How does one accept Jesus in their heart?

[jimik74]

It is difficult to articulate exactly how I feel about this subject. I am a non believer, but I don't want to dismiss Jesus and God entirely. I need some form of feedback to believe, but am not getting anything. I can not just produce faith without feeling a connection.

I've been trying on and off for a few years, I am not quite to the point of giving up completely, because I can see how much of an impact it has on others that it is persuasive enough for me to recognize that they must have some form of feedback.

I'm sorry for those of you who are Christians, for something that must come so natural to you it must be hard to imagine someone who tries to believe but can not find the faith.

I can't keep trying like I have been on and off. Eventually, I will give up entirely as it seems like insanity to me to keep trying the same things over again expecting different results. I have tried to pray multiple ways multiple times and it just does not touch me like it does you.. It is as though we are alien from one another, what it is that you experience I do not feel in the least bit.

I keep reading stories of people who were saved, of how much of a huge significance it had on their life, of such a great feeling of peace they get from it. Yet it seems I can not receive the same thing.. Why is it that I have a hard time with this, I let myself go and put myself to the mercy of God but don't get anything. Could I have done something so vile that I am not deserving of forgiveness?

I don't know.. I thought I would put a post here, because most other places I go to would just laugh it off.. Or tell me I am not trying hard enough.. I can not help but feel that I am doing something wrong.. Can you pray for me? I am doing everything I know how, but I just am not getting it.

And please, don't tell me you do not have some sort of connection with god.. I know you do. I've been told that I expect too much in the past, but in all reality I would accept almost anything at this point.

 

[unkern]

Ill tell you what my whole life ive seen the hand of God work, its just taken until now to recognize it.

I never stood up in front a church and said some fancy words then bam! i felt God.
I did it in my bedroom on the floor, and nothing happened (or at least of what I could see) the same thing happened when I was baptized with the holy spirit, nothing happened.

It took some time, I guess God was waiting till my heart was really with him and I was repentant. There are still times when I feel him very strongly or not at all, but I stay obedient and I press through.

There is nothing to great for you to be denied the forgiveness of God, just remember this is about a heart change, really try to participate in your faith (volunteering, etc.)

 

[aiki]

What is it you expect from God? How do you think a relationship with Him works?

The Bible tells us that God is perfectly holy. "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." You and I, though, are nowhere near this kind of perfection of purity. Next to God we are downright filthy. We are "dead in trespasses in sins" the Bible says, and "all our righteousness are as filthy rags." Our sin has caused a great separation between us and God. Bridging this gap involves seeing ourselves as we are: sinful, and in need of a Saviour.

Often, people approach God with the view that He is so loving that He will accept them sin and all. They strive to connect to Him, wanting to feel His love, but finding a gulf fixed between them and God. He is silent, unresponsive, and they don't know why. They are totally oblivious to the distancing affect from God their sin has had on them. But, until sin is dealt with, the abundant life God offers them, the connection to Him they so want to make, is unattainable.

Acknowledging sin is a humiliating thing. Confessing to God that one has been wicked is more than many people will admit. Their pride refuses to concede God's point of view. Nonetheless, all must come to God on their knees, humble and contrite and fully acknowledging their utter need of Him. He is God, after all, and this is as it should be.

This is hard stuff, I know. There is no other way for the unsaved to come to God. Fortunately, once we have been broken before God, confessed our sin, and been made clean, God receives us as one of His own. Our sorrow over our sin gives way to joy and peace and happy fellowship with our Heavenly Father. This end is well worth the path it took to get there!

"...strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. 7:14)

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." (Ja. 4:8-10)

I pray God will draw you to Himself.

Peace.

 

[Angeloffire]

jimik74,

I'm going to try and give you a non-religious new perspective to draw from to see what it means to have "Jesus" in your heart.

We know that sinners don't go to heaven right? So lets start there....

What is sin? All sin is, is wrong thoughts or beliefs acted on....and that is it. So a sinner is someone who loves false/wrong thoughts.

We are all born with things we believe that are very wrong. Hence we are born into sin. We learn all kinds of wrong thinking from parents, the world, each other, etc. Like self pity, anger, being proud of ourselves, wanting to be famous...etc. These are all false beliefs and I will explain it better in a minute.

God cannot sin.....so all those who are to live forever, the saved, must have no sin to dwell with God who is sinless and no sin is in Him.

Is it possible for any human to live without ever acting on a wrong thought? Exactly! There's no way! Give most of us 30 minutes and we've screwed up again!

So God, Himself, came down and made a way for His creation. He knew He was going to have to do it and preplanned it before the world was created.

