Forgiveness

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I recently have been having panic attacks because I am afraid that I am not going to heaven when I die. I have also been having doubts about God and religion and I don't know what to do. I do not currently attend church but my sister says that these attacks are God calling me to the church. I just feel like I am not worthy to enter a church because of things I have done in the past and because of my lack of faith now. Any help or words of wisdom you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Melissa

Melissa, sometimes its easier to get forgiveness than to forgive ourselves. Strangest thing I ever saw about mankind. It all stems from our expecting ourselves to act a certain way and not having enough faith in our own personality to make it happen. That's where trust in the Lord comes in. If we take Him at His word by asking Him for forgiveness and then continue to blame ourselves, we aren't fully trusting him and quite frankly not fully believing Him. The Bible says: Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Here is the formula:

• Make sure that we are a Child of God: 1st John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
• Refuse to walk in the lusts and desires of the flesh. That's a choice. Colossians 3:5: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
• Trust the Lord in that He is faithful to forgive you. 1st John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Q. I know a lady. When I first started talking to her, she was open and kind to me. Now she is closed and resentful. I asked her if I had done something to her, she said I did, but I don't know what it is. I have asked her to forgive me for whatever it is. She is a christian, does she have to forgive me? Doesn't god tell us to forgive our fellow person and love them? [Anon]

A. Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Wow, the Lord sure does expect us to be longsuffering and forgive as many times as forgiveness is asked for! How can we expect forgiveness if we can't forgive others?

[Timothy]

Q. Where in the bible can I read about forgiving a former mate. I dated this woman for a long time and I want her to forgive me and take me back... I never cheated on her, I just was not sure of myself and the relationship....but now I am and I need some spiritual guidance....and get her back....[Anon]

A. If this former "Mate" is a Christian, then she should stand by ready to forgive but that doesn't mean that she has to take you back. I don't mean to sound cruel but that is the matter of it. She has to search the will of the Lord the same as you do. If it is the Lords will for you to be together than you will both recognise it.

We sometimes can wreck a relationship by not following the guidelines set down by the Creator. If you kept the relationship pure, and respected one anothers purity the Lord will Bless because it follows His word.

Now forgive me if I am leading the wrong way but after prayer over your question I need to give you the following scripture. Mainly because of how you entered the word "Mate"!! A Christian relationship that is Christian indeed needs to be free of Fornication. Using the word mate indicates an intimate physical relationship. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

The bed is reserved for marriage. In most cases, if two join together out of wedlock, there is always the idea in the back of one of the partners minds that if he or she will commit fornication with them out of the bonds of marriage, who is to say that he or she won't do the same with another?  That's a terrible and almost impossible thing to remove from ones mind. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

If you want the advice of this old preacher, go to this lady and tell her of your love for her. Explain your devotion, and your intention to keep yourself for the Wedding Bed. But first, If you have something in your heart you should confess to the Lord in prayer, I advise you to do it as soon as you can. 1 John1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. We will be praying for you.

Your Servant in Christ Jesus:

[Timothy]

Q. If a spouse commits adultery on their partner and the partner claims to forgive the spouse and the marriage continues. Is adultery a valid claim for a divorce in the future In other words can the act be held over your head by your spouse even though you were supposedly already forgiven. [Anon]

A. No, If the forgiveness was given to the partner by the other partner and they really did forgive in a Christ like way, it should never be mentioned again! Just as God forgives us and remembers the sins no longer, we as Christians are expected to forgive in the same way. On the other hand the partner who committed the adultery had better be repentant over what they did for that forgiveness to take effect!

Read the scripture below and lets see what the Bible has to say on this matter:

Psalms103:8: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 103:11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

[Timothy]

Q. If you someone sins against you but does not ask for your forgiveness must you still forgive that person? Please let me know the qualifications of person who answers this question [Anon]

A. Let me answer your second inquiry first. I had stated on the Home Page that I was a student of the scriptures, My calling is that of Minister of the Gospel. I have been studying Bible History and Doctrine since 1979. That study and the education I have received is nothing compared to the knowledge of Christ and him being crucified. Now this is my stand, that unless it is condoned, sanctioned, and clarified by the Word of God, to me it is nothing! Nor will I proceed with anything in my life unless it is given the official Okay by the Holy Scriptures. For me to do otherwise would be foolish.

Now as for your first question. There is no way that I am going to tell you that it depends on how bad the sin is because to do wrong is wrong. When we ask God to forgive us, He will, no matter what the sin and the only sin that God will not forgive is rejecting him and the gift of his Lamb, Jesus Christ. In other words we should be ready to forgive at all times even as God is ready to forgive us at all times. He is there and waiting for us to ask for his forgiveness.

Please take time to read the following scriptures and see that the Lord was very blount about us forgiving one another.

[Matthew 18:21] [Mark 11:25 -26] [Luke 17:3]

If you wish to go deeper write back and that is just exactly what we will do!