Tag: #peace

A Life that Knows It’s Greatest Need

The greatest need of every human is to have the correct view of God. Everything that we do in life is a response to our view of God. The enemy only has one weapon and that is the lie. He uses the same schemes in every generation and in the church and in the world of nonbelievers. If he can distort or twist the correct view of God then he has won the battle because then our actions will be perverted or twisted and destruction will result.

Life can be difficult especially during the storms of life. This is a time when the destroyer would love to get a foothold in your mind. It is important to have the right view of God before the storms come.

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:25

The enemy seeks to rob Christians of peace and joy through his lies. He seeks to kill our joy, steal our peace and destroy our effectiveness. He does this through lies. He also seeks to put doubts in our minds as he did with Eve. “Did God really say?” says the enemy of our soul. The Lord says that it is “through His precious and magnificent promises that we escape the corruption that is in the world through lusts.” The word “lust” in the Greek is the same word as “desire”. A “desire” becomes a lust when it is a desire outside of the will of God. It usually is something that is good within the will of God, such as sexual intimacy, eating, etc. For this reason, it is crucial that we continually surrender our “desires” to the Lord and say as Jesus said, “Thy will be done”.

“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:14-17

This is the context of “every good and perfect gift”. However, before this the Lord talks about how blessed is the man who perseveres under trial.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Your greatest struggles will come in the trials and storms of life because we want them to stop and we long for peaceful circumstances. So, the Lord is telling us to persevere and if we do not get carried away by what we want then He will give us His good and perfect gift (which is His will, which there is nothing we can add to it and nothing that we can take from it to make it better). However, even before He tells us to persevere in the trial He tells us to glory in our high position in Christ and not to glory in our circumstances even when they are good.

“but the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position”. James 1

And even before that He gives us instruction what to do in the midst of trials and that is to ask Him for wisdom. His precious and magnificent promise is that He will give “to all men generously”. (even when we mess up He will still give it when we ask, that is what it means by “without reproach”).

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

However, the Lord also gives us the condition in which we must ask. We must ask in faith, without any doubting, “for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, being a double minded man” This brings us to heart of the matter. What is a “double minded” man. He is one who does not have a pure heart ( Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8) and the Lord says. “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. A double minded man is saying to himself, “Should I do this?” or “Should I do that?”. He is still leaning on his own understanding. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body. Proverbs 3:5-8

Not only when we trust in the Lord with all of our heart will we know His will but it will also be healing to our body.

A Life that has Gladness

Everyone longs for the same things in life, no matter what the circumstances they are experiencing or their stage in life. All of us want to have peace, quietness and confidence and feel glad about life. Gladness is different from joy. Gladness comes from loving righteousness and helps to sustain us when we are weary and we feel all alone. Gladness is what characterized our Lord. Jesus had more gladness than any man on earth when He walked among men. 

“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” Hebrews 1:9

This verse was written about our Lord. 

Gladness is loving righteousness and we do what we love. When we have done “it” right, whatever it is that you needed to do, whether it is paying your bills or raising children or loving your spouse then we have gladness. Doing life right is righteousness. The Lord Jesus gave us His righteousness but also wants us to live according to His righteousness by faith. He also gave us His commandments so that we would know how to live righteously. 

“If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18.

When we do what is right then not only will we have gladness but we will have peace, quietness and confidence.

“And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17

Not only did gladness and righteousness characterize our Lord but the Lord mentions three men who could deliver themselves by their righteousness.

“even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their righteousness they could deliver themselves,” declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 14

Why did the Lord mention these three men and not some of the other godly men of the Old Testament? I don’t know but maybe it is because these three men were all alone and their journey was long. They did not become weary and lose heart. They had a peace, a quietness and a confidence in the Lord. They loved righteousness and the the righteous shall live by faith. They lived by faith and were found to be pleasing to the Lord. 

A Life that Does Not Lose Heart

When the storm was raging and the disciples were struggling they woke Jesus. 

And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” Matthew 8:25

Jesus, however, did not reprove them for being afraid but He reproved them for not coming to Him sooner. 

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Matthew 8:26a

The Greek word is not “afraid” but it is the word for “timid”. This word is only used four times in the New Testament. (Twice for this storm, once in Timothy, “He has not given us a spirit of timidity” and once in Revelation at judgment for the unbelievers who didn’t come to Him). He was saying to the disciples, “why didn’t you come to Me sooner”. 

