Will I still go to heaven if I don't pray, read the Bible often, or reach out to share the good news?
I am a born again Christian and I go to church mostly every Sunday, but because of my depression I do not pray or read the Bible very often. I don't reach out to people or do any good works. Will I still go to heaven?
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Asked October 15 2013
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Betty Peters
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Singapore Moses
"He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet; otherwise he is completely clean" (Jn 13:10) Jesus quoted this proverb while He was washing the feet of His disciples. He wanted to teach them the difference between bathing and washing. He said that there was no need for them to bathe again. What was necessary was just washing of the feet. In Christian life, this beautifully illustrates the difference between Justification and Sanctification. Justification is comparable to bathing. It's an instant cleansing by the Blood of Jesus. It's total. This cleansing by the Blood makes saints out of sinners instantly. "He who is bathed is completely clean!" There's no sin against him in God's record. The depth of God's love has thrown his sins into the bottom of the sea; its breadth has removed them as far as the East is from the West; its length has thrown them behind God's back; its height has caused them disappear like clouds (Mic 7:19; Psa 103:12; Isa 38:17; 44:22). The 4-dimensional love of God! After we are justified or born again or regenerated, it is likely that in our daily "walk" our "feet" become dirty. Because we are sheep and no more pigs, we don't voluntarily and willingly walk into the gutter. Because the seed of God now remains in us we cannot happily and habitually commit sin (1 Jn 3:9). The only person who walked on the sin-stained earth without soiling his feet was Jesus. If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves. We need daily "footwashing" by the WORD. Remember His WORD is Jesus. Peter was known for extremes like some Christians. Either they would keep shouting, "Once Saved, Always Safe," and would not bother about frequent self-examination and cleansing. Or, every time they commit sin they would go on a guilt-trip as if they had lost their salvation, and pray to be born again "again." Jesus rightly said, "No bathing again; only washing!" Justification is an onetime event, a crisis experience, never to be repeated; whereas sanctification is a moment-by-moment ongoing process which gets completed only at the hour of final Glorification. Dear child of God, away with the doubt and fear whether you would make it to the end or not? Here's the Biblical guarantee, if you keep loving God and following Him faithfully: "Whom He predestinated, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified" (Rom 8:30). Hallelujah
JD Abshire
Salvation is not the result of what we are capable of doing but what The Lord has done for us. If eternal life was dependent upon our performance, no one would be saved. It is a result of His ability, not ours. While in the temple at Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders approached Jesus and asked if he was the Christ. Jesus's response is recorded in John 10:25-30 "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.I and my Father are one." Eternal life, never perish, no one can pluck them out of my hand or the Father's hand? Wow! Praise God! I am secure in Him!
Rosemarie Samuels
If you wish, you could reach out to someone who is somewhat spiritually matured, who could assist you in many ways. The bible says that Iron sharpens Iron. Do you know of anyone, someone you probably look up to, who is pretty matured in the faith? a little discipleship goes a long way. Good luck. God bless you
Bob Snyder
Only God and the person that is saved knows if they are truly saved for certain. Sometimes people doubt their salvation and sometimes they doubt for good reason. It is almost impossible for another person to give someone assurance they are saved without more personal knowledge and information than what has been presented here. I suggest if you doubt your salvation talk to your Pastor and study the Bible with them over and over until you are sure one way or the other. You will either prove to yourself that you are saved or that you are not. You could also read, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It is helpful. "Saved Without a Doubt" is another good book for help on this topic.
Anthony Clinton
The apostle Paul made it abundantly clear that one needs only to abide in the grace of God and if a person abides in the grace of God they will remain secure in their Salvation. It's only if a Christian stops abiding in that grace that they will have to suffer what Paul spoke of in Romans 11:20-24. Which was the same punishment as the Jews had received for rejecting Christ. To be broken off from the Church and the election of God.
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