| Author | Message | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 2800 Registered: 7-2007 |
Does anyone here have any trouble with baggage left over from being SDA? I was an SDA for over 50 years, and I've been saved a little over 6 years, so I'm still fighting with the effects. For me, it's struggling with legalism - not the big things where the SDA church is so obviously wrong; that the New Covenant we're in now makes so clear. It's the little legalisms, like the feeling sometimes that I have to "fix" a flaw in my character in order to be saved. Well, actually I guess that's a BIG thing and a basic tenet of Adventism. I KNOW that's wrong though, but I have to remind myself over and over again that: 1. Salvation is a free gift. Several verses such as Romans 3:24 and 5:15 say this. So I don't have to "do" something to earn/maintain it. 2. I'm GOD'S workmanship, not my own. (Ephesians 2:10) 3. When I first believed on Jesus, I was saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit "Who is the guarantee" of my salvation. (Ephesians 1:13-14) When I was an SDA I didn't believe on Jesus for my salvation though I thought I did. The Bible tells believers they "have been saved" and Ellen White says that believers can only be saved if two things work together - Jesus and the believer's own diligent effort. Type "own diligent effort" in the search box of the E.G. White estate in the computer and you'll see. Anyway, I took a middle position between EGW and the Bible when I was an SDA and STILL wasn't believing entirely in Jesus. 4. I consider all the verses that tell a believer he/she has been saved - Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9 and Titus 3:5 and also the verse in 1st John 2:12 where the letter tells the believers that their sins are forgiven. Notice, there's no conditions - only that their sins are forgiven. I don't know how long it took letters to arrive at their destination in those days, but it's a certainty that the believers would have committed more sins before they got the letter. (Sins don't have to be big to be sins of course. A teenager simply coveting his brother's new camel would be a sin!) Anyway, the implications are enormous! Future sins are forgiven! Well, I have to often go over these verses and reassure myself that yes, I'm saved! (And legalism isn't restricted just to the cults. I heard a pastor of a real Christian church say from the pulpit that "we're born legalists.") How about the rest of you? Any baggage? | ||
| Animal Registered user Username: Animal Post Number: 1018 Registered: 7-2008  |
My "baggage" is with bible prophecy. It is difficult for me to read sections of scripture that deal with prophecy without SDA theology slipping into my mindset. It definitely is annoying as I try to discover truth as I read. I am thinking of taking a self imposed boycott on prophecy and focus on passages that talk about christian living. Less headaches there. ...Animal | ||
| Punababe808 Registered user Username: Punababe808 Post Number: 180 Registered: 4-2012 |
Yes. Everyday I do self-inventory. One item on this list is if I can recall any sins so I can remember to ask forgiveness for specific sins. I dont do generic prayer too well like in the Our Father where Jesus says, "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 2801 Registered: 7-2007 |
The astounding thing is that the Bible clearly indicates that a person's future sins are forgiven the moment they get saved! All sins; past, present and future are forgiven.  | ||
| Dalvarenga Registered user Username: Dalvarenga Post Number: 62 Registered: 3-2012 |
I can totally relate to that Asurprise. This was actually a big part of a conversation I had with my former SDA pastor here at home a few weeks ago. He was trying to show me that "once saved always saved" is not biblical and he was insisting that if one doesn't confess his sins, he might end up losing salvation. Well, we all know how that goes, however, God was amazing and used me to show lots of verses to him that talks about our security in Jesus. I finished saying that the question is not "can I lose my salvation", but the real question is "can Jesus lose one sheep", and the answer is a huge NO. God bless. | ||
| Butterfly_poette Registered user Username: Butterfly_poette Post Number: 244 Registered: 5-2011  |
As an Adventist I thought that ONE unconfessed sin at death or the Second Coming (whichever came first) would make me lose Heaven. I still have trouble fitting in with other people. I don't know how to dance. I am still vegetarian, and that sometimes is a social barrier. I don't always know how to act in "non-Adventist" society. I have come a long way, but I still have a ways to go. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 13998 Registered: 12-2003  |
It's hard to "unpack". It's incredible how much our upside-down worldview that we learned as Adventists continues to kick in when we hear trigger words, such as "obedience" ad "sanctification". Etc. It took me years to reach the point that I was willing to read, let alone study, Revelation, and Daniel just seemed pointless for a long time. They're amazing books, though...and now I'm loving what I continue to learn. But it just doesn't happen all at once! God is faithful. He keeps taking us where we need to go, making us look at our resistance and emotional reactions. He knows how to get us free, both spiritually and in our heads! Colleen | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 1198 Registered: 5-2009 |
Butterfly--the dancing comment made me smile. That is so true (one solution is what a few of my friends did several years ago--hired a couple to teach a few private group lessons. It was so funny--we were awkward & very slow learners, but it was fun & not too embarrassing). I have to say--we were gypped...it's really a lot of fun. I have baggage, but getting into Bible studies by Bible-believing Christians has helped so much! Doing a Christian study on the book of Daniel helped me tremendously as far as prophecy issues--I was actually afraid to study it, but it was awesome. Actually reading, in context, what it said showed me how wrong we were taught. Some baggage: Certain hymns ("Are You Ready for Jesus to Come?" sets my teeth on edge!!); the word "character" or phrase "character of God" also bothers me sometimes, and of course don't we all feel like we have to "get it all done (perfectly)?" Butterfly--we were taught to be isolative, peculiar....get in a Christian Bible study. Take one step at a time. There are many wonderful Christian people out there, many that are lonely or going through hard times, that really are accepting of others & are "unsnobby". There's nothing wrong with you, it's how we were taught & it was upside-down from Christian reality. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 9834 Registered: 3-2004  |
