What if you truly WANT to believe...

[LindseyMarie]

...but you just can't? I used to be a huge Christian. I even wanted to be a nun at one point in my life, but then as I got older and started becoming more independent I started to notice things that just weren't right about Christianity. Lots of contradictions in the Bible and many many other reasons as well...but anyway, thats somewhat irrelevant to the main question here. Now I'm agnostic. I felt I had a good relationship with this God that I now feel could just be imaginary. And when I was a Christian I was not afraid to die. But now that I just don't know if he's real or not I'm terrified of death. I do miss the relationship I had with Christ before and I miss being able to live without fear. But I cannot believe without seeing. Its just not in me. I pray/beg frequently that God shows me a sign or that I become capable of believing on faith alone but nothing ever changes. I'm still just as lost as ever. So, for those of you that believe hell awaits those don't believe...what about us that truly want to believe and just can't, no matter how much they want to? Can any of you give me some insight on the situation in general? Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[2LivIsChrist]

Hey, LindseyMarie! I would just say, you have to walk by faith. Take that step. I mean if you do trust in God with your whole heart, how will it harm you? It's better to believe in him (even if your not absolutley sure) then know that you could possibly go to hell. I mean what else is there to live for? Our weak selves? Cry out to God, and ask him to work in your life. Just be personal with him, and even just look in his word. Take a step of faith, like I said again, and give your life to him. If you think about it, and truely just study God's word, everything fits into place. I mean the whole bible is about Jesus being God. Everything from the OT to the NT leads up to Jesus' death and resurection. He's a loving God, and he once you to except him as being your father. I pray that you will just see who Jesus really is, and that the holy spirit will just reveal that to you through his wisdom! God bless!

 

[Rafael]

Fear is the expectation that bad things will happen and is the opposite of faith which expects the good. God gives us an expectation of a good future without fear and He speaks to you and all people everyday with the greatest language there is. It is life, and life is evidence of God, as is death a witness to mankind's fall into sin and death.
Let me say that because the failings of man's relgion is often huge in its contradictions, as you have truthfully said, it does not mean that God has been unfaithful towards His creation in man or been unloving. Nothing is ever lost to God that turns to Him and reaches out for His help.
He is there for you if you want Him, and no matter how great our sins, He will forgive and receive us back to Himself if we repent and ask. There is nothing that says more than life, but that second witness is the Bible which tells us about mankind's fall into sin and death and the promise of God to redeem that which was lost for all time. From past to future, He has made provision for all through His own sacrifice at the cross.
You can build up your faith with His word in scripture and by praying and asking for forgiveness. If you wnat more faith, tell God of you lack and desires in plain everyday language without pretense of pose. He is everywhere as the Father and the Spirit, and will soon return in the flesh again as the Son. He bids you and I to rest in Him from our sins and fears. His burden for us is to love one another and care as He did for us.
I hope good things for you, as love is perfected in you over time, fear is cast out... God bless....

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.
11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

 

[georgie2319]

HI I struggle with my faith at times but i dont give up on God because he doesnt let me down and never has. Its humans that let humans down

 

[salida]

...but you just can't? I used to be a huge Christian. I even wanted to be a nun at one point in my life, but then as I got older and started becoming more independent I started to notice things that just weren't right about Christianity. Lots of contradictions in the Bible and many many other reasons as well...but anyway, thats somewhat irrelevant to the main question here. Now I'm agnostic. I felt I had a good relationship with this God that I now feel could just be imaginary. And when I was a Christian I was not afraid to die. But now that I just don't know if he's real or not I'm terrified of death. I do miss the relationship I had with Christ before and I miss being able to live without fear. But I cannot believe without seeing. Its just not in me. I pray/beg frequently that God shows me a sign or that I become capable of believing on faith alone but nothing ever changes. I'm still just as lost as ever. So, for those of you that believe hell awaits those don't believe...what about us that truly want to believe and just can't, no matter how much they want to? Can any of you give me some insight on the situation in general? Thanks in advance everyone.

