Find the Narrow Gate

Monika Czajkowska
May 24, 2023
26 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Matthew 7:13-14 The Narrow Gate “YOU CAN ENTER GOD’S KINGDOM ONLY THROUGH THE NARROW GATE. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

John 10:9-10 "Yes, I AM THE GATE. THOSE WHO COME IN THROUGH ME WILL BE SAVED. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

I have broken it down into a few important points that will help you get to the bottom of things, make the conscious choice, and do it the right way; ONCE AND FOR ALL. Be assured that I'm not some hypocrite, talking the talk. I walked the walk through the Narrow Gate (read my [Testimony](https://holynationclub.myportfolio.com/testimony)) and this is my "how to." The Gate is indeed very narrow (like an eye of a needle!) and the road is difficult, but possible if your Faith in Jesus Christ is true.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority."

The arrogant and the proud are "too fat" to walk it. GENUINE HUMBLENESS IS A REQUIREMENT and a main ingredient of Faith. God knows the difference between humble and "humble bragging" (pride!), do you? Example:

Luke 18:9-14 Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector "Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Want to be saved? Well then, I have some hard questions for you, and you must answer them.

1. SELF-REFLECTION

Can you look at yourself without blaming others and admit to your own wrongdoing without justifying your actions, and re-writing the history of what happened? God knows what happened. CAN YOU BE BRUTALLY HONEST WITH YOURSELF? (How to: in your mind, look at yourself as if you were another person and do objective criticism)

Here's the thing: God already knows everything you have done in your life, and it's nothing new under the sun, it's all been done before, but you need to give an account and acknowledgment to make your plea with God (He is the Judge), instead of acting like nothing happened, expecting forgiveness as if you're something special or "good enough." You're not that special or that good, but you can't be too coward in admitting it if you want to be saved. Don't be entitled to forgiveness; it's a gift, so you cannot demand it.

Look deep within yourself (not within others), to the darkest corners of your soul, and CALL THINGS OUT. You need to fully accuse and judge yourself. Sin causes guilt and shame, so expect to feel guilty and ashamed. Don't suppress those feelings, but acknowledge them, sit with them, and feel them head on, otherwise they will stay with you forever. If you acknowledge and process those emotions, you won't be as reactive and defensive, but have clarity, more insight, and courage. Your transformation will begin. You'll be like a moth starting its struggle getting out of the cocoon, so don't give up half way through!

Understand this: SIN IS NOT YOU. Sin is a power over you that makes you do wrong, an entity that is possessing you. You are its slave! Satan, who is the LIAR, wants you to believe that it's you, but reject that lie.

John 8:34 "Jesus replied, “I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, everyone who sins is a SLAVE OF SIN."

🚫 Do NOT tell yourself "I am bad." 🚫

👉🏼 Tell yourself "I have done bad." 👈🏼

We all have done bad. On the other hand don't tell yourself "I'm good," either. Instead of labels, focus on your thoughts and actions.

Luke 13:2-3 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, UNLESS YOU REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND TURN TO GOD."

The very point of repentance is asking Jesus Christ to cast all sin out: only He has the power to free you from Sin! He proved it by winning over it on the 3rd day! He is Alive! He takes sin away!

John 8:35-36 "A SLAVE is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU ARE TRULY FREE."

* Many people are determined not to understand what they need to be "set free" from. I'm determined to make it painfully clear: FROM SLAVERY TO SIN => SINFUL NATURE => WRONGDOING. There is no such thing as "holy sinners;" it's an oxymoron. We're all born sinners, but sin needs to DIE in order for a person to become holy, for only a holy person may follow/imitate Jesus Christ, who never sinned. Jesus Christ is the only way out of slavery to sin TO freedom in righteousness.

Isaiah 59:1-2 "Listen! THE LORD'S ARM IS NOT TOO WEAK TO SAVE YOU, NOR HIS EAR TOO DEAF TO HEAR YOU CALL. IT'S YOUR SINS THAT HAVE CUT YOU OFF FROM GOD. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption."

If you find it difficult to see your own faults, do this: make a list of things that you find wrong in others. Then, look at that list, it's your mirror - a projection of what's within you; all the things you don't want to acknowledge in yourself. When you judge others, you are judging yourself. When you live in sin and darkness you cannot discern other people. You must first discern yourself, and this requires honesty. Self-deception leads into more darkness.

Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged."

Anyone who thinks they do not need to change, will never change. Those who think they are "good enough" or even perfect the way they are, have no insight, no ability to self-reflect, are unable to acknowledge their own sinfulness, and will not have any remorse. If that's you - I can't help you; you are your own enemy, a self-deluded fool and a hypocrite.

Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call NOT THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE RIGHTEOUS, BUT THOSE WHO KNOW THEY ARE SINNERS."

*Self-righteous people think they aren't sick, so they don't need a doctor, who in this context is Jesus Christ, the Messiah and the Healer.

1 John 1:10 “If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”

Anyone who knows they are a sinner, but is convinced they will always be sinners – have no faith and can't imagine their lives without sinning. They are content in their sin, and have no desire to part with it. They choose death. They do not believe in God’s power of transformation – being Born Again. They may think they are "born again" because they are "religious." They justify their wrongdoing and feel entitled to Salvation, even though they keep on sinning. They claim they know God and have faith in Jesus Christ, but their sinful actions testify against them. They have no understanding about the meaning of the cross, so they remain slaves to sin and death. If that's you, I can't help you either, for what you believe is false: the "god" you believe doesn't take away sins, but approves of it! Only one creature comes to mind. You probably wear a cross on your neck to "signal your virtue" because you need to control what others to think of you, but it's a deception, and you know it. Anyone who thinks they are saved but continue to sin is lying to themselves, and others.

Jude 4 "I SAY THIS BECAUSE SOME UNGODLY PEOPLE HAVE WORMED THEIR WAY INTO YOUR CHURCHES, SAYING GOD'S MARVELOUS GRACE ALLOWS US TO LIVE IMMORAL LIVES. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

Job 11:10-11 “If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? FOR HE KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE FALSE, AND HE TAKES NOTE OF ALL THEIR SINS."

1 John 3:1-10 “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. EVERYONE WHO SINS IS BREAKING GOD'S LAW, FOR ALL SIN IS CONTRARY TO THE LAW OF GOD. And you know that JESUS CAME TO TAKE AWAY OUR SINS, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will NOT SIN. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family DO NOT make a practice of sinning, BECAUSE GOD’S LIFE IS IN THEM. So THEY CAN’T KEEP ON SINNING, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”

1 John 4:17 "And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world."

Matthew 7:21-23 True Disciples “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. Get away from me, YOU WHO BREAK GOD’S LAWS.’

• DEFINITION OF SIN. Please, read it.

2. FAITH

👉🏼 Do you believe the Messiah's name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God? Not some other, twisted name with "more accurate spelling" or whatnot, but actually JESUS CHRIST? It's important. It is Jesus Christ who saved me and revealed Himself to me. Do not be swayed by human wisdom of those who say otherwise, boasting about their so-called knowledge. Such people can't get themselves to even spell the word GOD correctly.

👉🏼 Do you believe Jesus Christ came from heaven and was born of a virgin as a real human, died on the cross even though He never sinned, and has risen back to life on the 3rd day, to live forever victorious over sin and death?

👉🏼 Do you believe Jesus Christ takes away the sins, has the power to change your heart and remove your sinful nature, so that you would stop sinning by the power of the Holy Spirit, and become like Him?

👉🏼 Do you believe Jesus Christ is ONE with the Father in SPIRIT, present everywhere, seeing and hearing everything, even your own thoughts, and there is absolutely nothing you can hide from Him?

Ephesians 4:10 "And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself."

If NO, then I hope you enjoy the rest of your empty life.

If YES, and if it seems so obvious to believe it; I urge you to spend more time thinking about it.

👉🏼 Do you believe it because it's story you always heard and were taught to agree without question? OR

👉🏼 Do you believe it because you actually questioned it, turned it over in your head, pondered it, debated it, and as a result you concluded that YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEART THAT IT IS TRUE? If it didn't happen two thousand years ago, but now - would you still believe it? Would you go against all unbelievers and mockers, even your own family, leave your comfortable life behind, and give up your possessions to follow Jesus Christ? Or would you be ashamed? Or too in love with the world and what it offers?

