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AM daniel and would like to request the askmehelpdesk group about repenting
How many times can a somebody repent? And why is that after repenting one feels guilt that he may even fail to cooperate with other believers
Reason of asking this question is that many churches have lost their members through this because they always feel guilt to themselves and feel that they are not forgiven their sin
This maybe because people depend on others opinion instead of believing in the Most Merciful being just and forgiving once we repent and mend our ways and not return to the same sin knowingly.
Though I am not Christian I think this is a hurdle in many religions when they have an intermediary between God and a person.
Yes. It's those intermediaries that cause trouble every time. Go straight to the top and don't believe anyone who says you don't have the right or ability to do that.Quote:
Originally Posted by firmbeliever
The Bible says to repent when you've done something wrong. The guilt comes before repentance, not after it. Once one has repented, he is forgiven and his slate has been wiped clean. If he still feels guilty, he misunderstands the repentance-forgiveness process.Quote:
Originally Posted by danny-zoe
My beliefs is that once you asked God for forgiveness you have to believe that He forgave you, many times the devil is just trying to play around with your feelings and in spite of how we feel it is important to always do the right thing. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Concerning churches that loose members, God counts quality not members ;)
First I don't think a lot of churches have lost members over this, perhaps they lose members because they don't want to repent or change their evil nature.
But a person who repents would not or should not feel guilty but feel relieved and new. If one is feeling guilty as marily mentioned it is merely the old nature, temption trying to pull you back in.
Dannyzoe, I can relate, even though I am not sure about religion, God or church. My poor mom is afraid to whisper in case she sins. She often says a lot of people can not handle her preachers truth and leave the church. Not her she has been a member for over 30 years. I think a lot depends on what type of church you are in and what you have been taught. My take is if I don't feel guilty about what I am doing or thinking then it must be OK. Who is better to judge me than me. After all I am the one that has to be with my thoughts and actions. If I am comfortable in what I am doing then I figure if there is a God, then he will let me know if I am doing something wrong! Not some man/woman with a book in their hand! Or some other human sitting beside me. Trying to measure up to other humans standards will drive you nuts. . If you feel as though you have done something wrong against another living being then simply tell them your sorry, if possible, and don't do it again. If they accept fine, if not go own with your life. Remember apology's can be done with actions as well as words, sometimes actions mean more than words. Trust in yourself and your morals.
Jesus came to set the captives free from the bondage of Sin as his word of truth says in John 10.10 ' I come that you may have life, life in abundance', on the other hand we as Christians know that the devil comes not only to steal, but to kill and destroy.
A spiritual warfare is being fought in the spiritual realm right now, Satan knows his days are numbered and what does he do? He goes around tempting Christians, he has the nerve to enter the church and bring chaos amongst believers. Why is he so bothered? Because Christians are a threat to him, he wants to take as many people to hell with him! He doesn't care about the non believers because they are already his... he is attacking Christians more than ever.
I may have gone out of context there but what I was hoping to get at is this, when there is true repentance... it signifies that God has forgiven all sins and forgotten them all. The feeling of guilt that creeps in is not of God but from the greatest deceiver > Satan- the devil!
Upon repenting God forgives and forgets so its not your place to feel any guilt because you have been set free from your sins! But remember when you repent, ask God to fill you with his truth and wisdom to direct your ways so you can go and sin no more!
This is not going to be easy no way! But God is our source, when in need, Jeremiah 33:3 says 'call unto me and I will answer you, I will tell you great and wonderful things that you know nothing about'.
I suggest you take that step of faith today and ask God to fill you with his truth (in his word-Bible) so he can direct your path. Try it, it works... you have so much to live for!
Be blessed to bless Dannyzoe:)
Some people feel that God will never forgive their sins. They may even feel that God would never want them because of what they have done In the past. This though is not the way of God's thinking when it comes to forgiveness. David the Psalmist knew this when he stated this at Psalm 130:3 "If errors were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand?" Yes God does forgive us of past errors and even if we should make a mistake and sin again, God will forgive us if we are truly sorry for that sin. We ask God to forgive us and try to not continue in the same course.Quote:
Originally Posted by zinny
Jesus showed us how important it is to forgive. Notice. Matthew 9:11-13 " But on seeing this the Pharisees began to say to his disciples: "Why is it that YOUR teacher eats with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 Hearing [them], he said: "Persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do. 13 Go, then, and learn what this means, I want mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came to call, not righteous people, but sinners."
Remember the parable that Jesus gave about the prodigal son? This should show us the importance of forgiveness. There was a father with two sons. The younger son wanted his inheritance and so he asked his father for it. His father gave the younger son his inheritance and so the younger son took his inheritance and went off and squandered his inheritance by living a debauched and sinful life. When he finally came to his senses, he repented and humbly returned home to his father, who, did not reject him but welcomed him with open arms. Luke 15:11-32.
Jesus' parables has some lessons for us today. What are they? One lesson I truly appreciate is that just as this father welcomed his son back after he went off and sinned, so too our Heavenly Father welcomes us back when we make mistakes and fall into sin. In reading that account we also learn that the son had to humble himself and show he made a mistake in order to have his father welcome him home and even throw a big feast for his returning son. So to we are welcomed home. Yes, God opens his loving and merciful arms to any of us who will humble themselves and ask for forgiveness. We have the scriptures as proof of God's forgiveness of our sins if we repent.
Luke 15:7 "I tell YOU that thus there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance."
(Jesus taught his disciples to pray for forgiveness when he gave the sermon on the Mount).
Matthew 6:12 "and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
Matthew 5:7 "Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy."
Ephesians 1:7 "By means of him we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of [our] trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness."
(Some may say though, "I am always forgiving them!" And so you should forgive many times over).
Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came up and said to him: "Lord, how many times is my brother to sin against me and am I to forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him: "I say to you, not, Up to seven times, but, Up to seventy-seven times."
Wow, now that is a lot of forgiving and yet if we do not forgive other, God can not forgive us.
Matthew 18:35 "In like manner my heavenly Father will also deal with YOU if YOU do not forgive each one his brother from YOUR hearts."
Ephesians 4:32 "But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave YOU.
Yes friends our forgiveness shows God we love him and our neighbors. We can have empathy, compassion and forgiveness for others. Remember that if we forgive others, God will forgive us and show us mercy but most of all, if God can forgive us our bad ways, who are we not to forgive others?
Take Care,
Hope12
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