I’ve always wondered when we find out what kind of seed we are. It doesn’t seem like any other seed makes it except for the one that falls on good soil. It doesn’t seem like I’ve fallen on good soil a lot of the time.
You keep saying God, how about Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Do you love Him?
If there is a lot of sin in your life shame will block your love for Him. Frankly, its somewhat easier in some ways yet dilaptating in other ways like no feeling at all. So rather than focus on things that are temporarily out of your control, focus on one thing, His love for you. This fact will always remain. Eventually your heart will change. Be blessed.
When were you born again? When we get born again, we have a new heart that wants to follow Lord Jesus.
I thought I was born again when I rededicated my life a couple of years ago, but then I was stricken with mental illness. So I’ve been on a downward spiral for a little over a year now, and things get more and more confusing.
I am. He, like many others, has suggested that I do what I know to be good, and choose to follow Jesus even if I can’t feel it.
Persistence is what defines the seed and the soil it falls upon. Persistent seeking of God in dark times is the truest expression of Faith there is. Continue to seek and hold your head up and God will be pleased with you for trying as hard as you can.
I hope that you are not confusing thoughts for your real, born again self. Before I was born again, I considered myself a Christian. Drunk, depressed, suicidal, but I subscribed to Christianity as a philosophy. As long as it didn't mean going to church. Things were fine after I was saved - for a while. Then I sinned and ended up in condemnation. I was flooded with doubts until I started confessing truth again. This cycle went on for years until a friend advised me to stand on God's word, not on thoughts and feelings. The basis of salvation is not what we have done, how we think or what we feel. It is the finished work of Christ through His death on the cross and His resurrection. The only way that I can lose my salvation is if Lord Jesus was to avoid the cross and not die in my place. It's a bit late for that! It is FINISHED!
Thank you Pete, you are truly an encouragement. Not that anything that everyone else posted isn’t encouraging.
I feel evil because it often seems like I don’t care. My motivations for seeking God are self-centered. I should follow Jesus because He is good, worthy of our praise and He is the King of Kings. I have an unhealthy fear of the Lord. I don’t have the reverence and love that results in willful obedience, I have the literal fear of punishment resulting in man-made works with no real heart change.