Well, there arn't contradictions in the Bible. The term contradiction is defined as two things not being able to happen at the same time. In fact, if people were saved by intellect alone - they all would be running toward christianity buts its a spiritual and moral decision not an intellectual one. This isn't a book section, but I recommend reading Examine the Evidence by Muncaster. He was once an athiest but now is a christian - its a start as there are many books out there. And "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel - (just a start out of many books).

God has given us big hints that He exists(the christian god):

- "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth, and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each of us, Acts 17:26-27.

- Look around at His creation on earth- Psalms 19: 1-4

The Bible is rooted in evidence and history; there are hundreds of prophesies that have come true and more to come. Its a history, wise, poetic, song, legal, prophetic, archealogical book all rolled into one. No other religious book does this at all. Its the most true book in the world - it has overwhelming evidence - much more than any classicla history like Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Caesar and Tacitus. Its been unaltered sunce the original writings attested by scholars. The reliability is confirmed by the testimony of its authors who were eyewitnesses to the recorded events by secular historians who confirm the many events, people, places and customs. Other religions lack historical validation.

If you want to return to Christ, I would pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to come back into my heart and take it a day at a time. Again, its a spiritual decision and I will pray for you.

 

[D'Ann]

Faith is a bit difficult to explain... but I'll give it a try...

All of our lives, we have "heard" about Venus... but have any of us ever been to Venus or seen Venus? I haven't other than pictures... similar to seeing pictures of religious stuff and yet... I know that there is a planet out there by the name of Venus.

Sometimes faith is not something that we can tangibly touch or feel or see... sometimes, it is something that we just kind of know...

Another example:

You know that one day... you'll probably meet someone special (if you haven't already) and one day start your life with him and have babies... atleast, we embrace this concept by faith that one day... this is a possibility. That is faith.

Faith... What is faith? Faith is hope and with hope comes heart and love.

Faith is something that people hope for and know that one day.. it will come to pass.

No one here can "prove" with substantial evidence that there is God... but at the same time... how do we explain all of the unknown mysteries.

Agnostic... that means that you believe in God, but not in manmade institutions that say they represent God...

I was agnostic and my husband was also agnostic. What helped me was that I really and sincerely started to search for the "Truth". After a lot of research and a lot of resistance, I found what I was looking for in the Catholic Church.

I think that it is the Holy Spirit that has to lead us to the right faith for us. Only the Holy Spirit can fill that quench and void in one's heart and mind. You are always welcome to pm me with any questions. I'll probably not know the answers, but I'll do my best to find the answers.

God bless,

Deb

 

[christianmomof3]

I am praying that the Lord will draw you to Himself in His love.

 

[Harry3142]

There are two books out now which I have enjoyed reading. They are The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith, both written by Lee Strobel, who was at one time an agnostic.

This passage was written by St. Paul circa 56 AD, and most conservative scholars believe that he himself learned it from Ananias at the time of his baptism in Damascus. I call it 'The Pauline Creed':

"For what I learned I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." (I Corinthians 15:3-8,NIV)

At the time that this was written, many of the apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ were still alive. Those who wanted to stamp out Christianity were also alive. If this statement were not true, it would have been an easy matter to prove that, and then Christianity would have died out. But they couldn't disprove it, as it had actually happened. So they had to resort to beating and/or killing Christ's followers in an attempt to crush this religion and thus remain in power.

But St. Paul tells us that the righteousness which God requires of those who wish to be with him, God also provides to them:

"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law, rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:19-26,NIV)

If you need faith, ask God to give it to you. He is perfectly willing to do so.

God bless-

 

[XR0391]

It's normal for many life-long believers to fall out of faith and then seek it again. Some can keep it all there lives, but others question. I was one of those that was born into a Christian family, doubted, and after a while of seeking, came back into faith. When I did come back, I realized how weak I always was with the concept of Christianity. It was like I was living most of my early christian life life with a numb, passive relationship with God that I never gave thought to. Anyhow, I wanted to share a quick passage from "The Meaning of Being a Christian" by Harry Emerson Fosdick. It's an old book, but the passage is relevant.