God’s truths are like diamonds. They have many facets. We often look at a truth from one or a few of the facets. However, the Lord wants us to hold the truth in our hands like a diamond and examine it closely and to cherish it. He wants us to know all of the facets of the truth and to love the truth, to meditate on the truth, to think the truth, to live the truth and to share the truth. Faith is one of the great truths in the Christian life.

One of the facets of faith is simply “coming to Jesus”. Nearly every time He did a miracle, He said, “your faith has made you well”. What He was saying was that “you, coming to Me is what saved you”. When we pray we are coming to Him in prayer.

The prayer of the upright is His delight. Prov. 15:8b.

One of the facets of grace is “the invitation to come to Him”.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;” Eph2:8

We usually only think of this verse in reference to eternal salvation. But we need salvation every moment of every day. Our salvation today comes through coming to Him because His grace invites us to come to the throne of grace to find help and mercy in our time of need. “He is a present help in time of need”. He will help you every step of the way. Just keep coming to Him.

“There is none like the God of Jeshurun,
Who rides the heavens to your help,
And through the skies in His majesty.
“The eternal God is a dwelling place,
And underneath are the everlasting arms; Deuteronomy 33:26,27a

“So Israel dwells in security,
The fountain of Jacob secluded,
In a land of grain and new wine;
His heavens also drop down dew.
“Blessed are you, O Israel;
Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord,
Who is the shield of your help
And the sword of your majesty! Deuteronomy 33:28,29a

A Life that Understands God’s Will

God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

there is nothing to add to it and nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.” Ecc.3:14

God’s will is good. That means that it is the highest form and expression of love. God’s will is acceptable. That means that His will is holy and acceptable to Him. God’s will is perfect. That means that there is nothing that we can add to it to make it better and there is nothing that we can take from it to make it better. 

The Lord is all powerful, He is all knowing, He is understanding and wisdom and His love is perfect. It was possible according to God’s power to “remove the cup of suffering” from Jesus. So when Jesus prayed, “Father, if possible…”. Jesus knew that it was possible according to the power of the Father to remove it. However, It would not have been loving, “for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”. When Jesus prayed, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me”. He knew that His God and Father had not forsaken Him because He had promised to raise Him up. Jesus laid aside all of His God powers when He became a man but He knew God’s Word and His promises and knew that He could trust His God and Father even when His desires and feelings were different. He walked by faith and trusted God in the darkness. 

Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; Proverbs 25:4.

When the dross is taken out of the silver, the silver has been put through the fire to purify it. When it goes through and comes out of the fire, it is not a vessel but it is a liquid. The silver can not see what it will become in the hands of the silversmith. It is a liquid and has felt the heat. However, the Lord, who chooses what to do with the silver sees the vessel and what He wants to do with it. The Lord tells us to be “vessels for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master”. The Lord has a plan for his children. He says of the godly, that they will still bear fruit even in old age. The Lord sees the vessel that He is making. As you go through the fire, remember that He is loving and all powerful and all knowing. He understands what needs to be done. The vessel He is making is for all eternity. His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark. You will see His lovingkindness and His faithfulness as you continue to stay under His wings. 

A Life that is Prayed For

If you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ then you are always being prayed for and the prayers are being answered. What an incredible comfort and joy. Also, you were prayed for before you were born. Jesus prayed for those who would believe in Him through those who share the Gospel with them. He prayed for you if you are His child.

John 17:20 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

He sent His Holy Spirit who prays for you now. He knows your needs and He prays for you according to the will of God. He knows that we are weak in prayer. He covers for us.

Romans 8:26,27 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Jesus also prays for us now. He is at the right hand of God and makes intercession for us.

Romans 8:34 …Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

He lives to make intercession for us and He saves us forever. His salvation begins now and then it is through all eternity.

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The priesthood of Jesus is forever. The priest was to represent the people to God.

Hebrews 7:23 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.

Jesus offered up Himself for our sins, once for all. He is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinner and exalted above the heavens and He prays for you.

Hebrews 7:26,27 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth and was tempted in all things. He does understand our needs, weaknesses and temptations. He sympathizes with us.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Therefore…if these things are true, then He tells us what to do. He tells us to draw near to Him with confidence and so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. All of us have times of need and we constantly need His mercy and grace. He gives us incredible promises if only we will draw near to Him. As mentioned earlier, He saves those who draw near and He also says that we may receive mercy and grace. Last of all, He says that He, Himself, will draw near to you if you will draw near to Him.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Life of Quietness and Tranquility

What is the home of your thoughts? In other words, when you have nothing to think about then where do your thoughts go to? Where your thoughts go to is where your heart abides. For some their thoughts abide in anxiety. They always have something to worry about and when one worry is taken care of then they will just go to another worry. They live in a state of anxiety. The Lord wants you to live in a state of quietness, tranquility and peace. It is precious to the Lord and it makes you beautiful to others. It is true beauty that clothes, jewelry and makeup can not produce.

