Seeking God With No Luck

thesunisout

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In theory but not practice. I understand the Christian belief that we all need Jesus Christ for salvation, but without believing in God and the words of the Bible, it's a textbook understanding of something that may not be true.

Your conscience will tell you that you have sinned. That you have done things which are morally wrong according to Gods law, things like lying, stealing, adultery and so on. Since you don't know the day of your death what you are facing is entering into eternity without your sins being forgiven. If that happens then you will have to pay for your own sins and the payment for your sins is eternity in hell.

So, these facts should make your need for a Savior clear. Do you think your eternal soul is something you should gamble with? There is only one man who died for your sins so that you can be forgiven, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only guarantee we have of being forgiven for our sins and to be saved and adopted as Gods own children. He rose from the dead after being crucified and is alive today. That is why you can pray to Him and ask Him to save you and forgive you, because He is seated at the right hand of God.

The reason God sent Christ is so that we could be saved and be delivered from Gods wrath against sin on judgment day. Please prayerfully consider this and understand your need for salvation.
 
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ml5363

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Thank you all for the references to scripture.



I'm not paraphrasing the Bible in my statement that I've never felt God's presence, and I don't truly believe. I'm trying to believe, but I can't, and I've heard it said before that believing in God "just feels right" or that they believed after feeling God's presence or intervention. I don't need God to speak to me, but I can't believe in something without reason, if that makes sense.



I'll clarify regarding baptism. I was baptized as an infant - my mother was raised in the church, but we never attended far into our childhood. In the protestant churches that I have been to more recently, baptism is a choice as an adult, and is always preceded by a statement of faith - that you believe in God and Jesus. I feel dishonest in making this statement, because I don't believe. One church that I attended for a couple of years told me that they required all members to be baptized as an adult, and that I would need to be baptized again to apply for formal membership. Most ministers and pastors that I have spoken to have told me that I should not seek out adult baptism until I can make such a statement of faith.



Not sure what you mean by Gen atheists. Generally? I have heard it said that I should seek a personal relationship with God, but I don't know how to do that.



Thank you. I guess I've just seen so little return for the amount of my heart I've put in my efforts, and I don't know if I can continue like this without reason. It's exhausting. I feel like I don't belong at church, or in small groups or studies.[/QUOTE

Do you pray/ talk to God? Some of my most intimate moments with Him, has been when I am alone in prayer, just looking at the beautiful day, or just riding my mower and singing....a relationship us just that talking to him...on another note, maybe you are just over thinking everything at church...go and be...also have you attended aloud, spit throwing, iron lung preacher, that preaches heaven is real and he'll is hot?
 
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Elle12

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Your conscience will tell you that you have sinned. That you have done things which are morally wrong according to Gods law, things like lying, stealing, adultery and so on. Since you don't know the day of your death what you are facing is entering into eternity without your sins being forgiven. If that happens then you will have to pay for your own sins and the payment for your sins is eternity in hell.

So, these facts should make your need for a Savior clear. Do you think your eternal soul is something you should gamble with? There is only one man who died for your sins so that you can be forgiven, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only guarantee we have of being forgiven for our sins and to be saved and adopted as Gods own children. He rose from the dead after being crucified and is alive today. That is why you can pray to Him and ask Him to save you and forgive you, because He is seated at the right hand of God.

The reason God sent Christ is so that we could be saved and be delivered from Gods wrath against sin on judgment day. Please prayerfully consider this and understand your need for salvation.

I understand this in theory, but in practicality, I don't and have no reason to believe in what the Bible says about Jesus, let alone believe in heaven and hell. My conscience doesn't tell me I've sinned, so much as it does tell me which of my actions and thoughts are against the morals I've learned and been taught, but not necessarily those sins as are identified in scripture.
 
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FireDragon76

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You cannot believe through your own strength, and that's what you are trying to do. I think if you stop fighting it so much, you will find that you do indeed believe. Faith isn't necessarily the heavens opening up. Sometimes it's a very quiet thing. And even for mature Christians, our experience of our own faith is full of ambiguity, if we are honest.

