Simple Question

[digstar]

Greetings all,
I hope this finds you all well. I am still struggling in my heart to decide wether or not I can be a christian. My grandfather died 2 days ago, and I dont know if he was a Christian or not, but I dont think he was. This was kind of a wake up call to me, and now I am being even more bothered by my lack of faith. Anywhoo, I have a simple question
If you believe that Yahweh is the one true God, and you believe Yeshua died for your sins, but you dont understand christianity, you dont like christians, and you dont think you are going to be a good christian, are you a christian or are you not. I know this question sounds stupid and immature, but I would like to know. I guess in a more formal fation, I am asking, can u believe in Yeshua and Yahweh, but have an unknowning or weary outlook on what is to come and still be a christian. Thanks.

 

[tapero]

Dear Digstar,

Hi, I am so sorry about your grandfather's passing. I pray comfort for you and your family.

To your questions: when most of us come to Christ, we don't even know Christians, know nothng of the bible, yet we come to Christ. It sounds like you know how to become a Christian,

Romans 10:
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

God will give you a new heart and a desire to know who He is. Your whole perspective will change. You will thirst for His word, the bible, and you will love others.

You won't love everybody and Christians might still aggravate you but you will grow in love.

These things happen from being born again.

You become a new creation in Christ, the old will pass away.

I hope this has helped some. Tapero

 

[Tavita]

Sorry about your grandfather's passing, Digstar,

What's most important is your relationship with Yeshua. Concentrate on that and let Him deal with all the other issues in your faith life. He knows how to do it, so just trust He'll look after you.

When I first came to Him many years ago I had lots of problems with faith and christians, and I failed many times to walk the way He wanted me to... in fact I still fail. But He's a merciful and loving Lord and keeps on loving us no matter how much we fail. And He will heal those areas of your life that need healing.


(Mat 6:33) "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

(Mat 6:34) "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

[ebia]

If you believe that Yahweh is the one true God, and you believe Yeshua died for your sins, but you dont understand christianity,

does anyone?

you dont like christians,

you don't have to like them, but you are called to love them

Most of us don't like all of them.

and you dont think you are going to be a good christian,

very few are

are you a christian or are you not

.
Yep. Keep asking questions and read Ecclesiastes.

I know this question sounds stupid and immature, but I would like to know. I guess in a more formal fation, I am asking, can u believe in Yeshua and Yahweh, but have an unknowning or weary outlook on what is to come and still be a christian. Thanks.

Like I said - read Ecclesiastes. The author is in the same position you are.

 

[Adstar]

Greetings all,
I hope this finds you all well. I am still struggling in my heart to decide wether or not I can be a christian. My grandfather died 2 days ago, and I dont know if he was a Christian or not, but I dont think he was. This was kind of a wake up call to me, and now I am being even more bothered by my lack of faith. Anywhoo, I have a simple question
If you believe that Yahweh is the one true God, and you believe Yeshua died for your sins, but you dont understand christianity, you dont like christians, and you dont think you are going to be a good christian, are you a christian or are you not. I know this question sounds stupid and immature, but I would like to know. I guess in a more formal fation, I am asking, can u believe in Yeshua and Yahweh, but have an unknowning or weary outlook on what is to come and still be a christian. Thanks.

I hope your grandfather did believe Jesus.

If one says that one believes Jesus and knows nothing about Jesus then what worth is there in such a statement? You have to get to know the one who you rely upon as your Lord and Redeemer. Otherwise Jesus/Yeshua is just a name.

I am sure you know a fair deal about Jesus what He said and did and what happened to Him. Therefore in your case i feel that when you say you believe Yeshua/Jesus you are talking about a fleshed out figure in your mind rather than just a name with no meaning.

I do not Know the level of understanding you have about Jesus and what makes Him Messiah. But i feel you know enough. I would strongly suggest that you keep reading what Jesus said and the rest of the Bible, (NT in particular ) says about Him.

You must however believe the following if you want to call yourself a follower of Jesus.

Romans 10
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”(that is, the word of faith which we preach):9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

If you feel that you do believe this then please repeat it to us in your next post and express your belief in it. Confess to us that you believe.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[thepianist]

Greetings all,
I hope this finds you all well. I am still struggling in my heart to decide wether or not I can be a christian. My grandfather died 2 days ago, and I dont know if he was a Christian or not, but I dont think he was. This was kind of a wake up call to me, and now I am being even more bothered by my lack of faith. Anywhoo, I have a simple question
If you believe that Yahweh is the one true God, and you believe Yeshua died for your sins, but you dont understand christianity, you dont like christians, and you dont think you are going to be a good christian, are you a christian or are you not. I know this question sounds stupid and immature, but I would like to know. I guess in a more formal fation, I am asking, can u believe in Yeshua and Yahweh, but have an unknowning or weary outlook on what is to come and still be a christian. Thanks.

First of all, I am sorry that your grandfather passed away. It's always hard to loose someone you love. You have asked a simple question....so I will try to give you a simple answer. God gave us the Bible to tell us exactly what we must do to be saved:

Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 10:9 & 10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

We simply acknowledge to Him that we are a sinner and cannot save ourself. Confess to Him that we believe that His Son died on the cross and rose from dead. We tell Him that we want to accept His free gift of eternal life.....and thank Him for saving our soul.

My prayer is that you will receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

 

[MikeMcK]

Greetings all,
I hope this finds you all well. I am still struggling in my heart to decide wether or not I can be a christian. My grandfather died 2 days ago, and I dont know if he was a Christian or not, but I dont think he was. This was kind of a wake up call to me, and now I am being even more bothered by my lack of faith.

I'm very sorry about your loss. I know it's difficult to lose a grandfather.

