Frustrated

[Freedom2010]

I've been an atheist since middle school and have recently made the decison to become a Christian (I'm 18 now). I want to believe in this religion more than anyhing but as much as I try, I just can't make myself believe this religion deep in my heart. I can offer logical reasons it can be true, and reasons I want it to be true, but I still don't in my heart believe it is true.
I just don't feel Jesus or God or anything. And if I can't see something, I at least want to be able to feel it.
I've done everything I possibly can. I've gone to church with my boyfriend, gotten "saved" (he said he saw a bright light and felt a huge weight lift off his shoulder. I never did- I felt absolutely nothing). I've read almost the entire gospel, pray everyday to God asking him to give me belief, listened to sermons on the internet, listen to Christian music, read inspirational Chrisitan books, etc..
I still don't feel God though. People talk about how much this religion changes them, but I don't feel a single thing. It makes me begin to wonder if God is even real. I just don't want to force myself to belive in something if it isn't true. Does God just enjoy messing with me? How did you all get that feeling of true, genuine belief?

 

[Sketcher]

Belief isn't a feeling, even religious belief. I don't feel the existence of China, but I believe in it, though I've never been there. You can believe in God the same as you can believe in a place you've never been to or you can believe an event that happened according to the newspaper or a history book. You simply do or don't, based on how convincing the information about it is to you.

Now, sometimes believers are blessed with feelings. But every believer (except maybe the deathbed conversion people) goes through a time in his life when he doesn't feel God anymore, and wonders if he's still saved. And that is the time when he is to learn the lesson that faith is to be independent of feelings. We as Christians believe that God is who he is, yesterday, today, and forever. It's not as though he became less loving or less honest or less powerful or ceased to exist when we're not feeling him. Either God is, or he is not. Either Jesus came to Earth, died for our sins, and rose from the grave, or he didn't. Our feelings do not govern these facts. But the facts must govern our faith.

So the question is, why don't you believe it's true?

 

[Bible2]

I just can't make myself believe this religion

God has made it so that people cannot possibly come into faith through their own will (Romans 9:16, John 1:13, 6:44) or through their own intellect (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16). Instead, faith can only come as a miraculous gift from God (Ephesians 2:8, John 6:65, 1 Corinthians 3:5, Acts 13:48) as people read the Bible (Romans 10:17), without hardening their hearts against it (Hebrews 3:15).

I still don't feel God though.

Faith is not a feeling. Feelings can be deceptive (Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 28:26).

 

[Dark_Lite]

I've been an atheist since middle school and have recently made the decison to become a Christian (I'm 18 now). I want to believe in this religion more than anyhing but as much as I try, I just can't make myself believe this religion deep in my heart. I can offer logical reasons it can be true, and reasons I want it to be true, but I still don't in my heart believe it is true.
I just don't feel Jesus or God or anything. And if I can't see something, I at least want to be able to feel it.
I've done everything I possibly can. I've gone to church with my boyfriend, gotten "saved" (he said he saw a bright light and felt a huge weight lift off his shoulder. I never did- I felt absolutely nothing). I've read almost the entire gospel, pray everyday to God asking him to give me belief, listened to sermons on the internet, listen to Christian music, read inspirational Chrisitan books, etc..
I still don't feel God though. People talk about how much this religion changes them, but I don't feel a single thing. It makes me begin to wonder if God is even real. I just don't want to force myself to belive in something if it isn't true. Does God just enjoy messing with me? How did you all get that feeling of true, genuine belief?

Based on your other post, you might be approaching this in the wrong way. You should ask yourself why you became deeply interested in Christianity. Is it only because your boyfriend is strongly religious? Or is it because there is something else, something deeper than that? Once you know the answer to that question, you will probably know the answer to your main question.

As for "getting that feeling," people do not have the exact same kinds of religious experiences. For some people, it is more of an intellectual journey. For others, it is an emotional journey. It may be that you are simply not the kind of person who will have an emotionally, "feeling" based journey.

 

[andreha]

Hi there Freedom2010

Have a look at:

(1Co 12:3) Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

This means that no person can believe without the help of the Holy Spirit. So, pray to the Lord, and ask Him to give you His Spirit, and to strengthen your faith.

I've been an atheist since middle school and have recently made the decison to become a Christian (I'm 18 now). I want to believe in this religion more than anyhing but as much as I try, I just can't make myself believe this religion deep in my heart. I can offer logical reasons it can be true, and reasons I want it to be true, but I still don't in my heart believe it is true.
I just don't feel Jesus or God or anything. And if I can't see something, I at least want to be able to feel it.
I've done everything I possibly can. I've gone to church with my boyfriend, gotten "saved" (he said he saw a bright light and felt a huge weight lift off his shoulder. I never did- I felt absolutely nothing). I've read almost the entire gospel, pray everyday to God asking him to give me belief, listened to sermons on the internet, listen to Christian music, read inspirational Chrisitan books, etc..
I still don't feel God though. People talk about how much this religion changes them, but I don't feel a single thing. It makes me begin to wonder if God is even real. I just don't want to force myself to belive in something if it isn't true. Does God just enjoy messing with me? How did you all get that feeling of true, genuine belief?

 

[juvenissun]

I've been an atheist since middle school and have recently made the decison to become a Christian (I'm 18 now). I want to believe in this religion more than anyhing but as much as I try, I just can't make myself believe this religion deep in my heart. I can offer logical reasons it can be true, and reasons I want it to be true, but I still don't in my heart believe it is true.
I just don't feel Jesus or God or anything. And if I can't see something, I at least want to be able to feel it.
I've done everything I possibly can. I've gone to church with my boyfriend, gotten "saved" (he said he saw a bright light and felt a huge weight lift off his shoulder. I never did- I felt absolutely nothing). I've read almost the entire gospel, pray everyday to God asking him to give me belief, listened to sermons on the internet, listen to Christian music, read inspirational Chrisitan books, etc..
I still don't feel God though. People talk about how much this religion changes them, but I don't feel a single thing. It makes me begin to wonder if God is even real. I just don't want to force myself to belive in something if it isn't true. Does God just enjoy messing with me? How did you all get that feeling of true, genuine belief?

