Why did you convert to Christianity?

[Sketcher]

I had been raised in the church, but there was a period when I had some severe doubts. I came to the point where I didn't think God would or could save me, so I decided to give Him one more chance, and try elsewhere if that didn't work. I decided to pray to Him, that if He was who He said He was, and if Jesus did what the Bible says He did, and it could help me, to overcome my doubts and believe the Good News. Because if there was another god that mattered, I wouldn't get anything. I needed peace and forgiveness, and God Himself gave it to me. I was having some other problems at the time, and to this day I believe they were demons opposing me every step of the way to praying that prayer. I mean, we're talking about scary, convincing voices here that had me believing I was going to die and if I wanted to do ANYTHING, that thing would somehow hasten my death. I needed to be free from that, and God set me free. If God was not there, or if God was someone else, then those evil voices wouldn't have been driven off. But from that day, my condition had gotten significantly better in the following months. Prayer to this God had worked some real results, so He MUST be there and who He says He is.

It's been years since, and I have grown in power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). God restored my sanity and forgave my sins. I was at the point that if He was there, I was going to follow Him no matter what it would cost me. If you're at that point, I challenge you to pray to Him to show Himself to you. He will be faithful to say "yes" if your heart is there, in the right place.

 

[DQlover2003]

YOu said

I really like this about Christianity-- this feeling of joy and being loved is brought up so much; I haven't seen it in other religions. But.. I don't feel as if I'm "loved" by a higher power, or that there's any reason why there would be a loving diety out there that wants people to accept a certain belief system and condemns billions to an eternity in hell.

just wanted to share with you what is on my heart when I read this. You know it says in the bible that his is not willing that ANY should perish. It greives him when anyone makes the desision not to follow him, he is saddened. I wanted topoint out that you said you don't feel like you can be loved by a "higher power". To me he isn't a "higher power" he is my savior, my rock, my BEST FRIEND. In the bible it says he is a friend that sticks closer than a brother which I have experianced many times. I was saved when I was 4 or 5 but i rededicated my life before I was baptised. You see to me he has been soo good. He has blessed me with good parents and a loving home. For a little while I struggled where and how exactly did I want Christ to be in my life. i came to the conculision that either i would have to dedicate myself wholey or not at all. God doesn't want me to be a "half-baked" christian he wants me to love him passionately. It says that he is the bride groom and the church is his bride...I am striving to ready for when he returns to take his bride. I want to love him like a bride loves her groom. I know my thoughts are jumbled butI hope you can make sense out of it.

Remember Jesus loves YOU! (and so do I )
Sarah

If you ever need someone to just talk to or someone to lend you and ear feel free to PM me

 

[Edial]

Right now I'm trying to figure out what it is that I believe. To be honest, I'm leaning towards the idea of a more impersonal and formless higher power than Christians believe in,

Impersonal idea of a power is not what Christ taught.
I really think that he had quite an authority about such things.

and reincarnation makes more sense to me than heaven and hell,

Why does it make sense to you? It does not make sense to me, but maybe it is because I know Christianity.

but I want to give Christianity a chance, especially since I don't know that much about it.

OK.

If you converted to Christianity, what convinced you?

Jesus Christ convinced be (in the Bible).

Thanks,
Ed

 

[gaweatherford]

Quote:

Originally Posted by: Chaus Kitty

but I want to give Christianity a chance, especially since I don't know that much about it.



Chaus, I'd give Christianity more than a second look if you're seriously doing some soul searching. There's alot of good advice given on this forum, but ultimately the choice becomes yours. One thing to keep in mind is that
choosing a religion or way of worship should not be thought of as a smorgasbord. The stakes are just too high to play that kind of roulette. If you were to choose unwisely, depending on what you chose, then you may just pass through this planet as merely being part of the animal kingdom. That plight is what we all have to overcome, and is why people turn to accept Christ as a savior from that plight. God's plan of salvation, through Jesus Christ, is designed specifically for man in that doomed state; so, it's not a gift to be considered....
but it's a gift that we all need if we want to experience being after death. I know many other religions and "ways of thinking" claim to offer the same thing, but the Bible itself is unapproachable with it's wealth of wisdom and truth. The best way to discover if Christianity and the Bible is the only way is to read it and/or ask questions to someone you know and respect who has experienced
God's gift. Every question you have will always have a legitimate understanding that makes sense. I know it did for me.......and I was a wild one, lost and strictly ruled by own nature (Prov.14:12).
Bonified desire and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge. But nothing comes on a silver platter I assure you. Life itself is a love test, given out by God for you.........it's up to you to pass it (Matt.7:7).
Now finally, the most important verse I could make you aware of; because it's
God saying to you that he knows your will, nature and understanding will resist is found in Proverbs 3:5-6. If you've never read the Bible I'd recommend Proverbs as well as Ecclesiastes, and then I'd read the book of John. John is a good account of just who Christ was. It was written by a Palestinian Jew named John who was an eyewitness Christ time on this Earth.

