Current Christians - Why?

[toastface_grillah]

We have a thread for former Christians, asking them why they left the faith, so to balance things out, how about a thread for those who are still Christians. What keeps you grounded; and how/why do you stay in the faith?

 

[Rose of Eden]

What an EXCELLENT thread idea!

Well, I'm going to be perfectly honest, what keeps me grounded and what has kept me in my faith is ONLY God.

I'm so far from perfect. I'm seriously a terrible Christian! So many times I've forgotten all about God and gone on my own merry way or even gone down a dark path or two. Somehow, God always pulls me back. And it's usually the same way: a few quiet whispers that I ignore, then a few tugs in my heart (which I also ignore), and then finally, he speaks to me so loudly and powerfully (usually through some message at church) that my only reaction is to weep, fall at His feet, and fall in love with Jesus all over again. It's almost like God keeps wooing me back to Him.

Perhaps that's not the most helpful answer, but it's true. I'm terrible and not even my faith is kept by my own doing. But God is good and He brings me back every time!

 

[eckhart]

I became addicted to Christianity by forcing myself, I indoctrinated myself and now I can't not believe and keep my faith.
I am too scared of going to hell and love the Lord and my neighbour

 

[Keri]

Even though i'm not a fan of the institution of modern Christianity, I do love God. Too many things have happened in my life that I know He is there and I know the love He has for us. Simply that.

 

[Forge3]

In truth I am the most powerful follower of Christ. But I only speak of love. Hush hush God is love but you will still be judged.

 

[EazyMack]

I'd be a fool to walk away from His love.

 

[Sketcher]

See this. Life's happenings/the way people act does not contradict this. If Jesus rose from the grave, then Christianity is the best explanation for why. I have other, more personal reasons as well. I've met people who were truly and significantly changed after converting, and my own spiritual encounters.

 

[ImperatorWall]

It has nothing to do with me choosing to stay in the faith.

He called me and I follow, I can do nothing else.

 

[StillTryin]

^^I almost feel this exact way. I have no choice. Even when I have strayed and lost all control, he always pulls me back in, like Al Pacino in the The Godfather 3.

God has instilled in me great judgement and that is what keeps me grounded and level-headed. I stay in the faith because I know that is his will and it is good for me; the best thing for me.

 

[jess9450]

I've had good and bad experiences as a Christian, but always felt called back to asking for God's comfort and guidance. Honestly until very recently, I didn't think too much about being a Christian, and now He is constantly on my mind.

I don't know if any of you have experienced this, but I'm finding that my outlook on life has actually turned bleaker than what it used to be before this change in my life, and I'm wondering now if it has anything to with Satan trying to fight to keep me blind to God's direction by giving me very negative and depressing thoughts. I've once or twice wondered if it's all worth it (living a Christian life) if what I seem to be experiencing is so painful. If any of you can relate to this, how did you get through it? I'd really like to hear some advice for this struggle...

 

[Rhamiel]

God has been so good to me for 27 years.
How could I leave Him now?

 

[vanillaicecream]

It has nothing to do with me choosing to stay in the faith.

He called me and I follow, I can do nothing else.

I feel the same way.
Through ups and downs, His love is irresistible.

 

[Nilloc]

God has been so good to me for 27 years.
How could I leave Him now?

Polycarp reference?

 

[Rhamiel]

Polycarp reference?

good catch

 

[MacFall]

I am a Christian for three reasons.

1. Because in Christ I find the only answer to many questions that are important to me. It seems to me that most people who are not Christians do not believe not because they have found different answers, but because they have decided the questions aren't important.

2. Because I choose to believe the evidence (of which there is in fact a great amount) for the truth of the gospels.

3. Because of the changes for the good that Christ has made in my life and in those around me, some of which seemed to be directly in response to that belief.

 

[EazyMack]

I've had good and bad experiences as a Christian, but always felt called back to asking for God's comfort and guidance. Honestly until very recently, I didn't think too much about being a Christian, and now He is constantly on my mind.

I don't know if any of you have experienced this, but I'm finding that my outlook on life has actually turned bleaker than what it used to be before this change in my life, and I'm wondering now if it has anything to with Satan trying to fight to keep me blind to God's direction by giving me very negative and depressing thoughts. I've once or twice wondered if it's all worth it (living a Christian life) if what I seem to be experiencing is so painful. If any of you can relate to this, how did you get through it? I'd really like to hear some advice for this struggle...

Can you elaborate a bit more? What kinds of thoughts? When do you experience them?

Satan has two objectives: The first is to keep you away from Christ. The second is to distract you from your purpose in life (by removing your joy in Christ).

 

[JusTony]

For me personally, to reject or walk away from God is like being lost in a desert , on the brink of death and finding the only oasis in that desert but instead of taking a drink, I walk away.

Some walk away but they eventually come back when they find nothing to quench their thirst. Thankfully the oasis is always there...waiting

 

[Going Merry]

Idk. I almost left my faith. but i dont feel like i belong anywhere else.

for me its not that i dont believe, but when i start thinking god abandoned me, then although i believe 100%, i dont feel like i can stay.

but i dont feel like i belong anywhere else than where i do. it makes me happy really, god captured my heart and i just cant see my self giving my self to any one else like that.

 

[mjere]

There's nothing like it.

I've been born again and fanatical, born again and luke warm, and born again living like a lost person. But when I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and I finally learned about who I was in Christ, I got the A-Z's to the Christian life, and I couldn't believe anyone would pass this up.

I, like most people struggling in the Christian life, had a first encounter with the Lord through salvation, but was living saved and stuck. There's no power, there's no feeling of anointing; and therefore it did feel like a choice. But after my second encounter with the Lord and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I'd rather die than not have God talk to me.

What keeps me hanging onto salvation? I don't know, just thinking about where I used to be when I was lost. Those were some rough days!

The real question is, What keeps me here on earth and wanting to continue living here? I guess there are some people, that are counting on me living a long time here on this earth for their salvation and deliverance, so I keep moving on for them. Plus there are some pretty awesome things waiting for me here in the future, that I'm interested in seeing come to pass. Why not stick around, when I've got eternity to spend in heaven.

 

[Calvinator]

We have a thread for former Christians, asking them why they left the faith, so to balance things out, how about a thread for those who are still Christians. What keeps you grounded; and how/why do you stay in the faith?

For me, it is simply the wisdom found in the words of Jesus and in parts of the Old Testament, and on occasion, when I experience His presence. That's not every day for me, but when it happens, it's usually pretty intense.