TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE

 If we are being controlled by fear it is because we have rejected the message about Christ. In repentance and rest is our salvation, in quietness and trust is our strength. Blessed are those who wait upon the Lord. People who do not know the righteousness of God will seek to establish their own since they did not submit to Gods righteousness. The deliverer will turn godlessness away from you. Gods covenant with you is when HE takes away your sins. Notice it says, "When He takes away your sins." We can not stop our own sins. We can try. The way you know if God takes away your sins is because you don't return back to it. When you are the one who tries to take away your own sin, you will always come back to it one way or another. Many times in my own life, I have held on to resentment as if I was entitled to it somehow. Like a stubborn 2 year old I was running from truth, not giving up what was clearly MINE! How embarrassing! God sent me His Son to free me and forgive me and my pride refused to receive it. Has someone ever tried to pay for your dinner and you thought it was "humble" to say "oh no no, Ive got it!" That is actually pride. Pride will keep us from being able to receive salvation. It's true that salvation isn't earned. It's also true that we can't lose our salvation. But I do believe we can reject our salvation through pride.

2 Thessalonians tells us that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love truth and be saved.

All will be condemned who have not believed truth but have delighted in wickedness.

People say they are believers all the time. But they lie and the truth is not in them. Salvation is free, but it will cost you everything. As soon as you know what this means, you will know if you truly believe or not.