 

[Chaus Kitty]

Why does it make sense to you? It does not make sense to me, but maybe it is because I know Christianity.

Since I'm not currently part of any organized religion and my beliefs aren't really etched in stone yet, I go by what seems logical to me rather than what anyone else says. Souls inhabiting new bodies as their old ones die just seems to me like it makes sense, whereas final judgement and going to one of two (or three) places doesn't to me. Of course, if I'm convinced that Christianity is really the "right" religion, then my beliefs about the afterlife will change in turn.

Chaus, I'd give Christianity more than a second look if you're seriously doing some soul searching. There's alot of good advice given on this forum, but ultimately the choice becomes yours. One thing to keep in mind is that choosing a religion or way of worship should not be thought of as a smorgasbord. The stakes are just too high to play that kind of roulette.

Maybe that is true, but right now I'm not going to dive headfirst into any specific religion. When I say that I'm giving Christianity a "second look", I mean some pretty serious research, not just giving it a passing glance as if it doesn't matter or like it's one more clone of candy in a big box of chocolates. Because the bible *is* so big and there are so many rules and beliefs and things to know, I want to ask some questions and find some things out first to see if Christianity is something I can accept; although religion is a matter of faith, I'd be uncomfortable accepting anything unless I feel I understand it and that it seems logical.

 

[Sketcher]

Since I'm not currently part of any organized religion and my beliefs aren't really etched in stone yet, I go by what seems logical to me rather than what anyone else says. Souls inhabiting new bodies as their old ones die just seems to me like it makes sense, whereas final judgement and going to one of two (or three) places doesn't to me. Of course, if I'm convinced that Christianity is really the "right" religion, then my beliefs about the afterlife will change in turn.

Reincarnation, you mean? It never made sense to me, since if it were of any value, many more people would not only remember their past lives but the lessons from those lives as well. Since the human race has been around for so long, everybody would have common sense and wisdom. As it is, there are so many people who lack common sense and some who are just plain stupid (the Darwin Awards come to mind), I personally couldn't believe in a system like that.

 

[gaweatherford]

Maybe that is true, but right now I'm not going to dive headfirst into any specific religion. When I say that I'm giving Christianity a "second look", I mean some pretty serious research, not just giving it a passing glance as if it doesn't matter or like it's one more clone of candy in a big box of chocolates. Because the bible *is* so big and there are so many rules and beliefs and things to know, I want to ask some questions and find some things out first to see if Christianity is something I can accept; although religion is a matter of faith, I'd be uncomfortable accepting anything unless I feel I understand it and that it seems logical.

My point exactly: logical

I am way up there, in thinking about people with analytical minds.
On a scale from 1-10, I'm an eleven. The two things that fascinate me the most are God and astronomy. Everything has to make sense to me before I accept it. I may be differant in my experience with salvation experience, but the logic came later, and more in depth, after I was saved and practiced it with my heart. The first step is always a leap of faith, and I think God (being wiser than wise) has crafted it that way on purpose to expose our own integrity. You have to consider,.... the gift he offers is far above that of everyday royalty.

Matt. 7:14
Straight is the gate,and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few are they that find it.

God Bless

 

[LowGearMonster]

I became Christian because God knocked down my walls so I could truely see. I was in the dark for the longest time. I was kept there by luke warm faith (one of Satan's deadliest weapons in my opinion). Luke warm faith hid the true path from me. Because of this I became a hardcore God hater. I looked at Christianity and God as a curse on mankind because of luke warm faith. I would fantasize about burning churches and leading armies to destroy anything Christian. I once said to a friend that if God is the way I percieve him, I would join Satan's army. Actually now looking back I can't believe God saved me. He saved me who was openly against him. I can't even imagine the kind of love and patience it takes to do something like that. Praise you God.

