Worries

[Soverinth]

This, hasn't been easy for me. Of course i'm sure it hasn't been easy for anyone.

After just thinking about all of this. I believe i have found some issues as to why i haven't already just surrendered everything to Christ. Which by the way i still don't think i'm saved. Any reason you guys can think of why i haven't done anything about it. Like I know that in order for me to be saved i must:

Be saved by Grace through Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism.

Because of me knowing this i should act on it right? But i think these worries and other things are holding me back. I mean i think that is the issue.

When i think about it, going out to find Christian friends. It sounds like a really good idea at first because having a friend in person will help so much better but, I just get worried. I am a shy person, not someone who just likes to go and find friends ya know?

There are times when I get the urge to just give myself to Christ cause i want this sadness to go away but when i do I hesitate because i get all these worries in my head.

Things like:

Whats going to happen to this?

How am i gonna live without this?

How is this going to end up when i do this?

When it comes to thinking about me as a preacher or whatever God wants me to do, i get scared. I am a tad bit worried for what Christ may have in store for me (preaching wise) because i am not the type of person, whatsoever, who likes to get up and speak to a crowd of people. Not even a small amount.
There were times when i was in public school, that i didn't do a certain big project just to avoid getting in front of the class to speak. I have hated the idea of that for the longest time.

Until i overcome these worries i think i'm just stuck.

I do understand that me being at home 24/7 is probably not helping my chances any. But surly you can understand a tiny bit where i'm coming from, all these worries that keep me at bay.

I need to overcome these worries or i wont get anywhere.

I have to get the courage to do something or i'll just fail every time.

Gahhhh ...this is just so hard

What do you guys think?



Edit: Most of my issues concerning this have already been answered below and on other pages of this thread, so i am content now. If you still wish answer this first post, go right ahead.

 

[Harry3142]

armizer-

God gives different gifts to different people. Just becasue you personally accept him doesn't mean that you will be required to become an evangelist for him. But whatever route god decides for you, it will be one in which you already have the talents necessary in order to get the job done. It will simply be a matter of his showing you qhixh direction you need to focus your attention in.

The denominations which 'push' that everyone must be a preacher are also those denominations whose sole goal is to increase their church's membership roles. It's a pyramid scheme masking itself as religiosity. The only thing you need to concentrate on at this time is simply making the decision to accept Jesus Christ yourself. God will take it from there, and he will use the talents that you have, rather than demanding that you perform an activity that doesn't conform to your talents.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Well, if you feel God wants you to be a speaker, I know you can do it. I've seen a kid who hated speaking(feared it even) become the next Billy Graham. God changes us once we submit ourselves to Him. It is a very scary proposition though. I only recently have been able to face my fears(although the conquering hasn't happened yet...). In fact, it was yesterday that I realized what my problem was and what I needed to do. It seems like you've already started the facing, and now need the conquering. Just rely on God, not yourself. Live in grace, not in fear! Force yourself to get out of your comfort zones, and take some risks. Go to church and start forming relationships with other believers. It is important to have good influences and mentors.

Go in Love, Brother!

 

[brinny]

This, hasn't been easy for me. Of course i'm sure it hasn't been easy for anyone.

After just thinking about all of this. I believe i have found some issues as to why i haven't already just surrendered everything to Christ.

When i think about it, going out to find Christian friends. It sounds like a really good idea at first because having a friend in person will help so much better but, I just get worried. I am a shy person, not someone who just likes to go and find friends ya know?

There are times when I get the urge to just give myself to Christ cause i want this sadness to go away but when i do I hesitate because i get all these worries in my head.

Things like:

Whats going to happen to this?

How am i gonna live without this?

How is this going to end up when i do this?

When it comes to thinking about me as a preacher or whatever God wants me to do, i get scared. I am a tad bit worried for what Christ may have in store for me (preaching wise) because i am not the type of person, whatsoever, who likes to get up and speak to a crowd of people. Not even a small amount.
There were times when i was in public school, that i didn't do a certain big project just to avoid getting in front of the class to speak. I have hated the idea of that for the longest time.

Until i overcome these worries i think i'm just stuck.

I do understand that me being at home 24/7 is probably not helping my chances any. But surly you can understand a tiny bit where i'm coming from, all these worries that keep me at bay.

