What if you aren't one of the elect?

[UniversalSceptic]

 I am certain and have been for awhile that I am not saved. I don't feel God's presence (I do believe he is their), nor do I communicate with him. I thinks my doubts, fears, and worries are preventing me from fully embracing. Sometimes I feel like I do deserve Hell and wish that God would just send me their, but I don't know if it is my guilt talking. Maybe I just want God to discipline me in someway, like we are often told he will. So back to my question: What if you aren't one of the elect? Do you just stumble and bumble your way through life, until God finally liberates you. What was I even put here for? I haven't done anything significant, and I don't see myself ever doing anything that will be useful to God.

[rosered]

  Hi US !
I would say God is not finished with you  yet !!
and would say the same of myself
  truly  I have times when I wonder  , '' Dear Lord where are you ?''    and ask for help in  guidance ...

Why do you doubt you are saved ?   

     

[UniversalSceptic]

  Hi US !
I would say God is not finished with you  yet !!
and would say the same of myself
  truly  I have times when I wonder  , " Dear Lord where are you ?"    and ask for help in  guidance ...

Why do you doubt you are saved ?   

   

I doubt I am saved because I wilfully sin. I know I shouldn't, but I do it anyways. I have "other" gods in my life that keep me from the one true God. I give into my passions too easily. I am stricken with severe depression, and can't even get my heart in the right place to focus on God. I just don't feel wordless to both God and the world I exist in.

[sheila]

  those He predestined He also called..those He called..He chose to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

    just as we have all bore the image of the corrupt[old Adam] so,too,shall we all bear the image of the incorrupt

  one.

   NO_ONE can do anything of ourselves.........

   Matt 20;8  About the 11th hour He went out and found still others standing around. He asked them,

  'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing? Because no-one has hired us,they said.

  He said to them,'you also go and work in my vineyard"

    ........these men you hired last have worked only one hour..and you made them equal to us..........who have

  worked all day

   

[UniversalSceptic]

  those He predestined He also called..those He called..He chose to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

    just as we have all bore the image of the corrupt[old Adam] so,too,shall we all bear the image of the incorrupt

  one.

   NO_ONE can do anything of ourselves.........

   Matt 20;8  About the 11th hour He went out and found still others standing around. He asked them,

  'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing? Because no-one has hired us,they said.

  He said to them,'you also go and work in my vineyard"

    ........these men you hired last have worked only one hour..and you made them equal to us..........who have

  worked all day

I am not very good at understanding figurative language. That is why I have such a hard time understanding the bible.

[bushy]

I am certain and have been for awhile that I am not saved. I don't feel God's presence (I do believe he is their), nor do I communicate with him. I thinks my doubts, fears, and worries are preventing me from fully embracing. Sometimes I feel like I do deserve Hell and wish that God would just send me their, but I don't know if it is my guilt talking. Maybe I just want God to discipline me in someway, like we are often told he will. So back to my question: What if you aren't one of the elect? Do you just stumble and bumble your way through life, until God finally liberates you. What was I even put here for? I haven't done anything significant, and I don't see myself ever doing anything that will be useful to God.

Read Romans 7 and see that Paul had the same problem. He did what he didn't want to do and didn't do what he wanted to do. Is that sinning willfully? I think it is just the struggle with the flesh that we all have.

[rosered]

  Hi US !
I would say God is not finished with you  yet !!
and would say the same of myself
  truly  I have times when I wonder  , " Dear Lord where are you ?"    and ask for help in  guidance ...

Why do you doubt you are saved ?   

   

I doubt I am saved because I wilfully sin. I know I shouldn't, but I do it anyways. I have "other" gods in my life that keep me from the one true God. I give into my passions too easily. I am stricken with severe depression, and can't even get my heart in the right place to focus on God. I just don't feel wordless to both God and the world I exist in.

