Jesus Christ will save all people in the world, trust in Him all my friends!

Psalm 22:27, 29 "ALL the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and ALL the families of the nations shall worship before You. ALL those who go down to the dust (death) shall bow before You."

 

Journal Entry 73 – Enough is Not

November 27^th (Monday) 2017

I think I’ve finally discovered it. (Though, I say that often so I don’t know if that has any weight anymore). I think I know how I can rest in my assurance of salvation. Here’s the plan

1.      Do nothing

I already know that I’m a guilty sinner incapable of reaching God’s standards through my own works and that the only way is through Christ’s sinless perfection, His payment for sin (death, burial and bodily resurrection 3 days later, sprinkling His own blood on the mercy seat of heaven). Besides having faith alone in Jesus Christ, all I have to do is nothing. Christ already did it all.

Do I need to live in sinless perfection? No, because Christ already did it.

Do I need to die to my sins. No, because Christ already did.

Though, by using those examples, I don’t mean to say that anybody can do those sins, because we can’t. Raise your hand if you’ve been born of a virgin (escaped being born of sin)! Nobody? Well unless, Jesus raised His hand lol.

It’s kinda hard to explain what it means to leave aside this perfectionism, so I’ll get some of the articles that really helped me understand. Of course, the answer isn’t in these articles alone (it’s only in the Bible), but these really helped to rightfully divide and interpret the Word of God, not out of opinion, but out of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  

http://www.babylonforsaken.com/perfection.html

https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2012/04/17/the-torment-of-perfectionism/

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-perfectionism.html

To put it bluntly, perfectionism is a hoax. We cannot be perfect! Yet many well-meaning people continue to strive for this unattainable goal. They want to exceed expectations at work, at home, at church, in sports, in hobbies, in physical appearance—and the list goes on. They have somehow convinced themselves that to be acceptable requires them to measure up to a personal or societal standard of perfection. A perfectionistic mindset brings stress and can only lead to discontent and frustration. Perfectionism often involves raising the bar to absurd heights and striving in our own efforts for something that only God can do.

Ok, just so this isn’t some random copyright insueing collage of the articles that I looked at on my phone while eating my snack at school (planning to do this often as to express my feelings with articles, what I liked about them and what I didn’t, in the hopes that other Christians can relate to me on this typa stuff). I’ll have my commentaries in green, ok? I think that’s fair, get the whole RGB. Well, not gonna use red since that’s Jesus and it’s hard to read (not from a theological standpoint of course, just the actual optical thing k????)

https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2012/04/17/the-torment-of-perfectionism/

The so-called perfectionist is a slave to an illusionary idea. He may be a believer, but he does not know what freedom in Christ means experientially. He will always fall short of perfectionism as well as the freedom that Christ has called him to enjoy.

Just watch out. When he warns you of going to hell, he teaches heresy. While he believes in faith alone, he believes that you can lose your salvation if you don’t live a good life. That is Pentecoastalism/Charamaticism and it’s wrong!! We have eternal security of the believer, ok! Just don’t let that heretic grab you with this false teaching, I know he got my off guard and I got a massive headache. Owwwiiee. Anyways, watch out.

[A good message that, when I link articles, there’s things I disagree with in them. This is true. So don’t trust the contents of the links I post, from my perspective, I can post a link because I rebuke it or because I support it, so please look at the context I’m writing about from the link, that’s the relevant part, that’s the takeaway. Everything else from the site, I toss it aside]

 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/10/23/7-bible-verses-for-perfectionists-to-study/

http://www.soulshepherding.org/2003/07/bible-verses-on-perfectionism/

Psalm 18:32-33King James Version (KJV)

³² It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

³³ He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

 

Lol, just had to have that Psalm translated because it’s sooo gooood. I love how God does something in the Bible and when we wonder why He did it, we can look back to the past to where God already had the explanation prepared.. So that’s one amongst the many reasons why I love God, He knows what He’s doing, He shows what He’s doing, so we can know Him and know what is His doing in our life.

 

http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2008/september/confessionsofaformerperfectionist.html

I thanked him again, determined not to allow his "mistakes" to bother me.

The next evening Larry did the dishes again. I realized he wouldn't have washed them a second time if I'd criticized him the day before. I witnessed again the power of affirming his attempts—even if they didn't meet my expectations.