YOUR ACTIONS SHOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE

Hebrews 11:6 “And it is IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH. Anyone who wants to come to him MUST believe that God exists and that he rewards those who SINCERELY SEEK HIM.”

3. REJECT THIS EVIL WORLD

The Kingdom of God is NOT of this world. God's promised land, the New Jerusalem, is NOT in the Middle East; it's in the Heavenly realm, which will descend on NEW Earth.

This wicked world we live in is ruled by Satan. Which one is Your home? Spoiler alert; this world will go up in flames, along with all who belong to it. Which do you choose?

John 12:25-26 "Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me."

Revelation 21:1-4 "Then I saw A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

4. FEAR OF THE LORD

Proverbs 9:10 "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment."

👉🏼 You obey the one you fear.

You need to fear God, to be obedient to Him.

If you do not fear God, it's because you DO NOT KNOW HIM!

DO NOT FEAR THE DEVIL. Many do, which is why they remain in slavery to sin; it's foolishness. The Devil is a loser. He is NOT God. He is NOT omnipotent, NOT omnipresent, NOT all-seeing, NOT all-knowing, etc! Those are God's traits; He is supreme over all, including the Devil. The red-faced monster has power only over those who continue to sin! He is their "master," and still, he needs God's permission for everything! But he has absolutely no power over those who are redeemed!

Proverbs 16:6 "Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil."

1 John 2:13 "I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because YOU HAVE WON YOUR BATTLE WITH THE EVIL ONE."

1 John 5:18 "We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them."

John 10:28-30 "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

DO NOT FEAR OTHER PEOPLE, mere mortals! Stop people-pleasing. You do not need their approval. You need God's approval!

John 5:41-44 “Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God."

Luke 12:4-5 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear."

GET TO KNOW GOD

The more you know Him, the more you will fear and want to obey Him, the better off you will be!

I don't see how repentance is possible without understanding who God is and what He can do. It's the fear of what would happen to me if I did not repent that made me turn to God and repent!

Imagine what will happen to you, if you don't repent. Or better yet, ask God to show you.

MOST people believe in a "god" who has only three traits: love, acceptance, and forgiveness. So they have no reason to fear a fluff like that. Their "god" has no standards; it's like a vending machine and their visit to a church building is equivalent to dropping a quarter. In their minds, they are good to go... but they are deluded. I beg you, don't be that narrow-minded. There is so MUCH MORE to God than those three traits!

Hosea 4:6 "My people are being destroyed because THEY DON'T KNOW ME. Since you priests REFUSE TO KNOW ME, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children."

John 17:1-5 "After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began."

John 8:24 "That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

* If what you think you know and believe about God doesn't make you fear and obey Him, then what you "know and believe" is false. As in my next point 👇🏼 - If you call on <false belief> you will get no answer!

5. CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD TO BE SAVED

Romans 10:9-13 "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Openly declare your faith; meaning PUBLICLY. Getting water baptism and declaring your faith in front of the full church of people is ideal place for it. Water baptism shows others that you have turned from your sins to be forgiven (it's not the Holy Spirit baptism, those are separate, explained later). That's how I did it, at one of those "mega churches" with large audience, where I told of my first "hospital testimony:" how God rescued me from life-threatening "thyroid storm," what I came to believe, and why I was getting water baptism that day; to show obedience. (I was "baptized" as a baby in roman catholic church, but it doesn't count)

Matthew 3:13-15 "Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?" But Jesus said, “IT SHOULD BE DONE, FOR WE MUST CARRY OUT ALL THAT GOD REQUIRES." So John agreed to baptize him."

Luke 9:26-27 "If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

And as the Word of God is TRUE, I have seen the Kingdom of God when Jesus Christ revealed Himself and baptized me with the Holy Spirit, years later, and I'm still alive to tell about that unexpected, life-changing event! This is the goal i pray all who read this and act accordingly will also experience!

CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD. This must be done, literally — NOT as a metaphor in your head, or some kind of imaginary agreement. Physically - get on your knees, bow down, and cry out to Jesus Christ to save you, with all your heart! Standing too tall? Again, humble yourself.