I need to overcome these worries or i wont get anywhere.

I have to get the courage to do something or i'll just fail every time.

Gahhhh ...this is just so hard

What do you guys think?

ok, slow dowwwwwwwn brother. yes i know exactly where you're coming from, and i know where those doubts, and this urgency is coming from. It's from the ol' deceiver and accuser himself. i've experienced the same. tell that ol' accuser to take a hike in Jesus' name and focus on WHO has already worked out your future and hope. keep your eyes on Him. let God continue His work in you. He WILL complete it in His own timing. In the meantime find ways to help a neighbor or someone struggling at church or in the neighborhood. With the holidays approaching, there are so many needing kindness and encouragement. God will use this to minister to you as you minister to others. You will be blessed. delve into Proverbs. It will feed you spiritually like manna (spiritual bread from heaven) and as promised, you will gain in understanding, wisdom, and discernment. Trust Him to complete what He began in you, brother in Christ and son of the Most High God.

 

[bling]

You might be where God wants you to be right now.

I would be worried about a non-Christian saying he is ready to speak before large crowds about Christ.

We need to be like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-31, going before the father humbly, unworthy, knowing we don’t deserve anything, knowing we are more a problem than a help, dependent, helpless, scared, unhappy with ourselves, hurting.

I was involved in a youth prison program teaching 13-21 year old Bible in Sunday school. Most of those guys were uneducated, school drop outs, been in trouble for years in and out of reform schools and now were in big time prison. Those converts were totally unprepared: yet some the day they were baptized stood before their former gangs and said words they did not have the wisdom to say, were stripped of all their possessions, gave up their weapons, beaten by rival gangs wanting pay back and witnessed to everyone about a new found Love and power (they put me to shame). They went on to study hard, learn to read, and live like Christ (putting me to shame even more). One kid that spent half his life in correctional institutions went on the get his PHD in theology and do mission work in Africa.

You have little to worry about in your conversion, but you have everything to gain. Do not underestimate the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that can come with your water baptism (Acts 2: 38).

 

[Soverinth]

You might be where God wants you to be right now.

I would be worried about a non-Christian saying he is ready to speak before large crowds about Christ.

We need to be like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-31, going before the father humbly, unworthy, knowing we don’t deserve anything, knowing we are more a problem than a help, dependent, helpless, scared, unhappy with ourselves, hurting.

I was involved in a youth prison program teaching 13-21 year old Bible in Sunday school. Most of those guys were uneducated, school drop outs, been in trouble for years in and out of reform schools and now were in big time prison. Those converts were totally unprepared: yet some the day they were baptized stood before their former gangs and said words they did not have the wisdom to say, were stripped of all their possessions, gave up their weapons, beaten by rival gangs wanting pay back and witnessed to everyone about a new found Love and power (they put me to shame). They went on to study hard, learn to read, and live like Christ (putting me to shame even more). One kid that spent half his life in correctional institutions went on the get his PHD in theology and do mission work in Africa.

You have little to worry about in your conversion, but you have everything to gain. Do not underestimate the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that can come with your water baptism (Acts 2: 38).

Please know that i am not truly converted, if i was God would have changed my heart to want to serve him and want to worship him, just wanting him. Its not that i don't want to is just not first nature like a truly converted person. Its not usually the first thing on mind so to speak.

I think your example has helped me realize though. If I come to the father and am not like the prodigal son, chances are i'm just talking to the air. I think it's just these worries that i cant seem to get past.

 

[hedrick]

This, hasn't been easy for me. Of course i'm sure it hasn't been easy for anyone.

After just thinking about all of this. I believe i have found some issues as to why i haven't already just surrendered everything to Christ.

First, a general note: surrendering to Christ means trusting him. This has the same possible pitfall as faith and repentance. You're trusting Christ, not your own surrender. The moment you start asking whether you're surrendered fully enough, you've got a problem, because you're now trusting the quality of your own action, not him.

When i think about it, going out to find Christian friends. It sounds like a really good idea at first because having a friend in person will help so much better but, I just get worried. I am a shy person, not someone who just likes to go and find friends ya know?

Me too. You do realize that the fact you haven't managed to find friends doesn't affect your salvation, right? God doesn't demand a certain number of friends before you can have faith.

