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Eleven and Four Questions - Can I Be Saved?

Question/Comment: 

----- Original Message -----
From: Emailer #269
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2015 3:31 AM
Subject: Questions about Shepherd's Chapel
Hello! PLEASE HELP ME! Hi! I just, last night, tuned into Pastor Murray, for the first time & I was hoping I'd find nobody to discredit him, because, not because I don't want the truth, but because, so many times, I find other's explanations of scripture, that I begin to understand, discredited & then I'm confused all over again. I was just looking up Shepherd's Chapel's site for some info & I stumbled upon your article. I desperately have some questions about things you wrote, and, maybe, things you didn't. You may, of course, if you wish to, put some or all of these questions, with your answers, on your article page, but I'd ask that you answer all these questions, back to me, in an email reply, if you could please, copy/paste my questions and then your answers below, in the email. Please, answer all of them. If any question, of mine, receives a fearful answer, from you, I still desire to know. PLEASE DON'T TURN ME AWAY!  These are questions I've desperately been seeking the answers to. 
*NOTE 1* I'm NOT asking some of these questions, (you'll know which), because I desire to keep sinning, but because if they're true, I'm already doomed to hell. I'm learning & working on turning away from sin, but have yet to be able to fully stop.
*NOTE 2* Please don't be offended by (Question 1). I'm not siding with anyone (preacher/religion) vs the other, but only trying to understand. Or (Questions 9 OR 11) because I'm not challenging/knocking you. I'm only trying to understand your explanation.
Question 1:
You vs Dr. Murray vs every other preacher/religion's interpretation of scriptures. How are we to know who is right or wrong, when most people take certain scriptures & explain them to us, then most say fact-check them, in the Bible. Most make all their explanations seem sensible & right, then say check for yourself. 
Question 2: 
What do you say Luke 12:10 means? As a child, maybe between 5-9 years old, I was punished, by my dad, for something & he said to me "You need the Holy Ghost." My response was a curse word towards it. Is that, which I did, committing the Unpardonable sin? Or, does it mean saying Jesus had an unclean spirit & that Jesus' works were that of evil, and not of God? So did I, in saying a curse word towards it, commit the Unpardonable sin? Am I doomed now, no matter what? I pray not. I've been so terrified about this for years, since I read it, in the Bible, later in life, as an adult. 
Question 3:
I try to understand certain scriptures, but don't fully understand them. Does my asking you these questions or listening to Dr. Murray, or anyone else, mean I don't have eyes to see or ears to hear because I'm seeking help, in understanding the scriptures, from asking or listening to others, but not knowing them for myself?
Question 4:
In your article, you wrote "Yes, eternal torture is a lie." What does that mean?
Question 5:
As a child, I'm not sure, but I think I was baptized twice? Is that another thing, I may have done, which I'll never be forgiven for? 
Question 6:
In your article, you wrote about Willful sinning? What exactly is that? I'm sure I know, but does willful sinning doom you to hell, even of you repent every time? If so, I doomed to hell, no matter what, on Questions 2, 3, 5 & 6. 
Question 7:
If we sin & continue sinning, even after Antichrist appears, before or after the 3 1/2 years (the 1st and/or last half of the tribulation) will we go to hell, even though we don't worship him, but still sin after he appears, on earth? Does that count as worshipping him?
Question 8:
Explain to me, if you can & if you please, both Esau's & Simon's sins that are written, in the Bible?
Question 9:
In your article, you wrote, if I interpreted correctly, that God creates some, that he already hates & made some just to destroy them? You wrote "if some hate God, it's because He hated them first." That's not written in the Bible? God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness, at all. I think We love God because He loved us first", but those who hate Him, do so not because He hated them first, but because of the free will He gave to humanity. Please explain?
Question 10:
Jesus said Forgive "70 times 7." That's 490 times. Does that mean 491 sins and you're out? I think, I know better, but just to be sure. Also, if your bother trespasses you 7 times, in a day, then turn and ask forgiveness 7 times, in the same day, Forgive him all 7 times. If we, who are not as merciful and loving as God, can & are taught to forgive every time, then does God forgive every time if we genuinely repent?
Question 11:
You also said, referring to Esau, that sometimes repentance is not accepted, no matter how sorrowful or tearful, one is, & no matter how diligent they seek it? But, it's written. Repent & you will be forgiven? I'm confused. Is it because he still didn't believe, but was only sorry because he lost his birth right? Like. For example: A man being sorry for cheating on his wife, because now he's in trouble, after being caught by his wife. In other words. Someone being sorry, because they got caught, but not because they're genuinely sorry?

