OK guys, I'm new....and well, I was just kinda lookin' for an answer here. I know people are put into our lives to make us doubt and I fully believe that Christ is the One and only but the thing is that people are saying "What if you're believing in the wrong thing?" and so I think "Well, I fully believe God is the only way but what if I'm just believing this and my whole life I'm wrong....God is the only way but how do we know we're right?" You have to have Faith right? Well, I was just wondering what everyone thought about this! I need something to tell the people who are saying this to me without just saying "you have to have faith"! Anyone know what to say about this subject? I'd really appreciate some insight.
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
Struggling!
- Thread starter SmUrPh
- Start date
Blessed-one
a long journey ahead
um, the thing is, you can't be believing in Christ without faith, which is why atheists would never comprehend the situation (and why Paul encouraged believers to have fellowship, since we're different from all other people out there)
the thing to ask would be, instead of trying to accomodate the non-believers' questions, what sustains your faith?
the thing to ask would be, instead of trying to accomodate the non-believers' questions, what sustains your faith?
Upvote
0
Reformationist
Non nobis domine sed tuo nomine da gloriam
- Mar 7, 2002
- 14,273
- 465
- 52
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
Why? Is it in them that you have faith? Did God ever tell us to prove ourselves to others because they will judge our souls? I'm curious why their approval or their acknowledgement of the truth of your claims makes a difference. Either you believe that Christ died for your sins, and that's enough, or you don't, and it's not enough. Which is it? If it's the former you'll find that you won't need, nor want, to do anything more than share your faith with those who desire to learn of God.SmUrPh said:
God bless
Upvote
0
We have to consider though, that I don't think God wanted us not to use our minds at all.
I mean, if you were a Jehovah's Witness we would all be glad if you were questioning it and willing to admit that you could be wrong because then you could leave JW behind and come to Christianity.
But it is just like anything. You have to be a good Private Investigator. Some people aren't, they depend on the arguements of others too much forgetting that there are counter-arguements to those out there too. Some people use their emotions too much, instead of their heads. Some people aren't interested in being thorough because that takes work.
Take it one step at a time. I have questioned and I am still Christian and the only way I could cease being one is if God erased my memory and I couldn't remember that I had actually met Him.
But it works both ways. What if you are wrong? What if they are wrong? What if they failed to meet and know God on His terms?
My advice would be to pick up some good books from people who think clearly. Read the NT, find some simple questions and work your way up. You have to start somewhere but at the very least give faith a fighting chance.
We can help you here too.
After spending time talking to athiests, we divided Christians can appreciate this in each other, faith in Christ, well alright, some of us. This is a great thing.
I mean, if you were a Jehovah's Witness we would all be glad if you were questioning it and willing to admit that you could be wrong because then you could leave JW behind and come to Christianity.
But it is just like anything. You have to be a good Private Investigator. Some people aren't, they depend on the arguements of others too much forgetting that there are counter-arguements to those out there too. Some people use their emotions too much, instead of their heads. Some people aren't interested in being thorough because that takes work.
Take it one step at a time. I have questioned and I am still Christian and the only way I could cease being one is if God erased my memory and I couldn't remember that I had actually met Him.
But it works both ways. What if you are wrong? What if they are wrong? What if they failed to meet and know God on His terms?
My advice would be to pick up some good books from people who think clearly. Read the NT, find some simple questions and work your way up. You have to start somewhere but at the very least give faith a fighting chance.
We can help you here too.
After spending time talking to athiests, we divided Christians can appreciate this in each other, faith in Christ, well alright, some of us. This is a great thing.
Upvote
0
BarbB
I stand with my brothers and sisters in Israel!
1 Peter 3:[15] But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience,
We should all be prepared!
We should all be prepared!
Upvote
0
I don't know your situation but if you are a Christian surrounded by Non-Christians, I feel your pain. I was raised in a home of Non-Christians but was converted and soon found myself standing alone. Not a fun situation. If you are in a similar position, this is how the Lord can prevail.
At first, you must seperate yourself from those who do not believe. You are too young in Christ to go into full battle for him. If you do not get away and prepare yourself you will loose not only the battle but the war. I'm not saying move away. Get yourself involved in the church and spend as much time with knowlegeable Christians as you possibly can. During this time question your pastor and new found church friends to get the answers you need. Search the bible day and knight and pray that the Lord will open your eyes.
After a period of time your knowledge and faith will grow. You will feel impowered by the Lord to face the non-believers. Before you know it, the Lord will have prepared you and you will not be hesitant to face these people. Instead, you will be the authority and the non-believers will sence it in you.