There are times when I get the urge to just give myself to Christ cause i want this sadness to go away but when i do I hesitate because i get all these worries in my head.

Things like:

Whats going to happen to this?

How am i gonna live without this?

How is this going to end up when i do this?

First, no one knows exactly where you're going to go. Suppose we made infants commit to their parents before being born. Who knows what's going to happen as you grow up, and what your parents are going to do? Probably no one would get born.

You're holding off on commitment until you're sure you can do everything that you think God may ask. First, you'll probably end up being called to do things you have no idea about now. And at least some of the things you're afraid of probably won't happen at all. You've been reading lots of web pages from all over the place that probably have gotten you worried about all kinds of things that I don't think God is really going to ask you to do. And even where he is, the whole point of the Holy Spirit is to help you do things you wouldn't otherwise be able to do. I mean, if you could do everything on your own, what would be the point of trusting God in the first place?

The point of faith and repentance is precisely that you know you can't do what is required.

And even after you start trusting God, I can pretty much guarantee you that you won't become a perfect Christian. I'm not saying it's OK to sin, but the fact is that every Christian is flawed, at lot of us pretty seriously, but God still uses us.

When it comes to thinking about me as a preacher or whatever God wants me to do, i get scared. I am a tad bit worried for what Christ may have in store for me (preaching wise) because i am not the type of person, whatsoever, who likes to get up and speak to a crowd of people. Not even a small amount.
There were times when i was in public school, that i didn't do a certain big project just to avoid getting in front of the class to speak. I have hated the idea of that for the longest time.

Most Christians aren't called to be pastors. Imagine what our churches would look like if everyone thought they were a pastor. God will find a way to use whatever talents you have, though you may well find yourself doing some things that you don't think you can do at the moment. But it is certainly *not* required that you have to be able to do some specific kind of witnessing in order to become a Christian. That's the whole point of 1 Cor 12:12: The body of Christ has people with lots of different strengths and weaknesses, and that's a good thing. Most people consider that being a pastor requires hearing a specific call from God.

I'm afraid you're still envisioning that all Christians are some kind of super-Christian who spends all their time doing religious things. That's just not the case. Most of us are the unexciting type of Christian, who do regular jobs, in regular families, with as much integrity and compassion as possible, following Jesus' teachings, worshipping, praying, etc. Jesus called 12 people to be disciples, and now and then made specific calls to other people, but he didn't call most people away from their existing lives.

Furthermore, the whole point of repentance, surrender, etc, is that you know you can't do what is required on your own. You're asking for help. I'm afraid you're trying to get your life together on your own before asking for help. Not that becoming a Christian is going to change you instantly, of course. Christians grow in understanding, faith, and the ability to follow over our whole lives. That's why I hate to think of "being saved" as a one-tine event. God will work with you over the whole course of your life.

Until i overcome these worries i think i'm just stuck.

I do understand that me being at home 24/7 is probably not helping my chances any. But surly you can understand a tiny bit where i'm coming from, all these worries that keep me at bay.

Yup, worries are really common.

I need to overcome these worries or i wont get anywhere.

I have to get the courage to do something or i'll just fail every time.

Gahhhh ...this is just so hard

What do you guys think?

I think you're putting the cart before the horse. You're not willing to go to the doctor until you're well. As far as I can tell, you've *already* met the requirements. You already know you need God and you're willing to admit it. If you look at Luke 18:10 you're the tax collector, not the Pharisee. That's why I think Jesus would almost certainly acknowledge you as one of his people already. But if you can't relax a bit and accept it, I think you're going to find it hard to continue that way.

My recommendation is that you forget about making some earth-shaking decision for the moment, and start trying to live as much of a Christian life as you can figure out how to do at the moment. When people ask Jesus about salvation he doesn't (as far as I can remember) say "you have to have made a decision for Christ." He asks whether your life has shown fruit, by which he means love. I think at some point you'll want to be baptized, but I don't think you need to start with that if you're not ready. The Bible nowhere says it is an absolute requirement for salvation. Just start acting as a Christian. I think as you do, you'll get more confidence over time. And please don't make any drastic changes in your life immediately, except if you've got a really obvious need. You might want to check with us first. In your first posting you implied that people were telling you to give up things that I don't think are necessary. I do think you need to work on meeting people, but this isn't something you have to fix before you can consider yourself a Christian.

