Once we have faith, are we just waiting for the guilt to go away? (that doesn't seem enough)

Honestly I don't think the guilt is something we have to wait out. When Romans 8:1 finally clicked for me, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," it stopped feeling like a countdown and more like something already settled. The suspense you describe sounds like trying to earn the quiet instead of receiving it. What do you think actually changes in that moment? Bible Verses for Shame That Don't Pile More On

Gottservant said:

Hi there,

So the thing is, without a vision the people perish (Proverbs) - and when it comes to our standing before God, just being able to stand seems great; but in reality standing and just waiting for the guilt to go away, seems like a waste.

The Holy Spirit comes to make the iniquity of the world hard and its reward meagre and by so doing, does away with guilt, such that it can't come back.

But think with me, what could it be that happens between the moment we realise 'the guilt isn't coming back' and the moment we realise we have a relationship with God that will never fail?

Like the suspense alone could kill, am I right?

Thoughts?

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Every church realizes a delicate balance between being welcoming and holding to a high standard. Too welcoming and the standard goes down....fast! Too strict and nobody comes. Very few churches are able to navigate through what appeals to a carnal mind to a challenge to the inner man of faith.

God's ways follow a similar pattern. An easy to get into grace in the initial salvation...a free gift is free. Regeneration by the Spirit! Many are interested in that. But then to get the full measure of grace one has to sell all to buy it. The kingdom of God costs us everything. This is where the "good news" stops for the vast majority. Victory over sin???...they prefer forgiveness over power to overcome sin for an easy ongoing sin model that is easily attained and maintained by religious people who remain spiritual novices for their whole lives. Even the bible has been altered to reflect that strategy. Why not? What's the point of stressing the truth if it empties the churches??? Who would be around to appreciate the free gift? We have to caretake God or else He will destroy His own work with all that holiness talk. Who is around to help God if not us?

In our very independent and carnal society, nobody wants a strict standard. In our quest to fill the pews we have opted for being welcoming...that's what counts...making people feel comfortable, affirmed and unchallenged. Let sleeping dogs lie. And lie they will to maintain the social order. God's holiness, for these, is seen as fully unattainable. What to do? Well the devil is also at work welcoming people into a very shallow version of the church that never attains to holiness. He changes the meaning of words and lowers the standard until people can feel they have achieved all ...with just the free sample. The free sample BECOMES the full sample in this very welcoming environment for the flesh. Have you been regenerated in the Spirit? Then you are saved!!!...nothing beyond that exists in the world...nobody can stop sinning anyway, or so the story goes that encourages unbelief in its members. Jesus speaks of 10 lepers that were healed but only one came back (and he was a Samaritan). Jesus asked...where are the other nine? In the modern churches whereby the devil has infiltrated the religious system (Babylon) and conformed it to his own ways...who can find any that return to God and seek His face? Telling people to seek God feels like a slap in the face to most modern church-goers. The devil knows his work. When the Son of Man returns will He find ANY faith in the world?