Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 1/25/2009

Question
I recently just gave my life to Christ 22 days ago to be exact, and one thing has been on my mind... Am I really saved from my past sins? My mom when i was young sent me up to the front when i was young to get saved she told me to say yes to the questions that he asked, and not knowing what i was doing i just said yes to everything... Well years later my life style didn't change and i wasn't a God serving young man. Well something happened to the point which brought me to asking God for help. But i didn't feel like he was listening... So i did the worst thing and asked the devil for help.... No he (the devil) didn't do anything and my situation was handled. Will God or has God forgiven for this mistake? That I deeply regret! Now i have been encouraging teens and kids to  trust only in God  for guidance and help. People have been stopping me in public and telling me that they see a strong man of God in me and they see me ministering to many lost souls... But the devil keeps throwing that thought that God hasn't forgiven me for asking the devil for help during that time. Was what i did worst then the sin of not even believing in God... Will God forgive me? This happened 10+ years ago... But the devil is bringing it up in my mind. Whenever you get the chance to answer will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi James,

Thanks for this great question.  I am very sorry for my late response.  I am so glad that you have come to faith in Christ!

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1.  It is faith that saves, not repeating a prayer or going down the isle.  Your mom meant well, but just going down the isle did not save you.  It does sound like you have truely been saved now... thats great!

2.  All your sins are covered.  When Jesus died on the cross, He became your sin, and when you believed, you became His righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 5:1-2


Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Justified = declaired to be righteous.

3.  Satan is our accuser... that is what he does... that does not mean he is correct.

Revelation 12:9-11
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  Jesus silences the accusation of the devil

Romans 8:31-33
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

5.  Once we accept Jesus, we are completely changed from the inside out.  We may struggle with our flesh from time to time, but we are not known by our sin any longer.  What you did 10 years ago is under the blood.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.


6.  Even if your heart accuses you, God is greater and knows about your salvation.

1 John 3:20
20 For if our heart condemn us,  God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this will help you.

In Christ
Pastor Don