Christians: Is it hard for you not to fail?

Yes sir, been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. I think where you may have the problem is in your understanding of what is expected of you and what is expected of God. Yes, I came out on the other side with Jesus victorious, not me. It is his work and his righteousness that is the goal score, not ours. People beat themselves up too much with guilt. Sounds like you have the right attitude neighbor, you just need to get rid of the guilt. In most cases we will not stop sinning this side of death. I am not saying to quit trying to do good and stop doing bad, that is what God and common sense would have us do, I am saying stop hating yourself for failing, because that is our pilgrimage. We get back up, don't look back and keep on trucking. Good luck on your journey neighbor.

Yes, I can relate. I find though that when I confess my sin (actually say it out loud to Christ), just like He says we are to do, He is faithful and just and will forgive my/our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, like He said He would. Saying the sin out loud really brings about remorse and helps me face it better.

Now, how do we stop having to keep saying that prayer for the same sin over and over again? He says WITH the temptation there is a way of escape. When I use that escape (whatever it is) I do not fall again so quickly and......I find the sin becomes less and less and less of a temptation.

The key is to use the escape which for me means getting up and physically changing my environment, getting on the phone, doing something to interrupt that temptation (escape). Sin is sin, there is no big or little, black or white sin to God.

We will have trails and tribulations in this world the Word tells us, but it also says, be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. We must not give up, but keep pressing toward the mark (Philippians 3:14)

Yes, I can relate and others would say we are miserable but we have that joy that we can grab a hold of at any given time despite our circumstances. The way to have that victorious Christian life is to succumb to His will and allow Him preeminence in our live. Colossians 1:18. Our lives is a work in process and we are not to go on feelings. Remember that Jesus was a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. He knows the hard trials that we face for He has faced them Himself. When I read of how He called out "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Luke 13:34&35) I think of how sorrowful He was. We have a friend in Jesus that can understand and give us strength to carry on.

We also have to remember that we are a time when darkness has enveloped this world even more so than ever before. There is a change coming and we had better be found watching and praying. God Bless.

I'm not a christian, but i can give you the Islamic point of view in repentance:

1- Whenever you repent you will be accepted

2- every time you repent your sins will be removed.

3- The Prophet stated that God loved the weeping of the repenters in the nights

4- A Hadith states that God tells us that if we don't sin, he will bring new people who sin and repent and beg for his forgiveness, as this is a sign of our slavery under his merciful dominion

5- In Islam there is a high level called "the Repenters" some scholars say it refers to the ones who commit some sins, and then they keep repenting from doing it, even though they did it only once!

peace

If you are really seeking, I'd love to speak more in depth with you to help however I could.

That said, I think you're a little confused. The concept of Christ the Redeemer is to free you from these shackles of doubt, hopelessness, and shame! I worry that your feeling of failure mean that you do not yet know God's Love for you! True Faith brings freedom, joy, and peace -- not fear and worry

Behavior follows (is an effect of) the thought process. Until your thoughts change, until you stop viewing yourself as beneath God's grace and love or as continuing to fail, your behavior cannot change. Do not fall victim into the trap of deceptive pride which tries to pass itself off as humbleness -- piling on your own harsh judgment on yourself is still not listening to God who has already judge you one chosen to be given grace!

Think of it this way: All children make mistakes, often the same mistakes, but only the ones who have been told (and believe) themselves to be "good children" worthy of the love of their parents... have the ability to live up to high expectations (children who have been or believe themselves to be bad or unworthy/ unlovable have lowered their expectations to the point of not being able to achieve great things)

Well my brother in the Lord, If I understand you right you are telling us that you are luke warm, and the bible says he will spue you out of His mouth because you are neather cold or hot. In Revelation chapter 3:verse 16 states 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. in the King James Verson. I also am a Christian and it has been the hardest thing I have ever done to resist the temptations of the devil, But at the same time it is the most rewarding life I have ever lived. Holt on to Jesus with every thing you have. For the bible states only thoese who hold out to the end will make it. Matthew chapter 10 verse 22 states 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. chapter 3 of 1st peter verses 17 : 18 states: 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit So my brother be hot for the Lord so I may see you in heaven some day. Amen

The understanding that we all fall is true. That is why the one time death of Christ was more than enough to cover the sins of man kind. The pure fact that you get convicted is proof that you are not falling into the same things, this time is different. God is in fact loving but just! We all fall short of his glory but the thing you need to consider if actually turning it over to Him.

Don't be so hard on yourself. It's imperative to strive for perfection, but show me the absolute, and i will show you the 'God'. Otherwise, there ain't much point. Don't take your 'bible' too literally, after all, i suspect, it was composed by pious men. And remember, the man who hasn't failed, hasn't lived. Read Mathew: 6, browse a few quotes, (try Einstein to start,) and go and have some fun.

With no disrespect ( & for the purposes of balance) have you not thought of the possibility that god, jesus & paul may not even have existed & these are the people you depend on....speak to some real people & get a life. nothing is perfect & the quicker you realise that the more time you can spend enjoying yourself on this grain of rock we call Earth.

with the sincerest of intention,

E.W

I like your term "cooperate with grace". May I steal it?

Any rightly-aligned Christian knows exactly what you are going through.

Remember back to the times you have encountered the presence of which you speak and focus on those. Reviewing God's track record with you can help immensely.