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Greetings Brothers and Sisters -

I've come across a fella who states that he wants to believe in God, has tried every way he can think to accomplish this yet can't. In his word, "I honestly envy you in a way, I wish I could believe, ive tried I just cant. I just hope that if there is a god that he is as forgiving as people say becouse he will know that I cant believ no matter how hard I try. I honestly think my disbelief happened around the time I found out santa wasnt real as silly as that may sound."

My question is, even thought one states that they are willing to believe in God, but find they are unable for whatever reason, does one become one of the followers, despite this, if one states the "sinners prayer," I really dislike that name.

Thus, even while acknowledging that in the past he has not been able to accept the existence of God, but at the same time wanting with all their heart to accept the existence of God with all that that implies, does saying the words "I accept Jesus Christ as my savior, who was born of virgin birth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to wash away our sins, arose from the dead on the third day after his death, appeared to a multitude of the faithful, and then arose to heaven," accomplish his salvation?


Best regards, TDurden1937

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Jer 31:15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. (KJVR)

T, here are a couple of thoughts:

First, the "Sinner's Prayer" cannot accomplish salvation. Salvation is first and last a gift of God, given freely, by grace through faith. (Romans 3:21-28, Eph 2:8-9) But faith, also, is a gift of God. No man can believe unless first drawn to faith by the Holy Spirit. (John 6:44) Jesus told the same thing to Nicodemus in John 3 when He said to him "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." All men are born spiritually blind, fully dead in their trespasses and sin, incapable of believing or of any truly good works (Eph 2:1-2).

But that won't get your friend off the hook. Romans 1:18-21 tells us that all men know of God, but reject Him. He seems to be relying, or at least hoping, that God is merciful and loving, and will overlook his sinfulness and his sinful thoughts, words and deeds, neglecting the fact that the Scriptures also tell us that He is rightous and just. His justice cannot allow sin to go unpunished. And the picture of God's wrath against His enemies that is given in Scripture is a frightening picture. God's wrath is as terrible as His love is good, make no mistake. Your friend needs to be reminded of this. For until one knows the bad news of what a terrible sinner he is and what a horrible fate awaits him because of his sin, he cannot truly understand the good news of the gospel. How can it be good news if it delivers us from nothing?

Where, then does faith come from? How do I get it? Paul tells us in Romans 10:


Advise your friend to begin a serious study of God's Word. For it is God's written Word and the preaching of the gospel that are the means by which God grants the gift of faith. And remind your friend that it is not a large quantity of faith that is required. Jesus said faith the size of a mustard seed is sufficient to move a mountain. Faith that size is also sufficient to bring salvation.

And finally, pray for your friend. He lives in darkness, blinded to the truth of the gospel by the prince of the power of this age. Only the Holy Spirit can work faith in his heart. Your smooth words and his working hard at it cannot produce faith. But God can, because He is in the business of saving sinners like you and me.

Regards.

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All Scripture quotations are New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise indicated.

Thanks all for your help .. . . God bless.

TD

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Jer 31:15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. (KJVR)

Yes, evangelistic tracts which print 'the sinner's prayer' for people to repeat and then provide a dotted line for people to sign do a disservice to the need for the work of the Spirit in the heart of the sinner. The verses which Jimd referred to in John 6 are so important.

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Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

Some of us come to Christ through our heart and others through our minds. Your friend sounds like the latter. He wants tobelieve but his intellect is not yet won over.

Lee Strobel is a journalist who set out to prove that Christ was not who he claimed. In his books The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith he documents the available facts and their validity.

Have your friend lay out the facts and then, like a judge, choose wether the life, death, and resurrection of Christ are valid. Romans 10:9-10 says that is all we have to believe to be saved.

Rom. 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus 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.

Just a thought!
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to draw people to God John 14:6 John 16:8-9

It is impossible to refer to all the passages which discern true believers from mere formalist, hypocrites and the deceived who are working for their own salvation. Phil 2:12-13; compare Ephesians 2:8-9

Remember the judgment of people is not committed to us.

In Romans 10:14-15 As Christians we have to imitate Christ humility, if we have any fellowship with the Spirit and compassion.
Only then will People see Christ in us as we reach out to those who are in need of Salvation.

First not knowing the person or any background I would see that he has a New Testament, and ask the person to read it and then offer to talk with the person and listen and learn how to help in their unbelief.

Faith in God is not blind....It is based on His character and His promises.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning Said, "Light tomorrow with today!"

Guys:

In Acts 16.14 we read of 'Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened.'

It is the Lord Himself who must do the work of opening a person's heart if they are going to believe. We must pray and witness, indeed, but it is a work of the Lord.

Take care.

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

I think the verse from Hebrews 11 is relevant:

"He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

farouk, you mean Heb 11:6?

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Στηθι εδραιος, ως ακμων τυπτομενος. - Ignatius |II Timothy 4:2| All Scripture is NKJV, unless a translation from the Greek text or otherwise noted.
M.A. Theological Studies (New Testament), Faith Seminary, Tacoma WA
Member, Evangelical Theological Society, North American Patristics Society.
Assistant Editor and contributing author of several published and forthcoming publications.

Yes.

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

We sometimes think: “If God really wanted me He would give me a Damascus Road experience.” The problem is we are not fanatically about a God given true religion (Judaism) with just a misunderstanding. If we where, we might be presented with a Damascus road experience.

Lots of people are not looking to trust (faith) in something, but are looking to have knowledge of something (God). The problem with knowledge is it puffs you up (increases your pride) and makes it even more difficult to humbly accept charity (God’s forgiveness). The better way is to come to a true realization of your need for relief from a growing burden of having hurt others (sin) and finding no relief in any other means. If we really want to trust in a Loving and forgiving God, He is there and the humbling experience of relying on that trust will allow us to humbly accept His forgiveness (Charity).

ask him what is it about believing in God that is stopping him?

it can be helpful getting some answers for him....

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MikeC1956
Asst Admin

know that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23b NET

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fides quarens intellectum, credo ut intelligam
faith seeking knowledge, believe to understand

all quotations are by bible translation indicated.

yeah!

Precisely! For believers it is easy to see how powerful prayer can be. You could demonstrate to your friend a time in your life when prayer has really helped you. It is man's direct link to speaking with God and, in turn, letting him into your life.

thank u for this forum! it helps me a lot!