Can I call myself a Christian? Please help.

God's Word · Jun 28, 2011

Chanya said:
< staff edit > .

< staff edit > < staff edit > . Your burden can be lifted by Jesus Christ. It is a burden of sin. Christ's blood can purge your very conscience, if you'll but turn to Him in earnest. < staff edit > I am praying for you, nonetheless. Farewell.

Lion King · Jun 28, 2011

Chanya said:
Hi guys,

I'm overwhelmed by the response to this thread. It warms my heart that so many of you care, thank you all so much. The responses are so many that I can't address absolutely everything that's been said and asked, but I will try my best. And I will continue to ask God to manifest himself for me and do some more soul searching.

I see that many of you mention that the label is not important, and that the label itself (calling myself a Christian) doesn't make me Christian. I agree. However, the reason why I'm concerned about this is the fact that some of the things I do in my life are Christian things (for example going to Church and singing Christian songs, as I enjoy Gospel music very much) while other things I do in my life are sinful and, like I said, I have doubts about God. This makes me feel like a hypocrite, and I'm overwhelmed by fear that if I continue to do these Christian things while not really being a Christian, and when I die I discover that God really is real, then I'm in for some severe punishment having lived my whole life as a hypocrite taking the Lord's name in my mouth while not really believing in what I say, or sing. Does this make sense?

But then again, stepping into and being part of the secular world, with drinking, cursing and denying God's existence, is not something I am keen to do either. I have no desire to do it, and I also seem to fear God without even knowing if God is real. Does this make sense? This whole crisis scares me beyond words. Once again, thanks for all the replies.

Dear Chanya,

Be glad you still have that "fear" in your heart, it shows that the LORD has not abandoned you and left you to your own devices. God is still there, all you have to do is reach out Him;

"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

All I can advice you at the moment is to pray to God, pray and pray some more but I have to warn you though; be sincere. Do you remember the discussion between Jesus and the father of a boy with demonic possession:

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24

"Lord I do believe, but help me in my unbelief", such simple but yet powerful words. Sincerely do this, and I gurantee to you that you will see great changes in your life. It does not matter what little faith ye have, all that is needed is for you is to believe. Hurry now, and don't waste a moment in your life because once that light runs out.....

God bless.

daydreamergurl15 · Jun 28, 2011

Chanya said:
< staff edit >

Um...I don't think anyone is here to make you feel good about sinning against God. That's between you and God. And if you feel like you need to confession to others and confess and repent to God, that option is always there. I think people are here to tell you that God is real, that He loves you and that He'll forgive you of anything you have done when you repent to Him.

I generally feel sickened by the state the world is in, be it drug use, alcohol, a sexualised society etc. That makes me think I belong in the Christian group.

Don't worry about the world just yet. First get right with God.

I have that feeling of wrong and right according to Christian values, and I'm trying my best to do right. But I'm not perfect.

Why are you trying to do right on your own accord? You have to do it through Christ and the knowledge of God. And since you're doubting their existence right now, I implore you to seek the scriptures, it will guide you.

I'm not sure if I'm a hypocrite for singing Christian songs and pretending to be a Christian when I have the doubts I have and sin like I do, that's what bothers me. Your bible verses only adds to my burden, thanks. Not what I need right now.

Okay...by the definition of a hypocrite you sing one thing but live another. If it makes you feel better to say you're a hypocrite than okay, you're a hypocrite. Do you feel better? What do you do now? Do you lay your burdens to God and give it to Him by seeking Him or do you continue to live in guilt and yet do nothing?

What you need right now is the truth...so seek it, through His word and through prayer.

Oh, btw, you should probably now, that I don't really know how to say things the right way, so if this is offensive...I'm sorry. I only mean it to help you and not criticize you.

MamaZ · Jun 28, 2011

LinuxUser said:
< staff edit >
.

What would Jesus say to this? < staff edit > She needs to come into the arms of Christ and allow Him to clean her up and give her a new heart. Jesus is not ever going to turn her away if she comes to Him. He will never cast her out. Call upon the name of Jesus. He will save, cleanse and hold you close to Him.

daydreamergurl15 · Jun 28, 2011

LinuxUser said:
< staff edit > .

< staff edit > sometimes when someone is going through a doubtful moment, they would seek advice anywhere they can, even if they get the same answers. It's not that they are trolling or that they are seeking something they want to hear, but want to genuinely know their faith and want to see how others have gone through this. Maybe for her, it is a comfort to hear that Christians are saying the same things...she can see a unity in that. So for her, she is searching and maybe it's the right paragraph after the perfect prayer that will help open her eyes. Don't think that she has itching ears to hear what she wants, just understand that she's still searching and know that God said if someone seek, than they will find. Be patient, God is patient with us so let us be patient with each other.

