I don't even know where to begin. I became a believer about 6 years ago and I've struggled ever since. I was drinking and partying constantly for years. I've tried getting closer to God on a few occasions but got scared and ran away. These last few months has been my strongest commitment yet. My issue is that I feel unaccepted, unworthy, and just plain empty. When I read the bible it just scares the crap out of me. Seems like every condemning verse applies to me, and none of the happy things. I've sinned horribly since believing in Jesus and have struggled with ever feeling assured of being saved. I'm trying so hard to get my heart right. I feel trapped and lost and confused. I feel unworthy to even go to church. I'm really struggling with how Jesus said I must hate my family for Him. My family aren't really believers and I love them so much it hurts. I know in my head that I should, but I'm struggling to love Jesus, because I don't know Him very well, and I'm terrified of Him. I suppose a lot of it has been that I'm afraid of being rejected. I'm extremely lonely and I feel like I can't get off the fence and give myself entirely to God. It's like there's a wall there. I feel like Jesus is coming soon and time is running out. I have no strength left and I don't want to go through this despair anymore. What is wrong with me?
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I'm a mess
- Thread starter CrosstechGuy
- Start date
Mate, the truth is that you are wretched.
Which is why Jesus had to suffer so much on your part.
God would otherwise be angry at you and condemn you, but that anger was dumped elsewhere on your behalf.
You're not worthy of God, but you don't have to be:
Romans 7:24-25
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Do you understand?
God makes demands that you fail to live up to, but Jesus keeps those demands on your behalf and takes the rap for your failure.
Because of this, you don't have to be good enough for God, OK?
Some people, they learn this and have a change of heart and willingly repent and work on their sin. Not to get God's love, but because of what Jesus has done for them.
I hope you know this stuff, it's really important.
PS I hope you like rap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PRjwuXOcUQ
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Pal Handy
Irregular Member
Run to God...
The devil is the one that is causing you to feel condemned in an
effort to get you to give up and renounce Christ.
God does not condemn.
God gently will show you your errors but He does not cause that spirit
of darkness and heaviness to hang over you like a black cloud.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh,
but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, (for your sins) and furthermore is also risen,
who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us
Jesus is praying for you and not condemning you because He died for you
before you even knew Him because He loves you and desires that you would receive
His forgiveness and be with Him forever..
God loves you and He proved it by coming in the form of a man
and taking on Himself all your sins, blame and shame and dying
in your place in judgement and condemnation.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God allowed Himself to be condemned for your crimes and sins
because He loves you and want you to be with Him forever.
Run to God and tell Him you are sorry and RECEIVE His forgiveness
by faith by believing that if God tells you something, it can be counted on.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He (Jesus Christ) is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confess your sins and ask God in Jesus name to forgive you
and then ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit who will empower
you to go forward in your walk with God and understand what
God has for you in your life.
Without God's Holy Spirit you are saved by faith in Christ but you
are not really empowered to live a victorious life that God has called you to.
Luke 11:13
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to
those who ask Him!”
If you want to see what the Holy Spirit can do in the lives of
believers, read the book of Acts.
Luke 24:49
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the
city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
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This all sounds like a very common problem in christendom today ---people trying to live the Christian life, but without the Lord. Salvation is not about following the teachings of Jesus, or deciding to believe in God, or trying to be a better person. It is in being "born again" by the Holy Spirit. IF ONE WILL NOT RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS INTO THEIR HEART, AND BE DEVOTED TO HIM, THEY CANNOT BE SAVED, AND WILL HAVE NO PART IN GOD. That is the essence of becoming a real "child of God". Salvation and blessings are found in Christ, not in Christianity or beliefs or reform.
People are not reading the Bible, but listening to various religious ideas. One should read John 3:16; John 3:36; 1 Jn. 5:10-13, and see what God is telling mankind.
People are not reading the Bible, but listening to various religious ideas. One should read John 3:16; John 3:36; 1 Jn. 5:10-13, and see what God is telling mankind.
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Pal Handy
Irregular Member
Luke 19:10
for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Knowing that God loves you irregardless of your own wretched state
will melt your heart and cause you to fall in love with the one who loves you....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNujqxg5YAo
for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Knowing that God loves you irregardless of your own wretched state
will melt your heart and cause you to fall in love with the one who loves you....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNujqxg5YAo
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BFine
Seed Planter
Lone Ranger Christianity doesn't work very well when you don't have down the
essentials of the faith.
Please, get connected with a local bible believing church that has either a Christian mentor or a bible study class for new believers.
Being saved isn't about having warm fuzzy feelings-- it's not based on feelings
my friend.
We are to know that we are saved.
--If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10: 9-10)
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
--2 Timothy 2:15.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
essentials of the faith.
Please, get connected with a local bible believing church that has either a Christian mentor or a bible study class for new believers.
Being saved isn't about having warm fuzzy feelings-- it's not based on feelings
my friend.
We are to know that we are saved.
--If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10: 9-10)
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
--2 Timothy 2:15.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
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Crosstech, I have struggled with similar feelings and battles. Please read Wiremu Whites post again and remember it. The devil only tries to harass those that are on God's side. Remember that too. Don't give up. Peace will come.
I am praying for you. Let's pray for each other. One of satan's tricks is to keep us focused on ourselves. Try not to fall for it.
I am praying for you. Let's pray for each other. One of satan's tricks is to keep us focused on ourselves. Try not to fall for it.
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Pal Handy
Irregular Member
We all struggle with the lies of the devil who tries very hard
to get us running in the wrong direction.
Run to your Father.
Run to Him because He knows all your sins and secrets and
yet He has chosen to love you even while you were an enemy to him.
God is love....
God is Love....