I would recommend finding a good Lutheran pastor and talking to him about your concerns, just because I believe he or she may be able to help you. You're looking for some kind of internal experience when what you should be looking for is something external to yourself.
 
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shivascrush

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Hello all, new to the forum and apologies if this belongs elsewhere - please move or delete it, if so. I've been earnestly seeking God for the last four years, and don't know where to turn at this point. I was not raised in the church, but have attended multiple churches since college and I'm striving to find something that points to God. I know that I'm a skeptical person at heart, and I want to believe, but I don't know how. I can't find anything to believe in the "proof" that people try to show me. Worship is most of the music I listen to, I read and listen to the Bible every day, I have tried to research the scientific evidence for God, the archaeological evidence for Jesus, the theological evidence of the Bible, I have tried weekly Bible studies and other groups, I attend church regularly, but I feel nothing. I have never felt God's presence in my life. I have never found a reason to believe. I have come far from where I started, but it feels like I've been stuck in the same place for the last eighteen months or so. I've met with three ministers and still meet with a minister friend of mine every week, and though I love him, he admits freely that he has no answers for me in my lack of belief. I've been told by some that I need to stop trying so hard, and let it come to me, but I don't fully understand that. Stop reading the Bible? Stop attending church? I don't understand how that is supposed to help. I've been told that this is God testing me, or preparing me, or that this will make me value my faith when it does come, but I don't understand that, either, especially when I feel so close to just throwing the towel in and calling it a day. I'm trying so hard not to give up and to keep striving, keep searching, keep reading, but it's so hard. I've been going to church for five years but I still can't call myself a Christian. I attend church events and outreach, but I'm still "other" because I don't believe. People tell me that I should just call myself Christian and get baptized, but I can't honestly say that I believe in God and that Jesus died for my sins. I'm in this limbo that I can't overcome on my own, and I can't see a reason why a God that wants me to believe in Him won't give me the ability to believe. When I talk to non-Christians, they ask why I'm stilll looking. If there was a God, wouldn't He have shown Himself to me? And I can't answer them, I don't know why I'm still looking. Logic dictates I should probably give up. And when I open up to Christians that I know about this, they get afraid because I've done everything right in their eyes, I've taken all the steps, and they've never seen it "take this long". The fact that I still haven't been graced with the gift of faith rocks their own faith, and they're not comfortable talking about it when they hit that point. Even other agnostics/atheists turned Christians can't seem to relate to me. Most of their testimonies are to sudden realizations, or life experiences, or just a gradually sense of it "feeling right," but I haven't met anyone who sought as long as I have been seeking. I want to find God, so badly, but I can't.

I'm sorry for the long post, and I apologize ahead of time. I don't know what I'm trying to gain by posting - I think I already know that there's nothing anyone can say to give me faith. I suppose I'm looking for hope, or encouragement, or someone to tell me that they've been here.
Belief is exactly what it is, a mechanism for dealing with gap's in our understanding. I stand on the reasoning that I can't know if God exists, because it will ruin the suprise.
 
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FIRESTORM314

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You indicated that you have not been baptized. And that is why you have no faith. Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit of God, when you're baptized and receive a laying on of hands then you can receieve the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you read the bible then you should know that you must be baptized first.

Jesus was baptized and then the Holy Spirit descended on Him Matthew 3:16. And many of the people experienced the Holy Spirit after receiving the laying on of hands after the baptism. Being baptized is doing your part to seek out God.

Read these sections: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, but you should read all of chapter 12 :)

Also the laying on of hands: Hebrews 6:2, again you should read the surrounding passages :)

I received the Holy Spirit before getting baptised;)
 
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thesunisout

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I understand this in theory, but in practicality, I don't and have no reason to believe in what the Bible says about Jesus, let alone believe in heaven and hell. My conscience doesn't tell me I've sinned, so much as it does tell me which of my actions and thoughts are against the morals I've learned and been taught, but not necessarily those sins as are identified in scripture.

