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Very confused about my Christian faith please help?

sweetestheart

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I know that God has blessed me by placing certain people in my life. But during the times when I was blessed, I did not have true faith. I was Christian, but I didn't know what it really meant to be Christian and I definitley didn't have complete true faith. I don't understand how that happens, because it seems like in Christianity you're told you can't have God with you until you are saved. I dont mean any of my questions ingratefully or angrily or arrogantly, I am infinitely grateful for these blessings! I guess what I'm trying to ask is:
1. Does God affect/bless/bring things into your life even if you haven't been saved/dont have faith?
2. If yes why does He do that?
3. If God has always loved us, why would rededicating myself/ being born again improve my life?
4. If I didn't have the holy spirit with me how did I recieve these blessings?
5. Does the holy spirit help me with the blessings I've received from God?
6. How does faith change things if I received blessings without faith?

Wow that's a lot thank you for your time and God bless you all!
 

asiyreh

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1. Does God affect/bless/bring things into your life even if you haven't been saved/dont have faith?

there's many verses about how God brings both the rain and the sun shine (symbolic of course of good and bad) onto all people.

2. If yes why does He do that?

He works all things for his good purpose. Romans 8:28

You as a finite creature may not see how one good thing God brings, or chastisement that God allows, could have a ripple effect, in another country, in another time, to bring his plan to fruitrition.

3. If God has always loved us, why would rededicating myself/ being born again improve my life?

There's a difference between "common grace" and "saving grace." Study those terms for a deeper answer

4. If I didn't have the holy spirit with me how did I recieve these blessings?

Christ says sometimes things just happen so the works of God might be made manifest in you John 9:3

5. Does the holy spirit help me with the blessings I've received from God?

He's the one that gives and sharpens the blessing

Defenders 2 Podcast: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit | Reasonable Faith

6. How does faith change things if I received blessings without faith?
See common grace and saving grace.
 
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Peripatetic

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Welcome to the forum! Your questions are very good, and I will do my best to answer them.

1 and 2:
God works in the lives of many people, often at unexpected times. You have to remember that God doesn't see time like we do. There is no "before saved" and "after saved" to Him. Luke 10:20 tells us that our names are already "written in heaven". Jeremiah 1:5 and Psalm 139:16 tell us that God knew us even before we were born.

Faith isn't just on/off or true/untrue. Rather, it is a life's journey (sometimes called Sanctification). God works in mysterious ways in our lives. Sometimes His influence comes form unexpected sources! Faith may also have ups and downs, but God doesn't abandon us.

3, 4, and 6:
The Holy Spirit at work in us BEFORE we make any dedication of our own. Some believe that God's chosen are not able to resist God's grace no matter how much they try, and others believe that we can reject the Holy Spirit by choice. Either way, if He is in you now, He was at work in you then. Again, it's important to remember that you were in God's plans before you were born.

5.
The Holy Spirit helps us to unravel our spiritual gifts and uncover the wisdom that is hidden by the world's influence. We learn about ourselves and how to love God and others. The whole concept of blessings are misunderstood too. A blessing doesn't necessarily mean worldly happiness. In fact, Jesus told us that the poor, hungry, depressed, and sorrowful are especially blessed! Think of blessings as deposits in a bank, with an indescribably wonderful reward waiting in Heaven.
 
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1watchman

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I would not say our names are already "written in Heaven". That is only true of a real "born again" believer in Christ. God loves all souls He creates, but we are born in sin and need to be "born again" (John 3) ---(not like Israel of old) . That can only happen by confessing our sinful nature we all have, and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ into our heart and be devoted to Him. God will then give us of His Holy Spirit and "seal" us as a "child of God". One needs to meditate and pray over John 14 and note 1 Jn. 5:10-12, etc. Look up always!
 
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Emmy

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Dear sweetestheart. You had some good replies, and I heartely agree that our Heavenly Father is all Love. Jesus gave us good advice how to show our gratitude to God. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells us: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as you love thyself." Then Jesus points out: "On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our love, freely given and no conditions made. How can we do that? We know that Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love, also. Matthew 7: 7-8: tells us: Ask and ye
shall receive. We ask God and thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour: all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends. We might stumble or forget, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on Loving and Caring.
God will see our sincere efforts to love and care, and God will bless us, And God will know that we Love God, BECAUSE we are following God`s Commandments to Love God, and love our neighbour as we love ourselves:
with kindness and always friendly words. God is Love and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. A Christian`s great weapon is Love, with love we will overcome all enmity and all wrong behaviour. LOVE AND OBEY is what
God wants from us, and Jesus is always ready to help and guide us: JESUS IS THE WAY. I say this with love, sweetestheart. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.
 
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Scott-Smith

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What is true faith? Peter denied Christ even though he walked with him.

Ever walk across a rickety bridge or anything like that where you have some doubts of the safety but do it anyway? The point is action. You have that thing inside somewhere that causes doubt then you act in faith and that thing will be chiseled away one action at a time. You as a follower of Christ are at war spiritually and will be until you go to Heaven. If not, then the deceiver has no interested in you and you pose no threat to him and that is a good time to worry. It is a part of the growth process, we are tested not to show God how much we believe but to show us and transform us. The day you became saved you were given the Holy Spirit, you have the control to allow Him to work in you and your life. You can quench His work or encourage and embrace it. You need to exercise your faith like you would your muscles if you want it to grow. Read the bible often, pray more often and act. Pray for other people, volunteer at church, tell someone about Christ....just act in faith and it will grow and then believe and give thanks to Him.

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:14
Be merciful to me, O God, because I am under attack...Psalm 56
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57
 
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It sounds to me like you were going along well in your Christian walk, when someone stepped in to rip apart what you had been doing, and maybe even compete a little.

It's sad when people do this -- sometimes it's legalism, sometimes errant teaching, not understanding who you are and not really caring to.... but make sure that you stand firmly in confidence with what you know about God.

God would still love you if you lived on a desert island with no people to evangelize, no soup to pour for others, no money to give to causes, no Christian living books, no instrument to accompany your singing. He just loves you.
 
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hedrick

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I think being connected with God improves some things. But I don't think there's any evidence either in the Bible or Christian experience that God makes things better or worse around you depending upon the state of your faith. That leads people to what I'd call reading tea leaves: looking for messages from God for every event in their lives.

We all grow in faith over time. We realize how partial our previous faith was. That doesn't mean that we weren't Christians before, and it doesn't mean we're suddenly going to become successful in a worldly sense.
 
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parsonsmom

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Greetings; I think we all have had a time we were confused. lack of leadership not being present to you is a hard way to go.

what does it say? The word is near you; in your mouth and in your spirit; that is, the word of faith which we preach; that if you confess with your mouth; the Lord Jesus and believe in your spirit; that God has raised Him from the dead; you will be saved; For with the spirit one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession; is made unto salvation; For the Scripture says; Whoever believes on Him will here; For with the spirit; you believes; adheres to; trusts in; and relies on Christ; and so is justified; declared righteous; acceptable to God; and with the mouth he confesses; declares openly; and speaks out freely your faith; and confirms; your salvation; For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him; For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If you have not done this; I encourage you to do so. you will know the difference. Respectfully; Parsonsmom.
 
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