I lived a good Christian life when I was younger but since I have lost the Christian lifestyle and not been living by the word of God. I am now getting back into church and getting back to doing the right thing. Does this still make me a Christian or did I lose it when I stop living by the word of god?
2006-11-19 12:32:05 · 33 answers · asked by aiken877 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
if you were truly saved .by asking christ into your heart and believed he came in . then your saved even though you became back slidden. GOD didnt move away you .ask his forgiveness and he will forgive you and continue to pray and read your bible daily.
2006-11-19 12:38:02 · answer #1 · answered by fallen_but_forgiven 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does. Just because you didn't live the exact way christians should be living for a period of time doesn't mean you have stopped being a good christian. God still loves you no matter what you do. Even if you took a break in Living by the word of god.
2006-11-19 12:43:47 · answer #2 · answered by Nena 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you were a Christian before, had you accepted the gift of salvation? Did the Holy Spirit awaken in your soul?
If the answer to either of these questions is "no," I suggest that you go to God and ask him for the gift of salvation, confess your sins, and ask for his mercy.
If the answer to BOTH questions is "yes," then you should consider going to God and asking his forgiveness for your not heeding the guidance of the Holy Spirit--and tell him you would like to renew your faith and commitment.
The entire crux is accepting the gift of salvation through Jesus and then becoming attuned--through prayer and meditation--to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
You do not necessarily fall out of grace by going astray, as you have--but you do have work to do to recommit yourself.
The only way you can truly "lose" being a Christian is to deny Jesus' gift to you. If you never denied it, you haven't lost anything. Although, again, you may have to endure some consequences for turning away. These may involve pain. I encourage you to submit to God's correction with gratitude and humility.
I was raised a Catholic and, when about 16, turned on my heels and fled, for about 18 years. When I found Christ, at 34, I realized I had never known him in the first place. That is, while I went to church and whatnot when younger, I had no idea what accepting salvation meant, and I realized I hadn't done it. So when I "returned," which was more like coming to Christ for the first time, there was much I needed to learn, commit to, and endure.
I'm telling you this so you understand that what I've said above is not my theory but my experience.
Best to you.
2006-11-19 12:41:18 · answer #3 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Psalm 51:12 -- Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation.
Perhaps you need to seek forgiveness for wrong things you may have done.
Were you a Christian when you were younger, or just living a good Christian life?
Some may profess salvation but not possess it.
Some think a person needs to be born again and again and again.
Many think that a person who has became a Christian may lose their fellowship with God but not their salvation.
A story was told of one man who went to Evangelistic Meetings and heard the call to "come forward and accept Christ". He wasn't sure whether he already was a Christian or not; his prayer was "Lord, if you didn't do it 30 years ago, do it now".
As to whether you lost your salvation or just your joy of salvation; that is between you and the Lord; and what the Holy Spirit reveals to you from The Word.
2006-11-19 12:41:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well being a Christian you recognize the fact that Jesus died for your sins, ask for forgiveness and it will be granted. God knows we are not perfect. But when we are born again in the blood of Jesus, we are new, we have a new life because we are with Jesus. You should also know that doing good 'works' alone will not save you. You cannot just say you are a Christian and be one, accept and recieve Jesus Christ your Savior. After all the Bible says if you see one of your fellow Christians in error or sin tell them, so that you can save them from certain death. Jesus is a free gift to us ask for him, and you will recieve him. You will then feel the relief in knowing you and him are together and you are saved!
2006-11-19 12:39:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God forgives and forgets, that's the important thing. If you did some bad things in your life, (we all have) then God will forgive you if you ask him to. Your real question is were you really a christian to begin with. It isn't the things your do or your "christian lifestyle" that makes you a christian, It's whats in your heart.
2006-11-19 12:37:10 · answer #6 · answered by Rach 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
From what I have been told and understand, whoever accepts Jesus the Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, is a Christian.
There are atheist and agnostics and individuals of various lifestyles AND practitioners of other religions that to a degree, knowingly and unknowingly live a so-called Christian lifestyle.
Does that make them Christian whether they accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior or not?
If YOU accept Jesus as YOUR personal Lord and Savior or if YOU accept Christianity as your religion, then DO as Jesus said; Keep the commandments.
Something good should come from that.
2006-11-19 13:44:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rom 10:9-13
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced. ”12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Continue daily reading God's Word.
2006-11-19 13:25:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nah man, you're still a Christian -- it never left you - even though you left it! i hope it's a great for you as it was for me - truly the prodigal son parable being lived out in my life! i hope you relish His love - it's pretty wild.... a much different feeling and understanding then before. when you were young you did it becuase - you were raised/taught that way. you went your own way (instead of His) and now.... now you're back on the path He laid out for your originally -- of your own free will....
welcome back - the road won't always be smooth and there will be forks when you'll want to head in another direction but.... ever forward my friend and God bless!!!
YSIC
2006-11-19 12:37:31 · answer #9 · answered by Marysia 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. As long as you are a sheep that returns to fold, you will cause more rejoicing in heaven than 99 of the people that never left.
2006-11-19 12:34:58 · answer #10 · answered by The GMC 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3;5. If you love Jesus and have received Him as Lord and Saviour, then I believed you are ordained to everlasting life in the presence of God Almighty.
I Cr 13;8a
11-19-6
2006-11-19 12:43:51 · answer #11 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