Dear NoahJD,
When you say, "I feel" forgiven when I am walking in the Spirit," I have a genuine concern about this statement. Because what you are essentially saying is "if I do this or that, I will feel forgiven." Yes, we must walk in the light. But we do it in appreciation and liberty because of what Christ has done for us. Salvation is not dependent upon what we do or even how you feel. If that is the case, your faith is not upon Christ, but your faith is in what you do or how you feel. That is dangerous!
Even if you are doing a righteous thing, as Charles Spurgeon once said, "if, I say, your heart has been so tender towards the poor and the sick and the needy that you would have been willing to suffer with them, to bear all their loathsome diseases, nay, if adding all this you could give your body to be burned, yet if you trusted in any one of these things your damnation would be as sure as though you were thief or drunkard."
Forgiveness will never be found in all that I do, but in Christ, as far as the east is from the west, my sins are gone. Forgiveness will forever be found in what Christ has done. The more you focus on that, the more you will be strengthened and encouraged in your battles against the sins in your life, because the more satisfied you are in Christ, the less you want your sins, and you begin to forsake them for the One who is Highest in His glory. I encourage you Brother, not to even trust in the changes that the Holy Spirit has worked in your life or how you walk, just simply look to Christ. There is repentance, faith, victory, holiness, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control In Christ Alone!
God help us all.....
Your Joyful Servant in Jesus' Name,
- Michael Liao _________________ Michael Liao
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