Forcing beliefs on Non-Christians

[Elenmar]

Note: Apologies for awkward/strange structure. I have been reading many of what people have posted, but this is my first post.

I suppose I should introduce a few things first. I stumbled upon this forum for a need for someone to talk to and for answers. I'm desperate for answers. My best friend has recently introduced me to Christianity and has given me a Bible, which I am reading right now. It's been almost a month now, and I'm trying to believe, I really am. I can almost feel myself believing more and more each day. I feel indifferent about Jesus, but I'm praying to God a lot more now, and I pray to Him that if Jesus was really the one, for Him to help me believe.

Though I've said what I needed to say to God already, and when I said it, I felt like I could believe it, I cannot call myself a Christian. My whole life I've been so firm in my own beliefs, and now I'm having trouble. I've never had trouble believing in God, but once it comes to Jesus, I'm full of questions and doubts, and I feel terrible asking my friend about it. It's so personal, and I always feel like I sound like I'm arguing, but I just want answers. I don't have many other Christian friends to ask.

While I would like to believe, if only to make my friend happy... I just can't, not before I have found the truth which I can accept and believe. I know the correct answers, but it's so difficult to believe! I'm not even sure I want to anymore... I don't like this. I respect my Christian friends, and if only they would respect me the same way!

I honestly don't want to change the way I live, the way I think, the way in which has worked so well for me all my life (which admittedly, hasn't been so long) but still they're mine. I refuse to give them up so easily. I want to believe for myself, there's too much pressure now... But worst of all, I cannot argue. My friend is pained and trying to convert me because he thinks I will go to hell and he is trying to save me... it changes the situation. I can see he truly believes this and so I want to believe so he feels better, but at the same time I'm a little resentful.

However, he tells me he will never stop trying, and he really cares about me. I know that for sure. I have considered pretending to believe, but I dislike it when people lie like that. There are many of them at my school, where being Christian is "cool". The pressure is getting to me though, I know this is all very twisting back and forth, but my final answer to him was that I would try, so I'm trying, but... all the time while I'm trying, I'm feeling like this is wrong. Like it was never meant to be like this.

I'm really stuck... Sigh... So tempting to pretend to believe, afterall it can do me no harm. I don't know what to do.

Reading over this, it sounds so dramatic. It's not really that serious, I think I just need an outlet for all this. I would appreciate opinions and comments.

 

[Surprised by joy]

Take your time.
God won't force Himself on you, and your friends should not try to do that either. When you're ready, you'll know.
I'll be praying for you.

 

[paolo]

Note: Apologies for awkward/strange structure. I have been reading many of what people have posted, but this is my first post.

I suppose I should introduce a few things first. I stumbled upon this forum for a need for someone to talk to and for answers. I'm desperate for answers. My best friend has recently introduced me to Christianity and has given me a Bible, which I am reading right now. It's been almost a month now, and I'm trying to believe, I really am. I can almost feel myself believing more and more each day. I feel indifferent about Jesus, but I'm praying to God a lot more now, and I pray to Him that if Jesus was really the one, for Him to help me believe.

Though I've said what I needed to say to God already, and when I said it, I felt like I could believe it, I cannot call myself a Christian. My whole life I've been so firm in my own beliefs, and now I'm having trouble. I've never had trouble believing in God, but once it comes to Jesus, I'm full of questions and doubts, and I feel terrible asking my friend about it. It's so personal, and I always feel like I sound like I'm arguing, but I just want answers. I don't have many other Christian friends to ask.

While I would like to believe, if only to make my friend happy... I just can't, not before I have found the truth which I can accept and believe. I know the correct answers, but it's so difficult to believe! I'm not even sure I want to anymore... I don't like this. I respect my Christian friends, and if only they would respect me the same way!