Also, please be careful about what you read and listen to about being Christian. The starting point of being a Christian is simply trusting God. That's what pretty much everybody in all your threads is trying to tell you in one way or another. You seem to be getting lots of messages from somewhere setting up things you have to do before you can follow Jesus. I see no justification for that in Scripture, and it's certainly contradicts basic Protestant theology. If you do a web search for any activity you could possibly do, you'll find some Christian telling you that you have to give it up. Not breathing I guess, but anything else. Please don't fall for that kind of legalism.

 

[LilLamb219]

So tell me what you believe? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross and that your sins are forgiven?

 

[Soverinth]

Goodness i feel bad sometimes, you guys are answering my questions left and right so well and i come off as someone who doesn't get it. Then i complain more.

Sorry about that, my ignorance and hardheadedness is probably annoying you guys.

 

[Soverinth]

So tell me what you believe? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross and that your sins are forgiven?

I believe that Jesus died on the cross and because of that we can be forgiven.

I don't think i have been forgiven though.

Or is it, because he died they were already forgiven and we just need to realize our wrong-doing and accept him and his forgiveness.

 

[LilLamb219]

I believe that Jesus died on the cross and because of that we can be forgiven.

I don't think i have been forgiven though.

Or is it, because he died they were already forgiven and we just need to realize our wrong-doing and accept him and his forgiveness.

Of course you have been forgiven. ALL your sins were nailed to the cross and God forgives you. You are redeemed because of the Savior. That is salvation. You don't feel that Jesus' death was sufficient...that you need something more in order to be forgiven?

Edited to add that it's the job of the Holy Spirit to help you realize through the Law that you are in need of a Savior and then the Good News is shared with you so you can be assured that you ARE forgiven. We really don't "accept" forgiveness but it's more of a realization that 2,000 years ago, Jesus won and "it is finished."

 

[Willie T]

Well, truth being, if you don't believe any of it, then you are correct in thinking that you are not saved.

The fact that He died does not save you.

And just hearing the gospel does not save you.

So maybe it's time for you to quit posting that "maybe you do, and maybe you don't", and to just sit down for a few days and really consider whether you intend to believe Jesus, or not.

 

[Soverinth]

Well, truth being, if you don't believe any of it, then you are correct in thinking that you are not saved.

The fact that He died does not save you.

And just hearing the gospel does not save you.

So maybe it's time for you to quit posting that "maybe you do, and maybe you don't", and to just sit down for a few days and really consider whether you intend to believe Jesus, or not.

But i do believe, i honestly think that if i didn't believe i wouldn't be on here asking these questions. I actually don't think any of this would be happening, i would be back to the way i used to do things and just be playing video-games all day long.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Goodness i feel bad sometimes, you guys are answering my questions left and right so well and i come off as someone who doesn't get it. Then i complain more.

Sorry about that, my ignorance and hardheadedness is probably annoying you guys.

Meh, we're all human, and we are all hardheaded in some ways. Every single one of us have some area where we just don't get something and cannot understand it. Its a part of being human.

I believe that Jesus died on the cross and because of that we can be forgiven.

I don't think i have been forgiven though.

Or is it, because he died they were already forgiven and we just need to realize our wrong-doing and accept him and his forgiveness.

You got it! Your sins are forgiven. The door has been opened to you. Now, step in. I am certain you have done this already, and are now staring back at the door, wondering if you ever stepped through. Trust me, you have. Now follow Christ. Follow His still, small voice through the darkest of nights, and you will find light.

Go in Guidance and Peace, Brother!

 

[Soverinth]

You got it! Your sins are forgiven. The door has been opened to you. Now, step in. I am certain you have done this already, and are now staring back at the door, wondering if you ever stepped through. Trust me, you have. Now follow Christ. Follow His still, small voice through the darkest of nights, and you will find light.

Go in Guidance and Peace, Brother!

Doesn't repentance have a roll in it though?

 

[Girder of Loins]

Doesn't repentance have a roll in it though?

Yes, and that is what repentance is. It is choosing Christ over the world. Obviosuly we all still stumble(some more than others), but this does not nullify any commitments we have made to the Lord. Following Him is repentance.