PS. I was intending this to be short

 

[Angeldove97]

The reason why I became a Christian was because I feel God was looking out for me even before I really knew Him or knew of Him. I've grown up with my father being athiest and my mother a Jehovah's Witness, so my mom did teach me the basics about God and faith and the like. But that still was never enough of an answer for me. Later on my best girlfriend helped me become Saved and I finally felt like I had a reason to live... a purpose. I was young still and my life wasn't that bad, but over the years I've gone through a lot of tribulation and I don't think I would have made it through it without knowing Jesus Christ was by my side and watching every step I took. I can now look back through each of the trials I've been through and see God there protecting me and also what He wanted me to learn through each of them... to become a more trusting, loving, and forgiving person... someone much more like Jesus Christ. I now feel like I am able to take the problems people are having around me and pray for them... something they may not feel they can do for themselves... and I know He hears my prayers and He'll take care of them. I am blessed to be able to carry on Jesus' cross... even though I have gone through alot in my life... I've never regretted me coming to Christ.

 

[Edial]

Since I'm not currently part of any organized religion and my beliefs aren't really etched in stone yet, I go by what seems logical to me rather than what anyone else says. Souls inhabiting new bodies as their old ones die just seems to me like it makes sense, whereas final judgement and going to one of two (or three) places doesn't to me. Of course, if I'm convinced that Christianity is really the "right" religion, then my beliefs about the afterlife will change in turn.

Chaus, let me ask you something.
What makes a religion right for you?
Since you are saying that you do not yet know Christianity you nonetheless might have heard that it is not a "religion" but a relationship with God.
It this what you are looking for or something else?
There are some basics within Christianity that some simply refuse to do, such as repentance and stuff. Then they look for a religion that does not have all this, like something that contains reincarnation.

Chaus, if you want eternal life, Christ delivers.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Chaus Kitty]

Chaus, let me ask you something.
What makes a religion right for you?

Well, I need to know and agree with the all the important "whys", not just the "whats" for a religion to be right for me.

Since you are saying that you do not yet know Christianity you nonetheless might have heard that it is not a "religion" but a relationship with God.
It this what you are looking for or something else?

I'm pretty sure that I believe in the existence of a diety, but right now I don't feel like I have any kind of relationship with it, nor do I know if its truly possible.

I guess what I'm looking for is the truth.

There are some basics within Christianity that some simply refuse to do, such as repentance and stuff. Then they look for a religion that does not have all this, like something that contains reincarnation.

I'd be fine with repentence if I understood why it's needed, but right now I don't see why a perfect god would want to make imperfect beings and then encourage them to repent.

 

[Letalis]

I became christian because God is undeniable. I didn't become christian because I heard of God's loving grace, or anything, I became christian because I could not doubt his existence. Why christianity? Well I looked at other religions, and for a while I was pretty lost and confused. But after a while I just saw the complete and utter nonsense of these other religions. Christianity was the only one that made completey and utter sense.

 

[-Frank-]

Right now I'm trying to figure out what it is that I believe.

Agnostic. What you are really trying to figure out is what is the truth. And be honest with yourself; is it truth, or what you want to be truth?

To be honest, I'm leaning towards the idea of a more impersonal and formless higher power than Christians believe in, and reincarnation makes more sense to me than heaven and hell, but I want to give Christianity a chance, especially since I don't know that much about it.

Most non-Christians just do not like the idea of a Holy God that is not passive. In fact, some cults have been formed that keep all doctrine of Christianity save God's holiness, righteousness, and judgmental nature.

If you converted to Christianity, what convinced you?

My sin. See what the bible says about sin. Look at your works honestly and with an eye of perfection as God will on Judgment Day. Listen to your God-given conscience. God will hold humanity accountable for it's actions. But He is also rich in mercy, shown in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[maxer]

I'd be fine with repentence if I understood why it's needed, but right now I don't see why a perfect god would want to make imperfect beings and then encourage them to repent.

From what i understand God made humanity perfect in relationship to him (adam & eve in the garden got on great with God to start with) and then we sinned and messed it up (ate the apple).

