>>��First, know that if you believe in God, have accepted the fact you are a sinner, have repented of your sin (which does NOT mean you never sin again), and have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savor, you are saved.
>>��Second, be clearly mindful that it seems the number one and most oft repeated fault (SIN) of "Christians", is to set themselves up as Judge and Jury in self-righteous indignation at the "sins of others". Perhaps they need to revisit what I said above under "First", and read John 8:7 and Matthew 7:4-5. THAT is the Gospel.
>>��All this said, I have been myself troubled over the issue of masterbation. Although I cannot find it this morning before work, I believe there is a verse in the Bible wherein it is said that you should not allow "your seed" to fall idle on the ground. Other than that, I offer the following as the best Bible supported article I could find on this issue:
>>��Masterbation and the Bible
>>��If the link did not work, use this addy:
>>��http://www.acts17-11.com/dialogs_masturbation.html
>>��To conclude, I expect the fact you are here is indicative you are either a Christian or on your way to being reborn as one, since after all, why else would you be so concerned for "what is right"?
>>��The New Testament tells us that through the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus, that the law is passed away and that the grace of God is come. Some interpret this, using several New Testament passages as meaning that you can now do anything you want and still be saved. I disagree, but I do feel that the other extreme is represented by those who claim you cannot sin after being saved or you will lose your salvation.
>>��God saved you through grace, and as the Bible says:
>>��John 10:27-30
>>��27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
>>��28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
>>��29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
>>��30 I and my Father are one.
>>��(KJV)
>>��
>>��We are saved by God's grace, and not by our works, and do not allow anyone to rob you of that!
>>��Be well!
HI JOHN ( just caps to seperate your writing from mine)
I just wanted to share with you a few thoughts I hope you can be patient and with love in your heart take the time to listen , I believe salvation is a gift and it is not by works that we are saved amen, I just wanted to share with you the definition of repentance and a few other scriptures in response to what you said in your writing, and please don't Judge me before you get to the end, Thankyou. WEBSTERS DICTIONARY Main Entry: 1re�pent
Pronunciation: ri-'pent
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French repentir, from re- + pentir to be sorry, from Latin paenitEre -- more at PENITENT
Date: 14th century
intransitive senses
1 : TO TURN FROM SIN and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
2 a : to feel regret or contrition b : to change one's mind
transitive senses
1 : to cause to feel regret or contrition
2 : to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for
- re�pent�er noun
SCRIPTURE 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Rom 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
SCRIPTURE 2 -
2Cr 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Cr 5:18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Cr 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Cr 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Cr 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
SCRIPTURE 3-
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
SCRIPTURE 4-
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
SCRIPTURE 5 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
SCRIPTURE 6 - Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jam 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
I just wanted to show you these scriptures not to argue over once saved always saved or you can loose your salvation , but because the bible clearly tells us the way to live and our state with God is a Heart condition , our HEART paints the picture of truth, our salvation is not for ourselves its to be a testimony to others if you have the faith to believe that your saved and can never loose itwhy make someone stumble who may not. (JUDGING- Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Cr 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? ) I just put this in to show balance I mean we have to use wisdom and discernment if a brother or sister is sinning the bible does say to help them lest the devil devour them and that you will know the believer by there fruits. Im just saying just like the devil twisted Gods word a little bit and decieved Eve we can be decieved , we are so caught up in Im saved Im going to heaven that where are the fruits, are walk doesn't end just because we are saved the Harvest is ripe , God said signs and wonders shall follow us and if you read Scripture 5 people were casting out demons in his name and he said depart I never knew you ,and they did not enter the kingdom of heaven we are going around saying were saved and some of us can't even cast a demon out of our own home our lives are a mess what kind of testimony is that to the Lord. and most of all we must use Love it goes both ways instead of feeling judged by those who believe that you can loose salvation why don't you love them, instead of judging them. maybe they dont have the same faith or maybe they care so much about you they are willing to be persecuted just so you won't be decieved .I hope you took the time to read this. always walk in the spirit and when people see us may they see JESUS our wonderful lord and saviour may we please him above all and live for him alone. God Bless You with love in my Heart Kathy' Oh by the way my brothers name is JOHN :}