 

[trulyconverted]

This, hasn't been easy for me. Of course i'm sure it hasn't been easy for anyone.

After just thinking about all of this. I believe i have found some issues as to why i haven't already just surrendered everything to Christ. Which by the way i still don't think i'm saved. Any reason you guys can think of why i haven't done anything about it. Like I know that in order for me to be saved i must:

Be saved by Grace through Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism.

Because of me knowing this i should act on it right? But i think these worries and other things are holding me back. I mean i think that is the issue.

When i think about it, going out to find Christian friends. It sounds like a really good idea at first because having a friend in person will help so much better but, I just get worried. I am a shy person, not someone who just likes to go and find friends ya know?

There are times when I get the urge to just give myself to Christ cause i want this sadness to go away but when i do I hesitate because i get all these worries in my head.

Things like:

Whats going to happen to this?

How am i gonna live without this?

How is this going to end up when i do this?

When it comes to thinking about me as a preacher or whatever God wants me to do, i get scared. I am a tad bit worried for what Christ may have in store for me (preaching wise) because i am not the type of person, whatsoever, who likes to get up and speak to a crowd of people. Not even a small amount.
There were times when i was in public school, that i didn't do a certain big project just to avoid getting in front of the class to speak. I have hated the idea of that for the longest time.

Until i overcome these worries i think i'm just stuck.

I do understand that me being at home 24/7 is probably not helping my chances any. But surly you can understand a tiny bit where i'm coming from, all these worries that keep me at bay.

I need to overcome these worries or i wont get anywhere.

I have to get the courage to do something or i'll just fail every time.

Gahhhh ...this is just so hard

What do you guys think?

Dear armizer,

1. I ask you to please do not believe anybody who pronounces you saved. Only the Holy Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you are a child of God (Romans 8:16). No mere man has the right to do that. You know yourself better than we do.

2. We are saved by grace through faith... (Ephesians 2:8-9). You can't do anything about this one because as you can read, it is freely given by God. You cannot work for it, you cannot buy it, you cannot steal it, you cannot take it by force, simply you cannot do anything. You are at the receiving end. All you can do is ask and wait.

3. Look at these passages and see even our repentance is a grace from God:
Acts 5:31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."
2 Tim 2:25 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth...
Rom 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

4. Baptism is done AFTER you have been saved in obedience to God (baptism does not save you). Look at the thief on the cross with Christ...

Luke 23:43 "And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." - the thief on the cross here did not get baptized before he actually died on the cross to be with Jesus in paradise.

5. When we are yet in the natural man things do hold us back. Please read The book of Romans, the first 3 chapters will show you how depraved (really bad) men are, in Roman 1:30 even says, we are 'haters of God'... Then continue on reading Romans about Christ's salvation.

6. I tell you this, I go to work, to the shops only if needed, or to church meetings. Other than that you can say I am at home 24/7. I enjoy the time listening to my audio bible, reading the bible, being in the Lord. Sometimes I listen to a few biblical preachers on youtube. It's wonderful. I am thankful in whatever circumstance the Lord has put me in.

7. When you are in Christ, His will becomes your will. You are happy when you please Him and when you do not do His will you get really displeased. And of course if He wants you to do something He will give you whatever you need. In our weakness, He is our strength. In our fear, He is our courage. It is not of our own efforts you see. That is why we depend on Him for everything.

Always remember salvation belongs to the Lord. It is by His grace and mercy ONLY. We can only ask Him.

 

[LilLamb219]

Doesn't repentance have a roll in it though?

Repentance is the bridge between the Law and the Gospel. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to bring you to repentance...giving you faith to believe. You say you believe...so why can't you trust now? God is the one who saves us 100%...there is nothing we contribute.

 

[Scott-Smith]

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” -Philippians 4:6-7

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” -Luke 12:22-26

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” -Proverbs 3:5-8

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” -Philippians 4:13

 

[Soverinth]

So...

If there really is nothing we can do, whats the point of teaching Repentance and Confession, if we cant even do those correctly without God.

Does God only save us when we finally show him that we trust him with everything?

Or is that still not enough?


Also should I go read Romans for better understanding? And any other books?


I feel like there's no hope for me being saved. What if i'm never saved? That's so hard to live with..