Expert: Charlie B - 11/20/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have three questions.

1. I am worried that I might of committed the eternal sin in the past so does that mean I am damned to hell forever?

2. If I have not committed the eternal sin then is it possible to convert online as I have social anxiety problems?

3. And lastly, is it ok to pray for a lottery win?

ANSWER: Pete,
Thanks for your question and my apologies for taking a few days to respond (been traveling).  

1.  No.  There's no such thing as an eternal sin -- and I don't think I've heard the term.  There's Mortal sin and Venial sin.  Yet even with Mortal sin, the most grievous, a heartfelt & sincere Confession will wash you clean, Pete.  It's true... and though it may take a little (or lot) of courage to go to Confession, please -- please go.  Today

2.  "convert online" -- tell me more about that, Pete...

3.  Excellent question!  Hummm... I'd say that yes, it's OK to pray for a win, but that's not what God likely wants to hear from us.  Pray for your needs, wants and your own holiness and living a saintly life.  Riches -- monetary and otherwise -- will usually follow you.  

God bless,
Charlie

PS -- feedback and evaluations are always welcomed & appreciated  :-)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Charlie, the bible states very clearly that those who slander the Holy Spirit have committed the "eternal sin" and are condemned to hell.

   Mark 3:28-30: “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven all their sins and all the blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin. He said this because they [the Pharisees] were saying, ‘He has an evil spirit’.”

   Matthew 12:30-32: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy. But the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

   Luke 12:8-10: “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

   Acts 13:39: “Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”

   Hebrews 6:4-8: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case — the things that have to do with salvation.”

   Hebrews 10:26-29: “For we, sinning wilfully after receiving the full knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and fiery zeal about to consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think those deserve to be punished who have trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has considered as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who have insulted the Spirit of grace?”

ANSWER: Pete,
Thanks for the response and clarification.  One question:  are you Catholic?

Here's some biblical references for confession and full reconciliation with God for your sins:
John 20:22-23 “... if you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven."
Matthew 18:18 ... whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven.
2 Cor 5:18 ... ministry of reconciliation.
James 5:14-16 ... forgiveness of sins, anointing of the sick, confession.
Exodus 32:20
Numbers 14:19-23
Acts 19:18
2 Corinthians 2:6-11

Look them up and have some peace.  Lastly, go speak to a priest.  He's far better in answering your question than myself.  
God bless,
Charlie



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am not a Christian at all but at one point I was a protestant. It seems like I will not be converting back to Christianity whether it be protestant or catholic but thanks for your reply.

Answer
Pete,
One last thought:  I did some more research on 'eternal sin.'   The definition that I received is a person that will not receive, or chooses not to receive pardon from a grievous sin.  

Why would that be?   Why would you not convert back to Christianity?  Do you think you're going to be happier, more successful and have more peace by NOT being a Christian?  Why would one not take advantage of the infinite mercy of God.  Help me understand...
God bless you,
Charlie