My First Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Emailer #269
Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2015 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: Questions about Shepherd's Chapel
Hi, I just wanted to let you know, right away, that I have received your questions and will address them fully, as soon as practical, but not today.  I believe I will send you my answers early this week.
 
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Emailer #269
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2015 4:37 PM
Subject: Re: Questions about Shepherd's Chapel
Hi Emailer #269,
 
Question 1:
You vs Dr. Murray vs every other preacher/religion's interpretation of scriptures. How are we to know who is right or wrong, when most people take certain scriptures & explain them to us, then most say fact-check them, in the Bible. Most make all their explanations seem sensible & right, then say check for yourself. 
 
The bible can be manipulated, that is why there are so many opinions about what the bible teaches.  I often say that we should be wary of "following the breadcrumb trails"  that teachers leave for us.  What I mean is that in order to prove a point, teachers will often select only the scriptures which make a case for their point of view (and leave out scriptures which might call their opinion into question).  If you "fact check"  by looking only at the evidence they have selected for you,  you may find that they have a case, but that can be misleading.  Now if some other teacher comes along with a contrary point of view, and shows you other scriptures which contradict the first teacher the same process repeats itself.  That's understandably confusing.
 
A sound position will reconcile all the pertinent scriptures, and not ignore any. And the only way you are going to know all the pertinent scriptures is by becoming familiar with them.  Until that happens, you are at a disadvantage.   You have to recognize that no one is likely to start out knowing who is a man of God and who is not.  We need the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us to the truth and he will do that through his word.  But God does not give everything to men all at once, at least, he didn't do that for me.  It is best not to decide prematurely whether any man is of God until you yourself have sufficient knowledge to make that judgment.  When I was young I jumped on Murray's bandwagon because I wanted someone to "give me the little book"  I was hungry for knowledge, and that is good, but I had to take it myself and eat it.  Ultimately, that is what you have to do.
 
That does not mean that teachers cannot be useful or that we should cut ourselves off from the assistance of other believers. It is clear in the scriptures that he appoints teachers and prophets.  The bible itself came to us through the hands of men.  We first trusted Christ because we believed the testimony of the men he appointed.  You ultimately have to settle the issue for yourself.  But you may need men to teach you for a time. Just be careful of how deeply you accept what men say about the word, they may not be giving you the whole story.
 
For my part I would say this:  I am a former Shepherd's Chapel student and I feel a sense of responsibility to teach against the Chapel,  because, once upon a time, I supported and spread Murray's teachings.  But I am not just teaching against Murray, that would be rather empty.   In my bible studies I try to take the position that accounts for all the scriptures, or at least the position that attempts to reconcile all the scriptures.  I have a duty to my own conscience,  I don't want to be wrong, and if I have to change my opinion to be right I am willing to do that. 
 
One of the things that is different about my studies is that I focus on the core of Christian belief.  And I would say, in general that wherever you choose to receive instruction you should avoid teachers that focus on doctrines not explicitly taught by the apostles of Christ. 
 
1Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
The focus of our beliefs rests on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  The greatest power for us as Christians is found there.  One of the things I now dislike about Murray is that he essentially despised the sincere milk of the word. The result was that he raised up a lot of immature Christians who thought they were all grown up.  And I do not believe that what he called "meat"  was meat indeed, but rather junk food, bad doctrine built up on selected scriptures and ignoring the contrary evidence.
 
My number one focus is on the personal development of the believer through the scriptures with the aid of the Holy Spirit.  I am more interested in learning how to BE a Christian than with learning what the Angels did in the days of Noah or figuring out "where we are" in prophecy.
 
So no matter where you receive instruction, let it be through a ministry that helps you grow closer to God.  Avoid ministries that focus on prophecy (they are almost all false prophets)  Avoid legalistic ministries that focus on following carnal commandments (what you eat, what you wear, on what days you worship)  Avoid ministries that focus on beliefs that to not relate closely to the core of Christian belief,  Christ and the clear teachings of the His Apostles.  If things get confusing,  it is likely not a very important point pertaining to your salvation. 
 
A few months ago I made a recording in answer to a similar question which you may find edifying.
 
Denominations and Books Not in the Bible
 
And a few years ago I wrote the following article:
 
Why does God use Men to Talk to Men?
 
I also recommend my bible studies.  They are all free and available on-demand.  I don't expect anyone to listen to me exclusively.
 
 
Question 2: 
What do you say Luke 12:10 means? As a child, maybe between 5-9 years old, I was punished, by my dad, for something & he said to me "You need the Holy Ghost." My response was a curse word towards it. Is that, which I did, committing the Unpardonable sin? Or, does it mean saying Jesus had an unclean spirit & that Jesus' works were that of evil, and not of God? So did I, in saying a curse word towards it, commit the Unpardonable sin? Am I doomed now, no matter what? I pray not. I've been so terrified about this for years, since I read it, in the Bible, later in life, as an adult. 
 