Here is how it all works:

Anyone who sins, must die. Jesus, who is and was God, and had no sin was made in our likeness, took all our wrong stupid thoughts on himself and paid the penalty for them....which was death. Those who give up being their own god and trying to save themselves or justify their sins and cry out to Him through repentance are covered by His blood.

When we see our sin (wrong thoughts) as He shows them to us and we repent, and turn to Truth (Jesus....correct thinking) we enter the kingdom of heaven which is within us *love, joy peace...etc"

The key is to repent. To truly see the error of your ways by conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus preached the gospel before he died. He said, "repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand". The kingdom of heaven is love, joy, peace, etc. and is God within you"

Let's look at the process:

Repentance: Holy Spirit convicts you of wrong thinking, your sin

Baptism: Represents you dying to this world. Going down in the water is the grave when you come up you are now His and you are to live unto Him for ever more. You are to die daily to this world's false ways, thoughts, beliefs and to live unto Truth from now on

Sanctification: is the process of the renewing of the mind

Grace: is what He gives to those who are seeking the Truth

I have written several extensive articles on salvation on my website.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything I can do. You can pm me too if you like.

God Bless,

Angel of Fire

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

It is difficult to articulate exactly how I feel about this subject. I am a non believer, but I don't want to dismiss Jesus and God entirely. I need some form of feedback to believe, but am not getting anything. I can not just produce faith without feeling a connection.

I've been trying on and off for a few years, I am not quite to the point of giving up completely, because I can see how much of an impact it has on others that it is persuasive enough for me to recognize that they must have some form of feedback.

I'm sorry for those of you who are Christians, for something that must come so natural to you it must be hard to imagine someone who tries to believe but can not find the faith.

I can't keep trying like I have been on and off. Eventually, I will give up entirely as it seems like insanity to me to keep trying the same things over again expecting different results. I have tried to pray multiple ways multiple times and it just does not touch me like it does you.. It is as though we are alien from one another, what it is that you experience I do not feel in the least bit.

I keep reading stories of people who were saved, of how much of a huge significance it had on their life, of such a great feeling of peace they get from it. Yet it seems I can not receive the same thing.. Why is it that I have a hard time with this, I let myself go and put myself to the mercy of God but don't get anything. Could I have done something so vile that I am not deserving of forgiveness?

I don't know.. I thought I would put a post here, because most other places I go to would just laugh it off.. Or tell me I am not trying hard enough.. I can not help but feel that I am doing something wrong.. Can you pray for me? I am doing everything I know how, but I just am not getting it.

And please, don't tell me you do not have some sort of connection with god.. I know you do. I've been told that I expect too much in the past, but in all reality I would accept almost anything at this point.

Jimik,

You can't dismiss it, imo, because God is trying to reach you. You feel this desire because it is being placed in you. I am going to post some of my own thoughts and experience for you. I have posted them elsewhere at various times/places on this site, but I think it is easier to repost them for you to read here - rather than linking you to them.

Blessings

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

Originally Posted by Wiccan_Child

What convinced you to convert to Christianity?
​

I went through the first 28 years of my life as an atheist. After having a college history class in which the professor lectured on the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth, I was intellectually convinced that Jesus, the man, had existed on this Earth. I thought he was a cool guy with some good ideas (not that I was interested in all of them, but still pretty good ideas). I still thought Christianity and the Bible were all bunk, however.

My status as an atheist changed somewhat, in that I began to believe that "something" grander and larger than us or nothingness had created the Earth & the universe - still didn't accept that it was the Christian God.

This is where my beliefs remained until 2007. At that point, I read a quote from C.S. Lewis (whose Narnia series I had loved as a kid - having no idea they were Christian allegory). He was making the point that you can't accept that Jesus lived and still determine he was just a good man or a good teacher. If you accept that Jesus was real, then you have only 3 choices: 1) He was a liar, in which case he wasn't a good man; 2) He was a lunatic, in which case he wasn't a good man; or 3) he was who he said he was - the Son of the Living God.

Well, that gave me pause and got me started contemplating. Then, my husband at the time wanted to watch The Passion of The Christ. After watching the movie, I started contemplating Mary. I am a mom - so how could a loving mother stand by and do nothing while her son is beaten, abused, and finally crucified? I would lay down my life for my children - as would most mothers that I know. My conclusion was that the only way Mary could stand by without defending him at risk of her own life was that if she KNEW her child was also the Son of God.

Wow - I was more surprised than anyone to find that I believed - a head knowledge at least - that Jesus is who he says he is. I still had so many questions that were unanswered and so many doubts, but that basic "He is who he says He is" wouldn't go away. I wondered about evolution and all the really weird things in the Bible and the Bible being written by men, etc., etc., ad infinitum - but I couldn't dismiss that basic belief.