I honestly don't want to change the way I live, the way I think, the way in which has worked so well for me all my life (which admittedly, hasn't been so long) but still they're mine. I refuse to give them up so easily. I want to believe for myself, there's too much pressure now... But worst of all, I cannot argue. My friend is pained and trying to convert me because he thinks I will go to hell and he is trying to save me... it changes the situation. I can see he truly believes this and so I want to believe so he feels better, but at the same time I'm a little resentful.

However, he tells me he will never stop trying, and he really cares about me. I know that for sure. I have considered pretending to believe, but I dislike it when people lie like that. There are many of them at my school, where being Christian is "cool". The pressure is getting to me though, I know this is all very twisting back and forth, but my final answer to him was that I would try, so I'm trying, but... all the time while I'm trying, I'm feeling like this is wrong. Like it was never meant to be like this.

I'm really stuck... Sigh... So tempting to pretend to believe, afterall it can do me no harm. I don't know what to do.

Reading over this, it sounds so dramatic. It's not really that serious, I think I just need an outlet for all this. I would appreciate opinions and comments.

Hi Elenmar this is Paolo writing from Europe,I READ YOUR CRY
AND i CAN SYMPATISE WITH YOU YOU SEEM TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS YOU HOLD DEAR AND ARE AFRAID THAT IF YOU´D COME TO Christ He will then ask you to let go ofém. isn´t right?
And that´s what the struggle begins. correct?
Don´t you think that you have turned the issue the other way around? Forget about the duty and regulation forget about trying to bring the fruit to God.
You don´t bring fruit to be accepted of God, You will eventually bring fruit because you are accepted by God.
As far as Jesus is concerned you have only two alternative to believe about Him,the first is that He was a charlatan the second that He was God. Only a charlatan could have said the extreme things He said... unless those things were true.
Take care
Paolo

 

[devoted daughter]

Take your time.
God won't force Himself on you, and your friends should not try to do that either. When you're ready, you'll know.
I'll be praying for you.

Amen to that!!!

Welcome, Elenmar!
I'm glad that you are here, and I hope that you continue to come back for whatever guidence and support you need. It sounds like you're "hungry", and I hope that you will continue to search, and be prayerful. But don't do it to make someone else happy.
Ask the Lord to open your heart so that you may receive His Spirit. It will help to comfort and guide you, and will help you to know truth.
Remain respectful of your Christian friend's, and pray that you will have patience with them, and patience with yourself . (Matthew 5.43-45,46).

You said, "I honestly don't want to change the way I live, the way I think, the way in which has worked so well for me all my life (which admittedly, hasn't been so long) but still they're mine. I refuse to give them up so easily."

Be open. We only grow and learn from change, but we must show our willingness, and be open to God's plan for us, not our own plan. You don't want to be "stuck", but you "don't want to change"?

Be patient, and prayerful. Keep reading the Bible, for insight, and come here anytime you need for support.
You'll be in my prayers.
God bless
DD

 

[DudeForChrist]

Hey, DudeForChrist here. What kinds of doubts are you having about Jesus? By the way, pretending to believe can be just as hurtful as not believing at all.

 

[ShetlandRose]

People need the Lord. Your friend knows that. And your friend greatly desires for you to receive the Gospel message, salvation, and eternal life. Maybe your friend is trying to evangelize you and his method is not very sensitive. God doesn't want Christians to back unbelievers into corners. But it is the all-wise, all-knowing God who draws people to Himself. It is the Holy Spirit who woos you into His arms and whispers truths to your ears and introduces you to the loving Savior.

Do Christians care about people? Yes. We realize that without Jesus people are lost. Please forgive us our zeal. I hope your friend never does give up praying for you.

 

[DudeForChrist]

If us Christians didn't try to reach the lost, as we call non-believers (Or at least I do...) then we'd be sort of disobeying God. He does not wish that any should perish, no not one of us, because he loves us all and created us all. It is through Jesus Christ, who died for us, that we are able to come to the Father. (Anyone wanna finish this thought, go ahead.)