Your questions are very common for somebody in your situation. It was my dad's battle with cancer and his death from that disease that made me ask the same questions.

If you believe that Yahweh is the one true God, and you believe Yeshua died for your sins, but you dont understand christianity...

We're not saved by knowing about Yeshua, but by knowing Yeshua.

There are plenty of examples in scripture of people who didn't have an academic understanding of God, but who embraced Christ as their Savior by faith.

...and you dont think you are going to be a good christian, are you a christian or are you not.

There are no good Christians. If we could be good, we wouldn't need a Savior.

I know this question sounds stupid and immature...

No, not really. That you're able to look at yourself so honestly is a big mark of maturity.

I guess in a more formal fation, I am asking, can u believe in Yeshua and Yahweh, but have an unknowning or weary outlook on what is to come and still be a christian. Thanks.

Yes.

 

[TexasGirl06]

Greetings all,
I hope this finds you all well. I am still struggling in my heart to decide wether or not I can be a christian. My grandfather died 2 days ago, and I dont know if he was a Christian or not, but I dont think he was. This was kind of a wake up call to me, and now I am being even more bothered by my lack of faith. Anywhoo, I have a simple question
If you believe that Yahweh is the one true God, and you believe Yeshua died for your sins, but you dont understand christianity, you dont like christians, and you dont think you are going to be a good christian, are you a christian or are you not. I know this question sounds stupid and immature, but I would like to know. I guess in a more formal fation, I am asking, can u believe in Yeshua and Yahweh, but have an unknowning or weary outlook on what is to come and still be a christian. Thanks.

Hey Digstar.....
You do not have to understand the all of Christianity in order to be a Christian. It is actually a lifelong process.

It isn't about being good. You can never be good enough...in God's eyes. That is why He sent Jesus. Jesus' blood covers over our sin.

Now...once a Christian, one will genuinely want to be good. Yup, they will fail. (I fail daily) They will realize their failure...and it will bother them. It is quite a process...and it will be how it is until we go to heaven.

Christians are by no means perfect.

Do not worry too much. The fact that you are having these concerns is actually very encouraging. You are seeking the Truth. I praise God for that, Digstar.

I would recommend that you get involved in a Bible Based church.

A few years ago, I inquired of the Christian Research Institute.....if they could direct me to a Bible Based Church in my area. They did not want to give specifics, but they did give me three "denominations" they recommended. If you send me a PM....I will tell you what they said.

Praying for you in just a few moments, Digstar.

 

[heron]

Mic 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walkhumbly with your God?


We don't know much about death and the afterlife, but I've seen some interviews with people who died, were led toward Hell, and when they felt overcome with evil, cried out to Jesus for help...and eventually returned to life. I can't say whether these were dreams or real incidents, but it gives me hope at funerals when I worry about people. Of course that doesn't bring your grandpa back...were you close?

 

[LilLamb219]

My condolences on the loss of your loved one.

Christianity isn't about us, it's about Him. Please, don't look to other Christians to determine if you want to be one because we might not always be showing our best side...since we still live in these sinful bodies. Look instead to the cross. If you realize that you need a savior and that at the cross one was provided for you and you trust in that forgiveness of sins, you are a Christian. You don't have to ACT like some other Christians act because hey, they might be too law-driven and as Christians we should be Gospel-led.

Law and Gospel have their rightful purposes and both should be preached.

God gave us His commandments to show us how he'd like us to live, but He knows we could NEVER live up to His standards. That's why we need a savior. But still, after rejoicing that we have a savior, we see that here on earth, the commandments help us and help others, don't they? By following the commandments to the best of our ability (not for salvation but for the love of God and the love of our neighbors), we see how much of a better effect we can have on our family's and neighbor's lives.

So, don't worry about being the best person you can be. That's not what salvation is about. Christians look to the cross knowing that salvation was won there and in thanksgiving we give praise to our God and live our lives in ways that benefit our neighbors...because now we are free to do so without the burden of the law.

 

[jbran555]

Just keep growing in your relationship with Christ. Pray, praise him, just spend time with him. Talk to a pastor or someone that you can relate to that is a christian.

 

[ebia]

Mic 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walkhumbly with your God?

Good quote. I have it on my classroom wall.

 

[Merlin]

If you believe that Yahweh is the one true God, and you believe Yeshua died for your sins,

Belief alone is not enough.
You must take action.

but you dont understand christianity,

Understanding is not a requirement

you dont like christians,

who you like or don't is a personal choice.

and you dont think you are going to be a good christian,

You won't be.
No one is good enough.
That's why we must rely on Jesus for our salvation.

are you a christian or are you not.

A Christian is one who realises s/he isn't good enough and needs help (from Jesus).

I know this question sounds stupid and immature, but I would like to know. I guess in a more formal fation, I am asking, can u believe in Yeshua and Yahweh, but have an unknowning or weary outlook on what is to come and still be a christian. Thanks.

Being a Christian means that you have accepted the gift of salvation from Jesus.

 

[TheSuperNews]

I don't know if this will help, but God has always been Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet one God. In order to pay for all mankind's sins God had to send his Son, to be born into a human. Scripture says that God (the Son) had emptied himself of all his passed power, and was dependent on the Father living in him by the Holy Spirit. Christ was born by Holy Spirit and human flesh.

After Jesus succeeded in living a perfect life as a human, and being crucified, thus paying for the sins of all mankind, he went to the Father and sent Holy Spirit to available to live inside every Christian who believes in Jesus Christ, who he was, and what he did, thus making any such individual to able to live just like Jesus did while he walked on earth.

Receiving and living by the Holy Spirit within you is where it is at for a Christian. Being a Christians is enjoying the closest possible experience of relationship with ones own Maker.