 

Ahhh, I hope I can have this type of dynamic with my family. I hate having to be constantly watched and observed by my mom.

Proverbs 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.

Proverbs 21:19 - [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

(Lol, the angry woman part reminds me of my mom. Nature or nuture, I have it to, and I need counselling (Christian with the Bible) to get rid of it.

Ephesians 5:28 - So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth h

Ephesians 5:31 - For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh..

 

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/insecurity-assurance-salvation/

I call this last question the tough question for various reasons. We can lose assurance if we think perfect obedience is the test. Every sin we commit after conversion can cast doubt upon our assurance. That doubt is exacerbated by the assault of accusation made by Satan against us. Satan delights in shaking the true Christian’s assurance.

 

Three words, I rebuke you Satan. Actually, Satan would probably like it even more if I react to his bullying. (Like an internet troll lol). I’m going to Heaven, [all of creation will go to Heaven. Christ saves all, all will have faith alone in Jesus and be saved] that’s all that needs to be said here.

 

Ok, now I feel incredibly special. God loves not just me but everyone! Because we are created in His image.

[Excellent Christian Universalism foreshadowing, past me from 5 years ago]

 

https://heidelblog.net/2009/01/can-i-have-assurance/

1.     Dr. Clark,

I am one who agonizes over whether I’m saved. The question I’m almost constantly asking myself is “Do I believe?” (i.e., am I trusting in Christ alone for righteousness?) Now I profess that I do believe, but how do I know that I really do?

In truth I see a heart full of unbelief–a heart that would much rather go the way of works-righteousness than go through Jesus and his work for me on the cross; a heart that has—I confess and do not deny–contempt for the gospel. (Yet at the same time I love the gospel. How can this be?)

So do I believe? Am I trusting in Christ alone? It appears–from the evidence of my heart–that I’m unregenerate. But what if there’s a very small faith looking to Him and crying out “I do believe; help my unbelief!”? Well, if that’s the case–if such a faith is present–then I believe that that faith, although pitiful, saves–that is, it lays hold of the mighty object of righteousness, Jesus Christ.

But that “what if” is the rub–how does one know one even has such a pitiful faith? I go round and round.

By the way, I’m a professing member of an OPC and attend to the means of grace on the Lord’s Day (morning and evening). I have a very difficult time eating the Lord’s Supper. This is the very thing I need to strengthen my weak faith, so eat and drink, I tell myself; yet if I have no faith, then I’m profaning the Lord Jesus–you’d better not eat and drink! Twice a month I go through this. I choose to eat and drink; yet I may be storing up wrath for myself.

What do you say to a “believer” like this?

David

David,

What is your definition of faith? Are you waiting for some experience or are you simply trusting in Christ and in his finished work? I’m not asking if you’re trusting perfectly, but are you trusting?

Of course you see a heart of unbelief! You’re not entirely sanctified and you won’t be in this life. Don’t look at your heart. Why, having left a garbage dump, would you turn around and go back? The object of faith is not your rotten (or mine!) but Christ and his righteousness.

You’ve made faith into a work. When you say, “Do I trust Christ?” One can almost hear you mouthing the last, unspoken word: “enough.” That’s the killer. It turns faith from the alone instrument of justification into a quantitative work. “This much faith” or “that much faith.” It begins to focus on the quality of faith rather than on the quality of the Savior. You’re faith will never be good enough. It will never be perfect. That’s just the point. Faith receives Christ. He is good enough.

We all have a pitiful faith. Repent of your perfectionist expectations and trust in Christ and in his perfections.

Christ said, “I will give you rest.” He didn’t say, “I will give you rest if you’re just so” if your heart is pure. He died for sinners. He justifies the ungodly.

Unless you are under discipline, go to the table. Trust what you cannot see. Stop looking at what your feelings, experiences, and sin. Believe what the table teaches: Christ is sufficient.

Matthew,

See the above reply to David.

There’s a false premise in your question.

We don’t reason a priori from election. We reason a posteriori to election from faith. Only the elect believe. I believe. Ergo I am elect. See Calvin, Institutes book 3.

Dr. Clark,

Yes, I confess I’m a perfectionist; I often see the Lord in this light–that is, I hear him saying, “You can come to Me when you truly believe (enough).” That’s not the gospel.