Chanya · Jun 28, 2011

< staff edit > < staff edit >

daydreamergurl15 said:
Maybe for her, it is a comfort to hear that Christians are saying the same things...she can see a unity in that.

This sums up my thoughts perfectly, I think I'm hoping that if enough Christians agree on one thing, then that is really the Christian thing. You get me?

daydreamergurl15 · Jun 28, 2011

Chanya said:
This sums up my thoughts perfectly, I think I'm hoping that if enough Christians agree on one thing, then that is really the Christian thing. You get me?

I think most of us are hoping that you seek to find God, because He exist and He is true and He loves you.

daydreamergurl15 · Jun 28, 2011

Sometimes I think we forget that we don't know each other and it's easier to have misunderstandings. Some times, we don't realize that some things that we say rub people the wrong way or give them a wrong impression of us, but in the end, we are asked to live in peace with each other. Chanya and LinuxUser, I seriously think that you guys should have a private conversation with each other and air out all the misunderstandings. It's easier that way without a lot of commentating from us who are not involved in the conversation.

hedrick · Jun 28, 2011

< staff edit >
She said in the beginning that she knew sexual sin was wrong and was getting married. That is the remedy that Paul advises in such a situation. (1 Cor 7:9) The post wasn't intended to be about sex, but about someone who is at the edge of losing her faith. Is sex really that much of an obsession with everyone?

Jipsah · Jun 28, 2011

Chanya said:
Based on the following, can I at all call myself a Christian? Only serious answers please, since this is something that means a great deal to me and bothers my mind constantly.

No, you can't, at least with any degree of honesty. As a Catholic, you must have confessed the Apostle's and Nicene Creeds. To be a Christian, you have to believe the stuff you confessed in those creeds. You have to actually believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, Who descended into hell, and on the 3rd day rose again from the dead.

You know the rest, or should. The point is, that those are the things that Christians believe, and that make us what we are. It's not about being nice or thinking that Jesus was probably a swell guy. It's about what you believe to be the truth. You have to look at those confessions and say, at least inwardly, "Yep, those are the facts. Water is wet, 2+2=4, the sun rises in the east, water boils at 100 centigrade and freezes at 32 Fahrenheit, God created the Heavens and the earth, and Jesus Christ rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and will come again to judge the living and the dead."

That's what Christians believe, and if you don't, then you aren't one, however many other wonderful things you may be. You may be a genius and a humanitarian, you may be beloved of all and a defender of the downtrodden, and the grateful multitudes may lift their hands in blessing as you pass. But if you don't believe what Christians believe, then you aren't a Christian. It's really as simple as that.

sbvd · Jun 28, 2011

Chanya said:
Hi guys,

I'm overwhelmed by the response to this thread. It warms my heart that so many of you care, thank you all so much. The responses are so many that I can't address absolutely everything that's been said and asked, but I will try my best. And I will continue to ask God to manifest himself for me and do some more soul searching.

I see that many of you mention that the label is not important, and that the label itself (calling myself a Christian) doesn't make me Christian. I agree. However, the reason why I'm concerned about this is the fact that some of the things I do in my life are Christian things (for example going to Church and singing Christian songs, as I enjoy Gospel music very much) while other things I do in my life are sinful and, like I said, I have doubts about God. This makes me feel like a hypocrite, and I'm overwhelmed by fear that if I continue to do these Christian things while not really being a Christian, and when I die I discover that God really is real, then I'm in for some severe punishment having lived my whole life as a hypocrite taking the Lord's name in my mouth while not really believing in what I say, or sing. Does this make sense?

But then again, stepping into and being part of the secular world, with drinking, cursing and denying God's existence, is not something I am keen to do either. I have no desire to do it, and I also seem to fear God without even knowing if God is real. Does this make sense? This whole crisis scares me beyond words. Once again, thanks for all the replies.

Chanya, it's easy to feel like a hypocrite when you are a Christian because Jesus calls us all to sainthood, nothing less. However, we must remember that we are called in Grace. We aren't chosen because we are perfect but because God loves us.

I renew my suggestion that you go and try finding a pastor and a congregation that might help you. But remember it's God who builds the house, not the other way around

sbvd · Jun 28, 2011

hedrick said:
< staff edit >
She said in the beginning that she knew sexual sin was wrong and was getting married. That is the remedy that Paul advises in such a situation. (1 Cor 7:9) The post wasn't intended to be about sex, but about someone who is at the edge of losing her faith. Is sex really that much of an obsession with everyone?

Amen

sdmsanjose · Jun 29, 2011

Quote of Chanya
but I'm not sure if he was the Son of God. Or if God even exists.