I doubt you knew what you were doing at that age, but the men who blasphemed the Holy Ghost definitely knew what they were doing.  And though we all need the Holy Spirit, it is not something I would burden the mind of a child with, as if they could make the Holy Ghost come by an act of childish will.  If your Dad had just performed a miracle, by the power of the Holy Ghost, and you knew it, but said "that's a demon"  or something along those lines, that would definitely be blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
 
Cursing or using foul language towards the Holy Ghost would not technically be the same as blasphemy.   And you might not have even realized who the Holy Ghost is. Blasphemy means to falsely speak evil of someone. So saying "F*** the Holy Ghost"  or whatever, is not really blasphemy.  Saying the Holy Ghost is the devil, or a "F*** head" or something like that is blasphemy, properly speaking.
 
Also, to blaspheme the Holy Ghost, the holy Ghost must be present. What I mean is that it is not about the word "Holy Ghost"  It is about the person of the Holy Ghost.  When Jesus Cast out Devils, the men who basically said "he casts out devils by the devil"  said that knowing that it was a lie.  They knew they were in the presence of God's Spirit and they blasphemed Him.  If some fake preacher was pretending to  cast out devils and you knew it was fake and you said "Your Holy Spirit is a fake"  that would not be blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.  So it cannot be blasphemy of the Holy Ghost if it is uttered against just anything called "the Holy Spirit" by some charlatan.
 
Notice, I do not call it "the unforgivable sin"  because Jesus never called it that.  He said they are never forgiven.  It may be a subtle difference, but I don't think this is like stepping in a pile of dog droppings, you are not going to just stumble into such a grave sin.  Certainly not as a child.  I would move on.
 
I think people who commit sins that are never forgiven do not ask questions like yours. You have a good conscience towards God.  One of the reasons this sin is never forgiven is because the men who do it never seek forgiveness.  You were a child and spoke foolishly.  Trust Christ, he has forgiven your sins.  The fact that your sin troubles you is all the proof I need.  The truly wicked do not trouble themselves with thoughts such as yours.  They are unforgiven and they don't care.  By rejecting the manifest Spirit of God they cut themselves off from all possibility of forgiveness.
 
Question 3:
I try to understand certain scriptures, but don't fully understand them. Does my asking you these questions or listening to Dr. Murray, or anyone else, mean I don't have eyes to see or ears to hear because I'm seeking help, in understanding the scriptures, from asking or listening to others, but not knowing them for myself?
 
No.  Recall the Ethiopian Eunuch riding in his chariot in Acts 8:
 
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
 
Or this passage from Romans 10:
 
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
 
I can say that I have believe in Jesus Christ my whole life, and I suppose I had hear the Gospel preached many times, but it was not until one particular time that I heard it and was changed by it.  People who do not have eyes to see and ears to hear often think they know everything already, so they don't ask questions.  And that is basically how I was.  I sought God but I groped blindly in the dark.  At least you recognize that you need help.
 
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
 
Blindness is not necessarily a permanent condition
 
John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
 
The fact that you recognize that you lack means that you are ready for the Lord Jesus to fill you.  The whole need not the physician.
 
Question 4:
In your article, you wrote "Yes, eternal torture is a lie." What does that mean?
 
I believe in conditionalism.  Immortality is conditional.  I believe that the second death is literally death, and not just a euphemism for eternal torment.  I am working on a new and extensive study of this subject, but in the meantime you may enjoy a discussion I had with a pastor late last year in regard to that subject. 
 
A Discussion on the Subject of Hellfire.
 
It is not the sort of subject I can condense into a few lines.  But I do not believe in eternal torture and I believe I have sound biblical evidence for believing this.  I suggest you hear out both sides of the argument and decide for yourself.
Question 5:
As a child, I'm not sure, but I think I was baptized twice? Is that another thing, I may have done, which I'll never be forgiven for? 
 
I was baptized three times, I did not realize it was a sin.  I did not do it because I had fallen away from the faith or anything.  I was baptized as an infant,,  I had nothing to do with that.  Then I was baptized at 21 by Pastor Murray.  When I was 31 I was baptized again because I believed at the time that Murray may have done it wrong.  I'm not sure if I needed to do that, but I certainly don't consider it a sin.  
 
You will have to elaborate fro me why you think your second baptism is something you would not be forgiven for.
 
Question 6:
In your article, you wrote about Willful sinning? What exactly is that? I'm sure I know, but does willful sinning doom you to hell, even of you repent every time? If so, I doomed to hell, no matter what, on Questions 2, 3, 5 & 6. 
 