Thank you for your encouragement. No, I’m not under discipline, and my pastor, who knows I struggle with assurance, tells me to come to the table. I want to come to the table!

Looking to feelings, experiences–these are the remnants of my growing up in a Southern Baptist Church.

David

David,

I understand. I didn’t grow up in Reformed Churches either. I was 4-5 years in an SBC. It took me a long time to stop listening for “small, still” voices and waiting for the second blessing.

Luther says that we must say over and over again, “Christ for me.

 

 

David here kinda feels like me when I was literally crying over my own salvation when I was younger)

 

It feels like me because I’m also a perfectionist. While it’s a virtue in the sense that it motivates me to work hard and to make good use of every day lest it be not wasted (less laziness), it makes me work too hard, get guilty of having some well deserved rest, etc. My mom is a perfectionist, since she uses her anger as a “need” to relieve her own stress, like how this previously mentioned article described it.

 

https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2012/04/17/the-torment-of-perfectionism/

So I kinda like this format. While it’s not the most organized, who cares, my thoughts are not personalized. This isn’t really an official thingy, but a dump (not the gross kind eeewww looooll), like that previous comment I would really not want that at an official comment. Like literally, imagine that.

 

Ok, but enough joking. That was fun and nice, helps get my thoughts out just so I can leave my mind empty and not be a constant spiritual war zone. I already have enough introspection since I don’t talk to anyone. NOooooowww, I am going to lay in my bed, cuddle with my blankie and relax. I’ll watch some CONTENT with yogurt too, because I need a break (don’t worry I ate tonsa fruit and vegetables and exercise for 1hour (technically 30min exercise 30min stretching and prep) so I’m all goodo)

I thank the Lord for giving me this relief and this relaxation. The word count is up and I don’t need to worry about hitting that 1000 mark. Personally, this is one of the best ideas I’ve had for this journal entry thing, get your guys’ opinions on what I’m reading (though I don’t know if any of you would even be willing to read this deep into this lol). I thank you Jesus Christ for not only saving me, but sanctifying me to live with the temporary joy that is possible now, so that I may glorify you through my continued existence day by day and that so others may be saved. While at times I want to be selfish in my salvation, I know it’s not right, because I should be like you, and you are the exact antonym of selfish God. Thank you, Father, for blessing me so. Amen.

 

Ooooohohhhhhh ok I ate way to quick,,

Was worried that I was not evangelizing until I read this, helped calmed me down lol. I don’t have to go door-to-door, avoid that pressure. Rather, go to where most people are, where the cities are, online!

https://iddcompany.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/stranger-danger-when-if-ever-should-we-avoid-evangelism/

JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL! *car crash*

You guys need street smarts. I’d rather evangelize online for the rest of my life, then evangelize outside for 7 years before getting killed, only reaching to a few people because most are on their phones.

http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=78837&columnid=4542

http://donteatthefruit.com/2012/02/internet-evangelism-in-turkey/

Don’t worry, it’s not addictive. 50% time spend with family, 50% time evangelize online. That’s my freetime lol.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2014/01/16/why-witnessing-tools-never-work-and-why-the-acting-is-always-bad-in-evangelism-training-videos/

http://www.internetevangelismday.com/onlyone.php

https://www.9marks.org/article/journalfive-reasons-we-dont-evangelize/

 

Matthew 9:37-38King James Version (KJV)

³⁷ Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

³⁸ Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 

Harvest is plentiful, but labourers few? That means it’s not personal evangelism, rather it’s a few people doing great works and converting many people. Let’s evangelize online folks! Let’s be! Amen!

Now I can finally sleep and stop wasting my time on this (2 hours lol).

 

Though times are different now. I need to work. I need to support my family. I’m not making my own food here, or building my own house, this is all government property and I need to go with the government laws because I live under them, whether I like it or not. I will have a radio talk show online, evangelize online, etc. That will be my domain, videos on youtubes, discussions, etc. Better safe than sorry.

 

Wow he even talked about the bads of perfectionism lol. Anyways, 1:00 Am tired and need rest for test. Hopefully this evangelism stuff and this pressure to do this outdoors won’t continue to haunt me, I need to relax or else I’m going to kill myself Lord. Help comfort me in my anonymous public evangelism online through the Internet. Amen.

https://www.wretched.org/flashback-friday-sin-perfectionism/