God made the way back to him by sending his son to die so his blood covered those sins. It was the only way we would listen and sadly some of us don't see that our sin separates us from him, not that we don't want to see that, its just hard to. If we murder someone its easier to see our sin than if we hate someone or lie about something.
God made us for love, for that he had to make us the way we are. If we weren't what we are we wouldn't be able to know his love.

Talk to him, even if it seems weird, he's there, be sincere about it, ask him to show you who he is, he will.
He is gentle and kind, he also has immense authority and power. Perhaps thats what is so amazing about him. He could destroy us but he wants to save us from our sin so we can know his love.

I became a Christian because of his love, and because without him my life is meaningless, there's no point without him in it. It is a relationship and not easy but worth it because He loves me like no one else can and fills me up with his love. He loves you that way too its just the sin gets in the way.

 

[gaweatherford]

I'd be fine with repentence if I understood why it's needed, but right now I don't see why a perfect god would want to make imperfect beings and then encourage them to repent.

Imperfect beings are the result of our own will. Our own "will" was added into our build because it is the only way God can establish (perfectly and truly) what we really stand for.

In other words: Life itself is a requirement to pass first, before you enter into the kingdom with God. It is difficult at times, but the opportunity to fellowship
with God is not an everyday occurance.

If you understand anything at all about your makeup, understand that animals are driven by their instincts and have no choices they can make; and they are NOT aware of God's existance. You on the other hand, were created in a fashion that literally, "threw out the handbook", in comparison to how God created for thousands and millions of years on this Earth before man, in that you were given something, powerful and dangerous, at the same time in your makeup. Something far more special than just a simple creation entails....You were made in God's image; and that image included your own will..........to choose him......or to not choose him.

You have to admit. That is not a cheapened Love being acheived by a father to his children. It is our own will that makes it neccessary to repent, because we are all sinners, because we all have a will; and we have still turned from God in spite of the extreme privaledge being bestowed on us of being capable to be aware of him. We repent because we are not worthy. He is God and his name is I AM.

 

[Edial]

You are giving good answers. I do hope you are sincere in what you are saying.

Well, I need to know and agree with the all the important "whys", not just the "whats" for a religion to be right for me.

Yes. Some "whys" need to be answered before one makes a committment. But not every "why". It is not to say that there are unanswerable "whys", but that something else is needed in order to make a committment to CHrist. And it is trust of Christ.
All I can say is that I had MANY "whys" yet I made a committment to Christ way before all the "whys" were answered. And some I would not have been able to understand without the help of the Holy Spirit that entered me at the moment of my committment.
However, if you have "whys" let's have them.

I'm pretty sure that I believe in the existence of a diety, but right now I don't feel like I have any kind of relationship with it, nor do I know if its truly possible.

Depends what you mean by a relationship. What the Christians mean (and there are tons of testimonies) is that they have an entity within them, the Holy Spirit, through whom they "understand" the very heart of God. This understanding never goes beyond the Scriptural testimony. (That is why the Scriptures were written, so the man would compare against it).
You will also see that most of the people that call themselves Christians unfortunately choose Christ from religious perspective and a number of them are missing the entity of the Holy Spirit. You could compare them to the disciples of the Christ that left him.

I guess what I'm looking for is the truth.

If you are looking for the truth you will find Christ.
But whoever is looking for a truth must be ready to resist slander, indimidation and other pressures that will stand against the truth.

I'd be fine with repentence if I understood why it's needed, but right now I don't see why a perfect god would want to make imperfect beings and then encourage them to repent.

You are half way there.
Before I address that quastion let me ask you something.
Why do you think that the Bible capitalizes the letter G whenever referring to God?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[tryingtolearn]

Right now I'm trying to figure out what it is that I believe. To be honest, I'm leaning towards the idea of a more impersonal and formless higher power than Christians believe in, and reincarnation makes more sense to me than heaven and hell, but I want to give Christianity a chance, especially since I don't know that much about it.

If you converted to Christianity, what convinced you?

I did a lot of reading and I asked a lot of questions. It's hard to deny a lot of stuff considering Jesus is a historical figure and there is so much evidence in favor of Christianity. I also read books like The Case for Faith, The Case for Christ, Mere Christianity, More Than a Carpenter, and The Message New Testament. I went to church on a regular basis even though I didn't like it and I prayed even though I wasn't sure who I was praying to. Now I am a Christian and if there is anything I can do to help you believe, please let me know!!!