 
Nothing you have said makes me think you have sinned willfully.  Willful sin is when you reject Christ and righteousness completely and embrace a life of sin willingly.  Also, this is only  
 
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
 
Verse 29 really defines the willful sin.  It is not taking about most general sins.
 
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
 
Remember, when Jesus talked about the sin that shall never be forgiven, he also said that all manner of sin would be forgiven the sons of men.  Actually, if you think about it, the willful sin has a lot in common with the "unforgivable sin"   It calls for someone who 1) KNOWS the truth (which you tell me you are in doubt of, so you simply do not qualify)  2) And Knowing the truth is the truth, they reject the truth. 
 
Like I said, this is not like some pile of dog dropping you can just accidentally step in.  This is a serious sin, and you just don't qualify.
Question 7:
If we sin & continue sinning, even after Antichrist appears, before or after the 3 1/2 years (the 1st and/or last half of the tribulation) will we go to hell, even though we don't worship him, but still sin after he appears, on earth? Does that count as worshipping him?

I have talked about sin in terms of "you are already worshipping the devil" because we need to take all sin seriously.  God has given us, in Christ, all things that pertain to life and Godliness, and if we do not follow after that now,  it is not likely we will resist the devil then either.  It is not about the individual sins.  Christ has forgiven us our sins, but if we do not have any progress in our lives towards righteousness,  I would not expect to stand against Satan.  I would not expect God to intercede on my behalf.  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.  That is what the Lord taught.  If we are practicing servants of sin, we will worship the devil, even if we don't want to.  We already do the things we do not want to do.  Perhaps God, in his mercy, will grant us the strength to stand against the Devil in spite of our constant failings.  I suppose that is what he must do in any case.  But what I must do is pursue righteousness now, because that is what Christ has given me.  If I am faithful in doing what he has asked me to do now, he will be faithful to hold me up against temptations that are stronger than me.
 
So what I'm saying is that we need to be following Christ faithfully now.  That will carry us through no matter what the future may bring.  I don't think we have to be perfect now.  What I think is we have to be striving towards perfection and being faithful in what he has already given us.  If we live by faith, he will help us stand in the evil day.
 
Question 8:
Explain to me, if you can & if you please, both Esau's & Simon's sins that are written, in the Bible?
 
Esau, despised his birthright.  As it was written in Hebrews.
 
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Our birthright in Christ is that we might become the sons of God. 
 
 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
If we despise that which is ours in Christ.  We will be no better than Esau.  If you have a specific issue with that please feel free to ask more specifically.

Simon?  Simon the Sorcerer from Acts 8?   He tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with Money.  I need you to be more specific.  Or perhaps I could recommend my study in Acts Chapter 8 http://oraclesofgod.org/studies/44_Acts/index.html
 
 
Question 9a:
In your article, you wrote, if I interpreted correctly, that God creates some, that he already hates & made some just to destroy them? You wrote "if some hate God, it's because He hated them first." That's not written in the Bible?
 
It is in the bible.  It is just written in corners that some men prefer to keep quiet about because they prefer what pleases men over that which pleases God.  
 
Proverbs 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
 
Psalm 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
 
God obviously hates evil and wickedness and wicked men.  But he also created the wicked.  He did not create good souls that went bad, he created bad souls that did what was expected of them in God's purposes.  This is the same belief taught by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9.
 
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
 
How can God find fault when no one can resist his will.  This is one of those passages that gets ignored.  God finds fault, because they are faulty.
 
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
 
The point is that God makes the wicked, and it is foolish for them to ask him why he made them that way, because if he did not make them that way, they would not exist.  God did not make them for their pleasure,  God made them for HIS pleasure.  That is one of the fundamental flaws in human thinking, we think this is all here for us.  When it is all here for Him.

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
 
Does God have such power?  yes he does.  He makes one human being for honor, and one for dishonor.  He makes all things for himself, even the wicked for the evil day.  That is their purpose, that is why he made them thus.
 
22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
 
"Fitted to destruction"  Again, that is a fairly clear way of saying they were created to be destroyed. God endures the wicked,  that is a net plus for them, because they do not deserve to be endured.  Nor to exist.

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Salvation and destruction are things that God fits and prepares.
 
 
Question 9b:
God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness, at all.
 
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
 
God hates Evil, and that hatred for evil exists before any evil existed.  For evil to come into being,  God created evil beings to bring it forth that he might make a demonstration for the benefit of his adopted sons to be, those who will be heirs of salvation.
 
Just because God creates darkness does not mean there is darkness in him.  And just becuase he creates evil does not mean ther is any evil in him.
 
Question 9c:
I think We love God because He loved us first", but those who hate Him, do so not because He hated them first, but because of the free will He gave to humanity. Please explain?
 