 

[Elenmar]

Thank you all for your care and time and help. I'm grateful that I've found this forum. I've read what you've said, and it's got me thinking...

Surprised by joy: Thank you... you've said it so simply, but it's comforting.

Paolo: What you said has helped me: "You don´t bring fruit to be accepted of God, You will eventually bring fruit because you are accepted by God." Yes, I realise I've been concentrating too much on all the changes I would have to make...

Devoted Daughter: Thank you for your advice; I will try my best to follow it. I've always wondered a lot about Christianity, and I've decided finally that even if I don't decide that I can believe now, I still have to walk away from this experience a little less ignorant. I find the Bible and this forum very inspiring. I'm currently reading the NIV version of the Bible. You said: "Be open. We only grow and learn from change, but we must show our willingness, and be open to God's plan for us, not our own plan. You don't want to be "stuck", but you "don't want to change"?" I think I was a little unclear... I don't want to be stuck like this halfway, and while I know sooner or later I have to make a decision, I don't want to make it now. I don't want to change... anytime soon. When I say that, I'm aware it could take years and years. I want to read the entire Bible and be clear of all the things that cause me doubt before I make my decision. I do want to believe, but only if I can believe without doubt that I am not doing it for other people...

DudeForChrist: Previously you said, "What kinds of doubts are you having about Jesus? By the way, pretending to believe can be just as hurtful as not believing at all." I'm wondering a lot of things, what I thought only I was confused about, until I read so many other threads and replies here , and I found the answers I was looking for. It's a lot of the common things: the justice of non believers going to heaven and hell, the concept of heaven and hell, and etc. etc... And of course, still, just simply about believing in Jesus, believing that he saved us all. I understand how it is, but it is so hard to believe. I think that people who struggled to convert can understand this. It's defying everything I've ever believed in, and it takes time. And sometimes even time is not enough... Actually, about both being equally harmful, I think pretending to believe is worse. And so for now, I will have to be a formally declared non believer on the outside looking in until one day I might be able to say what I need to say with faith.

Shetland Rose: I know... I know it's out of care and so it is so difficult to push away. "I hope your friend never does give up praying for you." Maybe... I know I would feel terrible if he ever gave up on me, yet I hope if I fail to believe, he will not pressure me. The problem is... I'm certain he has no idea how much pressure this all is. But when he talks of it to me, he looks so sad, that inside of me I am pressuring myself.

No replies are necessary; I know how much time it takes to think up a good response. There are more needy people out there than me. I feel silly already having posted up such a petty problem.

 

[devoted daughter]

Elenmar
For when you're ready,(you did say NIV, right?).
2 Corinthians 8:11
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

truth: (just a few).
1 John 4:6
3 JOHN 1:3
JOHN 8:32, 16:13
2 Corinthians 13:8
2 Timothy 3:17
1 Timothy 2:4

 

[marc]

Dear Elenmar,

I see so much of my old self in you. It took me years to get where I am and to believe that Jesus was truly God. Although your friend means well, I'm glad you won't lie to him or her. I don't know if you were told, but being a christian is far from easy. Trust me I know. I was and still am very independant, and rebellious. But if you are seeking God, and trying to hard to please others, it will only be worse. Politely, if you can, tell your friend that you recieved his message, and to please back off. I spent years feeling like I was banging my head against a wall, and recieving no reply. It's frustrating. And I gave up more times then you can count. But God kept seeking me. That's how much he loves you. You may not believe in him, but he believes in you. Don't become a christian to please your friends. It's so not about that at all. The only thing that matters to God is your relationship to him. Not about whether you attend a church, act nice, carry a Bible for the whole world to see. If you really want to seek advice on how to be a christian, and have really indepth questions about it. Go to several churches. Pick one (I think Calvary Chapel is good, because they are not at all confrontational or religious) and go talk to a pastor. Or feel free to ask my husband or I questions. We won't pressure you at all. If you only knew our backgrounds, you would be shocked that we were even Christians! Backing off now, but please keep praying! He is there, and he does hear you!