I found that when I went back home, I never moved I just began spending more time at home because I was strong in the Lord, the non-believers did not question me. In fact they dodged me. They began to hide when they were doing something immoral. My mear presence brought judgement and shame on them and they ran.
Finnaly, they began to come to me and ask questions again. It was a different kind of questioning this time. It was out of respect of me and for that which I stood for. Although they did not understand my authority, I assure you they felt it, respected it, and became curious of it. They wanted to know how they could gain such authority. To this day I am letting the Lord work through me to reach them.
Prepare yourself for battle and Good Luck!
At first, you must seperate yourself from those who do not believe. You are too young in Christ to go into full battle for him. If you do not get away and prepare yourself you will loose not only the battle but the war. I'm not saying move away. Get yourself involved in the church and spend as much time with knowlegeable Christians as you possibly can. During this time question your pastor and new found church friends to get the answers you need. Search the bible day and knight and pray that the Lord will open your eyes.
After a period of time your knowledge and faith will grow. You will feel impowered by the Lord to face the non-believers. Before you know it, the Lord will have prepared you and you will not be hesitant to face these people. Instead, you will be the authority and the non-believers will sence it in you.
I found that when I went back home, I never moved I just began spending more time at home because I was strong in the Lord, the non-believers did not question me. In fact they dodged me. They began to hide when they were doing something immoral. My mear presence brought judgement and shame on them and they ran.
Finnaly, they began to come to me and ask questions again. It was a different kind of questioning this time. It was out of respect of me and for that which I stood for. Although they did not understand my authority, I assure you they felt it, respected it, and became curious of it. They wanted to know how they could gain such authority. To this day I am letting the Lord work through me to reach them.
Prepare yourself for battle and Good Luck!
Upvote
0
Rising_Suns
'Christ's desolate heart is in need of comfort'
hey smurph,
my advice to you would be to focus on building your own faith in Christ further, and surround yourself less with athiests and heretics. It will be more dentrimental to a young Christian, than beneficial to them.
my advice to you would be to focus on building your own faith in Christ further, and surround yourself less with athiests and heretics. It will be more dentrimental to a young Christian, than beneficial to them.
Upvote
0
Belief on Christ and the Scriptures requires faith, but not a blind faith. Faith is built on the promises and actions of God and the trustworthiness of the Scriptures.
Keep yourself immersed in the Word and in prayer.
Keep yourself immersed in the Word and in prayer.
Upvote
0
Hebrew 11;6-But without faith it is impossible to please him;for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Revelations 14;12-Here is the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of God,and the faith of Jesus.
You've have got to have faith to believe Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
God Bless.
Revelations 14;12-Here is the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of God,and the faith of Jesus.
You've have got to have faith to believe Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
God Bless.
Upvote
0
Ken
Well-Known Member
Smurf.... I think what a few of us are getting at is this.... do not allow your worldview to be compromised by giving in to the proof that atheists ask for.....
Firstly, God does not need us to prove His existence, the Bible clearly says that all men already know God, they just suppress this knowledge in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18ff)
Secondly, why should we, as believers, subject our faith to the metaphysical and epistemologic criteria established by the unbelieving world? In other words, why assume the truth of the atheist's worldview, that the only thing that is "real" is that which is empirically verifiable etc, and then think that you have to prove that God exists by their criteria, especially when their criteria for what is true or real already excludes the supernaturalistic worldview of the Christian before they even get started towards their reasoning processes .. there is no reason to grant their a priori beliefs as your standard... the Christian's standard is the Word of God, not atheistic/materialistic metaphysical ever changing -- never true criteria for "proof"...
blessings
Firstly, God does not need us to prove His existence, the Bible clearly says that all men already know God, they just suppress this knowledge in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18ff)
Secondly, why should we, as believers, subject our faith to the metaphysical and epistemologic criteria established by the unbelieving world? In other words, why assume the truth of the atheist's worldview, that the only thing that is "real" is that which is empirically verifiable etc, and then think that you have to prove that God exists by their criteria, especially when their criteria for what is true or real already excludes the supernaturalistic worldview of the Christian before they even get started towards their reasoning processes .. there is no reason to grant their a priori beliefs as your standard... the Christian's standard is the Word of God, not atheistic/materialistic metaphysical ever changing -- never true criteria for "proof"...
blessings
Upvote
0
- Dec 25, 2003
- 6,026
- 132
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Baptist
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
"Can you see God? Have you ever seen him? I've never seen wind. I've seen the effects of the wind, but I've never seen the wind. There's a mystery too it."
Billy Graham
Billy Graham
Upvote
0
Similar threads