Well, if the first statement is true "We love God because He loved us first"  then the second cannot be true "they hate him because of the free will He gave to humanity. "  and if the second is true "they hate him because of the free will He gave to humanity. "  then the first must be false. 
 
It either has to be 
 
"We love God because of the free will He gave to humanity. " and  "they hate him because of the free will He gave to humanity. "
 
Or
 
"We love God because He loved us first, and they hate God because he did not love them."
 
You can't change causes in the middle, Either God is the cause of salvation and destruction, or man is the cause of salvation and destruction. It is commonly believed that God loves everybody.  But if God loves those who shall be destroyed, and God also loves us, then his love cannot be the CAUSE of our loving him.  His love would have nothing to do with our loving him.  Our love for God would be because of freewill, and not because of his love. 
God is indeed light and there is no darkness in him.  But he creates the darkness for his purposes.
 
There are scriptures which we are all familiar with that people have been conditioned to believe indicate God loves every human being.  But that is not the case.  For example, 1Tim2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  But people forget that in the new testament times the Gospel changed from being "for the Jews only"  to being for "all men"  Jews and Greeks, Bond and free, male and female.  All refers to "all kinds" of men as opposed ot "the Jews only"  same thing when it says "God so loved the world"  but only believers recieve eternal life.  And what makes me a believer and someone else not?
 
Now maybe some people don't like my explanation of the "all men" scriptures.  But in my works on the subject I address those scriptures and don not avoid them.  It's like I said before,  we have to deal with ALL the scriptures, not just the ones that paint a familiar picture we are fond of.. I have my conscience to answer to.  I'd like to ask those who disagree with my interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:4 to give me their interpretation of the verses from Romans 9 which support my beliefs.  And when you have both of our interpretations of all the pertinent scriptures, then maybe you can decide for your self whether either or any of us is correct.
 
I would have to go to great length to explain this further, but I cannot type for long periods, moreover I recently recorded a lengthy study addressing most or all of the issues and pertinent scriptures.
 
From my questions or doctrine page, I suggest you listen to
 
Election and Predestination - (a 4 hour study) Two very important words which define our relationship with God.  This is a subject that I have spent a great deal of time considering.  Reconciling the man's perception of autonomy with the biblical facts regarding election and predestination.  
 
Question 10a:
Jesus said Forgive "70 times 7." That's 490 times. Does that mean 491 sins and you're out?
 
(remember that is 490 times PER DAY) And No, That is an hyperbole.  Remember, that passage is not about sinning, it's about forgiveness, What he means is that by making it such a ridiculously high number is that no matter how often a brother sins against us, we should forgive him as often as he says he repents.
 
Question 10b:
 
I think, I know better, but just to be sure. Also, if your bother trespasses you 7 times, in a day, then turn and ask forgiveness 7 times, in the same day, Forgive him all 7 times. If we, who are not as merciful and loving as God, can & are taught to forgive every time, then does God forgive every time if we genuinely repent?
 
Of course he does.  Just keep striving for righteousness.  Remember though, we may mock our brother in saying "I repent"  when we really don't mean it, but God is not mocked.  We can't fool him.  And by that I don't mean that if we do it again we mock him.  What I mean is that he knows if we sincerely want to stop when we say we repent.
 
Question 11:
You also said, referring to Esau, that sometimes repentance is not accepted, no matter how sorrowful or tearful, one is, & no matter how diligent they seek it? But, it's written. Repent & you will be forgiven? I'm confused. Is it because he still didn't believe, but was only sorry because he lost his birth right?
 
I'm going to refer you back to what I said above about willful sinning.  Esau was an example of a willful sinner.  Imaging if you are standing before Antichrist, and let's say you are really hungry,  and he puts a great banquet before you and says, "All you have to do is take and eat my food, and thus you will become my servant."  "What Good is my birthright in Christ, when I'm starving!"  What would we sell out Christ for?  A cigarette?  A glass of wine?  A line of coke?  A woman?  A man?  Some soup?  See how despicable Esau's sin was in the sight of the Lord?  He sold out for soup!  And he knew what he was doing.
 
Like. For example: A man being sorry for cheating on his wife, because now he's in trouble, after being caught by his wife. In other words. Someone being sorry, because they got caught, but not because they're genuinely sorry?

I don't pretend to be able to judge other men's motives.
 
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
 
That word "overtaken"  means caught or apprehended.  I don't know how to tell the difference between someone who is sorry they sinned and someone who is sorry they were caught.  Unless they say so.  But in all other cases, I give people the benefit of the doubt, they can fool me, but they can't fool the Lord. When in doubt, forgive.  Also, believe in the goodness of God which leads you to repentance, and accept that you are forgiven, and move on.
 