With Love,

Marc's wife, Kim

 

[Blessed-one]

for some people, it takes like a second to believe, for others, it takes longer and more roundabouts, but eventually they all come to the same point. Some practical tips with the christian walk, as Marc said, would be to find a church. Often, christians get confused about the meaning of some verses, and instead of seeking help from their pastors, they add their own interpretation. It'd certainly be helpful if you could attend a bible study where there're other christians to read the bible with together. Not only helpful, but enjoyable and edifying as well.

I honestly don't want to change the way I live, the way I think, the way in which has worked so well for me all my life (which admittedly, hasn't been so long) but still they're mine. I refuse to give them up so easily. I want to believe for myself, there's too much pressure now... But worst of all, I cannot argue. My friend is pained and trying to convert me because he thinks I will go to hell and he is trying to save me... it changes the situation. I can see he truly believes this and so I want to believe so he feels better, but at the same time I'm a little resentful.

i do not know what way you're living and won't ask about it. Give the bible some thought and look at the teachings of Jesus carefully. The first evidence of a christian should be a change in behaviour, for the fruits of the spirit are seen in the life of the changing person. If after believing in God, 'A' is still the same as before, then there's something serious afoot. However, we all struggle.. i'm still struggling as well, but you'll understand more once you've actually made the first step: to repent and believe.

but by all means, give yourself and also God much time. Believing is solely a personal matter between you and God.. no one else, and also remember that faith is one crucial element in christianity. If you had any more questions like heaven and hell etc.. you're welcomed to make a separate thread in the 'Questions about Christianity' forum which is.. two forums above this one.

Ask God to help you understand so that you not also know of God from the bible, but experience Him.

 

[Elenmar]

To Devoted Daughter: Thank you, I will go look these up. One thing about the Bible that impresses me is how it is so organized. Of course, that is not the important thing, but it does make it a lot easier to read and discuss.

To Kim: Thank you so much. I find respect in seeing so many strong believers, but new hope from seeing people who are struggling and able to make it just the same.

I see so much of my old self in you. It took me years to get where I am and to believe that Jesus was truly God. Although your friend means well, I'm glad you won't lie to him or her. I don't know if you were told, but being a christian is far from easy. Trust me I know. I was and still am very independant, and rebellious.

Wow, this was just so unexpected... I hope I can one day come to that stage.

Politely, if you can, tell your friend that you recieved his message, and to please back off.

Yeah, I was planning to do that. He doesn't bring up the subject a lot. In fact, now, it is I bringing it up more.

I spent years feeling like I was banging my head against a wall, and recieving no reply. It's frustrating. And I gave up more times then you can count. But God kept seeking me. That's how much he loves you. You may not believe in him, but he believes in you.

I believe in God, and while I think he hears me... this has been bothering me for a while now. You say you used to not recieve a reply, so you mean... you do now? People always refer to it as talking to God, but... I feel like I'm having a one way conversation. Am I abnormal? Are we really supposed to hear Him reply? Or am I taking it too literally? It's confusing. I do feel better afterwards, but that's not really talking, it's what would happen after any form of release.

Don't become a christian to please your friends. It's so not about that at all. The only thing that matters to God is your relationship to him. Not about whether you attend a church, act nice, carry a Bible for the whole world to see.

That's exactly how I feel. Even if I do end up believing in Jesus, I don't want to need to go to church or join a youth group or anything like that. In fact... I don't even want to tell anyone except God about my change. But I worry though... How do Christians ever know that they really are? Don't they doubt themselves constantly?

Go to several churches. Pick one (I think Calvary Chapel is good, because they are not at all confrontational or religious) and go talk to a pastor. Or feel free to ask my husband or I questions. We won't pressure you at all. If you only knew our backgrounds, you would be shocked that we were even Christians! Backing off now, but please keep praying! He is there, and he does hear you!

