How Can I Follow Christ?

[Leah]

This has been on my mind for a while now, and there's so much I want to ask and things I totally don't understand, but don't know how to put it in words. So I hope my question makes sense.

Is it possible to try to do everything right (according to scripture) with all diligence and seek the Lord with all your heart and not sin all the more??

See, for while, I thought I was doing ok and I was following Christ like He told me to, but I feel like something's missing. Like, He's talking to me, but I dont' know how to be still and listen.

Ya'll understand what I'm trying (as futile as it may be) to say?

 

[icxn]

Take some time off and visit a monastery for a few days. That's what I do.

 

[mysheep]

This has been on my mind for a while now, and there's so much I want to ask and things I totally don't understand, but don't know how to put it in words. So I hope my question makes sense.

Is it possible to try to do everything right (according to scripture) with all diligence and seek the Lord with all your heart and not sin all the more??

See, for while, I thought I was doing ok and I was following Christ like He told me to, but I feel like something's missing. Like, He's talking to me, but I dont' know how to be still and listen.

Ya'll understand what I'm trying (as futile as it may be) to say?

Can I ask you a question or is this a bad time?

 

[HisKid1973]

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to may path. Read, pray/listen get intimate with your Saviour..Be obedient to the Holy Spirit's prompting. Choose life! daily make a concerted effort to walk in the Spirit.. In a nutshell once we commit our lives to Christ we have daily choices to follow Christ or follow our flesh.What we chose shows up as fruits.. What do others see being grown? In the end the results of choices get burned. Your salvation in Christ is secure but the flesh works burn and works for Christ turn to jewels/ gold to honor Him.
PS. Trying to do this in your own power will leads to frustration.. It has to come from Christ in you you hope of glory..Also you can't live on mountain to experiences or in the valleys... Day by day ,one step at a time..Chosing life, choosing Christ in the mundane daily life is where the victorious life comes from..shalom..kim
PSS You will never be completely without sin this side of heaven, but we do have an Abdocate when you do sin. The corruptable flesh will battle us somewhere till we take on our incorruptable body..

 

[mysheep]

Isn't the lamp the commandments?

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;

 

[catlover]

This has been on my mind for a while now, and there's so much I want to ask and things I totally don't understand, but don't know how to put it in words. So I hope my question makes sense.

Is it possible to try to do everything right (according to scripture) with all diligence and seek the Lord with all your heart and not sin all the more??

See, for while, I thought I was doing ok and I was following Christ like He told me to, but I feel like something's missing. Like, He's talking to me, but I dont' know how to be still and listen.

Ya'll understand what I'm trying (as futile as it may be) to say?

Maybe you would like to visit your hospital or nursing home and volunteer there?

 

[HisKid1973]

Isn't the lamp the commandments?

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;

Hmm I didn't think about that verse...That was the verse that popped into my mind.. The commands boil down to two and if you love the Lord with all your heart ,mind and soul and strengh you will be obedient to Him. Thank You .Great blessings to you in you walk with Christ...

 

[mysheep]

How did the commandments come down to only two when this verse was speaking of the ten commandments in the Old Testament, whereas the two was not spoken of when this verse was written?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

This has been on my mind for a while now, and there's so much I want to ask and things I totally don't understand, but don't know how to put it in words. So I hope my question makes sense.

Is it possible to try to do everything right (according to scripture) with all diligence and seek the Lord with all your heart and not sin all the more??

See, for while, I thought I was doing ok and I was following Christ like He told me to, but I feel like something's missing. Like, He's talking to me, but I dont' know how to be still and listen.

Ya'll understand what I'm trying (as futile as it may be) to say?

Stay in the game, but sit on the bench for awhile.

 

[johnd]

This has been on my mind for a while now, and there's so much I want to ask and things I totally don't understand, but don't know how to put it in words. So I hope my question makes sense.

Is it possible to try to do everything right (according to scripture) with all diligence and seek the Lord with all your heart and not sin all the more??

See, for while, I thought I was doing ok and I was following Christ like He told me to, but I feel like something's missing. Like, He's talking to me, but I dont' know how to be still and listen.

Ya'll understand what I'm trying (as futile as it may be) to say?

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

You are tired of prophesying, casting out devils, and doing many wonderful works (i.e. building your house on the sand). You want to know if there is any substance to the faith; the object of out faith (namely Jesus) and can you know and be known by him (building your house upon the rock) rather than being a meaningless number in an endless parade called Christianity.

