I'd like to add more to this introduction seeing I didn't do a very good job introducing myself. It's a bad example for those that are new to the forum especially me being a moderator. Also this way new members or members to be will have a better understanding of who I am and where I'm from.
As I had said before, I was saved in 2012. I did not grow up in the church buildings like many here have. About the only thing I can remember are vague memories of Sunday school when I was very young, but I can only remember a room the class was in and having to get dressed for Sunday. My parents taught me very little about the Bible at all. Basically that nobody is perfect and that Jesus died for my sins. I was too young to really understand then so growing up it didn't mean much to me.
Most of what I "learned" about the Bible was from television. Basically the good guys went to heaven and the bad guys went to hell. I was that gullable :/ . I was always told I was a good person and, me being prideful, of course I believed it. I never got into drugs, drinking or anything like that. But I did have a perverted sense of humor, cursed a lot, looked with lust (which is adultery in the heart [Mat. 5:28]) at pornography, hated without cause (murder in the heart [1 John 3:15]), lied often, prideful etc. It wasn't until I understood that every secret thing I've done or said would be revealed on judgement day that I repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing that there was nothing I could do to take back the things I've done and that it would all come to light at judgement terrified me and so the only place I could go was the foot of the cross in godly sorrow.
Psalms 51:17 - The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Isaiah 66:2 - For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Soon after that I spent most of my free time listening to sermons and reading the Bible. I was intimidated with all the contradicting doctrines and "denominations" out there since I knew almost nothing about the Bible. I did end up believing several false doctrines, but through a lot of prayer and guidance through the Holy Spirit that teaches us, I have been corrected several times and I am where I am today.
I did try to attend a church a friend of mine in high school went to. I didn't learn a thing there except that I needed to tithe even though I didn't want to.
2 Cor. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
I don't think the pastor there read that one. Instead of tithing I spent the money on tracts that I would give out to people (I now make my own). Shortly after that I joined the weekly CLE Bible studies and I have continued learning ever since.