Sigh... unfortunately, I'm in Taiwan, so I can't go to that church you suggested. However there I do know of a church close to me, the problem with that is that it's a very popular church. I'm pretty sure most of the Christians from my school go there. I'm not ready to face them all yet and run into them. I think I will keep it on a personal level for now at least. I will keep praying.
Haha... thank you. In fact, far from pressuring, it's been relieving to talk to you.


Oh and, although I do direct these to the people who responded to me, feel free to join in anytime. That's why it's posted for anyone to see, instead of messaged.


-Elenmar

 

[Elenmar]

To Blessed-one:

for some people, it takes like a second to believe, for others, it takes longer and more roundabouts, but eventually they all come to the same point. Some practical tips with the christian walk, as Marc said, would be to find a church. Often, christians get confused about the meaning of some verses, and instead of seeking help from their pastors, they add their own interpretation. It'd certainly be helpful if you could attend a bible study where there're other christians to read the bible with together. Not only helpful, but enjoyable and edifying as well.

I do want to talk about it, and that's why I'm here... And I know, I want to go to a church or group like that, but I'm afraid... my school is very small, and once I get into that I think I am asking for more pressure if I get myself into that. There is also a little bit of a problem with transportation. However, about adding my own interpretation, is that so bad? As long as I can agree on the important parts, I also want to keep part of myself... right? It is impossible for all Christians to interpret the Bible exactly the same way. While if I join a Christian group, I might interpret the same way as my group, in the world, we all still have our differences. I'm not sure if I understood you correctly. Don't worry about me; if I am confused, I'm not going to let it go. I like to ask questions and a lot of them. I will search for answers.

The first evidence of a christian should be a change in behaviour, for the fruits of the spirit are seen in the life of the changing person. If after believing in God, 'A' is still the same as before, then there's something serious afoot. However, we all struggle.. i'm still struggling as well, but you'll understand more once you've actually made the first step: to repent and believe.

So... there will be an outward change? I've asked some people though, and most of them don't feel like they've changed in behavior, but just inside. I thought it was about feeling more at peace with God. I have made the first step... but I'm almost certain it doesn't count. While I said what I needed to say, and I repeated it over and over, and at the time I felt like I believed it... it felt more like successful brainwashing than truly having faith.

but by all means, give yourself and also God much time. Believing is solely a personal matter between you and God.. no one else, and also remember that faith is one crucial element in christianity. If you had any more questions like heaven and hell etc.. you're welcomed to make a separate thread in the 'Questions about Christianity' forum which is.. two forums above this one.

Ask God to help you understand so that you not also know of God from the bible, but experience Him.

I know... I've decided to prepare myself that this may take quite a while to understand, and maybe... to accept. Thank you for inviting me to the forums. I won't hesitate.

I hope I am not making people worry about me; that was far from my intention. Please try not to, I do pray on my own.

Many thanks~

-Elenmar

P.S. Exams are soon for me, I might not be able to respond as quickly or as thoroughly...

 

[Blessed-one]

uh, you're from Taiwan! i've relatives from Taiwan.. (and it's on my 'must go on holiday' list)

However, about adding my own interpretation, is that so bad? As long as I can agree on the important parts, I also want to keep part of myself... right? It is impossible for all Christians to interpret the Bible exactly the same way.

sorry that i wasn't clear. You do understand that there're churches out there who proclaim Christ but have twisted the scriptures so badly.. like the LDS and WatchTower. What i meant to say was more to the point that if you were not certain about the meaning of some verses, go ask somebody at church.

So... there will be an outward change? I've asked some people though, and most of them don't feel like they've changed in behavior, but just inside.

perhaps not too obvious for those of us who aren't considered as 'really bad' by the world. But yes, definitely inner changes, such as recognising sinful thoughts and being forgiving towards others..
outward changes? that depends on the person. My mother's the type of moms who like hugging me all the time (even though i'm no longer a child) and being.. over protective. Realising that i love her but am not showing it as i should, i'm now more lenient in letting her do what she likes and really try to understand her more and listens to her talk rather than doing my own things.

