Apathetic

[ColdTurkey]

Why can't I just love and appreciate God like so many do?

I'm in counseling and we've been talking about sin and what it means to me. I'm beginning to think that I don't really care about my sin, that I don't see myself as needing a savior and I don't appreciate Christ's work because of that. I know there's been at least one time when I truly saw myself as a sinner and was thankful to God for what he did, but for the most part it's been a struggle for me. I've always had a hard time worshiping God and appreciating him as a savior instead of one who just gives purpose to life.

So my problem is. . . I'm apathetic about sin and my need for a savior. Right now I feel fine on my own, though I know I shouldn't. I need to feel guilty about my sin. I need to care about it, but I don't know how. Can I force myself to feel convicted?

 

[Johnnz]

You have the wrong focus - sin. It's the wideness of God's purposes, te part we can play in them, and the realisation of his unchanging love for me that creates desire and purpose that really is motivating.

Change your counsellor, get some better teaching and refocus your life. I am enthusiastic for God but not for sin.

John
NZ

 

[Onlythingavailable]

I try to avoid sinning because of several reasons. One is the most obvious, fear of hell and punishment. The fear of hell can't be the only motivator, though, as John pointed out. It's important to realize what sin is, and that sin is basically the cause for all evil in this world. Treat others as you want to be treated. By sinning we add to the world's miserable state. Don't look at sin as some sort of arbitrary rules created by God. Sin really causes evil, both to others and ourselves.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I've learned over the years that sometimes I feel one way, but that doesn't make it truth. Feelings are just feelings. I do understand what you're saying though, and have struggled with wanting to feel more toward God, wanting to feel passionate inside.

I agree with John, that the focus needs to be different. What happens if you just focus on Christ? Let Him convict you of what needs to change in your life. I'm closest to God emotionally when I spend time with Him. I'm furthest from Him emotionally when I skip my time with Him. The more time I spend with Him, the more in my heart and mind He is... and then He convicts me to make the changes that He wants... and then it's something I want to do (although it's really hard many times).

BTW... depression and anxiety can dull the emotions that we want to feel... the other thing is that we can't stay on the mountain experiencing the emotional closeness. I think this is where choice comes in... we choose to do what is right, even when we don't feel like it.

On the bright side, I'm glad you don't like feeling apathetic... it sounds like you're already being convicted some way.

 

[ColdTurkey]

Thanks to everyone who responded.

Hmm, I guess ya'll might be right when you say I'm focusing too much on sin. And I know that there's a bigger purpose and that I need to focus on Christ most of all. The thing is, I've been in a spiritual depression for 4 months and I'm not sure what the problem is. This isn't the first time I've been in a "slump" like this and I'm wondering why I seem to have this problem. Since I've always had trouble appreciating Christ as a savior, I thought that my unstable faith might be because I view my relationship with God the wrong way. Maybe the problem isn't that I don't realize my sin or recognize my need for God (as my original post theorized). But it seems like a valid theory and I don't know what else would be the problem.

 

[madison1101]

I do not believe that we are to go about the Christian life on our feelings. It is not how WE feel about our sin that should matter to us. It is how GOD feels about our sin that should motivate us to seek HIM. My feelings are fickle and should not be trusted. My worst mistakes in my life were made based on how I felt at the time I made them.

Faith is about facts. I believe that Christ died for my sins because HE loves me and wants me to spend eternity with HIM in heaven. How I feel is irrelevant.

I find that the more time I spend in God's Word and prayer, I am more emotional in my response to Him in worship.

I hope this makes sense.