Well, you say no reason but the scripture says God has made it evident to you. The scripture also teaches that God has given you a conscience to know right from wrong. Jesus taught us that if we hate anyone we have committed murder in our hearts and if we lust after someone we are committing adultery in our hearts. We've all broken Gods laws.

What would we see if all of your thoughts and imaginations were recorded and put up on a screen for the public to look at? You need to understand that God sees all of it. He has seen you break his laws and He wants you to turn from those things and surrender to His Son Jesus.

God has and will show you these things, if you are willing to believe Him. If you refuse to trust God and reject His Son then you are heading for a judgment. We all have two choices when it comes to Gods judgment. We can choose to let Jesus pay for our sins, or we can choose to pay for them ourselves. If you reject Jesus, you are rejecting your own mercy and that is why I am telling you this. Please prayerfully consider what I am saying. Pray and ask the Lord Jesus if what I am saying is true because it is true and I feel an urgency from the Lord to tell you this.
 
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AACJ

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What is it about my situation that you find improbable?
It is improbable, given God's revelation of Himself in His creation and ongoing work in the world, that you have sought and found--apparently...nothing?

Let's look at some of your statements and then compare them with God's Word.

"I've been earnestly seeking God for the last four years, and don't know where to turn at this point..."

"I have never found a reason to believe..."

"I can't see a reason why a God that wants me to believe in Him won't give me the ability to believe."

"And when I open up to Christians that I know about this, they get afraid because I've done everything right in their eyes, I've taken all the steps, and they've never seen it "take this long."

"I want to find God, so badly, but I can't."

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:19-20).

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).


And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:9).







 
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ThievingMagpie

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It is improbable, given God's revelation of Himself in His creation and ongoing work in the world, that you have sought and found--apparently...nothing?

Let's look at some of your statements and then compare them with God's Word.

"I've been earnestly seeking God for the last four years, and don't know where to turn at this point..."

"I have never found a reason to believe..."

"I can't see a reason why a God that wants me to believe in Him won't give me the ability to believe."

"And when I open up to Christians that I know about this, they get afraid because I've done everything right in their eyes, I've taken all the steps, and they've never seen it "take this long."

"I want to find God, so badly, but I can't."

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:19-20).

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).


And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:9).







Edit: I wasnt aware only Christians could respond here, please feel free to delete my post.


Hi AACJ, I'm afraid the bible is wrong on those points. A lot of us see beauty in the world, maybe even traces of the numinous, but have no reason to believe any of it is sourced from a God, nor that a God exists at all.

OP, advice from someone who's been where you are - relax. Live your life honestly and be true to the way you feel, you will lead yourself to the right place for you. That may be Christianity, that may be something personal. Either way you cant force yourself to believe that which you find personally unbelievable.
 
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Tayla

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I still can't call myself a Christian
Stop trying so hard. According to Calvinism, God calls those he chooses. If you are not called, God has not chosen you. How can anyone resist God's will?
 
