Introducing myself: Jim Lawson

[JMSL]

This is my first time using a forum, so here it go's hopefully with time I'll get more readable.

I have been a Christian since I was young but, have not really been able to fit in at the "501c3 country clubs"  My conversion happened after a service at a church in Hayward, Ca  after-which I couldn't sleep and my Mother lead me to Christ, I remember not  really fully understanding what happened but I was changed and every time I sin, I always have a deep personal sorrow and very  troubling experience.
 I never really understood what exactly was happening because of the way "church preaching" has left the truth of Repentance out of the regeneration messages,  I remember as time goes on that I keep thinking why i cannot keep from committing these  sins against God?
It as I've said on many occasions I've sined more after salvation than before and how can God Keep forgiving me as I am such a piece of filth.

All I want to do is please God but cannot seam to be able to.   I know that the times he keeps taking me through are for my growth and his Glory but, It hard for me to understand the flesh's control over me.
I need tto be more into the scripture as that is were freedom from sin is through becoming "like Christ"

[Jeanne]

Hi Jim, and welcome to the forum.

First of all, you don't really sin any more now that you're saved than you did before; it's just that you notice it now when you didn't then. And don't feel alone in not always having control over your flesh. Paul had the same problem.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Just out of curiosity, how did you find the CLE website and our forum?
Jeanne

P.S. Just as an FYI, this forum software is kind of wonky and doesn't like foreign apostrophes and will only recognise them when you type them directly into the post box from a computer (phone won't work, either). So, if you copy/paste from another source, you have to go back and replace all the apostrophes manually or your post will cut off at the place the apostrophe appears. Yes, it gets to be a pain, but unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.

[Masha]

Hi Jim, we all are still full of faults, and we fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; )yet His grace is grace because none of us deserve it. Endless grace. Praise the Lord your eyes have been opened, even to your own wickedness.
We are all still sinners, saved by Grace. When you walk with the Lord that sinfullness is so eminent, but yet then His grace love and mercy are also so EMINENT, because He sheds it upon us each day!!
I also am so far from perfect, yet God loves me and had given me new life in Him and He gives me His peace and rest each day nonetheless I am not worthy.
I hope we can edify you as brethren and that you will continue to grow in the Lord!!

Romans 15: 5,Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
    6, That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    7, Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Welcome to the forum!!
Masha

[JMSL]

I've been receiving and "listening / Reading" info from Dr. Scott Johnson's "Contendingfortruth.com" site for years now along with a few other "Preachers" I've found online.
In one of his study's he mentioned the Creation Liberty Site and I went over the teachings and have found that everything I have read and heard has been Biblical.
I keep telling people if it's in the Bible we have to believe / Do it.
 Most people say "my Pastor told me...."  (usually they have twisted what was said, left out 1/2 of the verse, or taken it totally out of context.)

[Jeanne]

Yes, it's very unfortunate that most church-goers take 'my pastor said' more seriously than what the Bible says. In fact, that's why there are so many denominations and cults, to begin with; people following men rather than Christ/the Bible.

I don't know if you still listen to Scott Johnson or not, but somebody just started a thread about him in the last week or so here. He's gotten WAY off track with all this Nephilim/alien garbage. He needs to get back to just teaching the Bible. All he's doing is distracting people now.

[creationliberty]

I've been receiving and "listening / Reading" info from Dr. Scott Johnson's "Contendingfortruth.com" site for years now along with a few other "Preachers" I've found online.
In one of his study's he mentioned the Creation Liberty Site and I went over the teachings and have found that everything I have read and heard has been Biblical.

I would be curious to know what teaching he did you were listening to when he mentioned that if you can remember. I'm interested to know the context of what he was discussing.

[Ruth]

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum.

Studying the scriptures can help us with discernment aswell; we can test a preacher's doctrine by what God's word says.

It's about two years since my conversion and by God's grace I'm still learning and having to sanctify myself - but He is the author and finisher of our faith - all of us have sinned and none of us are worthy of salvation.

[stevesams]

Hi Jim.  I know exactly where you are coming from with the false teaching on repentance from the majority of the churches I attended.  For years (like you) I was unsure exactly what was happening in my life and years later realized that God was giving the the Spirit of Repentance of Godly sorrow of wrongdoing (sin).  Anyway, glad you are hear.  Look forward to getting to know you better:)

[Christopher_Belflower]

Welcome Jim!

Glad your here, I noticed you live in Sin City. I went to Vegas once 18 years ago, years and years before I knew Christ. The thing that has always stuck in my mind is the pornography all over the streets and sidewalks at night.

Chris