So I began reading the Bible and books on apologetics and books by other people about their experiences and pretty much anything I could get my hands on. One day, I realized that my doubts were gone. I can't tell you why or how - they just were. My faith had increased and it wasn't an act of my will, I can tell you that. All those things I questioned - well, I never did find answers for them, but they no longer mattered to me. It's not a head knowledge I have now - it's an inside feeling of knowing that God IS and that He is in control.

One of the most extraordinary things in my experience has been the loss of the fear of death. All of my life, I have occasionally woken up in the middle of the night just heartbroken and terrified of one day not existing. I never found comfort in the idea of a hereafter - I wanted to be HERE, me, always. My eldest son used to find it fascinating - he would ask me hypothetical questions - which always ended up with me saying I didn't care if I was the only person alive and floating on a tiny piece of rock in the middle of space, I STILL wanted to be alive.

I don't feel that way now. And it's not because of someone else telling me that because I believe I will have a hereafter. It is, again, just an interior knowledge - a feeling of certainty and peace.

I hope this wasn't too rambling or vague or esoterical for you.

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Angelo

I wasn't born into a religious family and I haven't really thought about my own ideas and beliefs. I have a few christian friends who have tried to convert me but they don't offer any reasons or in depth points about their religion. Please tell me what I should be thinking about in a way I can organise my thoughts. A lot of people just refuse to make any sense when talking about any religion. They just say if I do this or don't do that I will go to hell, you can be saved. I'm not going to be threatened into anything but people keep coming up with these threats.
​

Hello, Jonathan Angelo. I'm a fairly new Christian, having been an atheist/agnostic for the first 43 years of my life.

My 24 year old son, having been raised by me, is also an agnostic. He and I were having a conversation the other evening about what Christians believe, in a nutshell, and I shared with him the basics of my own belief. I'll share it with you as well:

Those who believe in Christ and try to follow his commands want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to hear the basics of the gospel. God is holy (set apart) and as such finds all sin (missing the mark) to be offensive. Not just sexual sin, or any other number of so-called "major" sins - all sin. The penalty for sin is spiritual death (eternal separation from God) Because we humans are unable to be holy on our own (none of us. Even on our best day, best behavior, doing all the good we can think of to do, the Bible says our good works are as "filthy rags"), God sent a part of himself, his Son Jesus, to live a sinless life and die on our behalf, paying the debt for our sin - past, present and future. This was a gift, given because of God's love for us, that has only to be accepted. You don't have to be sinless to accept it and be forgiven of any wrongdoing. You don't have to live a perfect life thereafter (as nobody is capable of that) in order to continue to have the gift of eternal life. You just have to confess your sins to be cleansed of them and seen by God as clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Confession = agreement with God that whatever you are confessing is sin in the eyes of God, and your earnest vow to turn from it (repent). It doesn't mean that if you agree that something is sin and you repent that you will never again have the urge to commit that particular sin, or even that you won't commit it again. It's called "grace" for a reason. We shouldn't deliberately choose to sin knowing that we can yell "grace" like yelling "uncle!". But those who tell you, or have told you, that once you believe in Christ you should live a morally perfect life are, imo, misguided and twisting the entire meaning of the gospel.

Because people still have sinful thoughts and/or actions does not mean they haven't been "saved." Sanctification (growing closer to God and less like the world) is a process. The closer you become to God, through learning his Word and through prayer, the more your desires in life change. It's not a "force of will" kind of thing, as that is rarely successful and certainly not enjoyable.

Regardless of how you feel about God at this time, he loves you. There is nothing you could do that would cause him not to love you or that would cause you to be unable to claim the gift that is freely offered. Should you choose not to accept said gift, God is not pleased and rubbing his metaphorical hands together gleefully in anticipation of destroying you. He is grieved and saddened.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

Originally Posted by chezanne

Hi. I'm new here. I joined because I am facing a problem that I can't handle on my own.

I have been a Christian all my life but now find myself questioning my beliefs, partially because I have been exposed lately to a lot of people who are anti-Christian or anti-creationism and I'm afraid I've let some of their arguments get to me. There are a lot of things that to me don't seem to add up, which frightens me because I want so badly to believe so that I can nspend eternity with God. However, the doubt is really starting to set in and I find myself having to convince myself that God is real, and it's getting harder and harder to do that. I was hoping for some advice, and a lot of prayer. Please, I'm getting desperate. Thank you.
​

Hi Chezanne,

I am sorry that you are struggling. I can no more prove the existence of God than I can levitate - so I'll just tell you some of my story.