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Coady

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Hello all, new to the forum and apologies if this belongs elsewhere - please move or delete it, if so. I've been earnestly seeking God for the last four years, and don't know where to turn at this point. I was not raised in the church, but have attended multiple churches since college and I'm striving to find something that points to God. I know that I'm a skeptical person at heart, and I want to believe, but I don't know how. I can't find anything to believe in the "proof" that people try to show me. Worship is most of the music I listen to, I read and listen to the Bible every day, I have tried to research the scientific evidence for God, the archaeological evidence for Jesus, the theological evidence of the Bible, I have tried weekly Bible studies and other groups, I attend church regularly, but I feel nothing. I have never felt God's presence in my life. I have never found a reason to believe. I have come far from where I started, but it feels like I've been stuck in the same place for the last eighteen months or so. I've met with three ministers and still meet with a minister friend of mine every week, and though I love him, he admits freely that he has no answers for me in my lack of belief. I've been told by some that I need to stop trying so hard, and let it come to me, but I don't fully understand that. Stop reading the Bible? Stop attending church? I don't understand how that is supposed to help. I've been told that this is God testing me, or preparing me, or that this will make me value my faith when it does come, but I don't understand that, either, especially when I feel so close to just throwing the towel in and calling it a day. I'm trying so hard not to give up and to keep striving, keep searching, keep reading, but it's so hard. I've been going to church for five years but I still can't call myself a Christian. I attend church events and outreach, but I'm still "other" because I don't believe. People tell me that I should just call myself Christian and get baptized, but I can't honestly say that I believe in God and that Jesus died for my sins. I'm in this limbo that I can't overcome on my own, and I can't see a reason why a God that wants me to believe in Him won't give me the ability to believe. When I talk to non-Christians, they ask why I'm stilll looking. If there was a God, wouldn't He have shown Himself to me? And I can't answer them, I don't know why I'm still looking. Logic dictates I should probably give up. And when I open up to Christians that I know about this, they get afraid because I've done everything right in their eyes, I've taken all the steps, and they've never seen it "take this long". The fact that I still haven't been graced with the gift of faith rocks their own faith, and they're not comfortable talking about it when they hit that point. Even other agnostics/atheists turned Christians can't seem to relate to me. Most of their testimonies are to sudden realizations, or life experiences, or just a gradually sense of it "feeling right," but I haven't met anyone who sought as long as I have been seeking. I want to find God, so badly, but I can't.

I'm sorry for the long post, and I apologize ahead of time. I don't know what I'm trying to gain by posting - I think I already know that there's nothing anyone can say to give me faith. I suppose I'm looking for hope, or encouragement, or someone to tell me that they've been here.


Hi Elle12,

From all the responses you’ve received it can be overwhelming to be sure. As one human being to another we can sympathize with your journey and feel the pain of your struggle. I was just thinking of the man lying at the pool of Bethesda who had been there for thirty eight years. The bible says that Jesus knew that he had been a long time in that shape. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jesus had seen him there when he went up with Joseph and Mary as a child and ended up in the temple hearing and answering questions from the “doctors” of his day. Surely you can imagine how heart broken that guy felt. Every one of us in on a journey and I doubt any one person’s journey is the same. Fortunately for that man Jesus, who had come to seek and to save that which is lost dealt with his situation. Another scripture comes to mind of the time when the Pharisees were getting fed up with Jesus and sent their officer to get him and the guy comes back without Jesus and they ask him “how come?” The guy says: “ never yet spake man as this man.” Scriptures like that resonate. When I hear Jesus’ reply to the guys that tried to trick him into speaking out for or against unpopular taxes and He says “render to Ceasar the things that are Ceasars’ and to God the things that are God’s” I’m hearing a voice coming from a different level. Your journey is unique, I just hope and pray for a happy ending. God bless.
 
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TheSinningServant

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You say, "People tell me that I should just call myself Christian and get baptized, but I can't honestly say that I believe in God and that Jesus died for my sins."

The first step in becoming a Christian is to accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, to admit you are a sinner, and that you believe Christ died for your sins. You admit you need Him in your life.

How do you expect to feel any presence of God if you have not yet accepted His Son into your heart?

You can do all the "right" things: go to church, read the bible daily, listen to Christian music, etc. but in the end this means nothing to God if you have not been saved.

The answer to your issue is simple, either believe or don't. Get down on your knees, ask and beg God to come into your heart, to give you faith and to fill you with the Holy Spirit so you may believe. How can God recognize you as His own if you do not submit to Him and receive Him?

We are not all children of God. It's very simply put in John 3:16 as I'm sure you're aware: "...He gave His one and only Son that for whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life." Only those who believe in Christ as his/her Savior are children of God. Do you want eternal life? Do you want to believe Christ is your Savior?

You say you have studied scientifically, historically, etc. for proof of His existence. What did you find? Did you know that if we were any closer to the sun, we'd burn? If we were any further, we'd freeze. One would think there would have to be a great designer out there. Did you know the creation of earth is described right there in Genesis chapter one--only it is explained differently than how a science book would explain it. Nonetheless, they both state the same phenomenon.

