Hi Everybody,
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section. I am new here.
No problem - welcome aboard.
The thing that brought me to a Christian forum is to explore some ideas regarding Christian faith and salvation. In particular, how do you know you are saved? Can you believe in God, believe that Jesus is the Messiah and be respectful towards God and yet not have your name in the book of life?
Absolutely. the devils "believe" probably more accurately than we do, but aren't "saved". BELIEF, and efforts to do "good works" don't save you. (Eph 2:8,9)
Being Convicted of your SIN by the Holy Spirit, and Surrendering to God in Repentance and calling on HIM IN FAITH for salvation gets the job done, and THEN the Holy Spirit indwells you, and bears witness with YOUR spirit that you're a child of God.. "belief" is "religion", but FAITH is based on God's WORD TO YOU (Rom 10:17), which can be trusted absolutely.
(quote)The thing that has me asking is, in the past I felt like my connection to God was validated through prayer.
I would pray, then events would occur, usually never in the way I expected, that would bring me to what I believe was a God driven outcome.(/quote)
Probably a DECADE BEFORE I became a Born Again Christian, I also had similar experiences, which WEREN'T Salvation related, but simply God demonstrating TO ME that He was absolutely there, and was aware of and acted upon the requests of a 12 tear old kid. "Theology" claims that God doesn't "hear" the prayers of unsaved people, but that's a total LIE. God hears EVERY PRAYER, and answers according to HIS WILL and purpose.
I have shamefully shared some frustrated, angry words with God. I'm sure He wasn't too happy about that.
God says that He'd RATHER we were either "COLD" or "HOT" rather than "Lukewarm". God KNOWS your heart, and has obviously been working in your life to "Connect". Jesus AS A HUMAN MAN knows first hand about our frustrations, and temptations. it's impossible to "Shock" God.
I have never been end times focused, beyond basic curiosity, but assumed the time of Christs return would be well past my lifetime.
"Eschatology" is nothing but a "Religious word for "Rank Speculation". The World WILL GET WORSE, as we move toward the end of the age. It's O.K. to see thing growing spiritually darker, but "date setting" is never wise. I'd suggest that you get together with a pastor of a Baptist, or Assembly of God church in your area, and share your thoughts. A Christian Pastor can provide council, and help to lead you to an intimate relationship with God through FAITH in the SIN offering Of Jesus on the Cross. It was a Baptist outreach that resulted in ME becoming a Born again Christian 60 years ago beyond the shadow of a doubt.