It also takes a broken heart, and my heart was shattered. I couldn't stand being in this world any longer, I hated it, I felt trapped, and I wanted an out. Like, right now! At that time, I didn't know I had to do this to be saved. My knowledge of the Bible was very limited. I did it because I was that broken and desperate for God and His rescue. I wanted to crush this whole world with my fists to escape it. I was so desperate that I would not have stopped begging Him, until He answered me and did something.

It's painful and normally I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but for this very purpose - I do!

Psalm 51:16-17 "You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God."

Psalm 116 "I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “PLEASE, LORD, SAVE ME!" How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth! I BELIEVED IN YOU, SO I SAID, "I AM DEEPLY TROUBLED, LORD." IN MY ANXIETY I CRIED OUT TO YOU, “These people are all liars!” What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all his people. The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die. O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains. I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people—in the house of the Lord in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!"

Lamentations 3:55-58 "I CALLED ON YOUR NAME. LORD, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help!” Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.” Lord, you have come to my defense; you have redeemed my life."

How the Lord answered me: not the same day. I cried for awhile until I got exhausted and fell asleep. It was about 2 weeks between my call and His specific guidance to my final and complete repentance. I was missing an understanding about spiritual sins, but Christ my Lord made me understand, so I repented without delay. I also re-gained a memory from (I believe) happened the next day after my initial call (will link it soon).

6. FORGIVENESS

Matthew 6:14-15 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Forgiveness is letting go of resentment and grudges. It may involve going through grief over unmet expectations. Let go of trying to control others; you are not god. Do not expect any acknowledgment or apology from them. Forgiveness doesn't mean you need to reconcile with those who wronged you, especially if they keep wronging you. Forgive them in your heart, and let them go. Unless they are asking for your forgiveness offering genuine apology, they don't need to know about it. If they aren't asking, they aren't bothered, leave it. They are sinners, just like you, who have also done wrong to others. Forgiveness is for your sake, for your own salvation!

You do not absolve the wrong-doers of their sin by forgiving them for what they have done to you. Only God can forgive sins. All sinners must repent, confess, forgive, and show remorse to be forgiven, in the same way; no exception. You can only make yourself do it.

Trust in God's Righteous Judgment, and leave it in His hands.

Revelation 22:12-13 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

You know you have forgiven others if you hope they will also turn from their sins. If you still want to pay evil for their evil, then you have not forgiven them. Remember who the real enemy is; all of us have been captured by it, and all of us have a way out of that captivity through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. It wouldn't be right to want to be freed yourself, but wish for others to be condemned. Hatred is a spiritual sin.

Ephesians 6:12 "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

YOU MUST FORGIVE YOURSELF. After you go through self-reflection and self-judgment, confession of all sin, forgiveness for others, you will then have to forgive yourself which may not be easy. You will know you deserve to die because the wages of sin is death. That's the righteous payment (what we deserve) for our sinful actions.

Forgiveness and Salvation are gifts; not "deserves/payments/wages", so you can never do anything to earn it. You can never be "good enough" to deserve it. Just like the Pharisee in earlier example, who tried to earn salvation by following the law (his works) was disqualified because of his uncircumcised, proud and rotten heart. Following the law doesn't change a heart; only Faith in Jesus Christ does because only Christ can circumcise a heart!

That Pharisee was religious, but faithless.

Jeremiah 9:25 “A time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will punish all those who are circumcised in body but not in spirit—the Egyptians, Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, the people who live in the desert in remote places, and yes, even the people of Judah. And like all these pagan nations, the people of Israel also have uncircumcised hearts.”

*If someone tells you that you need to "earn your gift" then it was never a gift, but a wage.

Romans 4:4-5 "When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners."

Ephesians 2:8 "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

Forgiveness and salvation are GIVEN to those who show FAITH by REPENTANCE. Repentance is not work; it's a change of heart; an act of obedience to God. When done sincerely and thoroughly, it's done only once because something that is nailed to the cross and put to death (sinful nature) should not survive and keep on "living." It should be dead. Only then, can a person be raised to a NEW LIFE with Christ, victorious over sin and death.