"...As George Macdonald put it, "Each generation must do its own seeking and finding. The father's having found is only the warrant for the children's search." Said Goeth: "What you have inherited from your fathers must earn for yourself before you call it yours." This individual expirence makes religion real. The awkward age of the spirit, when the old security of credulous belief has gone and the new assurance of personal conviction has not yet fully come, is a small price to pay for the sense of reality that enters into religion when a man himself knows God. Such is the ideal transition from credulity to independance, from hearsay to reality."

Much love.

 

[BlueLeader]

but you just can't? I used to be a huge Christian. I even wanted to be a nun at one point in my life, but then as I got older and started becoming more independent I started to notice things that just weren't right about Christianity. Lots of contradictions in the Bible and many many other reasons as well...but anyway, thats somewhat irrelevant to the main question here.

Did you actually search for refutations to those alleged contradictions? This is obviously one of the central issues in your spiritual life at the moment: You don't know if the Bible and the message therein can be trusted. If the Bible isn't true, then how can we know if what it reveals about God (e.g. His faithfulness and goodness) is trustworthy? Answers In Genesis is a great resource for refuting evolutionary thinking and restoring the authority of the Bible from the very first verse, while Christian Answers Network and Got Questions Ministries are two good sources for upholding Biblical authority and refuting many alleged contradictions. Alternatively, just type in the verses of the contradiction and the word "contradiction" or "refutation" into Google or any other search engine and find the Christian response to it. If there isn't one on the Internet that you can find that refutes the alleged contradiction, talk to a pastor. It's their job to answer your questions and point you towards the cross.

I felt I had a good relationship with this God that I now feel could just be imaginary. And when I was a Christian I was not afraid to die. But now that I just don't know if he's real or not I'm terrified of death.

I occasionally have doubts like that, but I know that if they drive me from the cross they are generally of Satan or the self-pity side of me. Deep down inside I know that I felt God and heard Him even though my feelings and "reason" tell me other wise. Do you have that feeling deep in your soul that you know God exists and that you know you have experienced Him? Do you have that “big black hole” that only God can fill that many unbelievers are said to have?

I do miss the relationship I had with Christ before and I miss being able to live without fear.

Then isn't it obvious that you have some feelings and experiences on which you can look back and say that at that point I really felt God's presence and because He was with me then, and His Word says that He'll be with me always (e.g. Matthew 28:20), that He is with me now even though I can't feel Him?

Further more, peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is obvious that the Holy Spirit was working in you and that He wants to continue if you turn towards Him.

But I cannot believe without seeing. Its just not in me.

You've just brought a lie of Satan. You did it once and can do it again… You can believe without seeing because as Paul says in Romans 1:20, just looking at the world around you is enough to convince people of God's existence and nature such that they are without excuse for their unbelief. The testimony of people such as Chinese Christian Brother Yun in his book The Heavenly Man is further evidence. You just need to search for them.

I really liked what a previous poster said about using Venus as an example of faith. We have faith all the time - I have faith that I will get to TAFE tomorrow, even though I haven't been there. I have faith that my parents will continue to allow me to use the their car tomorrow, even though I haven't experienced that. I have faith that my parents will continue to be able to pay all the bills and mortgage, be able to buy food, and so on. You see, we all exercise faith every day, so it isn't that you can't believe without seeing. It is more as to whether or not you want to believe.

I pray/beg frequently that God shows me a sign or that I become capable of believing on faith alone but nothing ever changes. I'm still just as lost as ever.

Perhaps that is because you are praying the wrong prayer? What you are essentially doing through praying like you do is telling God to align His will with yours and to do as you say. Now obviously, that isn't the best thing to do when talking to the Almighty I AM of the universe. Don’t do that. Instead, why not pray as prayer is meant to be used - to align yourself and will to Him? Why not pray (or talk) to God and just tell Him the way that you feel and where you are at [i.e. be honest] and then end with something like: "God, I want to believe and follow you as my Lord and Saviour whether or not you show me evidence of You, but I ask that as I follow You that You'll reveal more and more of Yourself to me."