I Peter 3:3,4 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

It will be life to you when you learn to live in tranquility. Once you learn to abide in this kind of life you will not want to go back to the restlessness of your soul.

Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

Prayer is a necessary requirement for a life of tranquility. Do you pray for your leaders, the righteous and the wicked? The Bible says to pray for all and does not distinguish between the good and the bad, for no one is good but God alone.

I Timothy 2:1,2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

It will be your strength and will give strength to others.

Isaiah 30:15 For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing,

It comes when you do life right. If there is drama or a lack of peace and quietness then there is a lack of righteousness.

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

Do you listen more to God’s servants or more to the news?

Ecclesiastes 9:17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

What is your home like? If you have a roommate or if you are a young wife do those who live with you look forward to coming home? Many a man will think of an excuse of “things” he needs to do just to get away from the strife of a contentious wife or constantly fussing kids. A mother needs to teach her children that there is a time for quietness as well as a time for play.

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.

You will not be able to enjoy any of the good gifts that the Lord gives to you if you do not have quietness within. There will be no rest, security, peace or delight.

Job 3:26 “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, And I am not at rest, but turmoil comes.”

Job 20:20 “Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires.

How can we live in the peace and tranquility that the Lord has for us? There is only one way and that is the way of the Good Shepherd, for He leads us beside quiet waters and restores our anxious soul.

Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

You will be glad when you come to that life of peace, quietness and tranquility. You will live in security and confidence and will be a comfort to those around you.

Psalm 107:30 Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven.

Your spirit will be precious to the Lord and you will radiate the beauty of the Lord as you follow the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for you so that you might live life to the fullest.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Don’t let the thief rob you of your peace, kill your quietness or destroy your tranquility. For the Lord Jesus has overcome Him.

 

 

 

A Life of An Encourager

We all need hope and encouragement brings hope and the courage to press on. Discouragement means that we have lost our courage. There are times in a person’s life when they want to quit. If you are an encourager you will never lack friends or a ministry. The Christian and the nonChristian will always need encouragement.

I Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another,  just as you also are doing.

The Lord is the One who gives encouragement so that we might persevere and not give up. He wants us to be of the same mind with one another, that is, to have the mind of Christ.

Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

Today, when you have the opportunity, encourage someone. You may not get the chance tomorrow. Sin deceives and we need one another to keep from being deceived and falling. Encouragement to someone who is downcast is like giving a cup of cold water to one who is thirsty. Their soul is quenched and encouragement refreshes their soul.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Daniel was an encouragement to the one he worked for and was a blessing to him.

Daniel 11:1 In the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be an encouragement and a protection for him.

Barnabas was an encouragement to the Christians.

Acts 4:36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

Acts 11:22-24 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

Jonathan encouraged his best friend, David. Encourage your friends so that they might thrive.

I Samuel 23:16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.

Encourage the exhausted. Those who are in the battle for the Lord get weary and exhausted. They need you. New mothers need encouragement and young wives need it also. We all need encouragement.

Isaiah 35:3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.

Encourage your leaders who lead you spiritually that they may be strengthened  in the Lord.

Deuteronomy 1:38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there; encourage him, for he will cause Israel to inherit it.

The Scripture was given to us to encourage us and give us hope. Read the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

When we take refuge in the Lord then we come away with encouragement.

Hebrews 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

The Lord gives us encouragement so that we also might give encouragement to others. When you look to Jesus then He will show you those around you who need encouragement. The world is filled with hungry and thirsty souls who need the encouragement and refreshment that you can give them.

Proverbs 11:25 The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.

If the Lord calls you to be married then your husband will desperately need your encouragement and so will your children. Learn now how to encourage others as a way of life. Learn from others who are an example to you in this area. As you learn to encourage your friends, family and leaders then all of you will be built up together in the Lord.

 

A Life of a Leader

One who leads in the ways of God will lead others in righteousness and the Bible says that they will shine like the stars in the heavens. This person will be called brilliant because of the insight that the Lord gives to them.

Daniel 12:3 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

A true leader is a servant and the true model for leadership is a servant leader. This is different than in the world where leaders will lord it over others.

Matthew 23:11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

This kind of leader will be considered great, not only in God’s eyes but also in the eyes of men.

Proverbs 12:26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.