 

[Elenmar]

Ohh.. I read your response... I agree with inner changes for sure. In fact I like reading the Bible because it's not like I just read it and forget about it. I find myself remembering certain parts at times and trying to be a little kinder or a little more forgiving.

Thank you all so much for your time and help- it went beyond my expectations.
-Elenmar

 

[Claude J Robichaud]

Note: Apologies for awkward/strange structure. I have been reading many of what people have posted, but this is my first post.

I suppose I should introduce a few things first. I stumbled upon this forum for a need for someone to talk to and for answers. I'm desperate for answers. My best friend has recently introduced me to Christianity and has given me a Bible, which I am reading right now. It's been almost a month now, and I'm trying to believe, I really am. I can almost feel myself believing more and more each day. I feel indifferent about Jesus, but I'm praying to God a lot more now, and I pray to Him that if Jesus was really the one, for Him to help me believe.

Though I've said what I needed to say to God already, and when I said it, I felt like I could believe it, I cannot call myself a Christian. My whole life I've been so firm in my own beliefs, and now I'm having trouble. I've never had trouble believing in God, but once it comes to Jesus, I'm full of questions and doubts, and I feel terrible asking my friend about it. It's so personal, and I always feel like I sound like I'm arguing, but I just want answers. I don't have many other Christian friends to ask.

While I would like to believe, if only to make my friend happy... I just can't, not before I have found the truth which I can accept and believe. I know the correct answers, but it's so difficult to believe! I'm not even sure I want to anymore... I don't like this. I respect my Christian friends, and if only they would respect me the same way!

I honestly don't want to change the way I live, the way I think, the way in which has worked so well for me all my life (which admittedly, hasn't been so long) but still they're mine. I refuse to give them up so easily. I want to believe for myself, there's too much pressure now... But worst of all, I cannot argue. My friend is pained and trying to convert me because he thinks I will go to hell and he is trying to save me... it changes the situation. I can see he truly believes this and so I want to believe so he feels better, but at the same time I'm a little resentful.

However, he tells me he will never stop trying, and he really cares about me. I know that for sure. I have considered pretending to believe, but I dislike it when people lie like that. There are many of them at my school, where being Christian is "cool". The pressure is getting to me though, I know this is all very twisting back and forth, but my final answer to him was that I would try, so I'm trying, but... all the time while I'm trying, I'm feeling like this is wrong. Like it was never meant to be like this.

I'm really stuck... Sigh... So tempting to pretend to believe, afterall it can do me no harm. I don't know what to do.

Reading over this, it sounds so dramatic. It's not really that serious, I think I just need an outlet for all this. I would appreciate opinions and comments.

Dear Elanmar

After reading your posting, I felt impressed to reply because I could so well relate to your own experiences in the early stages of my own conversion to Christianity. Before I made a whole hearted decision to walk with God many years ago, I had a basic understanding of God and his son because I had read the Bible. I had also attended church for a short period of time in my teen years. My problem is that I was divided in my interests. I recognized that I had a deep love for God immediately after reading the bible. He did something inside of me that I still can't really describe. It was powerful and it forever changed the way that I viewed him(God), the world around me, and other people.

The problem with me was this, I still loved other things in my life that displeased him. I struggled with these things for many years. Before I got married in my early 20's, I dated many women, went to many parties, and thrived on drunken revellry. After I got married, my wife and I continued to live this way for a few additional years. God impressed upon me his displeasure with my conduct and lifestyle often over that period of time. I knew that I had to make changes but I kept putting them off. I regarded myself as someone who had one foot in heaven and one foot in hell and I knew that I would have to make a firm and decisive decision sooner or later.