In the same way, Jesus Christ did not survive the crucifixion. He DIED and was buried, but God raised Him up on the 3rd day and now He lives forever! It's a blueprint for us to follow - SPIRITUALLY (not physically, not metaphorically). Sinful nature MUST DIE. Faith in Jesus Christ makes it possible. We can never do it without Him. It is a DIVINE INTERVENTION.

People who live in a cycle of sinning-confessing-repenting-sinning again show their sinful nature has never died. They think their ritual is a normal thing. WRONG. It shows lack of Faith and sincerely. What they believe is false.

How to forgive yourself: In the same way as you judged yourself; step outside of yourself, but this time, instead of judging - defend and show mercy. As for me, this was the first time when I realized that I was often set up for failure, and even though I was guilty of many sins, it wasn't always all my fault. I was blind and asleep. I often carried the guilt of others, believing it was mine. I didn't deflect or deny (be careful here, remember forgiveness!). God helped me see the truth, and I saw myself through His Eyes. I felt His compassion and love toward that wretch laying in tears on the floor, and I wanted to hug her. I forgave myself. Right then and there, God filled me with compassionate love for myself, the way He loves me.

Matthew 5:7 "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

7. CONFESSION

When you're ready, go alone in private and close the door behind you. Do not announce it to anyone; don't seek people's approval or permission. Doing so gives them power over you. No one, but God, should have power over you. You should not want their applause; it's your duty. If your faith proves true you will hear a trumpet sound. The Heaven will not only applaud you, but rejoice over you! Then, you will not stop bragging about Christ and what He had done for you! You will have a testimony to tell, and it won't be about you anymore. Until then, zip it.

Hearing the bragging of someone who is always repenting but never changing is like listening to a bad liar; they sound so pious but fail to prove it. Their bragging is never about Jesus Christ, but themselves. Please, don't do that.

1 Corinthians 1:31 "Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

YOU NEED TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL. Cut the cord if you're still emotionally dependent or codependent with anyone, no matter who they are. I'm NOT advising anyone to take a divorce, move out (especially if you're underage), or whatnot, although one of those scenarios may come true later. I mean it in Spiritual sense.

Ephesians 5:31-32 "As the Scriptures say, “A man LEAVES his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one."

At the time of my repentance I lived with a mentally/spiritually sick and controlling person; my mother. I tried to get rid of her for years, and as a single mother myself, I had no other place to go. Once I broke all bond and emotionally detached myself from her, and from other controlling relatives living elsewhere, I repented and turned to God. On the 3rd day I got baptized with the Holy Spirit, and the Light of Christ within me drove her out, effortlessly! I could never do it on my own. It's the power of God at work! That's why I said, "one of those scenarios may come true later." Light drives out the darkness 🙌🏼

Matthew 12:28-29 "BUT IF I AM CASTING OUT DEMONS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS ARRIVED AMONG YOU. For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house."

Meet God exactly where you are; your location or circumstance plays no role. Don't wait for a better time or a better place. Room, bathroom or a closet, it doesn't matter, as long as you're there alone and no one can come in. What matters the most is that you give Jesus Christ your whole HEART and complete TRUST. He will never fail you!

I describe my walk through confession, and events that followed in my TESTIMONY. If you haven't already, please read it as a continuation for this point.

REMORSE AND REGRET

It's a response. You're either sorry for your wrongdoing or you're not. For your sake, I hope your heart isn't too cold and you will find yourself in deep sorrow and grief. Otherwise, what reason would you have to want to change? None.

2 Corinthians 7:10 "For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death."

James 4:6-8 "And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."

THE HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM

This isn't your choice. Yes, you should keep asking God to give you the Holy Spirit, but it is God who makes this decision based on how true your faith is (including repentance). No one knows your heart and mind better than God, for He made you. He will certainly examine and test you. Remember, you're asking for an undeserved GIFT.

Learn more about BAPTISMS

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 "As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation."

DO NOT DELAY! Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Continue in prayer. If you remember something you missed, try again. Try as many times as it takes. It's a battle for your soul! There is nothing more important in this life!

Matthew 16:24-27

"THEN JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, "IF ANY OF YOU WANTS TO BE MY FOLLOWER, YOU MUST GIVE UP YOUR OWN WAY, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds."

May the Lord our God give you grace and peace! ❤️