I come from the opposite end of the spectrum from you - I was NOT a Christian for all of my life. As a matter of fact, I was vehemently anti-Christian and considered it to be a load of rubbish until about 1 1/2 years ago (at age 43, btw).

A portion of what I found to be convincing follows: I DID believe that Jesus of Nazareth existed, as a man. (check out around the internet for the historicity of Jesus). What I finally came to consider is that if Jesus were just a man, could his mother have stood by and allowed his punishment and crucifixion? As a mother, I had to conclude that there was absolutely no way that a loving mother would not at least make the attempt to stop it - even at risk of her own life. That she did not, speaks volumes to me - she had to KNOW in her heart of hearts that her son, Jesus, was the Christ.

That was only the beginning of my journey and I still had many doubts about whether my belief was strong or grounded in truth. I persevered in reading my Bible, praying and reading books on apologetics. I recommend C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity as a good starting point.

I found that one day, without my even realizing it had happened, I just had faith - thus far unshakeable. I, who throughout my life would occasionally wake with my heart pounding at the thought of someday dying and no longer existing, no longer had that fear. It is just gone.

I have no answer for the creation/anti-creation arguments. I don't even address them at all. For me it is simply enough to know that God created all in whatever manner he did so. Whether it was literal 24-hour days or whatever makes no difference to my life or my belief.

I do know that science, long respected by me, cannot make something from nothing. Nor, to my knowledge, has anyone been able to create life from primordial ooze or a composition of chemicals.

I will pray that your faith will be enlarged - but don't down yourself for having questions. There is nothing wrong with having a seeking heart - just be sure to at the same time stay in your Bible and also seek your answers from God. The truth will make itself known to you.

I would also suggest that you watch the movie "Expelled" to find out exactly what the leading evolutional theorist and anti-creationist, Hawkins, truly believes. Watch it through to the end - it's really quite an entertaining film as well.

Much love and blessings to you, Chezanne. I will be praying for you.
__________________________

Jimik,

I'm sorry that some of this is redundant - but since it is about my own experience it is bound to be.

If you have questions or want to discuss anything, you can pm me. I am praying for you - it's a wonderful thing to know the peace of God, both in good times and bad, and I want you to know it as well.

 

[salida]

I will tell you how. First one needs to start out by praying and asking Jesus into their heart. For example, pray: Jesus I'm sorry for my sins and I want to repent from them. Starting today I want a new life with you. Next, you should be baptized with water as its a symbolic of Jesus burial. This shows a good conscience towards God the bible says - the baptism by water part doing this symbolic command. Then ask Jesus for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Whats the purpose of this? This gives one the power to live a christian life. We can't live a christian life without this. Human effort alone will fail all the time.

Next, find a bible believing church, read and learn the bible, and pray daily. If one doesn't do this its like saying, I need to eat physically but I don't have time so I'm going to work. One can't be a serious christian with this. Plus, surround yourself with inspiring friends like yourself(christians) who take the christian life seriously. There are many social church clubs and/or churches that have a trace of a strange doctrine with christianity. How can you tell? If its not in the bible, question it!

Please feel free to email me on this if you want. Christianity its not just a spiritual decision but it has overwhelming evidence that supports it. Some great books are The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell(it would stand up in a court of law concerning bible concerning evidence). And The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel(a former athiest). Lee Strobel is one of my favorites also. Plus, read Driven by Eternity by John Bevere. This books helps understand what God truly looks for in the life of a christian - and uses scriptures.

Also, check out, Are you a good person? http://livingwaters.com/good/ This will give you an understanding of why Christ died for us. Mankind is spiritually ill and has fallen. There is one remedy for it. Being a christian doesn't "come natural" haha. No way. There is a supernatural process that takes place. And its a life long life style change. Its by making decisions to die daily to yourself (flesh) and growing in Christ -doing this intentionally and following through.

***Again, feel free to email me.

 

[Lukaris]

One can also read John 3:16-17 to know Him for sure. Read Romans 10:9 to confess Him into your heart. Basics to live by: Acts 15:29 & Acts 26:20. How God saves us by His grace to our faith and the role of works from faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). What Christ commands: Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:37-40, John 13:35 and how to follow them: Matthew 6:1-18 (pray, fast, & give alms; investigate the fasting part). Pray for evangelization: Matthew 9:37-38. A basic credal statement is good for an outline of basic belief & to discern anything false (see the apostles creed http://www.creeds.net/ancient/apostles.htm . God bless.

