The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Limited Atonement and prayer for one's own salvation

1. I am forced to conclude that you probably have an unbiblical understanding concerning the state of a regenerate man. It appears that you hold that true Christians are some kind of saint in regard to the soul, i.e., you are internalizing and perhaps even externalizing one's life which borders on the brink of a sort of legalism. The Apostle Paul in his autobiographical summary of his life reveals the stark contrast between his unregenerate state where he was self-justified and exalted his standing as a Pharisee, his vast knowledge of Judaism, and his perceived holy life. This he then contrasts with his life after his regeneration, which was antithetical to his former life in every way. However, he also adds his revelation of his soul and the war then existing between the remnant of his 'old man' and that of the 'new man'. He laments that what he knows he should not do and hates is what he too often does. And that which he loves, e.g., the law of God, and yearns to be conformed to it, he too often fails to do. Thus he cries out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?". But do take careful notice what he then proclaims. It is NOT a cry of desperation and serious doubt concerning his salvation. He writes: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." However, that last statement (Romans 7:25) is the end of chapter 7 but it is also the introduction for chapter 8. In that chapter he does not dwell in morbid introspection of the miserable remnant of sin which remains in him but rather he looks beyond himself and focuses 100% on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ of who's perfect righteousness has been imputed to him and therefore he stands perfectly and completely justified and reconciled to God who loves him with an everlasting love.

2. My simple advice to you, my brother, is the following which has been in the hearts and minds of all the saints and will always be their confession as long as the Lord keeps them on this earth: "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24) Soooo, get on with your life and exchange your reticent groaning for giving thanks for the great salvation which God has bestowed upon you in the Lord Christ. Raise up your voice in praise and thanksgiving for His incomprehensible gift and press on rejoicing in the power of the Spirit which He has graciously given to you as a witness of His grace and mercy to poor needy sinners like you and me.

3. Let David's song be your song from this day forward:

May GOD be glorified through you.