God is the original meaning of the word love and
He loves you so run to the one who knows all about you
and yet He wants you to come to Him and be blessed
and to know true love and fellowship between a loving Father and His beloved son.
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bsd31
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Introverted or introspective? I think the answer is no in either case. Being an introvert or an extrovert means nothing in terms of your faith. On the other hand you can't have enough introspection. We are told to examine ourselves.
And that examination isn't a one time thing. Putting on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:4) isn't a one time event but a moment by moment thing we have to do. If you haven't put on Jesus, haven't put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) and live according to the flesh and not the spirit (Romans 8:13) you're going to fail the examination each and every time.
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Peripatetic
Restless mind, peaceful soul.
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. Trying hard is not the right way to go when we go through periods of self-doubt like yours. It's hard to understand at first, but trust is all that is needed from us... the Holy Spirit takes care of the rest by helping us to develop that simple trust into deeper faith.
It's actually the complacent, self-righteous Christian that sometimes needs to try a bit harder. Not that trying will lead to salvation, but rather to a deeper maturity. Their main struggle is pride, which is more dangerous than yours.
The trust of a child is what God wants. The world is scary to the very young, but they face it with confidence when holding the hand of a parent. We all need to do the same.
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Ark100
The Lord is my Refuge
THIS ^ is exemplary.
I felt in my heart for you OP, the Lord will work on you (if you let Him). Cast your fears and worries unto Him. This is why He died for you. You do not have to feel condemned anymore, rather turn to Him.
Are you sure you have the Holy Spirit. Some say they do, but they are being deceived by themselves.
I say take what was given you as advice above. Turn to Christ and let Him save you completely. When you are BORN AGAIN, everything changes.
Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you. When Holy Spirit comes in, you are in The Lord and your walk with him everyday draws you closer to Him.
Wiremu-white gave you very good advice too, and I think you should stop self-pity and feeling sorry for yourself. This is the enemy's work. I used to feel unworthy of God's love too. I went further into sins because I already thought He would not care anymore anyway. I ran away from Him even when it was clear He was drawing me back. I ignored many people The Lord sent to me, and He personally came to me to draw me back to Him.
This is the love of a Father to His children, He loves you and wants you to depend on Him. No matter what you are going through. Yes accept that you are a sinner and may not be deserving of His love, but remember that is why He died for you. He died to give you grace, you an unworthy sinner to come to Him in submission and accept Him as Lord and let Him wipe away your transgressions, so that you can live for Him and Him alone; and in Him you become worthy
Church is good to go to, BUT church cannot save you at the end of the day. Develop a one on one relationship with Jesus Christ. He wants to, so stop running away. If Christ hadn't done what He did for me, I cannot tell you what or where I would be today.
BUT for His grace, and mercy upon my life. If it was not his mercy and grace, He would not care or pull me back to Him.
You have to get to a point of TRUST AND FAITH in The Lord where what people say(or didn't say) or what they do(or didn't do) regarding who you are or what you will be in life will not matter to you so much as remembering the love of Christ and His grace which is sufficient for you. This closeness with The Lord knowing no matter what, He has you in the palm of His hands and when you call on Him, He will answer. The sins in your life have got to go, definitely. You cannot walk in The Lord and in the world at the same time. Its conflicting and coming to Christ will set you free. I'm not for "Oh He has saved me so I can sin all I want" Its not true, and do not allow the enemy to put these thoughts in your head. The Lord does not like sins.
No matter what you have done sinfully, decide to turn it all around now and today and go back to Him and accept Him all over again, and do this from your heart. Christ will.
Let Jesus be your number one. He did not say to hate your family because they are sinners. What Jesus said is that He has to come first in your life before anyone else. For if you put anyone else before Him, then you are not making Christ a priority.
When The Holy Spirit comes to dwells in you, He will teach you all things, and will help you along the way in your spiritual life and also reveal more of the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ
When you draw away from The Lord, He seems far away because you are not devoting your time to Him anymore, and it looks like He is not hearing or listening to you. But if you come back in, and confess your sins to Him, He will accept you back. Choose Christ, and let Him help you..
...and the Lord will help you.
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Thank you very much Ark, I'm not sure if I have the holy spirit, so I probably do not. Big help, thank you!!!
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Ark100
The Lord is my Refuge
Accept The Lord into your heart all over again. Ask Him to send His Holy Spirit to dwell in you and help you. But Holy Spirit will dwell in you only if you are willing to get rid of your sinful lifestyle and follow Christ.
Sinful lifestyle grieves the Holy Spirit. Your decision, trust, commitment, faith in The Lord will help you through this.
Sinful lifestyle grieves the Holy Spirit. Your decision, trust, commitment, faith in The Lord will help you through this.
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R
Romanseight2005
Guest
What jumped out at me was when you said that you don't know Him very well. That's why you don't trust Him. Think about it, do you trust anyone that you don't know very well. Seek to know Him, and remember that the Scriptures tell us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but, once you have been perfected in love, you will not have fear anymore. Accept that you are in the period of getting to know Him, and don't focus on when your last chance may be, because while that is a valid concern, if you are genuinely seeking to know Him, He will honor that. He is willing that none should perish.
2 Peter 3:8-9
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance .
NIV
2 Peter 3:8-9
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance .
NIV
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God loves you just the way you are. Do not feel condemned. Look beyond your struggles and move forward. You have to see yourself differently before you can change.
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REPHAIAHPEDAHEL
Newbie
Which people do you think Jesus Christ died for? Unworthy people! We are all unworthy! Don't be afraid of Jesus! He loves you so much. Go to Him as you are, be open with Him because all your sins past, present and future are already forgiven. You don't clean yourself before you have a shower, go to Jesus because He is the shower.
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