  For this    U S   I am      sorry for your   state    of   anguish ,  but  thankful  that you are aware   also  ,


that  is the start of     understanding     you need  the Lord    but do not know how to   fill that need   ...  I know this place as well    it feels like  a dead zone  and empty place

  You knowing you want to change is   good ,  but YOU have to stop thinking it depends on you   ,   that is always the struggle ,   in the way we think   its on us to change ourselves

Thinking of ways the Lord has blessed you   already  for health and   being able to do anything at all is a good start      , being   thankful   that the Lord is dealing with you still ,  I know this because just this moring I told Him Thanks for showing me things and letting me know He is still dealing with me and am NOT ALONE in our misery  , this life is troubles , but having peace in your heart comes from the Lord , and want you to have that  peace brother

It may come when you least expect it , seems Gods ways   are  like that
  We have to stop feeling guilty for  being the way we are and start   thinking  God change me to  the way you want me to be  ,  having this kind of faith can move  everything that  stops you from having a personal relationship with Him out of the way    ,  and dont give up on God  for He has not given up on you   
  Having a conscience is a big part of the  first process of letting the HOLY SPIRIT    move in you in ways  you have never known before

God bless you brother  :HeartThrob:

   

[rosered]

I am certain and have been for awhile that I am not saved. I don't feel God's presence (I do believe he is their), nor do I communicate with him. I thinks my doubts, fears, and worries are preventing me from fully embracing. Sometimes I feel like I do deserve Hell and wish that God would just send me their, but I don't know if it is my guilt talking. Maybe I just want God to discipline me in someway, like we are often told he will. So back to my question: What if you aren't one of the elect? Do you just stumble and bumble your way through life, until God finally liberates you. What was I even put here for? I haven't done anything significant, and I don't see myself ever doing anything that will be useful to God.

Read Romans 7 and see that Paul had the same problem. He did what he didn't want to do and didn't do what he wanted to do. Is that sinning willfully? I think it is just the struggle with the flesh that we all have.

    :thumbsup:      two natures that are at odds with one another       the natural man   whom God created  first  and the spiritual man    2nd new  man  God creates      within us as well     Love your neighbor as yourself takes on a whole new meaning     than   

Love the spiritual man   and feed and offer him as much  work as you do  feeding and taking care of the natural man  ,  giving in to  those  wants and desires
  the Spiritual man wants to please God     the natural man cannot ever please God , its not  possible 

[rosered]

  those He predestined He also called..those He called..He chose to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

    just as we have all bore the image of the corrupt[old Adam] so,too,shall we all bear the image of the incorrupt

  one.

   NO_ONE can do anything of ourselves.........

   Matt 20;8  About the 11th hour He went out and found still others standing around. He asked them,

  'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing? Because no-one has hired us,they said.

  He said to them,'you also go and work in my vineyard"

    ........these men you hired last have worked only one hour..and you made them equal to us..........who have

  worked all day

I am not very good at understanding figurative language. That is why I have such a hard time understanding the bible.

    Just know  the elect   never knew they were chosen of God , its God whom does the choosing      bro   ,   we wait on the Lord for  complete salvation  ,,, all of us ...

[Searching_For_The_Truth]

I am certain and have been for awhile that I am not saved. I don't feel God's presence (I do believe he is their), nor do I communicate with him. I thinks my doubts, fears, and worries are preventing me from fully embracing. Sometimes I feel like I do deserve Hell and wish that God would just send me their, but I don't know if it is my guilt talking. Maybe I just want God to discipline me in someway, like we are often told he will. So back to my question: What if you aren't one of the elect? Do you just stumble and bumble your way through life, until God finally liberates you. What was I even put here for? I haven't done anything significant, and I don't see myself ever doing anything that will be useful to God.

I know exactly how you feel Universal Sceptic, you took the words right out of my mouth. I also faced several addictions in the past, and I admit the fear of Hell did help me get over them to some extent. But recently I was thinking deeply about the hope of Universal Reconciliation and whether or not learning of God's love would have changed me back then and I reached the conclusion that it would have still saved me because the root of my addictions was my inner pain/loneliness and love was what I needed most at the time. Although we may have a degree of free will, God has the power to change our hearts through his love. He has compassion for those who are broken.