One night I was at home reflecting on my life and asked God to help me to change. Over the following few weeks, a series of events occured that brought about a dramatic change in my attitude. Without going in to any detail into what these events were, I'll just say that they had a very humbling effect on me. God needed to bring some bad circumstances my way when I think about it now because I was very loud, proud, and wild and too focused on my life in this world to walk with him. I'm thankful that he did.

The reason that I am telling you all this is to demonstrate to you that Christians really can be at 2 different places at one time - at least in a spiritual sense. It was only when I came to a place in my life that I decided that I was going to give him MY ALL that I began to feel the presence of his Spirit in a powerful way. I got back from work one night and told my wife that I was going to live for God even if it killed me. I can still remamber this clearly. Only a couple of days later, I woke up one morning and there was absolutely nothing inside of me that wanted to acknowledge him let alone walk with him. That's the strange thing about our faulty human natures. We never seem to be quite sure of what we want from one day to the next. This overwhelming feeling that I was dealing with that day was a real test for me. The big question for me that day is well, " what are you going to do?" walk the way you feel like walking or ignore these feelings and walk with me by faith? I can happily tell you that I passed the test that day and other tests that followed.

What I'm saying is this. When you put ALL of your heart into your commitment to walk with Jesus Christ, he will make himself very real to you. It is a very personal commitment however. You can't make this kind of commitment to maintain friendships with other people or any other reason. It has to be because you love him, and trust him, and desire to please him. I can also say that when I went through this short period of testing by God, and proved to him by my determined effort to walk with him that I was serious, that he revealed himself to me in some powerful ways through visions and dreams. He didn't to this to prove to me that he existed. He knew that I already believed in him with all of my heart and that I proved my belief by walking with him in obedience to his word through the good times AND the bad.

In conclusion, I can tell you this, Put aside all of your doubts, embrace him by faith, and purpose with all of your mind and heart that your going to walk with him. I promise you that if you approach him with this attitude of heart, he will make himself very real to you as he did in my own life. One more thing, It's normal for a new Christian to have many questions. Just be patient while searching out the answers. You'll grow in understanding and wisdom and knowledge like we all do or should in the coming years.

God Bless You
I'll be keeping you in my prayers

Copernicus

 

[Bonhoffer]

Elenmar-

I'm glad that you are looking for Jesus. I am certain that he is "the way, the truth and the life" because of the amazing experiences I have had in my life since becoming a Christian.

Realise that although your friend might be going about it the wrong way (if they are putting pressure onto you) it is right that they enocurage you to the faith, because for them not to would be very selfish. This friend sounds like someone who sincerely cares about you. So does God? He had more love for you than anyone/anything else.

The thing to remember about finding God is that it takes time. No-one can force you to beleive, neither can you force yourself to beleive.

If you look at Romans 10:9 you will see that to be saved you need to beleive in your heart. Many people beleive in their heads, but its where your heart is that matters. This usually takes time. But when both you and God are ready it will happen. Tell your friend that you are interested, but need some space. Salvation is between you and God. You need to have your heart in the right place before you can meet with Jesus.

The main thing is not to panic or worry about letting your friend down. You need to let down the barriers to God and to open your heart to him. See if you can get someone whos a full beleiver (other than your friend) to pray with you so that you may receive the Holy Spirit. See if you can find someone who describes themselves as a spirit-filled beleiver.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Elenmar,

If you are of Jewish background as your icon says, you are welcome to post here http://www.christianforums.com/f34 as well, and perhaps find the help you need in regards to Jesus.

 

[Marduk]

Religion shouldn't be awkward or difficult. If you don't feel comfortable in your current faith, maybe it's not the right one for you. I found myself in the same position, which is why I'm no longer a christian.

 

[pastordan]

The cool thing is that you are seeking and God's word says that those who seek they shall find...

God Loves you so much and you were fearfully and wonderfully made...Just call on Him and He will show you great and mighty things that you don;t know!!!!

Welcome!