Nothing To Believe In

[halifaxhoney]

I've always been a Christian and I have sinned. Sometime in our lives I believe that there is always a temptation that we fall in to.

In the past four years I've made some posititive changes to better my life and be a better Christian. I cannot be perfect. I don't have regrets because the things that I've experienced in my life have allowed me to learn valuable lessons that I will never forget.

I've had pre marital sex, had a lost year do to drugs and fallen into the wrong crowd and was a mean person for most of my teen years.

That changed going on 4 years ago.

However when I was trying to give the benefit of my experience here it came across a negative reaction.

Now I'm lost I've always believed that God forgives, that he wants us to learn lessons and share them with others. I guess not.

 

[Moodybleu]

I am new here so I don't know all of your story. I do know that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" and we will never be perfect as the only perfect one was Christ Jesus.
We walk many roads on our way to the Cross. We fall and crawl and stand and fall again. What we have done we cannot undo. We can only lay it at the foot of Christ and ask for forgiveness. I, myself, have done many things in my life that were morally wrong. I would imagine I will make other mistakes before my walk is finished. Though God did not "want" me to do all these things I had "free will" and chose to do them myself.
Hopefully it has made me a better and more understanding person. I am, afterall, a cultimation of each person who has touched my life whether in a positive way or a negative way. What I choose to learn from it is up to me. Please do not ever stop believing. This too may be something God is trying to show you as you walk on to your destiny with Him.
May the angels hold you near today,
Blue~

 

[crossrunner]

Dear sweet one...
You must focus your eyes on Jesus who is perfection and not look to humans who often fall short. He is your only judge. If your life turn positive turns since your conversion to Christianity, then that shows that you have indeed become a new creature. Perfection is a life long process and we will not see it in us until we go on to be with our Lord and in His presence we will be perfect. Praise God that through the blood of Jesus we have been redeemed and forgiven of our sins.
You are not alone in your struggle. We all struggle.
Please give Jesus another chance. Only He can save you. Give your life to Him and trust Him to see the whole picture and to continue to transform your life. I will be praying for you.

 

[dia_liom]

Halifax,

I'd like to apoligize on behalf of those who acted as they did. We are all imperfect, Christian or not. But our goal, as Christians, is to more closely mirror Christ, & show His presence in our lives.

If you've made positive changes since accepting Him, then you don't have anything to be ashamed of. Seek His will and His approval, and let your life be an example of how He can change our lives, if we let Him.

 

[halifaxhoney]

Thank you. While I've made positives changes in my life it seems like when I shared the things that I still haven't changed it sometimes feels that they go unrecognized. I think that if everyone knew my story they wouldn't be focusing on the one negative.

 

[crossrunner]

Thank you. While I've made positives changes in my life it seems like when I shared the things that I still haven't changed it sometimes feels that they go unrecognized. I think that if everyone knew my story they wouldn't be focusing on the one negative.

Jesus recognizes them and His stripes have healed that in your life too. All too often, people ("Christians") tend to like to pluck the splinter out of others eyes and not remove the redwood forest out of their own. Keep your eyes upon Jesus...because He is the only one that matters when it comes to your eternal soul. God bless you.

cr

 

[halifaxhoney]

Thank you.

I know that I have more to do but it takes time but who decides other than God if I'm Christian or not. After reading posts that I've found here it seems that either the three churches that I've been to aren't teaching enough or somewhere there is something wrong. I also have very different views than other Christians. Does this make me not a Christian, although in some ways I'm more "Christian" than others that claim they are?

There are events in my life that I've had to adapt to. Should in some ways faith adapt to the outcome of those events or does faith only go one way?

 

[crossrunner]

No one decides if you are a Christian or not...that is truly between you and the Lord. I would take your concerns to Him. He is your only judge.

Its hard to answer your other questions when I don't know details of your struggles (and I truly don't need to know...again, its between you and our Father). All I can tell you is that Jesus truly knows every crevice of your heart and every inch of your soul and He loves you with a perfect and unconditional love. His arms are always open for you to rest in. He is the true Prince of Peace and His love is everlasting. Please continue to place your heart, soul, love and trust in Him....and in Him only. We humans fall very very short of anything close to perfect (thank God tho that we, who call upon Him, are made "perfect" through the covering of His blood). Only Jesus should be your measuring stick and role model. God bless you in your journey for the truth. I pray that you indeed find what it is you seek and that His truth will set you free. God bless you dear one.

cr

 

[Stinker]

Keep your focus on the Book of John and the other 3 Gospels for now halifaxhoney! If you were truly born-again at one time in your life God will not give up on you, even if some other Christians will.

 

[dia_liom]

I'm in complete agreement with Crossrunner here.

As far as your comment about having different views than other Christians, I think you'll find many Christians have different views on lots of things, even within the greater Body of Christ. Some things may be more or less critical than others, but focus on knowing & hearing God's will for your life.

Don't worry about what someone else says you're doing wrong. Base your actions & your thoughts on God's word. I've heard the very simple phrase 'Where is it written' as a kind of test as to whether something matters. If you've truly accepted Christ as your Savior, then you are His child, and can start focusing on growing in Him, and sharing Him with others.

 

[perfection]

Now I'm lost I've always believed that God forgives, that he wants us to learn lessons and share them with others. I guess not.
God indeed always forgive, and you are on the right track when you say that he wants you to learn lessons and share them with others.

What makes you think that this was not the case in the first place?