Am I close to the mark?

If so, what you want is what God wants. If he wanted Christianity to be anything other than a personal relationship between him and his individual disciples / followers, then he didn't need to trouble himself to usher in Christianity because the world is filled to bursting with religions. Judaism was turned into a religion long before Jesus arrived on the scene. He could have left it the way it was if he wanted a religion instead of a relationship.

Sadly, many have turned Christianity into just another religion. They have the basic doctrines right, but there is no tangible object of their faith, no relationship with Christ. Just rote practices, rituals, traditions, and failed attempts to perfect the flesh.

Humankind is an incurable religionist. Wittingly or not, we try to make everything into a religion of sorts. Religion is what God sought to break man of in order to have a relationship.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

You need to realize that anything you try to do on your own just gets in the way of God accomplishing through you what he intended for you to do in ministry (according to your spiritual gift). For every believer is a minister / priest. And it is not about what you did or what you do or will do but about what Jesus has done. And this free you to do your ministry.

You need first of all to rest in his grace. Through Christ's sacrifice on the cross God has provided an everlasting peace between you and him.

A favorite baptism passage comes to mind:

Isaiah 54:8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. 9 “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. 10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

 

[Theophorus]

... but I feel like something's missing. Like, He's talking to me, but I dont' know how to be still and listen.

Ya'll understand what I'm trying (as futile as it may be) to say?

Sometimes God removes grace from us so that we will seek him more fervently. I second icxn's advice, but if that is not possible, here is a way to start to "be still".

say these prayers aloud.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.


Then quietly repeat this prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me

Try not to think too much when doing this. Just allow this summation of the Gospel to be on your lips, then let it fill your mind. Say it a few times, like 30.

Then light a candle and ask for the grace of God to soften your heart as the flame softens the candle.

Then say the prayer again say another 30-60 times. I look at the candle flame to help me escape my own reason and thoughts.


The usefulness of this type of prayer, at least in the beginning is that you do not have to create, or imagine things to say. And rest in the assurance that God will heed our continual petitions as he promised in the scriptures.

Then finish off reading psalm 51.


Just some practical advice.

 

[tall73]

Take some time off and visit a monastery for a few days. That's what I do.

Perhaps I am dense. It never occured to me that monastaries take visitors. Sounds like a great idea.

 

[Theophorus]

Most do. Best "retreat" you can go on.

 

[tall73]

Most do. Best "retreat" you can go on.

Yeah, just found a list of communities online from all faiths.

A lot of them do apparently take visitors.

 

[Leah]

Ok. Thank you for all the advice, guys.

Perhaps the problem is the fact that I try to do everything on my own because that's what I've been accustomed to all my life. And presently, I'm in the process of establishing a financial foundation for myself (and a family one day, maybe), so my mind is preoccupied with that, too. There's so many things I want to achieve and feel like I don't have enough time, brain power (LOL) or patience to do it all. You feel what I'm sayin?

Anyway, I guess I'm one of those christians who try to earn God's favor and love by doing good works rather than allowing my brain (sometimes the brain plays tricks on you. You know, with the whole logic thing and all.) to understand that He truely loves me, no matter what.

I still don't understand how to rest in His grace, you guys. You probably told me already in these posts, but I'm still not quite catching on. Though, I know I'll get it sooner or later.

Thanks again.

 

[mysheep]

Ok. Thank you for all the advice, guys.

Perhaps the problem is the fact that I try to do everything on my own because that's what I've been accustomed to all my life. And presently, I'm in the process of establishing a financial foundation for myself (and a family one day, maybe), so my mind is preoccupied with that, too. There's so many things I want to achieve and feel like I don't have enough time, brain power (LOL) or patience to do it all. You feel what I'm sayin?

Anyway, I guess I'm one of those christians who try to earn God's favor and love by doing good works rather than allowing my brain (sometimes the brain plays tricks on you. You know, with the whole logic thing and all.) to understand that He truely loves me, no matter what.

I still don't understand how to rest in His grace, you guys. You probably told me already in these posts, but I'm still not quite catching on. Though, I know I'll get it sooner or later.

Thanks again.

Yes, I feel what you're sayin Revenger. You're so preoccupied with trying to do everything on your own, but you need to understand how to rest in His grace; is this correct?

Guess What Revenger?
Catch on to this scripture without the tricky logic:

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Psalm 119:21
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

Romans 6:15
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

1 John 3:4
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Matthew 19
17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.


18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.



Thank you again for your time Revenger.