You said you have done all these things that Christians do, but you cannot find it within that you feel like a Christian. That is because you are not a Christian until you accept Christ into your heart.
"If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved." Romans 10:9-10.

You can do all things Christian but until you fully accept Him into your heart, you will always be a wolf in sheep's clothing. You say you feel nothing, well, why not give this a try: ask Him to come into your life, into your heart, to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Tell Him you want to believe His Son is the Savior and you admit that you are a sinner.

I know your issue is that you want to believe but you can't. Is it that you can't, or you plainly won't allow yourself to? Through Christ all things are possible.

In your post, not once did I see that you pray. How can you believe in a God you don't pray to? How can a God know you and let you feel Him if He does not know you? You walk pass His door hoping for Him to notice you, yet why don't you just knock? How can one even attempt to believe in a God if they do not at least pray?

Prayer is the way to the Lord, accepting Christ is the way to heaven and eternal life. Do not be afraid to pray. You don't have to consider yourself a Christian to pray. You can just test the waters and see where praying leads you. Forget church, forget the music, and the study groups. Focus on God and God alone. You don't need those things to feel His presence. They're only there to remind you. But you are not a Christian so you cannot be reminded of something you have not.

Pray, and pray through Christ.

"Dear Lord, I want you in my life. I'm not sure how to go about this. All I know is I feel like I want to believe in You. Please help me to do so. Guide me so I may know how. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so I may learn about you and one day be saved by your Son. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."

This prayer or something similar may help you get started. I have studied, not just "read" the bible for many years. I do not go to church, I am not religious, but spiritual. Christ is my Savior and my God is the almighty. I have faith he exists but I also have evidence as well. I am happy to help if you have any questions. Good luck.
 
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AACJ

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Edit: I wasnt aware only Christians could respond here, please feel free to delete my post.

Hi AACJ, I'm afraid the bible is wrong on those points. A lot of us see beauty in the world, maybe even traces of the numinous, but have no reason to believe any of it is sourced from a God, nor that a God exists at all.

OP, advice from someone who's been where you are - relax. Live your life honestly and be true to the way you feel, you will lead yourself to the right place for you. That may be Christianity, that may be something personal. Either way you cant force yourself to believe that which you find personally unbelievable.
I think non-Christians can post here.
 
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AACJ

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Edit: I wasnt aware only Christians could respond here, please feel free to delete my post.

Hi AACJ, I'm afraid the bible is wrong on those points. A lot of us see beauty in the world, maybe even traces of the numinous, but have no reason to believe any of it is sourced from a God, nor that a God exists at all.

OP, advice from someone who's been where you are - relax. Live your life honestly and be true to the way you feel, you will lead yourself to the right place for you. That may be Christianity, that may be something personal. Either way you cant force yourself to believe that which you find personally unbelievable.
Humanist? As in secular humanist?
 
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Corinthi

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I can share how it happened for me:

Well I always believed in a Jesus. And somehow knew He was real, deep down. But first I received a testimony of evil and the devil. And then I knew God must exist. Then I started attending church and seeking God to escape the devil. Years later God spoke to me in the Holy Spirit and filled me with unearthly Love and Peace that lasted for hours. Since then He was spoken to me twice, the same way, years apart. Now I cannot deny that God exists. There was one other time that He spoke to me in power and glory.

I think the Holy Spirit must speak to you or an unholy one for you to know there is a God. They must show you and prove to you they exist. That said I would not suggest seeking anything unholy as it can be terrifying really. We get people like that here sometimes.

I don't know about your baptism as an infant. Laying on of hands is where you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit after being baptized.

But good job really, going to church and attempting to believe. Keep up the good work really :) It should come
 
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diana092086

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Hi Elle,
Sorry for this late reply; I just saw it today.
I struggled with "believing in Jesus" for many miserable years. Below is the story of my journey yo Christ. Hope it will encourage you to not give up on God.