IMO this is the first major problem you are having.
The Christian Bible leaves no doubt that Jesus is the Christ the son of God

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Matthew 16:16
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

At this point, on this issue, you are weak and double minded. This is not the unpardonable sin but it is keeping you from peace with God. You need to get help with believing that God and Jesus are who they say they are. As the scriptures say faith cometh by hearing. You should diligently seek all ways to gain faith; prayer, reading the Bible, church, faith building by Christians.

God will do just bout anything to bring your faith back to Him. The fact that you are scared and guilty means that you have a degree of faith. However, this degree of faith will not bring you peace with God. God is very much interested in you overcoming your doubts, fears, guilt, and lack of faith.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Do whatever you have to do to gain faith and confess your sins and let nothing come between your gaining in faith. What shall it profit a person if the gain the whole world and lose his own soul soul?

Chanya · Jun 29, 2011

hedrick said:
< staff edit >
She said in the beginning that she knew sexual sin was wrong and was getting married. That is the remedy that Paul advises in such a situation. (1 Cor 7:9) The post wasn't intended to be about sex, but about someone who is at the edge of losing her faith. Is sex really that much of an obsession with everyone?

I know, it's sad, isn't it? I was actually afraid that was going to happen, what does that tell you about the society we live in.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I will do whatever I can to gain faith, as suggested, but I sincerely don't know where to get it from. The Bible? I'm afraid to pick it up, as I've heard of it ruining people's faith instead of enhancing it. No offense intended to anyone.

Cribstyl · Jun 29, 2011

Chanya said:
I know, it's sad, isn't it? I was actually afraid that was going to happen, what does that tell you about the society we live in.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I will do whatever I can to gain faith, as suggested, but I sincerely don't know where to get it from. The Bible? I'm afraid to pick it up, as I've heard of it ruining people's faith instead of enhancing it. No offense intended to anyone.

You need some tough love along with some guidance. But you should not take Christianity for granted.

We serve a living God that knows you better that you think. Try having a passionate relationship with Him and you'll never be the same. Many of these poster want to help you, < staff edit > .

I was born a Catholic and now I'm not. I've had a personal relationship with God based on faith in His word. Jesus said "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that procedes from the mouth of God."

That text was a eye opener for me because I was sure that 3meals a day was all I needed.

The Catholic Church say; We'll tell you what He says so follow us.
Truth is God never sleeps and Jesus did not stay dead and put someonelse in charge.

As a young woman that have not known the love of God in Christ Jesus, I'm pointing you to His arms for the true love and guidance that you really need.

God bless.

Chanya · Jun 29, 2011

Thanks. < staff edit > I'm addressing what other posters tell me and responding to it, I'm just wondering how, at this stage in my faith, it's possible for me to reach out directly to God. <staff edit > Do you think I'm asking these questions for my own amusement? < staff edit >

Cribstyl · Jun 29, 2011

Chanya said:
Thanks. < staff edit > I'm addressing what other posters tell me and responding to it, I'm just wondering how, at this stage in my faith, it's possible for me to reach out directly to God. <staff edit > Do you think I'm asking these questions for my own amusement? < staff edit >

Christianity is based on faith in what God has declared in His word...Do you believe that? Your response: "The bible I'm afraid to pick it up".

As a mature Christian, I DO CARE, I wanted to share some possible solutions with you, along with some other posters. If you feel the need to go ballistic as if you're a victum, go ahead.

If we're not pointing you to what God is saying in His word, for you to get into the right relationship with Him, we're wasting your time.
I dare you to read a chapter in Romans and Luke everyday. Then when you're done you'll know more about the Christian growth because faith is watered by the word of God.

Cribstyl · Jun 29, 2011

Actually, being here at Christian Forum is a move to know God better, so I applaud you being here (especially this time of night. )It's my prayer that you find what you're looking for in Him.
May God bless you.

sbvd · Jun 29, 2011

Chanya said:
I know, it's sad, isn't it? I was actually afraid that was going to happen, what does that tell you about the society we live in.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I will do whatever I can to gain faith, as suggested, but I sincerely don't know where to get it from. The Bible? I'm afraid to pick it up, as I've heard of it ruining people's faith instead of enhancing it. No offense intended to anyone.

Chanya, let me repeat, you need to study. Try reading Rudolff Otto's "The idea of Holy" that can clarify a lot of things about what the religious experience and faith really is.

Then you need to study about what the Bible is and is not. Try locating some courses for lay people in your diocese or failing that, online. I can't stress how important is to actually grasp the basics of Biblical hermeneutics.

Blueforest · Jun 29, 2011

If you're serious about desiring to know God better, pray and ask Him to reveal Himself more to you. Expect that He will and be attentive to what and how He shows up. It's not complicated, really...

Can I call myself a Christian? Please help.

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