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Sinners Prayer

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sasscell:
A couple threads going have alluded to the "Sinners Prayer".  This has got me thinking, so I'll look forward to everyone's input.  I understand what Ray is saying about salvation not being something that can be gained in a moment, in a prayer, salvation is an enduring to the end, etc.,.  The question is this:  WHOM hasn't begun their walks with the Lord with a form of sinners prayer?  A confession made to Him about our sin and need for a Savior.  Doesn't , hasn't EVERYONE begun the journey TOWARD salvation this way??  Maybe the point is that Salvation isn't granted at that prayer, but the first step.  Nonetheless, the Sinner's Prayer is a HUGE deal.  Thoughts??

Kat:

Hi sasscell,

I think what you are talking about is repentance.  I think that is the starting point, when the Holy Spirit really begins it's work in us.
Here are some emails on repentance.

http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2628.0.html ------

Dear Maribel:
I am sure that your "baptism" was just fine: it is the repentance category where I believe you might need a little improvement. Repent means more than to make a public confession that you like God, or that you believe there is a God, or that you desire to have God love you, or some other such thing.
Repentance means to turn from what you are doing (sinning) and from what you are (a sinner) and start living a godly life of overcoming the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. Only God can grant such repentance (Rom. 2:4). The fact that you have come to our site, may be evidence that God is beginning to work in your life. I would encourage you to keep reading and studying the material on our site.
God will not forsake you.

God be with you,
Ray

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4181.0.html ------

Dear Jim:
        Primarily, we must repent of our "carnal minds" which HATE God (I realize that most people do not believe that they ever hated God, but by their disobedience, they prove that they did), which are at the root cause of all our other sins. We repent of not only what we have done wrong, but the reason why we did wrong in the first place.  The human heart which is the seat of our emotions and morality or lack thereof, "is deceitful above all things and exceedingly WEAK--who can know it" (Jer. 17:9, Jewish Publication Society), Although all will be saved, not one will be saved until he repents of his sins, accepts Jesus Christ as the Saviour of his soul, and learns to live a godly life.
         
        Ask God to grant to you repentance (Rom. 2:4).
         
        God be with you,
        Ray

sasscell:
 Rodger, I never said a sinners prayer would save anyone...didn't you read carefully?  It seems that the letters to Ray you included in your post were talking more about that.  You, however are perfectly right in saying that our walks START with God's calling us out, you have me there.  AT SOME POINT, I begin to realize the work HE is ALREADY doing in me (though I may not know it's Him, I may think it's my own bright idea)  and tell Him I need Him, etc.  Even if what is called a sinners prayer then is merely my acknowledgement of His work already in progress, isnt it still important and nescessary???  Perhaps like Kat said it is called something else, but it is still a prayer.  I stand by my post.

skydreamers:
Hi sasscell,

I think I understand what you are saying.  All of us, if we've been indoctrinated into some church have said, whether in our minds, or publicly at an "alter call", some form of a sinner's prayer, guided by some preacher or pastor.  This seems like a common practice in becoming a "Christian" in almost all denominations.  So in a sense, it is something we did when we were "called" into a church system and first came to a basic knowledge of Christ. 

I don't think the prayer itself is important in that its not very accurate.  But we pray it in naivety.   Certainly at that point our childlike hearts are crying out for a Savior that we recognize we need...and that is hugely important, yes!  Sadly, after this, we must also "fall away" and "lose this first love", at least if we are to carry on the journey into "chosenhood" (is that a word?)  So it's almost like a marker, if you will, to recognize what part of the journey we are at, just like all the physical "rituals" we also fall into for a time.  This we only see, however, in looking back.  We don't have an understanding of it at the time. 

So because, in order to be chosen, one first needs to be called, the so-called "sinner's prayer" could be considered the beginning of that (being called).  But I see what Rodger is saying too, in that the real and true progress towards spiritual maturity seems to begin when you are called out of Babylon (spiritually or physically).

Peace,
Diana

ez2u:
Well when I first met the Lord Jesusu Christ He came to me and showed me His love.  Twice He came to me and surrounded me with His love.  I believe He mets us where we are at and exactly what we need.  I did not have any church doctrine so to repent for my sins was foreign thoughts to me.  I just need that love in my life.  After the second love feast  I said "  I don;t know who your are or what you are but I want you in my life".  it was Jesus and that was 35 years ago.

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