I don't understand christianity

[Micah888]

all I get from these ministries is CONDEMNATION

There is no question that God demands holiness from his children. So if your lifestyle does not conform to God's expectation, then expect to be convicted. Rather than complain about various ministries, focus on what is taught in Scripture.

 

[Romansthruphilemon]

Ben,

I sent you a pm.

 

[Danielwright2311]

I want you to imagine a scenario in the context of a born again christian 4 years into his journey

One day he decides he would like to learn music production, so he buys a license for a production suite called Fruity Loops Studio. at the time of purchase, he is quite undisciplined in his life. he reads the bible sporadically, going through short seasons of intense hunger for Gods word and longer seasons of daily distracted, devotional readings of the bible intermingled with worklife and hobby pursuits.

but said christian isn't employed at the moment as he wants to be at home with his dying mother. installs the program and on day 1 spends 5 hours on the program. he enjoys it and is very diligent to learn more about music theory and the program. in the evening he forces himself to close the program and reads 2 chapters of Isaiah and offers a short prayer in his head. Having no hunger for the word at this time he puts the word down and then gets bored because theres nothing much to do so he returns to learning music.

the next day he decides he wants to live better so he gets up early, exercises and offers a short prayer before memorising a few verses from ephesians, he then walks into his local mall and looks for people to bless, he meets a homeless man and prays for him. he also helps a local fishermen to hoist water up to his boat. he then returns home and continues learning music. he uses the program for a few hours daily, and feels condemned when he comtemplates how much time he spends using it and how little time he spends in the bible or prayer or enjoying God. he thinks back to the brief times when he was on fire for God, desiring nothing but to be close to God and to enjoy sweet fellowship with him. He misses that, but his friends tell him "Don't live by feelings, just trust God" but said christian is keenly aware that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him. Said christian is very much reformed and keen to honor Gods holyness not just his mercy. but said christian has little freedom. he is constantly examining himself and lamenting the fact that he just can't "work it out"

How can he rest in Gods grace on the cross and yet be barraged with exhortations to holiness by reformed ministries?

One friend tells him "God loves you, He delights in you, stop beating yourself with a stick, rest in him"

DesiringGod.org says: you are an idolater, your joy is not in God alone, Confess and repent

which voice should he listen to?

I would say you dont worship God in your heart, you just pretend to worship , but it is this world that he wishes for and worships and this guy I would pray for.

 

[Ben Collyer]

I would say you dont worship God in your heart, you just pretend to worship , but it is this world that he wishes for and worships and this guy I would pray for.

Wow you sound just like the accusing and judgemental spirit that continually torments my mind.

 

[Chris35]

I think you just need to take a step back. I know alot of people say you need to do this or do that or you will be condemned.

In my opinion and forgive me if i am wrong, i just think your looking at it the wrong way and trying to live life by god's will by yourself.

"You have to follow gods rules or you will be condemned" While the statement is true, its important to look at it the right way.

God wants us to be free from sin, sin brings corruption, and destruction in every aspect of your life that it touches. Ultimately sin will lead to the total destruction of the human race. Not because of God's doing but it's just where it leads, take a look at the current state of things thats happening.

We are all sinners and doomed to die by our own sins, and there is nothing we can do to fix it.

God could of left us to die in our misery, but
thankfully, God loves us more then anything, and doesn't want us to die. He has shown us the light.

To say that you are condemned if you dont follow Gods rules, i believe it would be better to say, we are already condemned, and without God we would never be free.

We are sinners and we are weak, we can't get rid of sin in our life alone. Open your heart to God, tell him exactly how you feel, what your going through, what you want. You are not alone, ask God to help you at every step of the way, so that you may live your life, how God intended it to be.

This is how the relationship with God is, not you trying to give up sin by yourself, but both of you doing it together.

 

[ValleyGal]

God wants us to be free from sin,

and without God we would never be free.

Excellent point. Where do we find freedom... or rather, in Whom do we find freedom? Righteousness? Holiness? It isn't in our behaviour; it's in the Lord Jesus.

I'm not saying you don't try to improve behaviour and try live up to God's standards. Of course you should try, so as not to abuse grace (see Romans). But all of it starts with Jesus and your relationship with him.

Ben, while you are growing and maturing in faith, when people try to condemn you, remind them that they are not God, and that there is no one righteous, not even one, except those who are in Jesus. Remind them that if someone is caught in a sin (unrepentant), then there is a very gentle and godly way of going about restoring him - and that this is left for those who are mature in their faith and who do not struggle with the sin they are going to restore someone from. It's okay to remind them, too, that they might be in a different place in their Christian journey than you, and that you didn't all start at the same point. Get them to consider diversity in the Body.

 

[Brotherly Spirit]

Couple pages of helpful advice! Even the posts that are less than what you want to hear, I'd try to separate the message of what their saying from how they say it. Being merciful and forgiving is a two-way street we as Christians are to walk, we don't know the hearts of others. It's best not to take any person or thing at face value, but look deeper for the truth and accept it regardless.

You can be assured you're not alone having this experience. Most of us, especially immature Christians (young in faith) who're less certain about their beliefs and practices go through. I'd bet mature Christians go through it sometimes too, it's being human.

Personally the only advice I can give you is there's many ways to seek God and be near to him. It's best doing it from your heart, this starts with having him in mind. The ways you can Seek God include reading the Bible and praying to God, also fellowship and service. Ultimately it's not what we do or how much we do it exactly, what matters is the consideration we give him and others. Sometimes it means putting him and them before ourselves, but I'll add not in vain just because (I.E. for the right reasons, quality before quantity, in need and not want). Matthew 9:12-13, Matthew 9:14-15

 

[Serving Zion]

Wow you sound just like the accusing and judgemental spirit that continually torments my mind.

I think he didn't realise that you are that "hypothetical one"!