I was raised in an Independent Baptist church where every Sunday I heard sermons about sin, heaven & hell, Jesus’ death on the cross, & salvation by believing in Jesus. I heard that I was a sinner, that because of my sin I would spend eternity in hell if I didn’t repent & accept Christ as my savior. I heard that Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins and He would save anyone who accepted Him as their savior. At age 13 I went to the altar at church to be saved and I was led through the scriptures known as the Romans Road; I said a prayer asking Jesus to save me and was baptized shortly thereafter.
Afterwards I did not read the bible; I just went to church. Later, as a young adult, I began to have doubts about my salvation which eventually led to a life of uncertainty, fear, & misery. I doubted my salvation because I did not understand how God would save someone just for saying a prayer “in Jesus' name” and being baptized. I was confused about all the teaching I had heard growing up in a church. I was confused about God & the bible. I did not understand the meaning of “believing” in Jesus. I did not know what to believe or how to believe. One bible verse that I had trouble understanding was Romans 10:13. I would call on the name of the Lord many times, but could not find any assurance that He heard me. My confusion led me to question if any of it was true or if God even existed. My life was miserable.

I was looking for evidence that would prove to me that the bible is true, that God exists, and that Jesus does really forgive sinners, but there was something missing, a missing link, and I did not know what it was. I needed something to convince me that it was all true. I talked to several Christians & asked a lot of questions, read several books about how to have assurance of salvation, and read several bible salvation tracts. I could not find any answers that convinced me of the truth about any of the teachings I had heard growing up in church. I did the things I heard at church that I thought were necessary to get God to save me like making a public confession of my sin, repenting of my sin, publicly confessing Jesus as my Lord & Savior, promising to follow Him the rest of my life, I tried to make myself have some sense of faith, I said the sinners' prayer over & over begging God to save me, and each time I would find relief from the doubts. But, then our pastor would say in a sermon that to be saved we must really mean business with God, and I would question myself as to whether I really did repent of all my sins, or did I really commit my life to Christ, or did I really believe in Jesus to save me, and the doubts would return. I could not find a lasting assurance of salvation, and I had no peace. I could not concentrate on my job or my family. I was obsessed with a dreadful fear of dying without ever knowing for sure if I had done the right things to get God to save me.

One night, out of a sense of helplessness & desperation, I said a prayer to the God I wasn't sure existed. My prayer was, “God will you show me the truth about believing in Jesus?” Next, I did something I had never done outside of church; I found our family bible, sat down at my kitchen table, and opened the bible to the Book of John, the Gospel of John. I opened the bible to the Gospel of John because I had heard someone say that the Book of John was the best place to find out about Jesus. I did not know what I would find there but I was ready to accept whatever it was if it convinced me that it was real & the truth. As I started to read the Gospel of John I had no idea that my life was about to change forever and that I would soon have a peace that is impossible to explain to anyone who has never experienced that peace for themselves.

Yes, I was desperate to know Jesus as my Savior. I thought I would never know, for sure, that I had found Him or that I had enough faith in Him, or that I had really believed in Him. I was confused about what it all meant, and just wasn't sure about any of it being real. But, the moment I began to read John 1:1 for some reason I was seeing the words of the bible in a different way. I remembered reading the Book of John in Sunday School as a kid where our teacher told us to memorize the first chapter, but it really meant nothing to me back then. But, that night, as I sat at my kitchen table reading that big family bible, the words came to life and something was telling me that I was reading the truth about Jesus. I realized that the missing link I referred earlier was the Holy Spirit showing me the truth that I so desperately needed.

The Holy Spirit opened my blind spiritual eyes so that I could see & understand spiritual truth. That night I found the evidence, the the proof, that completely convinced me that the bible is the Truth, that God is real, and that Jesus does really forgive anyone who earnestly comes to Him for forgiveness. God Himself showed me that He is real.

God saw that I was seeking Him in the way described in the following scripture. Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (KJV)

The Holy Spirit used the following scriptures and several other scriptures to convince me that Jesus is who He said He is, and that He was waiting for me to come to Him.