I hope these answers were helpful.  If you have further questions feel free to write.  I am at your service.
 
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini

Emailer's First Reply:

----- Original Message -----
From: Emailer #269
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 3:30 AM
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT!

Hi, again, Paul! I'm sorry to write & bother you, again, but it's of GREAT importance. I hope you don't take my comment (Above) & Questions (Below) as an insult, but as me trying to understand. You said you turned away from Arnold Murray because he taught many false doctrines. One of which I know he taught, because I just heard him, last night, was Annihilation. Now, bare with me, most annihilationists use Greek/Hebrew wordplay & always refer to the Strong's dictionary for their findings, but Strong's list Matthew 10:28 as "To devote or give over to Eternal Misery." Sounds like Eternal Torment & not Annihilation. 
The following paragraph is NOT my questions (which are below) but an explanation, you'll need before being able to answer my questions. It's followed by my 4 straightforward questions, below. Since, I know, that  these may be very difficult questions to answer, I ask, with all due respect of your Biblical knowledge, if you don't think your knowledge can 100% accurately answer these questions, I'd ask that you, please, at least, tell me, so that I won't hope for nothing. Not answering me, at all, will make me worry that whoever reads this, & doesn't respond, at all, thinks it's too late for me. I did some very bad things. VERY BAD! Nothing criminal, by law, but against God. 
I have habitual sins of (Lust of the Flesh, Cigarettes & Lying, mostly). Because it seems so hard to fully stop & become perfect, after crying & repenting, last month, I think, it was out of fear, at the time, & not love for God. I don't hate or despise Him, but my fear of hell seems to overshadow my love for Him, lately. Either way, I started much good intention research about how to be saved, but I came across several doctrinal debates. (1) OSAS vs Lordship Salvation vs Predestined - AND - (2) Eternal Torment vs Annihilation. I think, I found, just tonight, for sure, that Annihilation was debunked, but for almost a week, I was hesitantly thinking, if Annihilation were true, & it's so hard to stop sinning & be perfect, that, while not wanting to be annihilated or face Eternal Torment, I could accept annihilation, because it seemed less hard. Now, because I was contemplating accepting Annihilation & because I'm still willfully sinning, after knowing the truth (Hebrews 10:26), is one or both of those sins a point of no return? I pray not! I'm not only changing my mind, now, because I found annihilation debunked, but while I was contemplating it, I was still wanting, trying & researching how to be saved. Also, I fear terribly because my intentions were to warn my loved ones of the truth, to avoid their being burdened with becoming perfect, as I fear it'll be hard for some of them, as it has been for me, but I held off until I could find out which sins were unforgivable, to warn them against ever possibly committing them, after I told them. My fear WAS that I might be separated from them for all eternity, because I knew the truth & would try to change & be saved, & they won't because they won't be strong enough, but now, my fear IS they have a chance & I no longer do, because of still willfully sinning & contemplating, hesitantly, accepting annihilation, which they haven't done. My life, for the past month, has been 24/7 fearing that, any minute, God will take my current life & next thing I know, whether hell is immediate OR after the 1000 years judgement, I'll be swimming in painful fire & being eaten by worms for trillions of years & beyond.
(SO YOU KNOW)
I DO believe in, both, God & Jesus, & always have.
I do want to be saved, but have not, as of right now, been able to fully stop my habitual sins.
I don't want to be condemned, if that's still possible, now.
I don't want to keep sinning, but have been unsuccessful, as of yet, to fully stop.
(QUESTIONS) They may all seem like the same question, but from different angles to firmly understand the truth.
(QUESTION 1) DID I, IN ANY WAY, COMMIT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN(s) in Matthew 12:31-32 / 1 John 2:19 / Hebrews 10:26-31 OR Hebrews 6:6?
In a way, because I was, hesitantly, contemplating accepting Annihilation, only if I couldn't become perfect, is that like blaspheming the Holy Spirit or, in a way, accepting the Mark Of The Beast, by hesitantly wanting to go to hell, only if I wasn't strong enough to be saved, though, I thought hell was annihilation, at the time?
(QUESTION 2) WILLFULLY SINNING AFTER KNOWING THE TRUTH?
Does that mean, you continue in habitual sins, though hesitantly, through habit & temptation, after simply reading the words of Hebrews 10:26, in the Bible? And, after repenting with tears, more out of fear then love, just because the fear is so overwhelming, lately?
(QUESTION 3) UNPARDONABLE SIN?
There are lots of different questions about the Unpardonable sin. Many people fear they've committed it, but don't know for sure. The Bible says, you'll know, for sure, because you'll believe (1 John 1:9) "God is faithful & just &will forgive you." BUT, if you willfully sin after knowing the truth, you'll have "a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." So, does this mean, that since I'm so scared & can't be sure I'm forgiven, that I did go too far?
(QUESTION 4) WHEN IS IT TOO LATE TO BE SAVED?
Not asking this to sin all my life, but to understand when it's TOO LATE. Can you, if you currently know the truth, & fight for the rest of your life, but cannot fully quit sinning, is it too late, before you die, to fully change & be saved? Even a year before you die OR must it be done now? In other words, I've known for a month & haven't fully quit sinning. Is it too late now, likewise, will it be too late if it's a year or a day before I die?
So, by all my info, is it too late for me, now? Have I committed one of these Unpardonable sins? I pray not! Thanks & God bless!

