New Christian - Doubts

[geo8909]

I was raised Lutheran, went to Sunday school, infant baptism, but no real relationship with Christ. I quit going to church as soon as I could. My husband's family is Pentecostal and his brother is an Assembly of God minister so I started going to church at a Pentecostal church in my very early 20s. Talk about a difference in churches! At least I started to feel a slightly more personal relationship with God. We stopped going to church because I thought my husband only did it for the social purposes and I was bored. In 1982, while visiting our brother in law, I was moved by a song sung by a soloist and thought I was saved. My husband made the commitment at the same time. We returned home and began going to an Assembly of God church and were baptized and became members. After two years we stopped going. Again, I was simply bored and I don't know what my husband's reasons were.
Over the years in talkign with my sister in law, the ministers wife, I would tell her why I had doubts - why do we say god is good when someone is healed - so is he bad when someone isn't healed? Why do we say that God answers prayer when someone is healed - does he not answer prayer when someone isn't healed? I have many more arguments but inside I really want to believe. In Mar 10, my 13 year old niece was killed and I am very close to her mother and to her. My sister and brohter in law became Christian almost immediately and my sister said she couldn't have people around her who do not believe Regan is in heaven. So I made the decision to suspend my disbelief, tell myself I believe, and act as if I do.
I started going to church but not regularly. My problem is all my concerns still exist - but I read that it's normal even for Christians to have doubts. But I feel like if I do have any doubts, I'm not really Christian. I now listen to Christian music almost exclusively, read books on faith and am not bored, and have not been bored the few times I've been to church. I prayer several times a day and try to pray with thanks when appropriate. I just don't "feel" the Lord in me. In my way of thinking I need to have this to be a real Christian. Then some tell me you go by faith, not what you feel at any given time. Any ideas for how I can become for confident in my faith? I want to be Christian but I can still give reasons why it can't be so.

 

[salida]

Not being bored with praying, going to church and other activities like this is a good sign.

Walking by faith is doing these things no matter what we feel as feelings are a roller coaster. The byproducts of saving faith is good works-so you seem to be showing fruits that determine you are a christian. Your desires and actions show what you are. If sometimes you don't feel like a christian, but your heart and desires are on the things of God-it is self evident you are a christian. The holy spirit is working in your life.

God is good no matter if one gets healed or not. Sometimes people don't get healed because God is doing a spiritual work in them-he maybe refining them like gold and wanting a closer relationship with them. I have a chronic medical condition and have grown because of it.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

And:

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

[Peripatetic]

Yes, it is normal for Christians to have doubts, but they tend lessen when you spend more time with God's word. Do you have a good study Bible? For new and long-time Christians, Bible study can help with boredom, doubt, confusion and other issues. I recommend a study Bible because it's very helpful to have commentary to help us better understand the context and meaning of some passages. I recommend the ESV Study Bible, and I've also used the NIV Study Bible.

Attending Church doesn't always have to be a memorable experience either. Sometimes it isn't fun, but neither are many other important aspects of life such as work, parenting, and service. A relationship with God is like a marriage. There are ups and downs, but mutual loyalty is very rewarding.

 

[Niffer]

While I don't want to blanket statement all Pentecostals - they are more of a feely denomination.

You're supposed to feel God all the time, feel always confident and assured and feel that super-spiritual awakening when singing the same four lines of a worship song, over and over and over and over.

Me? I don't do that.
Don't get me wrong I have faith in God, and I'd like to think a fairly strong relationship.
But do my prayers hit the ceiling? Yes.
Do I want to sleep in some Sundays? Or yawn too much during the message? Yes.
Do I shift from one foot to another thinking when the heck will this song end?!? Yes!

Yet even in the Bible we are told that our hearts are deceitful.
We need to trust God is there, even when we don't feel it. Know that we can pray and he will hear us - and study His word to understand our relationship better.

Go your own pace, do not let anyone make you feel like you're not "spiritual" enough to have real faith.

His yoke is easy, and burden is light. So chill out, and enjoy God!

Peace,
- Niff

 

[tturt]

As suggested, studying God's Word is definitely a good start. I can relate to your experiences. Even though I didn't feel saved for a long time - I started believing those scriptures that said I was because I had repented and acknowledged that Jesus was Lord of my life. We found that we enjoy going to churches where the congregation claps, raises their hands in praise. But I've learned not to base everything on how I feel because sometimes I don't feel like praying for example.

I think you have a thankful heart which the Lord loves.

 

[Aibrean]

The Lutheran response is

Anxiety regarding doubts, strength of faith and certainty of salvation are signs of faith (however weak it may be), not signs of unbelief, since the unbeliever has no concern or anxiety about doubts, faith or salvation.

Going to church does not make one a Christian any more than being in a garage makes one a car. Christ draws you to himself through the Holy Spirit by hearing the gospel. The faith you have can only come from Christ. Personally I always say it's God's will whether someone is healed or not because God not healing a person may do more good than healing them.