One of the symptoms of being a Christian is that you can change other person by saying or doing things for God. In this example, you said you believe. Even you do not feel anything, but God uses you to make your boyfriend unload a big burden. So, who gave this feeling to your boyfriend? You, or God through you?

From this tiny example, you know that God is working through you once you accept Him. At this time, you don't feel much. But after this type of thing happened several more times, you must be able to feel it.

The road of faith is very long. The important thing is that you start to walk on that road. You have started your first step. Keep walking and congratulation.

Be a witness for you. I accepted the Lord when I was 24. I did not feel anything until I was about 45. I might be a rare case. But I am very very thankful that I walked along the road of faith 20 years with no feeling, but did not walk off that road.

 

[juvenissun]

As for "getting that feeling," people do not have the exact same kinds of religious experiences. For some people, it is more of an intellectual journey. For others, it is an emotional journey. It may be that you are simply not the kind of person who will have an emotionally, "feeling" based journey.

Hi, DarkLite. This is my first time visit here. Glad to see you are here too. May God bless your work.

 

[Lukaris]

I also think to submit to Christ is to obey His command of love to God & neighbor (Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 22:35-40) which is how we submit to His will in regard to right thought and action. This brings our conscience in conformity to God since it is God who gave us a conscience but without Him it wallows in confusion between right & wrong. Personally, I feel transformed by this but at the same time I also feel most ordinary & still prone to sin but also to renewal in daily confession to Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-13) before saying the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) in which one prays for themself but also for the salvation and well being of others.

 

[berachah]

Its also good to follow the commandments of the Lord.
...... Accept Jesus Christ into your life, confession of sin, repentence thereof and be baptised. Thereafter seek the spiritual gifts God has promised.
It will all flow therafter. Sometimes we simply have to push in a bit harder, become more desperate for the presence of the Lord. (luke 11:5-13)
Dont be discouraged.

 

[aiki]

I would echo Twisted Sketch's comments here. He's written some very good things in answer to your post.

Peace.

 

[lucaspa]

I've been an atheist since middle school and have recently made the decison to become a Christian (I'm 18 now). I want to believe in this religion more than anyhing but as much as I try, I just can't make myself believe this religion deep in my heart. I can offer logical reasons it can be true, and reasons I want it to be true, but I still don't in my heart believe it is true.

Then be an agnostic for a while.

I just don't feel Jesus or God or anything.

Keep looking. Listen to that "small, still voice" inside you. Most people who eventually have personal experience come to it gradually. They too did not "feel it" for a long time. But eventually they decided that they were dialoguing with a real entity as they were expressing their doubts. When you do get your personal experience, they you will believe "in your heart" that it is true.

How did you all get that feeling of true, genuine belief?

To be honest, I'm not I have it yet.

 

[_JJM]

May I inquire what part you have trouble "believing" in? I find that many people are neutralized because they have a hard time believing in names, dates, places, history, etc. I personally believe in the accuracy of the Scriptures, yet only because the spiritual truth of Jesus is something that I believe in. I "believe" in Jesus, and his truth emanates from a written word. In this way, the Scriptures have become reliable to me.

Do you believe that Jesus is Lord?

 

[salida]

Its not all about feelings and instant satisfaction. We live in a society where we want quick response times. Faith is like a spiritual muscle-it must be applied first by trusting in God. Have you asked the Holy Spirit into your life and to help your faith grow? Sometimes it will grow in baby steps. Have you asked God to change your heart?

Plus, are you familiar with the overwhelming circumstantial evidence of the bible? Visit: www.TheBibleProofBook.com, read The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell, Examine the Evidence by Muncaster (a former athiest), The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (also a former athiest). Other general sources are: www.equip.org (go to the articles to start), christiananswers.net.

The concept of christianity: www.livingwaters.com/good/

More below:

Internal Evidence (prophesies confirmed within bible)
Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen 49:10 - Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Lukes time period 60-70 AD)
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Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5 - Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60 - 70 AD)
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Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14 - Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60 - 70 AD)
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Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 - four kingdoms are described in the interpretation of a dream of
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek - Daniel 8:21, 10:20/and the fourth
great kingdom to follow- part iron and clay-which is the Roman Empire. During this empire Christ came and his church was established.
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Historical Accuracy
The bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events hundreds of years ago and has not
been proven incorrect in any.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents):
New Testament starts - at 25 years between original and first surviving copies
Homer - starts at 500 years
Demosthenes - at 1400 years
Plato - at 1200 years
Caesar - at 1000 years
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Number of Manuscript Copies-New Testament - 5,686/Homer - 643/Demosthenes - 200/
Plato - 7/Caesar -10
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Consistency/Written by God
Written by at least 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years and has no internal inconsistencies.
It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. No other religious book makes such claim.
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External Evidences (prophesies outside bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never built again.
Nineveh - Nahum 1:10, 3:7,15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon - Isaiah 13:1-22
Tyre - Ezekiel 26:1-28
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Bible before Science- He hangs the earth on nothing-Job 26:7/Earth is a sphere-Isaiah 40:22
Air has weight-Job 28:25/Gravity-Job 26:7, Job 38:31-33/Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago; some scholars think 3000 years ago)
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Documents that Prove Bible is True
Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles
Archeological Finds
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

 

[Jpark]

Never mind.