My Second Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Emailer #269
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 1:25 PM
Subject: Re: VERY IMPORTANT!
Hi again Lloyd,   One debate is insufficient to debunk anything.  I recently engaged in a debate with a preacher who believed in that doctrine of ceaseless torment, and most people say that in the end I thoroughly defeated him.   http://oraclesofgod.org/doctrine/hellfiredialog.htm   Defeating one man in a debate does not make anything true.  Listen to my debate and you will see that it is not a good idea to make a hasty decision.
 
You mentioned that if things did not go well for you that you could accept annihilation. But what you need to accept is that God is just and merciful.  You seem to me to be far to paranoid about the negative things you think God is going to do to you.  One of the first things you should have learned as a Christian is that we place or faith and trust in Christ for our salvation.  You seem to me to be filled with mistrust and anxiety.  You have to stop worrying about what bad thing might happen to you and start trusting that your faith in Christ itself is a sign of God's goodness towards you and that he intends more good towards you even to the resurrection of life.   Remember how when the Lord rebuked the disciples when their ship was tossed to and fro in the sea.  Trust the Lord. 
 
I believe I already answered some of your questions in my last letter addressing your 11 questions.  I consider myself at your service in regards to any biblical question you may have, but in a follow up letter it helps if you give the impression that you read my previous response, that way I know what part of what I said needs to be clarified.
 
I'm going to answer your questions, but I'll tell you right now, it will not be likely do you any good.  You need assurances from God directly.  The assurances are in His word, but you have so many conflicting ideas running through your mind that you don't know what to believe. I would advise you to settle on one single idea.  That you will trust God, no matter what, and patiently study and seek then answers you are looking for.  You have to start by trusting God.  It is not of paramount importance to have every question answered.  But it is of paramount importance that you should trust in God, trust in his justice.  God is just.  Just because some scripture lawyer has you in a knot about one doctrine or the other, do not let that shake your faith that God is good and just and that when he brings in the new heaven and earth, there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.
 
(QUESTION 1) DID I, IN ANY WAY, COMMIT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN(s) in Matthew 12:31-32 / 1 John 2:19 / Hebrews 10:26-31 OR Hebrews 6:6?
 
No, and NO. 
 
In a way, because I was, hesitantly, contemplating accepting Annihilation, only if I couldn't become perfect, is that like blaspheming the Holy Spirit or, in a way, accepting the Mark Of The Beast, by hesitantly wanting to go to hell, only if I wasn't strong enough to be saved, though, I thought hell was annihilation, at the time?
 
No, that is not a reasonable line of thinking.  Men have often contemplated annihilation.  Job, for instance.  It was not unpardonable then either. 

OR Hebrews 6:6
 
Hebrews 6:6 requires that you Go very far down the path of Christianity 
 
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, 
Having Tasted the powers of the world to come?  Can you honestly say that you qualify?  I seriously doubt it. This is describing a Christian at a very advance stage of development. 
 
(QUESTION 2) WILLFULLY SINNING AFTER KNOWING THE TRUTH?
Does that mean, you continue in habitual sins, though hesitantly, through habit & temptation, after simply reading the words of Hebrews 10:26, in the Bible?
 
No, it has no reference to habitual sins.  It has reference to willfully turning from Christ to sin.  When Christ talked about forgiving a brother 70x 7 times he did not say "So long as the sins are not habitual."  Almost all sins are habitual. 
 
Hebrews 10 is clearly talking about rejecting the faith completely
 
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
 
Paul is talking about severe departures from the faith.  Not doubt, nor habitual sin, nor any other minor weakness.  He is not talking about something that comes out of weakness but something that is done "willfully"  and despite the Spirit of God.  Willfulness implies knowledge and intent.  As I said last time, you cannot stumble into this sin.
 
You have to come along further in the faith to even qualify for this.
 