 

[SharonL]

One thing that confuses people is all the different denominations and all their man-made rules - I was raised Protestant, married Catholic, went Lutheran to meet in the middle - became Spirit filled and went to the Spirit Filled churches - all the legalism got to me and after 70 years of church going every Sunday I stopped going to church because of all the legalism. My husband and I have our church at home by listening to two of our favorite ministers, having our Bible study and we now have a very close walk with Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit - sometimes we are not comfortable in the churches and God uses us on the outside and that is where we are right now, living our faith as a witness to God's precious love and helping others as God leads.

My problem was also boredom - so look at the boredom as maybe God is making you uneasy so He can use you more on the outside rather than sitting in church and being bored. God's taking His ministry more to the one on one in the outside world. Don't get discouraged, you just might be one of the warriors in the army of the Lord working on the outside. Doesn't mean you don't go to church, just follow your heart and God will show you where He wants you.

 

[Sketcher]

You can have doubts, it's just a matter of what you do with those doubts. The right thing a Christian will do when he or she has doubts is to keep believing, yet investigate the answers to those troubling questions.

 

[pilgrimgal]

I am a part of and really appreciate the fellowship and support of church community; but I know that my anchor is not necessarily in the church..my anchor is in Christ, himself, and my personal relationship with Him.

Because you have a tendency to doubt and become "bored" (your word) this could happen again and again. You need to explore what is causing it. It may not be something you are doing or someone else is doing; but something you are not doing.

After over 50 years of being a Christian not without struggles in faith; I can testify that I have grown gradually in my relationship with God. As we do we find there is no greater contentment and no greater excitement. And it goes beyond feeling..it is conviction and commitment. It takes time and much prayer. We can can receive victory over doubt, complacency, and fear.

To get to know the Lord more and more.. we begin daily commitment to studying His Word..a bible study with others can help us grow. There will be times of dryness..something we all have to go through but as you read you will see how others dealt with these times in the stories in scripture. Even the prophets had their down moments..e.g. Elijah. More often repentance and a change of heart are involved.

Your efforts to try again and again are not unnoticed by the Lord. He loves our faithfulness to Him to try especially when we don't feel like it; and will not disappoint as you mature in faith and trust of Him and most of all your personal relationship with Him. God loves you and you, in turn, love Him. And to love God or anyone we make the decision to keep loving and stick to it even when it doesn't seem warm and fuzzy to us.

prayers for this growth in your relationship with Him. May His peace which passes understanding fill your heart..may the Word of God light your fire!

in the love of Jesus,

 

[heymikey80]

It's fairly easy to recognize the critical parts of being a Christian. It's about a guy who 2000 years ago died and then lived to tell it. Our response to that is what Christianity is utterly dependent on.

People have "doubts" -- that is people have concerns that their arguments are incomplete or limited, and don't prove with shadowless doubt some religious fact. That's not unusual.

But if Jesus didn't get out of the grave -- then the rest is just niceties. If Jesus did get out of the grave -- given what He said about Himself and why He underwent Crucifixion -- that's a whole different story.

 

[Bear.Fr00t]

You never mention repentance. Jesus tells us we must be born again, and when we are there is a significant change in the way we act and think. Being born again involves repenting of sins and humbling ourselves before the Lord. Have you done this? When I was born again my doubts and questions quickly subsided, the Holy Spirit was (is) upon me and taught me spiritual things that I would have otherwise never known.

 

[geo8909]

Wow, you all have been so reassuring to me. I especially like the quote:
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']"Anxiety regarding doubts, strength of faith and certainty of salvation are signs of faith (however weak it may be), not signs of unbelief, since the unbeliever has no concern or anxiety about doubts, faith or salvation."
Wow, that is so true and reassuring.

My sister in law told me that my spiritual gift is generosity. She told me "we need to get you right with the Lord so you get rewarded for the things you do someday." I thought that was sweet.

As far as repenting. I acknowledge I am a sinner and ask God to forgive me. I pray that God will help me resist sin - though I know as a human I am falable. Is this repentance? I hope so.

Thanks again for all your kind comments.

Krista
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[wanelad]

Hi Krista as people have said faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God so your own personal Bible Study is of utmost importance. Jesus promsise if we belief in him as the scriptures say out of our inner most beings shall flow rivers of living water (Holy Spirit living)

I believer that comes by confessing our faith Jesus said if you confess me before men I will confess you to the father.

The thing is we live in a world so removed from God, full of sin and temptations. We can see Gods existance in creation however in the brick and mortar jungle we live in today apart from people how often do we see Gods creation.

In the first few verses of John it says in the begining was the Word and the word was with God and all things created through him. The Word is our Bible get to know it and you will find a deeper understanding of God.

A couple of study sites, I have been doing Pastor Ralphs online courses there is both ebook style and audio so can listen whilst driving as well.

Bible Study -- the JesusWalk Bible Study Series

Christian Findings