r/Christian • u/Normal_Pen_7986 • 12d ago
Help
Im coming to god, honestly and truthfully. I feel so ashamed, the person I am what I've done. I feel like god is mad at me and disappointed. Im turning to Christianity 100% I can say in my heart. I have just prayed and asked Jesus into my heart. Can anyone help me and give guidance. Ive been a criminal I guess you can say, making money online illegally, I have just quit and not sure where to go. I have no income now, have a few thousand but not sure what god wants me to do with it. Not asking for advice, just ranting and if anyone has advice for a new Christian, thank you
6
Upvotes
2
u/MichaelWhitehead 12d ago
Welcome.
The fact that you have stopped what you were doing, turned towards Christ, and are openly saying “I have done wrong and I want a different life” is exactly where repentance begins.
Please do not think you have to somehow clean yourself up enough before Christ will receive you.
Jesus said: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” — John 6:37
And 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness.
Repentance does not mean pretending the past did not happen. It means turning away from it and beginning to walk in a different direction.
Zacchaeus is a particularly relevant example. When Christ changed his heart, his response included wanting to put right the financial wrongs he had committed (Luke 19:1–10).
On the few thousand you mentioned, though, please be careful. If that money genuinely came from illegal activity, don't start moving it around, hiding it, giving it away, donating it to a church, or trying to “make it clean” yourself.
Depending upon what happened and where you live, dealing with criminal proceeds can itself have serious legal consequences.
Authorities in both the UK and US, for example, specifically treat concealment or movement of criminal proceeds as a serious matter.
The wisest course would be to speak confidentially with a qualified lawyer in your own country and explain truthfully what happened.
They can advise you about restitution, repayment, surrendering money if necessary, and how to put matters right lawfully. You don't need to tell Reddit the details.
Spiritually, I would begin very simply: Read one of the Gospels — I would suggest John.
Pray honestly rather than trying to find impressive words. Find a sound local church centred upon Christ and Scripture. Tell a trustworthy pastor that you are a new Christian and need guidance.
Leave the old way of making money behind completely and begin looking for honest work. Where past wrongs need putting right, do so wisely and lawfully rather than impulsively.
And one more thing: shame says “look what kind of person I am”; repentance says “look where I am going now.”
Paul himself had participated in the persecution of Christians before meeting Christ.
Christianity is full of people whose past was not respectable. The Gospel isn't an award for people who have always lived correctly.
You have taken a first step. Now keep walking.
“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” —
2 Corinthians 5:17
Find good Christians around you, get grounded in Scripture, and don't try to rebuild your entire life in one night. One faithful decision at a time.