I suggest you check out my audio study in Hebrews 6 and Hebrews 10.  http://oraclesofgod.org/studies/58_Hebrews/Hebrews.html

 
(QUESTION 3) UNPARDONABLE SIN?
There are lots of different questions about the Unpardonable sin. Many people fear they've committed it, but don't know for sure. The Bible says, you'll know, for sure, because you'll believe (1 John 1:9) "God is faithful & just &will forgive you." BUT, if you willfully sin after knowing the truth, you'll have "a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." So, does this mean, that since I'm so scared & can't be sure I'm forgiven, that I did go too far?
 
No,  what it means is that those who have gone that far ONLY have that.  That is all that we can offer them. But you still have hope, otherwise you would not even write me,  you would harden your heart against the fear and begin to hate and resent God (as many former Christians have done).  Even though all that is left to them is a fearful looking for of judgment, that does not mean that is what they feel,  what it means is that they can no longer legitimately take hope in Christ, his sacrifice would no longer be effectual towards them.  Just because you are feeling afraid does not mean that you only have fear. 
 
The disciples feared and got over it.  I am confident you will get over it to.  But you have to settle it in your mind that you are Going to look to GOD for your salvation, and stop looking to yourself so much. Thank God your salvation does not depend on you.  You are a miserable sinful Creature, God knows this, having faith in Him does not mean that he now expects you to overcome sin by your own power alone.  he knows you need help, but first things come first, you MUST trust Him.
 
Think of it like this.  There is nothing to be gained from fear. I would rather go to hell trusting God than live my life in misery and fear thinking I was going to be eternally tortured.  So trust God and let him make a fool of you, if that is what is in store for you.  I'd rather be God's fool than a fool after my own fears. 
 
It is important that you stop being afraid, no good can come of it.  You have a lot of misunderstanding of the scriptures, that is why you are asking me questions.  Trust God and seek him and you will find him.   Salvation is not some treacherous road full of pitfalls and technicalities waiting to lure you to your destruction.  God has a mighty arm and a strong hand, and he saves us by his own power. 
(QUESTION 4) WHEN IS IT TOO LATE TO BE SAVED?
Not asking this to sin all my life, but to understand when it's TOO LATE. Can you, if you currently know the truth, & fight for the rest of your life, but cannot fully quit sinning, is it too late, before you die, to fully change & be saved? Even a year before you die OR must it be done now? In other words, I've known for a month & haven't fully quit sinning. Is it too late now, likewise, will it be too late if it's a year or a day before I die?
 
Technically there is no time that is too late to be saved.  What happens to people is that time runs out before they realize it.  They think "I have time"  but then some calamity overtakes them and they do not have the time they think they did.  It is too late to be saved once you are dead.  I do believe that God has ordained that we should obtain the hope salvation in this life and be raised from the dead, either the resurrection of life or the resurrection of damnation. 
 
We need to have a good conscience towards God.  Too often, the fear of eternal torment makes people want to assure themselves of salvation, even when such assurance is unjustified.  They want to keep on sinning, and since eternal torment is so unthinkable, they would rather believe that they can live a life of corruption and sin and still be assured of salvation.  What I mean is that the great fear of eternal torture causes people to create belief systems which give them a feeling of great security even when those feelings of security are completely unwarranted.  They create such apprehension and in order to cure that apprehension they only require it of people that they make a profession of faith and "accept Christ"  After that they are essentially immune to the consequences of minor sins.  I suppose that is not very fair.  But while that is not exactly the teaching, that is the practical result.
 
On the other side, such beliefs also generate situations like yours.  You sincerely want to obey God but have found that you are not very good at it.  In good conscience, you want to obey God and you also know from the scriptures that we OUGHT to obey Christ and not sin.  But the great peril that eternal torment creates generates a much exaggerated sense of danger.   You are only in danger of losing your life, your very soul.  (and I do suggest you listen to that debate I had on Hell linked above).  But your life is what is at stake.  That is still perilous, but not so ridiculously perilous that you would become unable to face the possibility that your salvation might be in doubt.  I doubt myself all the time.  I don't want to die and return to the oblivion from which I was taken. But I am not paralized with fear by the thought that I might not obtain salvation.
 
 I place my trust in God for salvation and seek him give me the power to change my life for the better.  I had many sins that I was embroiled in.  Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes,  and the Lord delivered me.  But since that time I saw that I had other sins and continued to seek the Lord to deliver me from them.  He has continued to help me overcome, and when I look at my progress I can see that God is saving me, even though in moments of frustration I still sometimes use profanity or get unjustly angry. I know that God will help me overcome this, as he helped me overcome sins in the past.  I trust him for that, knowing that my sins were always sufficient cause for my condemnation.  But the blood of Christ is upon me, so I know he is not counting my sins against me, but rather leading and guiding me to righteousness.
 
If you have any further questions,  I am at your service,
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini

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