Mark_18

When He says that the way is narrow and few find it. That word "few" is so scary.

I am saved and I'm trusting Him. But there are little things that I don't know if my way of doing them are the way He wants me to. Like sins that I have to confess, but I need to do it right and at the right time or it could do more bad than good, I can't go into details, but is delaying a confession to a person ever what He might tell you to do?

The reality and severity of hell has had me so terrified for others. Think about pain and terror that we can't know; for eternity. And think about you or your loved ones going through it.

I know I need to balance His love and my faith in His promises with this fear...

__________________
Luke 15:31 - And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Joel 2:28 - I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Matthew 7:7 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Psalms 126:5 - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

JOKE POLICE

Boanerges

If you trust Christ for your salvation you haven't anything to fear.

__________________
Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian turn away from it. – J. Wilbur Chapman

Glomung

If there was 1000 people in a building, which then caught fire, and 100 escaped, those watching would say that "few" escaped. So it is with this world. There are 6 billion or so alive today, 2/3 are some variety or other of pagan. Of the ones who call themselves Christian, a large portion are heretics or apostate. So when the fire starts on this earth, there will be few indeed who will find the exit door.

Jon-Marc

Exactly! ALL of my hope and trust is in Jesus Christ and His righteousness and not my own righteousness, which God's word says is nothing but "filthy rags" in His sight. On May 18, 1963, I asked Him into my heart and life, asked Him for His forgiveness of my sins, and I asked Him to save me. You know what? He DID! I now have nothing to fear, because He is my righteousness.

I don't have to worry, wonder, doubt, or fear that I'm not good enough; I will never by myself be good enough. However, He has provided a way for all those who call on Him in belief and repentance to be cleansed, justified (declared NOT GUILTY), sanctified (set apart for His use), and SEALED onto the day of redemption!

He forgives us of ALL our sins and not just what we've done up to that point. His Holy Spirit will work in us and convict us when we sin after that, and when we ask his forgiveness for that sin he forgives us. We don't lose our salvation, but we lose our fellowship and blessings until we confess that sin to Him.

He gives us ETERNAL life when he saves us--not temporary life. I am His and He is mine--FOREVER! Praise His name!

Mark_18

I hit a really warm and comfy part in my walk. I felt my faith hit a growth spurt. Even / especially with the challenges I face.

__________________
Luke 15:31 - And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Joel 2:28 - I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Matthew 7:7 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Psalms 126:5 - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

JOKE POLICE

Boanerges

If we look at it another way we see that all who want God shall have Him as " all who call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved."

__________________
Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian turn away from it. – J. Wilbur Chapman

Whirlwind

Those are all wonderful replies! You're blessed to have such brothers and sisters and in Christ!

If you sin against someone and they don't even know about it (taking 50-bucks from your dad's wallet and he never realizes it), and then think back on this later on when you're saved...your duty is to confess your sin to your father and compensate him for whatever you took. Throw in some interest, just to be safe. While you're confessing to your father (remember, this is just an example), also confess to God in heaven at the same time.

I myself wouldn't seek out a holy man or a "shaman" or anything like that to confess my sins. That's none of their business, IMO. They have sins of their own that need taking care of. But if the person that I sinned against is no longer here with us...I'd turn my confession full towards my Father in Heaven. Tell Him what you did, what you were thinking at the time that you did it, how it makes you feel today, and how sorry you are. Let Him know that you won't do it again...and then keep your word to Him as He keeps His Word to you.

By following His commandments, my Friend...you're on the right path. You're walking in the Light. Your fear of God is what keeps you going in the right direction. Never be afraid of fearing God, because fearing in Him maintains our obedience, I like to think.

Few make it. Because you fear and you have these questions and you obey His commandments, you are one of the few. Rejoice, little buddy!

__________________
Chapter-by-Chapter, verse-by-verse.
Jesus is the Living Word.

Glomung

The most amusing thing about the fear of eternal damnation (and the state of mankind in general), is that the ones who actually fear Hell are the ones who are LEAST likely to end up there. It is the child who fears being run over by a bus that looks both ways before crossing the street, the fearless child runs heedless through traffic.

Mark_18

Very good point. It's mostly feeling the pain for those who don't know how real this is. The severity of it unimaginable. And again, that word "eternal". I know when we're in heaven we won't be hurt by that, but those who go to hell... I can't stand the thought. Which is good, I should be that much more willing to die of myself to tell others the GOOD news.

__________________
Luke 15:31 - And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Joel 2:28 - I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Matthew 7:7 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Psalms 126:5 - Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

JOKE POLICE

Boanerges

God is giving you a burden for the lost Mark- that is the (pardon the expression) mark of an evangelist.

__________________
Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian turn away from it. – J. Wilbur Chapman