This leader will speak forever because they will listen to the truth. Notice it does not say the one who speaks the truth will speak forever but the one who listens to the truth. The Bible says that what you listen to is what you will talk about.

Proverbs 21:28 A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

The Bible says that what you listen to is what you will talk about. You can tell what a person listens to by what he or she talks about. If you really want to know where a person’s heart is then listen to them talk, not only to you but listen to their conversations when you are in a group with them. Many a young man will become for a moment what you want in order to win your heart but the change will not last if that is not who they really are.

Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

This is one of the reasons why the Lord says to watch over what goes into your heart.

Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

The only way that you will know the truth is if you know the One who is the Truth. His words are truth and He wants you to know His words.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

The Bible is the only source of truth. To the degree that you know the Bible will be to the degree that you know the truth.

II Samuel 7:28 Now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.

Finally, who you are is what those who follow you will become. What you get excited about is what they will get excited about. If you don’t get excited about the things of the Lord then don’t expect anyone else to get excited about them.

Luke 6:40 A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.

A Life of Freedom from the Fear of Man

The Bible says that the fear of man brings a snare. It is an oppressive feeling to live in the fear of someone else. Only the Lord can set us free from the fear of man.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.

As you learn to trust Him then you will see that you do not have to be afraid of man.

Psalm 56:10,11 In God, whose word I praise,
In the Lord, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

Only the fear of the Lord can set you free from the fear of man. If you fear Him then you need not have to fear anyone else.

Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.

The Lord wants to teach you to fear Him through His Word.

Psalm 119:38 Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.

You are blessed if people revile you because you are a Christian. Do not be intimidated. Remember who you are, a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,

The Lord does not want you to fear anyone but if you live according to His ways then people will fear the Lord by not wanting you around when they do evil.

Deuteronomy 11:25 No man will be able to stand before you; the Lord your God will lay the dread of you and the fear of you on all the land on which you set foot, as He has spoken to you.

However, you must look to the Lord and not to others. He will protect you and be your defense. He will never forsake you but will help you when you need Him.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?

If you do not fear the Lord then often times you will be tempted to have irrational fears.

Psalm 53:4,5 Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge,
Who eat up My people as though they ate bread
And have not called upon God?
There they were in great fear where no fear had been;

Finally, the Lord Himself is for you.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

You are the apple of His eye.

Zechariah 2:8 …for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.

 

 

A Life that is Forgiven

The Bible says that the one who is forgiven is blessed. How sweet it is to know that you are forgiven for everything that you have done. There is no sin that is too great for God’s forgiveness. How easy it is to ask the Lord to forgive you over and over again. However, His forgiveness is complete and we only need to ask once.

Psalm 32:1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!

Not only will He forgive you but He removes the guilt of your sin.

Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin.

However, you must confess your sin to Him and ask Him to forgive you. Don’t minimize your sins or hide them.

Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Your sins have offended Him because He can not look upon evil. He is a holy God.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

The Lord is compassionate and wants to forgive you. He wants you to return to Him. Remember when you were a child and you used to love to hear about the Lord and you wanted to come to Him. Return to Him and He will come to you.

II Chronicles 30:9 For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”

He is waiting for you and wants to forgive you and cleanse you.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus Christ died for your sins. He died once for all of your sins. He died for you so that He might bring you to God.

I Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

If you are still struggling with your sins then either you have never surrendered to Him or you are living in defeat. He took the punishment for your sins so that you could become spiritually alive. If there are doubts about your salvation then tell Him and ask Him to come into your life if He is not already there. He will make Himself known to you. When you become a Christian you become born again spiritually and then you become alive to God. What it means is that you can not continue on the same path of sin that you were on before. He forgives you, cleanses you, gives you a new life and changes your path.

II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

As you learn to walk with Him then you will learn to have fellowship with other Christians.

I John 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses  us from all sin.

Don’t let the devil weigh you down with guilt. People who do experience God’s forgiveness will often make poor decisions due to the effects of their sins.

II Timothy 3:6 …weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,

He offers everyone forgiveness. God so loved the world that he sent His Son to die for all of our sins. It is a gift but we must receive it. If you are not a Christian yet then come to Him and get it settled. If you are a Christian who is still struggling with sins then come to Him also for cleansing and forgiveness. Confess your sins and experience His forgiveness. The Bible says that in the same way that you received Christ, which was by faith, then learn to walk with Him by faith and that requires a continual confessing and cleansing. We all mess up and sin but He forgives. How blessed is the one who sin is forgiven and whose guilt is removed.