 

[FrederickM]

One can accept Jesus into their heart, when they open every up, let your trust and belief in him overpower your thought of logic, reasoning, and sense.
Then you shall realise that, there is no phrase more true than that.
"Jesus loved man, and died for man's sins."

 

[jellybean99]

Q. How does one accept Jesus in their heart?

A. This seems so simple, but it is the hardest thing any Christian will ever do. We are told that God so loved the world that he gave His only son and whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life (John 3:16).

Belief is trust, exclusive trust, as in trusting in nothing or no one else--not your money, your government, your church, your pastor, your family, your friends, your spouse--not even yourself!!! Faith in Jesus Christ is a mutually exclusive (one or the other) proposition. That is why so few people make that "choice."

In the next few years, life will become exceedingly difficult. War, famine, disease, & natural disasters will ravage the Earth. People will be running around like chickens with their heads cut off frantically searching for something or someone they can trust. Remember the name Jesus Christ when that happens and call out to Him.

Only Jesus offers the peace that surpasses all understanding (John 14:27,28). You will witness this peace in true Christians when all hell breaks loose on the Earth and will want this peace for yourself. Perhaps then you will be able to "accept Jesus into your heart."

His life begins in you when your selfish, worthless life ends. That's the way it was for me; that's the way it is for every Christian.

 

[EternalSummer]

I need some form of feedback to believe, but am not getting anything. I can not just produce faith without feeling a connection.

I've been trying on and off for a few years, I am not quite to the point of giving up completely, because I can see how much of an impact it has on others that it is persuasive enough for me to recognize that they must have some form of feedback.

I can't keep trying like I have been on and off. .... I have tried to pray multiple ways multiple times and it just does not touch me like it does you...what it is that you experience I do not feel in the least bit. .... it seems I can not receive the same thing.. Why is it that I have a hard time with this, I let myself go and put myself to the mercy of God but don't get anything. Could I have done something so vile that I am not deserving of forgiveness?

I don't know.. I thought I would put a post here, because most other places I go to would just laugh it off.. Or tell me I am not trying hard enough.. I can not help but feel that I am doing something wrong.. Can you pray for me? I am doing everything I know how, but I just am not getting it.

And please, don't tell me you do not have some sort of connection with god.. I know you do. I've been told that I expect too much in the past, but in all reality I would accept almost anything at this point.

I would like to pray for you that you would be given a real, personal, direct, and unmistakable encounter with the True and Living God. I believe it is possible to have this and moreover that God wills and intends that each person shall have this in their lives, a moment of truth, a moment where Jesus Christ becomes alive and real on a direct, personal, tangible level, a moment where your heart and God's heart meet in divine appointment. I cannot say when that moment will come for you. But I can say that if you have worn yourself out seeking this and still cannot find it, you definitely need the Body of Christ coming together in prayer for you that your soul will be loosed from the bondage that keeps you from having this divine appointment, so to speak. If you would be willing to, please PM me your first name so I can pray for you by name; otherwise I will do so using your CF name; God knows who you are and that's what matters....

I know the frustration you speak of, for I have felt it myself -- and in fact I will warn you that even after you have this direct encounter, it will not provide any guarantee that the "lights will stay on" all the time 24/7 thereafter. You will still have periods of darkness, doubt, and disconnection. You may even question whether your unmistakable direct, divine encounter ever really happened or if so, what purpose did it serve.

My advice to you during this time, while you are waiting, is to continue seeking. Continue to ask, seek, and knock. Read the scriptures every day. Read the Gospels, let your heart and mind take hold of the stories there and hunger to know this Jesus, this amazing worker of miracles who bleeds and breathes compassion with every step, who enters people's lives and leaves them forever changed for the better. The Bible says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, so as you get that word into you, you increase your chances of encountering Him by heightening your awareness of Him. You make yourself sensitive and open to Him more and more until the slightest whisper or touch from Him will be unmistakable.

You are not alone. Many struggle with this problem. Do not give up. Keep seeking but do it intelligently -- feast on the scriptures and pray them back to Him. Make His word your mainstay and the first thing to which you appeal in prayer to get His attention. Wrestle with Him over it. Shout at Him if you need to. Weep, wail, pound the floor if you need to. Chase Him, pursue Him, court Him and woo Him if you need to. But do not give up seeking and pursuing.

He loves you and has placed that desire inside you to know Him. That comes FROM Him!! Did you know that? HE put that there so you would seek after Him!! The very fact that you WANT Him is proof itself that He has His hand on your life and in His timing what you desire WILL happen, friend, it WILL. For now just hold onto that and keep putting yourself where it CAN.