One thing that I’ve come to realize is that God will reveal Himself to you in His timing. You see, He may just be testing the sincerity with which you seek Him. The Bible says to seek with all your heart. This doesn't mean that if He doesn't respond to you straight away or after a few weeks or whatever that you just give up. This shows an insincere heart. Patience and perseverance are the keys. In His timing He will answer to your cries in His way according to His purpose.

Try fasting from something (it doesn't have to be food) that means a lot to you for a period of days to show God your sincerity and to focus on God by listening to Christian music like the praise and worship genre, reading the Bible, and praying. This is one way of drawing close to God and as the Bible says, He will then draw close to you.

I guess the experience of Peter should comfort you when he reached the final step of spiritual regression when he denied knowing or ever being with Jesus. Peter had lost all sense of reality and seemingly all awareness of God at that time. Despite Peter's fall, he was restored and Jesus, after being raised, wanted Peter to know that He still loved him. Just as He did with Peter, so too will He take you back and on a deeper level when you are ready to turn to Him.

So, for those of you that believe hell awaits those don't believe...what about us that truly want to believe and just can't, no matter how much they want to?

I don't believe that this can genuinely happen as the Bible clearly states that God will be found by you when you seek Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13-14). Jesus also said that for everyone who seeks will find (Matthew 7:8).

I will pray that your faith will be strengthened when you choose to continue your walk with God. God loves you and He will never leave you, and He wants to bless you graciously, regardless of what your feelings and "reason" tell you.

The others have also given you great advice. I hope that all the answers on this thread will help you on your spiritual journey and that the Holy Spirit will make God more real to you as you hopefully continue on your journey with Him.

I sincerely say "God bless you" and that He be with you always (because He wants to and promises that He will!).

 

[BroGinder]

...but you just can't? I used to be a huge Christian. I even wanted to be a nun at one point in my life, but then as I got older and started becoming more independent I started to notice things that just weren't right about Christianity. Lots of contradictions in the Bible and many many other reasons as well...but anyway, thats somewhat irrelevant to the main question here. Now I'm agnostic. I felt I had a good relationship with this God that I now feel could just be imaginary. And when I was a Christian I was not afraid to die. But now that I just don't know if he's real or not I'm terrified of death. I do miss the relationship I had with Christ before and I miss being able to live without fear. But I cannot believe without seeing. Its just not in me. I pray/beg frequently that God shows me a sign or that I become capable of believing on faith alone but nothing ever changes. I'm still just as lost as ever. So, for those of you that believe hell awaits those don't believe...what about us that truly want to believe and just can't, no matter how much they want to? Can any of you give me some insight on the situation in general? Thanks in advance everyone.

Lindsey,

That is an awesome question. I bet that you are not the first person to feel this way and I bet you wont be the last. I am almost sure that if this topic stays in the forefront you will find there are NUMEROUS people who have experienced exactly what you are feeling right now.

No matter where you are in Christ, if you ar ein Christ, you have to know there is no contradiction in the Bible. THe only contradiction comes from man in his self interpretaiton of the Word. It is imperative that as Leaders in the Church we not put our interpretation out there. It is most important that what matters is what God meant, not what we think he meant. If you want to know what God meant ask God. He will reveal it to you. Maybe not immediatley but he will allow you to be in a situation to understand or just completely reveal it to you.

I hope I do not offend with the next phrase I will use. I have been in this very situation that I am about to define for you. Backslid is a phrase most God fearing people do not like to use when tlaking about them selves. When we purpose ourselves to do our will instead of Gods Will, we begin a path of backslidding. Some say traveling the wrong path. However, you discribe it thats what it is. What happens then?

In the story of the Prodigal son, the son asked his father for his inheritance because he was leaving, he was outa there. the father gave the inheritance and the son left. the farther did not pursue him. Did not change that the father loved the son, he just did not pursue him. Then through many trials and tribulations the Bible says the son "Came to himself" and returned home. the father welcomed him with open arms.