I admit, I still have a long way to go. I also haven't done anything significant yet. However, God guides us one step at a time. He has always been there for me in the past and he will continue to be there for me in all the challenges I face in the future. That (along with the hope of Universal Salvation) is enough to keep me going. I don't know how my life will play out but I do know that God is still on the throne and he will continue to guide me, teach me new things, and help me grow. He will also help you grow one step at a time.

[UniversalSceptic]

I am certain and have been for awhile that I am not saved. I don't feel God's presence (I do believe he is their), nor do I communicate with him. I thinks my doubts, fears, and worries are preventing me from fully embracing. Sometimes I feel like I do deserve Hell and wish that God would just send me their, but I don't know if it is my guilt talking. Maybe I just want God to discipline me in someway, like we are often told he will. So back to my question: What if you aren't one of the elect? Do you just stumble and bumble your way through life, until God finally liberates you. What was I even put here for? I haven't done anything significant, and I don't see myself ever doing anything that will be useful to God.

I know exactly how you feel Universal Sceptic, you took the words right out of my mouth. I also faced several addictions in the past, and I admit the fear of Hell did help me get over them to some extent. But recently I was thinking deeply about the hope of Universal Reconciliation and whether or not learning of God's love would have changed me back then and I reached the conclusion that it would have still saved me because the root of my addictions was my inner pain/loneliness and love was what I needed most at the time. Although we may have a degree of free will, God has the power to change our hearts through his love. He has compassion for those who are broken.

I admit, I still have a long way to go. I also haven't done anything significant yet. However, God guides us one step at a time. He has always been there for me in the past and he will continue to be there for me in all the challenges I face in the future. That (along with the hope of Universal Salvation) is enough to keep me going. I don't know how my life will play out but I do know that God is still on the throne and he will continue to guide me, teach me new things, and help me grow. He will also help you grow one step at a time.

What if you die, before you accomplish anything on this Earth? Does that mean you have a purpose in the next world?

[rosered]

I am certain and have been for awhile that I am not saved. I don't feel God's presence (I do believe he is their), nor do I communicate with him. I thinks my doubts, fears, and worries are preventing me from fully embracing. Sometimes I feel like I do deserve Hell and wish that God would just send me their, but I don't know if it is my guilt talking. Maybe I just want God to discipline me in someway, like we are often told he will. So back to my question: What if you aren't one of the elect? Do you just stumble and bumble your way through life, until God finally liberates you. What was I even put here for? I haven't done anything significant, and I don't see myself ever doing anything that will be useful to God.

I know exactly how you feel Universal Sceptic, you took the words right out of my mouth. I also faced several addictions in the past, and I admit the fear of Hell did help me get over them to some extent. But recently I was thinking deeply about the hope of Universal Reconciliation and whether or not learning of God's love would have changed me back then and I reached the conclusion that it would have still saved me because the root of my addictions was my inner pain/loneliness and love was what I needed most at the time. Although we may have a degree of free will, God has the power to change our hearts through his love. He has compassion for those who are broken.

I admit, I still have a long way to go. I also haven't done anything significant yet. However, God guides us one step at a time. He has always been there for me in the past and he will continue to be there for me in all the challenges I face in the future. That (along with the hope of Universal Salvation) is enough to keep me going. I don't know how my life will play out but I do know that God is still on the throne and he will continue to guide me, teach me new things, and help me grow. He will also help you grow one step at a time.

:thumbsup:

same here  :sigh:
  and still  have  some  vices     
overcoming in Christ to me is saying I am overcome     and need Jesus to fill up the void   to the full  ,   banking and counting on Him more and more  all the while

[Eduard]

I know, I've been there. Felt worthless, guilty, rejected, and even wanted everything to end, for one too many times in recent years. But I can tell you one thing, even if we feel hopeless, even if we doubt our salvation, even if we think we're lost and it's difficult even to pray in such moments, we must always remember that it will not be permanent. Our God is Great, greater than all of these.  :2c:   :cloud9:

[WhiteWings]

What if you aren't one of the elect?