 

[Zita123]

Let me tell you something here, I don't know what other people have told you but, GOD DOES forgive everything!! Just ask and tell HIM everything, give it all up to HIM and you will all of a sudden see such a change in your life. You said you were a Christian, hasn't that been the best years of your life? Please people should't be here to judge but to help!! I'm sorry that someone or people, said the wrong things to you, but, PLEASE NEVER GIVE UP ON GOD!!! He does forgive and forget and moves on as to how you worship him. I'm not saying Christian is the way, but whatever you feel that your getting the most out of HIM, go that way!! HEBREWS 11:6 and without Faith it is impossible to please GOD,because anyone who comes to HIM must believe that HE exits and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM!!! Peace and love and a big GOD BLESS!!! and an Angel to watch over you!! Zita123

I've always been a Christian and I have sinned. Sometime in our lives I believe that there is always a temptation that we fall in to.

In the past four years I've made some posititive changes to better my life and be a better Christian. I cannot be perfect. I don't have regrets because the things that I've experienced in my life have allowed me to learn valuable lessons that I will never forget.

I've had pre marital sex, had a lost year do to drugs and fallen into the wrong crowd and was a mean person for most of my teen years.

That changed going on 4 years ago.

However when I was trying to give the benefit of my experience here it came across a negative reaction.

Now I'm lost I've always believed that God forgives, that he wants us to learn lessons and share them with others. I guess not.

 

[mystery4]

I've always been a Christian and I have sinned. Sometime in our lives I believe that there is always a temptation that we fall in to.

In the past four years I've made some posititive changes to better my life and be a better Christian. I cannot be perfect. I don't have regrets because the things that I've experienced in my life have allowed me to learn valuable lessons that I will never forget.

I've had pre marital sex, had a lost year do to drugs and fallen into the wrong crowd and was a mean person for most of my teen years.

That changed going on 4 years ago.

However when I was trying to give the benefit of my experience here it came across a negative reaction.

Now I'm lost I've always believed that God forgives, that he wants us to learn lessons and share them with others. I guess not.

Just wanted to say there are some great responses others have given to you. I also believe Jesus brings different people through different experiences to reach different people. Out of those churches, did you tell more than 1 person? If so would there have been anyone else who overheard the lot or parts of it? Often times its the people who don't tell us that are the most effected by what we say or do. What about those who knew you beforehand and those afterwards? Would they have been touched by the difference Jesus made in your life?

Do not listen to Satan who hates how powerful a witness such as yours is to some people. There are also others who may not see much in it but who may be touched by something someone else says about their life. God forgives those who truly repent. If he called to you while you were in the midst of your sin,how much more would he call to you now that you're closer to Him than before? Do not forget that although we sometimes feel God doesn't care or couldn't care for such a "sinner" as I that often times thats when he calls to us the most. That is the reason we rely on Christ so much, because once we are his, his righteousness covers us and thats all God sees.

Have a read of Romans 7 and 8. don't stop at the end of Romans 7, forget the chapter break and keep reading.The oriniginal never had chapters nor verses.

May God Bless you and let Him lead you to those who will get benefit out of your story.

 

[heron]

Sorry to hear about your experience on the forum. My only defense is that God still needs to work on us. Insecurity breeds and dispenses insecurity.


We are sometimes our own worst judges...worrying about our perception in others' eyes. I've known people who committed suicide when they realized they had not done everything perfectly (disclaimer: I am not saying this is the predominant reason for suicide...just in these cases) so I think you have done very well with your life.

You have seen weaknesses, been willing to be vulnerable and human, and moved forward. To have in your heart a desire to help others through your mistakes--that's very mature and loving (and as it plays out, risky).

 

[paulnoel]

Thank you.

I know that I have more to do but it takes time but who decides other than God if I'm Christian or not. After reading posts that I've found here it seems that either the three churches that I've been to aren't teaching enough or somewhere there is something wrong. I also have very different views than other Christians. Does this make me not a Christian, although in some ways I'm more "Christian" than others that claim they are?

There are events in my life that I've had to adapt to. Should in some ways faith adapt to the outcome of those events or does faith only go one way?​

no more to do?
^
^
^
^​

 

[heron]

A month later...
You mentioned that maybe the three churches "aren't teaching enough." There was a point where I realized I needed to be in a church where the people were stronger...more convinced of the power of God and prayer. There was nothing outwardly wrong with the church, but I needed supernatural power (not trust in our own intellect power). This was one of the best moves I made in my life.

 

[gradkiss]

Hello, I wanted to point something out to all of us that you might want to exchange the look with, we all share this...our mothers are the proof...the inaliable thing about all of us is the eqaul birth...that birth is with the male and female sharing both the pain and the labor...the three are flesh to flesh that same flesh the very first one here on earth walked with, the improtant thing we must see now is this...Money seperates us all from the eqaul...even our forfathers here is this place the US knew this with the declaration of Independence...and we know ourselves as We The People, of the United States of America, Members, Citizens, Free, a government to , for, and from all of us...with this money removed...would it not look like the Kingdom was here? Good Day George

 

[PsychoSoul]

dont worry about it, i know easier said then done. u can take a person and have them change everything besides one thing, and its this one thing that will have everyone up in arms. people focusing on negitive things in other people is so easy to do and so hard not to do. Maybe people arnt meaning you arnt a christian, but more of that act isnt very christian like, though i have no clue what * christian like * really is because people seem to have different expectations. But in reality, people judging you doesn't matter because it isnt them your going to be answering to. Take it like a grain of salt, stick it on your fries. You will never be perfect to everyone and nothing will ever be good enoug.

 

[heron]

...and our personalities come out with our faith. If we're naturally nitpicky, we're going to be nitpicky Christians; if we're competitive, we'll be competitive Christians,

in the process of God giving us hints and refining us to be gentler with each other and more efficiently reach any goals we have (not sabotaging and destroying everything we hold dear).

 

[BOJAX]

Ephesians 2:8,9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of god;

not as a result of works, so that NO ONE MAY BOAST.