I say that for this purpose, it sounds to me like your will is "Coming to itself". A noticing that things are not as they should be. A want to return to the father. He is standing with his arms our and calling you back home. This is called conviction. You are seeking the knowledge as to why you feel this way.

I have been in the spot where it felt I couldnt touch God. Like all my prayers were not being heard. I made a decision and I told God. I do not care if you ever touch me again. I am going to serve you regardless.

My suggesiton to you is to be persistant and keep pursuing God because he truly cares. He sometimes likes to see how we react when he is not spoiling us with his blessings and presence.

I will pray for you God Bless. Please keep us updated as to how thigns are going for you. I expect a praise report with deliverance for you.

 

[dvd_holc]

God can send thunder and lightening. He can ripe open heaven to saw a word to you. He can raise people from the dead. But the most frequently mentioned thing in the bible is the actual manifestation within humans. We can debate every part of the bible. I see no contradictions. Still, in the way you walk on the journey of your life we will see the presence of God there or not. If you want God that bad...then do what it takes to be commited to Him. Walk through every rock that is on the path. Get up every time a person pushes you down. Boil away all impurities in your life. To find that along the path God gave you honey from the rock, He picked you up, and He was purifing your walk of faith so that you may become His living witness in harmony with Him, the community of believers, and the enviroment that you are in.

 

[INRI2]

So you really want to believe?

You seek Christ with a sincere heart!

Christ said "Seek and you shall find"

If Christianity is true, Jesus Christ is God

If Jesus Christ is God, his promises are true.

If his promises are true then if you seek you shall find.

If you truely seek the lord, you shall find.... if not Christianity is not true!

 

[PolycarpII]

...but you just can't? I used to be a huge Christian. I even wanted to be a nun at one point in my life, but then as I got older and started becoming more independent I started to notice things that just weren't right about Christianity. Lots of contradictions in the Bible and many many other reasons as well...but anyway, thats somewhat irrelevant to the main question here. Now I'm agnostic. I felt I had a good relationship with this God that I now feel could just be imaginary. And when I was a Christian I was not afraid to die. But now that I just don't know if he's real or not I'm terrified of death. I do miss the relationship I had with Christ before and I miss being able to live without fear. But I cannot believe without seeing. Its just not in me. I pray/beg frequently that God shows me a sign or that I become capable of believing on faith alone but nothing ever changes. I'm still just as lost as ever. So, for those of you that believe hell awaits those don't believe...what about us that truly want to believe and just can't, no matter how much they want to? Can any of you give me some insight on the situation in general? Thanks in advance everyone.

Lets not worry about Hell just yet. If you want to believe then believe because of conviction, do not let people scare you into Christ. Salvation is a labor of love, something that is freely given from Christ to save you from sin and evil; salvation is not, and should not be, "fire insurance".

However, you want to believe? But yet you also want to see? If you are looking for proof that is tangible and that you can feel, see, smell, taste, and hear. Then you will be sadly disappointed and you will continue on the path that you are on. But if you can realize that God is not of the Universe and, in fact, exists above it then it makes sense why he is not empirically proven to exist by it.

If you want to believe then just believe without proof, evidence, or whatever. It is alot easier than it seems. Just trust that there is something out there, take that chance. And when you do this God will begin to work miracles by changing your life. If you want to see that there is a God look at the life of Mother Teresa, her life is miraculous! Only a higher power could make a person that good.

Also, in reference to the scriptures: the Bible is not a literal text book of scientific thought. It is a divinely inspired book that traces the history of God's salvific plan for humanity. There are contradictions because God wrote it through human authors using their ideologies, theologies, and understanding of historical events to write it. These contradiction are only a hinderance if you are fundamentalist. If you believe that it is what the Bible teaches that is important then you will see that the contradictions do not matter.

 

[FallingWaters]

I lost my faith for a while and couldn't get it back because I was sinning against God. After I stopped walking in that sin, God restored me to Himself.