John 5:39-40, Jesus said to the Pharisees “Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.(KJV)

John 6:37,”All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”(KJV)

John 6:44, “ No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”(KJV)

John 6:45, “ It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”(KJV)

Romans 10:14, “How 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?”(KJV)

Revelations 3:20, “Behold I stand at t he door and knock, and if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me.”(KJV)

That night, as I read the Gospel of John, the Holy Spirit opened my spiritually blind eyes for me and “I got it.” He showed me who Jesus is and what He did for me when He died on the cross to pay for my sins. The Holy Spirit completely convinced me that the Bible is the absolute truth, that God is real, and that Jesus is God who became a man so He could pay the penalty for my sins that I could never pay myself. God showed me how to “believe in Him” as He convinced me that all the things I had heard in church as a kid, and all that I was reading that night were His way of not only saving me from spending eternity in hell, but also is His way to change me now by giving me a new nature. Immediately I forgot about all the things I was doing to get God to save me as my complete trust & confidence literally fell upon Jesus. I wasn't thinking about how much faith I needed to call out to Him. I knew without a doubt that Jesus was waiting for me to come to Him, and I did. The moment the Holy Spirit convinced me & I “got it” was the moment I believed in Jesus. I saw that Romans 10:13 alone was just words without faith, but that together Romans 10:13-14 means that I believe in Jesus before I call on Him. I found myself talking to Jesus as though He was right there in the room with me. I was thanking Him for saving me and asking Him to change me His way, and that He did. That was 40 years ago and today I still have that same peace and assurance that He gave me then.

I will use another scripture here although at that time I knew nothing about it but it helps to explain what actually happened to me that day: Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” God gave me the right kind of faith to believe just like this verse says, it is a gift of God. The faith God gave me was focused on Jesus’ death on the cross, and also believing that Jesus will do what He said He will do in John 6:37, and that’s “saving faith.” The “wrong kind of faith” was focused on myself, on what “I was doing” to try to get God to save me.

I did not find my answer from men. Only when I turned to God through reading His Word and by the convincing power of the Holy Spirit did I find the truth about “believing” in Jesus. IOW the Holy Spirit changed my mind & convinced me; He made it real to me; He removed all doubts from my mind, and He changed me from a doubting unbeliever into a born-again believer who has a total assurance of salvation and a lasting peace.

John

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm struggling to believe myself. I know so, so much truth and facts in my head but can't believe in my heart. I know I'm without the Holy Spirit. I know there's nothing i can do. I'm losing hope. I have two posts on this forum- both pretty recent. They give a lot of detail of my struggles.
 
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redleghunter

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This is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm struggling to believe myself. I know so, so much truth and facts in my head but can't believe in my heart. I know I'm without the Holy Spirit. I know there's nothing i can do. I'm losing hope. I have two posts on this forum- both pretty recent. They give a lot of detail of my struggles.
How much of God’s Story of Redemption and Restoration have you explored?
 
