, other than it is few compared to all, and a very great many few, of which no man can count the number.