I am so happily surprised I do not have much baggage. Just recently I caught myself judging myself against the 10 C......Haven't done this, this or that! Woops, I don't have to do that any more. God is so awesome. Diana | ||
| Redeembyhim Registered user Username: Redeembyhim Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2012 |
Asurprise, I heard Creflo Dollar preach about once one is saved all future sins are forgiven and my mouth nearly hit the floor.That's a touch one for me;I need to study that.I'm enjoying his sermons on the new covenant and freedom from the law.Still unpacking that one. | ||
| Butterfly_poette Registered user Username: Butterfly_poette Post Number: 248 Registered: 5-2011 |
Reedeemedbyhim, I love listening to Creflo Dollar in the morning. I like how he is talking about grace. He also often quotes Hebrews a lot. Jesus is our High Priest. There is no investigative judgment. Everything has been paid! | ||
| Punababe808 Registered user Username: Punababe808 Post Number: 183 Registered: 4-2012 |
The SDA school I attended would even reprimand a student for violating the SDA church and school rules while not even in a church or avoid function. My fifth grade teacher drilled it into us that wordly people should be able to tell we were SDA by our dress, lack of jewlery and make-up and our steller behavior. She did though tell us SDA grownups could go into bars and nightclubs if the purpose was to conduct a bible study. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14003 Registered: 12-2003 |
Yes, Reddembyhim, John 5:24 says, "He who believes in me has eternal life and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life." We can't pass into life if there's a chance of future sins taking us out. Jesus became sin for us so we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). That means He became what God hated on the cross so we could become God's righteousness when we are in Christ. We are saved when we believe in Jesus, and He makes our dead spirits come to life. that's eternal life; our bodies will be glorified later, but we enter eternity with Jesus when we are born again. The sins done in the flesh cannot "un-born" us. Jesus died for the sins of the world...that means all the sins that those of us not yet born when He hung on that cross...He died for all of them. When we believe in Him, He counts us righteous at that moment and brings us to life (Rom. 3:2021; Eph 1:13-14). All our sins are forgiven when we are in Christ, because His blood paid for all our sin. If we are not in Christ, we don't get that benefit. If we are, we are completely covered. Colleen | ||
| Butterfly_poette Registered user Username: Butterfly_poette Post Number: 252 Registered: 5-2011 |
Punababe808, I heard that a lot. "People will know you are Adventists by your dress and actions". In reality, most people know little about SDAs. | ||
| Pamc Registered user Username: Pamc Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2012 |
Wow! I can relate. Afte 20yrs as sda, we left back in March. My husband still struggles with issues. He is so into world events, and even looks for a Sunday Law. Pray for me to have patience as he is finding it harder than I to transition. | ||
| Pnoga Registered user Username: Pnoga Post Number: 500 Registered: 1-2007 |
My baggage is me! I am a hot mess and if any ounce of saving were up to me, I would be hopeless and destined for hell. Although I usually want to do the right thing, I usually fail to or just ignore it. My selfishness always gets in the way. Sorry off topic as this is as far away as SDA thinking one could get, as I know for fact that I cannot keep any laws perfect all the time without spot. ppsssttt I have stains all over me hahaha. Anyway guess my point is if Jesus is real then He is my only hope for anything good after this life and to make right all the screw ups I ever did. SO here's hoping Jesus is real and even with that I fail at something that seems so simple.... Faith. God if you are out there and love me like I am told then please give Me faith, that is all I ever need to be saved and I can't even do that on my own. Paulie boy! (Message edited by pnoga on October 03, 2012) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14006 Registered: 12-2003 |
Welcome, Pamc! I understand the struggle you face. It is SO hard and disorienting to transition. The Adventist worldview is completely different from reality; all the words are the same, but all the foundations are different. The most important thing you and your husband can do is to choose to believe Scripture and to trust God's promises and what He says He has already done for you in the Lord Jesus. Those promises and statements in the Bible are the antidote for the fear and doubt. And ask God to teach you truth and reality and to plant you deeply in the truth of His word, to be more real to you than the doubt and the unknown and the fear. Paul, it's so good to see you again! I was quite worried about you after you left us some months ago. I'm praying you will know Jesus as your unmoving rock and anchor and that His word will comfort you. Colleen | ||
| Mjcmcook Registered user Username: Mjcmcook Post Number: 659 Registered: 2-2011  |
Pamc~ ~WELCOME~ to the Forum! As Colleen wrote in her post, it is hard... But, SO Worth It! I will pray for you & your husband. ~mj~ | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 2806 Registered: 7-2007 |
Pnoga; pray that Jesus reveal Himself to you. Pamc; welcome to the forum! | ||
| Redeembyhim Registered user Username: Redeembyhim Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2012 |
I guess what's difficult for me Colleen is, if we don't lose our salvation when we sin especially when we do not confess it, how are we any different from those who don't know Christ, who never gave their life to him.Can I get save at age 9 and live a life of sin as an adult and still be saved and go to heaven when Christ comes.Like I said,this one is really tough for me. |