Most aren't part of the elect. While it's great being elect it has absolutely nothing to do with hell, eternal life, heaven etc.
The elect rule during the millennium with Jesus. They are part of the 1st resurrection. But eventually everyone will be in the presence of theFather. all-in-all.

:banana:

[Searching_For_The_Truth]

I am certain and have been for awhile that I am not saved. I don't feel God's presence (I do believe he is their), nor do I communicate with him. I thinks my doubts, fears, and worries are preventing me from fully embracing. Sometimes I feel like I do deserve Hell and wish that God would just send me their, but I don't know if it is my guilt talking. Maybe I just want God to discipline me in someway, like we are often told he will. So back to my question: What if you aren't one of the elect? Do you just stumble and bumble your way through life, until God finally liberates you. What was I even put here for? I haven't done anything significant, and I don't see myself ever doing anything that will be useful to God.

I know exactly how you feel Universal Sceptic, you took the words right out of my mouth. I also faced several addictions in the past, and I admit the fear of Hell did help me get over them to some extent. But recently I was thinking deeply about the hope of Universal Reconciliation and whether or not learning of God's love would have changed me back then and I reached the conclusion that it would have still saved me because the root of my addictions was my inner pain/loneliness and love was what I needed most at the time. Although we may have a degree of free will, God has the power to change our hearts through his love. He has compassion for those who are broken.

I admit, I still have a long way to go. I also haven't done anything significant yet. However, God guides us one step at a time. He has always been there for me in the past and he will continue to be there for me in all the challenges I face in the future. That (along with the hope of Universal Salvation) is enough to keep me going. I don't know how my life will play out but I do know that God is still on the throne and he will continue to guide me, teach me new things, and help me grow. He will also help you grow one step at a time.

What if you die, before you accomplish anything on this Earth? Does that mean you have a purpose in the next world?

I have asked myself those same questions at times. I haven't reached a conclusion about it but I do know that God has a purpose for everyone and although it may not be clear to us right now, it will be clear when the time is right. For all we know, we are accomplishing more than we think we are. At the end of the day it is all for God to decide since he is the final judge.

[UniversalSceptic]

What if you aren't one of the elect?

Most aren't part of the elect. While it's great being elect it has absolutely nothing to do with hell, eternal life, heaven etc.
The elect rule during the millennium with Jesus. They are part of the 1st resurrection. But eventually everyone will be in the presence of theFather. all-in-all.

:banana:

Yes, but aren't the elect the ONLY ones who are saved in this world? Even if their are those that believe in God, they still stumble blindly in this world until they die.

[DanielB]

If you think you deserve hell then you are probably mistaken. I think all of humanity deserves death(sin is very serious but eternal punishment is pretty harsh even for sin) but God does not limit his goodness to ours(if he did then he would not be so good to us). We deserve bad things but God still loves us and is merciful(nobody deserves mercy. The whole point of mercy is treating people better than they deserve). I remember I used to pretty much hate myself because I knew I did wrong. When the bible basically says that you will be judged in the way that you judge it is right but the strange "twist" for me was that I was the one judging myself as I judged others(which led me to guilt and self-hate). God is not fair because he treats us better than we deserve and that is good. If God himself does not hate you then why should you? He is the best judge for the job and he decided mercy so respect his judgment and love yourself if you can(and others to obviously). I am not trying to criticizing if I come across that way I am just saying that you should try and snap out of it if you can. Also if you get depressed often and have a lot of despair and nothing can cheer you up you may be chemically depressed(obviously you should try and get your spiritual matters in order) you may want to try krill oil (a lot of people are deficient in nutrients and it causes emotional problems) Those have really helped me a lot with depression and other things like irritability I know it may sound like "snake oil" or some hippy-cure(not that I have anything against hippies lol) but taking it has helped me and people in my family who were also easily depressed a ton.(If you do decide to try it then you have to take it for a while like a few days or even one or two weeks). Depression can give you a skewed view of things and leaving you feeling hopeless.