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Theo Barnsley

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Hello all, new to the forum and apologies if this belongs elsewhere - please move or delete it, if so. I've been earnestly seeking God for the last four years, and don't know where to turn at this point. I was not raised in the church, but have attended multiple churches since college and I'm striving to find something that points to God. I know that I'm a skeptical person at heart, and I want to believe, but I don't know how. I can't find anything to believe in the "proof" that people try to show me. Worship is most of the music I listen to, I read and listen to the Bible every day, I have tried to research the scientific evidence for God, the archaeological evidence for Jesus, the theological evidence of the Bible, I have tried weekly Bible studies and other groups, I attend church regularly, but I feel nothing. I have never felt God's presence in my life. I have never found a reason to believe. I have come far from where I started, but it feels like I've been stuck in the same place for the last eighteen months or so. I've met with three ministers and still meet with a minister friend of mine every week, and though I love him, he admits freely that he has no answers for me in my lack of belief. I've been told by some that I need to stop trying so hard, and let it come to me, but I don't fully understand that. Stop reading the Bible? Stop attending church? I don't understand how that is supposed to help. I've been told that this is God testing me, or preparing me, or that this will make me value my faith when it does come, but I don't understand that, either, especially when I feel so close to just throwing the towel in and calling it a day. I'm trying so hard not to give up and to keep striving, keep searching, keep reading, but it's so hard. I've been going to church for five years but I still can't call myself a Christian. I attend church events and outreach, but I'm still "other" because I don't believe. People tell me that I should just call myself Christian and get baptized, but I can't honestly say that I believe in God and that Jesus died for my sins. I'm in this limbo that I can't overcome on my own, and I can't see a reason why a God that wants me to believe in Him won't give me the ability to believe. When I talk to non-Christians, they ask why I'm stilll looking. If there was a God, wouldn't He have shown Himself to me? And I can't answer them, I don't know why I'm still looking. Logic dictates I should probably give up. And when I open up to Christians that I know about this, they get afraid because I've done everything right in their eyes, I've taken all the steps, and they've never seen it "take this long". The fact that I still haven't been graced with the gift of faith rocks their own faith, and they're not comfortable talking about it when they hit that point. Even other agnostics/atheists turned Christians can't seem to relate to me. Most of their testimonies are to sudden realizations, or life experiences, or just a gradually sense of it "feeling right," but I haven't met anyone who sought as long as I have been seeking. I want to find God, so badly, but I can't.

I'm sorry for the long post, and I apologize ahead of time. I don't know what I'm trying to gain by posting - I think I already know that there's nothing anyone can say to give me faith. I suppose I'm looking for hope, or encouragement, or someone to tell me that they've been here.
Hi, I was in the same position as you a no. of years ago. I too really wanted to believe, but felt nothing. I attended church services, & several times went to the front of the church to 'give myself to Christ', however all that happened was that I became extremely depressed. I attended bible classes, yet nothing I was taught in bible class really made any sense to me at all. I always left with more questions than answers.

It was as though a battle was raging in my mind. On the one hand, I wanted to fit in with the Christian friends that I had, & really wanted to believe & have faith like they did. But on the other hand, my logical brain simply could NOT believe all of the religious dogma I was being taught.

I started doing lots & lots of research outside the church, because I realised that the Christian church had no answers. I started reading books, watching you tube video's, & listening to debates. I listened to all sides of the argument, from true believers to atheists, & those in between.

Surprisingly, some of the answers to some of the questions & doubts that I was having came from youtube video's & lectures by Jews for Judaism. Jews for Judaism of course believe in much of the 'Old Testament', however they dont believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

After listening to their arguments, as well as those of Rabbi Tovia Singer, I realised that it is not possible for Jesus to have been the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.

I also realised that the so called prophesies in the Old Testament that are supposed to prophesy Jesus as the Messiah, just dont stack up. They didnt convince me that the Old Testament, or that Judaism as a religion is true, but they did convince me that the Christian religion is based on many false premises.

Since then I have done a lot more research into Christianity, Judaism & Islam, & I no longer feel depressed about not being able to believe. I am now happily Agnostic, & am happy that I have freed myself from the fear & guilt of religion.

Like me, it sounds like you are trying to try too hard to believe in a religion that makes no logical sense, & your logical self is telling you it just isnt true. Maybe you should listen!
 
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diana092086

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How much of God’s Story of Redemption and Restoration have you explored?

That's a good question. I don't know how much I've "explored" it. I know it. So because i know it, when i read it or hear it, i think my heart is hardened or I'm not impressed with it. It's like I'm looking for something new to blow me away. I think i just need to have my eyes opened. Or i need to open my heart but i don't know if i can do that.
 
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redleghunter

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That's a good question. I don't know how much I've "explored" it. I know it. So because i know it, when i read it or hear it, i think my heart is hardened or I'm not impressed with it. It's like I'm looking for something new to blow me away. I think i just need to have my eyes opened. Or i need to open my heart but i don't know if i can do that.
All I can share is the Cross and Empty Tomb blew me away. Still does every day.
 
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