 

[Im_A]

Right now I'm trying to figure out what it is that I believe. To be honest, I'm leaning towards the idea of a more impersonal and formless higher power than Christians believe in, and reincarnation makes more sense to me than heaven and hell, but I want to give Christianity a chance, especially since I don't know that much about it.

If you converted to Christianity, what convinced you?

my reason for conversion, well here i go.

i became a Christian when i was 12 years old. i'll be honest with you, there was nothing to the extent of choice between one religion or the other. my dad was atheist until my parents split, and my mom was raised baptist. now my dad is luthern, and my mom is kind of like me, searching for a new church to go too.

i can't say what convinced me of Jesus Christ, because at my moment of conversion there was no stirring of the heart or some emotional time. actually, i was a Christian rock concert, Newboys, and the speaker that spoke after the show was over was Josh McDowell. honestly he just sounded like a preacher, nothing too big. so he had the invite, and i looked at my good friend at the time and said, "Do you want go down?" and that was that. we were all huddled in a huge place and they gave up brocheres about things, prayed and that was it.

in some ways the idea of God being my father was a big thing because back then and even still my father and i aren't close at all. but that does go away to a heighted degree as it was back then, just because i have grown up. so honestly my reasons for chosing Christianity was curiosity and basically the mentality of "Let's give this a whirl."

so for me personally, the pivatol question is why do i still believe? honestly, i cannot answer that. to believe in any surpreme being, takes mystical faith, whether Christian or not. yes, i am convicted in my heart that God is real, and that Jesus is the Way, but let's face it, it isn't based on scientific reasoning, or logical explanations to believe in something we cannot see, feel or touch. and then it requires faith that one man's actions thousands of years ago has any effect on my own life today. i'm sure i could go on and on about how i believe God has changed my life. i could give you the emotions, and certain moments that i believe God/"The Divine Being" intervened so i wouldn't waste my life away with failure. if you would ever want to know any of my own personal past, feel free to ask me and i'll share with you.

but, in my opinion, you have to understand one thing. there isn't one point in my opinion, that something convinced us. it takes faith to believe God's Word is His only word, it takes faith to believe that Christ's life is salvation (ie. His immaculate birth, His life, His death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection). i don't believe being a Christian is meant to answer the big questions in life. it isn't about believeing God like we used to believe in Santa Claus. it's about living and living in God the best we can. succeed the best we can until we die, and when we fail, we go to the One can fix us up and just live in that. Grow with God, change with God, get to know what God is all about instead of what He can do for you. i can honestly say there are things about me that wouldn't be the same if it wasn't by my convictions in life. now i'm not saying i'd be some junky out on the streets or something, but i know there would be things in my life that would be different.

all i can say is, if your looking for something to convince you in Christianity, you need to start out at basics and just live in God the best you can. i truly do believe Christianity is a journey. it isn't about coming to conclusions or anything, it's about living with God, and by the choice the Salvation in Christ's life saves us in the afterlife, but also here on this earth. and we get to know more about God, instead of just what He can do for us. so my best advice is just pray and make a conscience choice whenever you want to and ready.

if i may suggest anything to you is read the Gospels. this may start off a debate here, but i don't care if it does or not, but look at how Jesus lived. really dig deep into the Way Jesus lived His life. yes, the cross is important, but i think we as Christians seem to forget that Jesus chose to follow the Father, thus showing us that Jesus had the capability to go the other way, but He didn't. He followed through, He struggled with sin, but never sinned and remained perfect, a feat that i wish i could do. i say that because Christ had both man's nature, and God's nature in Him. His life in practice, lead to the biggest servitude any person can do, is sacrifice one's life for their friends. so i advise you to look at Jesus's life. His birth, the way He ministered to people, the amount of grace and love He had for humanity while He was alive, the way He lived and acted (dare i say, the amazing liberal He was for that day and still for this day). then look at His cross and see everything He lived come to a climatic point and a climatic day that gave a chance for real redemption. and then His resurection, a miralce beyond comprehension. i think this is a good starting point for people thinking about Christianity, plus we are all learning along the way May God Bless you! <><