[Seth]

Yes, but aren't the elect the ONLY ones who are saved in this world? Even if their are those that believe in God, they still stumble blindly in this world until they die.

The elect are labeled as "called, chosen and faithful." (Revelation 17:14) That goes beyond simply believing. It goes to the Matthew 25:23 usage of it: "Thou hath been faithful over a few things, I will make the ruler of many things. Enter thou into the joy of The Lord."

[eaglesway]

If you love Jesus. If you experience remorse when you sin or fall short. If you ask for God's forgiveness. If you desire to grow in grace. If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe God has raised Him from the dead. You are among the elect.

[sheila]

 :thumbsup:  if you believe a prophet you recieve a prohets reward..the testimony of Jesus Christ is

   the spirit of prophecy

[rosered]

:thumbsup:  if you believe a prophet you recieve a prohets reward..the testimony of Jesus Christ is

   the spirit of prophecy

:2thumbs:   the Word of God is sure  , the sum of Truth

Psalm 119:   (NASB)

160 The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

[eaglesway]

Upon His thigh was written, Faithful and True, the Word of God.

[marie glen]

What if you die, before you accomplish anything on this Earth? Does that mean you have a purpose in the next world?

Sure! why not!? I am acquainted with feelings of worlthlessness and melancholy.. I believe all of us are likely harassed by threatening spirits, accusing spirits, etc. But they have to use us.. we do it to our self.. I believe in the authority of Jesus as far as telling negatives to go away.. stay away.. they'll still get to us, our shield of faith lowered, from time to time..

the man who beat his breast and said woe is me a sinner was accounted much more approved than the one who said great am I, I do great things for God..

I think very little in the bible is figurative.. the Lord's parables of course, which He explained many..

Sometimes I think our shield of faith wavers because we need healing.. deep, inner healing.. I know i've been through times of yield, yield, yielding to Him and when I think I've gotten to the floor of my being, that's when I have to start tearing up floor boards.. I often don't "feel" saved..

I think one of the things He treasures in us.. is creating in us all, is humility.. true humility.. for it softens our nature toward others.. and that's where it's all at.. ("He iS love") the fruit the master gardener is growing, true affection for our fellow person, and not only those like our self.. and I think this will be very needed in the next two ages..

I think we all stumble blindly.. as a matter of fact, the longer we're a believer, the more glaring our flaws are to us.. That's good!! when we start out, it's everyone else's flaws we see! :laughing7:

I try not to worry about it.. really.. I try to replace every negative thought with a positive, faith one. Cause those negatives pile up and come and beat us on the head.. or become a heavy covering weighing us down..

I figure I have one law - love God. If, or actually, when, the melancholy and frustration have overcome me, I just need a little glimmer of loving Him... to read a psalm, say a prayer.. sit in Quietness.. Quietness is, I believe, where He dwells.. if I take a deep breath, say "i love you".. or feel thankful for one thing..

"He inhabits the praises" love "of His people".. I don't think He's creating super saints.. or super saints who think they are super saints.. Wait, what?

..answering your post has lifted me out of some melancholy.. I don't know what it is about this time of year.. seems to get me most years.. I think I'll watch the sun set today.. in a Quiet spot..

God bless you, Universal Sceptic.. US.. you're us! :)) hope you don't mind my saying that.. and babbling on..
Have a good evening.. or day..
                                               :smile:

[micah7:9]

After reading the posts about the Lake of Fire, the consuming fire, and the second death IMO we should all have concern because of the variety of the thoughts and answers that offer questionable answers to all those questions and wonders. They All have left me in quite a quagmire, with much mud. And a glass darkly, well, not much help. Yeah, it's just my opinion. :2c:

[eaglesway]

I don't believe God has a single answer for everyone about everything.

I believ some things are meant to be obscure :umnick: