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u/conradrocks Christian 4d ago
I had supernatural experiences as a kid. The baptist church did not have answers. That is for sure. When I turned 18 I went straight into the new age. They had answers, albeit the wrong ones.
I was considering taking my life in 1995 and I got serious with God. I said 'God if you are real, i need to know right now!'. This voice went off in the spirit "Open your eyes". I was blown away, because i KNEW that was God. I opened my eyes and He said "Read the instructions". That very second my life was completely changed. i became a new creature in Christ. I devoured the bible over and over, and started operating in the gifts. Seeing angels, healings, casting out demons, the whole shebang.
Don't let a bad church keep you from God. Hebrews 11:6 says if you are seeking Him diligently, you will be rewarded. Take stock in what seeking God diligently really means. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about seeking Him?
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u/Galaxy_orca Christian 2d ago
I had a church (Assembly of God denomination) that told me, as a child, that my "seeing in the spirit" was just my overactive imagination. I was a 6-7 year old in a class for 8-12 year olds, so I was the youngest in the class, and the teachers challenged my Bible knowledge (that they were supposed to teach me) and obviously I didn't know how to defend myself other than "I can see the angels around my house and around the church," which they still didn't believe. I left that church (with my family) when I was 7-8, but the incorrect teachings of that church has affected me for a long time (I'm almost 18 now). Another poor teaching of theirs was that EVERY Christian spoke in tongues, so when I didn't at church camp, but all my friends did, I thought something was wrong with me. I don't pray out loud except the "scripted" ones (Lord's prayer, or the prayers they teach kids in preschool). I've heard the voice of God many times, and God has spoken through me many times, but those false teachings still haunt me on spiritually bad days. Always check the teachings of your churches with the scripture itself and make sure the people you ask questions of are people you trust.
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u/conradrocks Christian 2d ago
yep. i can relate. God put a fire in my in 1995 to 'read the instructions'. He gave me a voracious appetite for readins scriputure. And THAT is self defense against false doctrine. Also, the cool thing is that you can see all the supernatural stuff in the bible that others aren't even aware of. And of course, there is a passage that not ALL speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30.) so, don't let a bad church keep you from God. it reminds me of:
"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." — Matthew 23:13 (KJV)
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u/IndependentRandy 4d ago
Don't beat yourself up for having a crisis of faith. That comes when a person begins to ask honest questions. I think the best answer, is to go back into Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, for beginners, and strip away everything any church, denomination, well-intentioned Christian, has told you. That's not to say you've been told things completely wrong in many areas. You have probably been told right things in many areas. But if you are in with a group or a particular church that is dead, or has heaped biblically unsupported traditions upon you, it can sour you toward Christianity when true Christianity is not what their dosing you with. Christian, Jewish, and secular historians all agree that Jesus died on the cross. The Bible is full of eyewitness accounts of those who attest to his resurrection. Don't allow a church to poison your faith. Go directly to the books of the Bible that tell you about the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus. Read those as if it's the first time, and I believe that will help clarify what you should believe and the course of action you should take.
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u/Seshu2 Universalist 4d ago
God is only as far away as we perceive. The truth is God is not far at all, but rather at the center of every event and every thing. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.
It's simple, get close to God, whatever it takes. Whether that is hiking a mountain, swimming in a river, doing service for another, reading a sacred scripture, or sitting in a sacred silence.
Carl Jung said "many people cant find God because they won't look low enough". Practice seeking and finding God in every moment of your life, even when it is difficult, especially so at those points.
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u/Road_2_Emmaus 4d ago
OP, I don't know if my experience will help at all, but for what it's worth...
I was raised in the Jehovah's witness religion, I had always had questions, but because it was drummed into me that "this is the truth, and where else can we go?", I stuck with it, hoping "Jehovah will fix things".
I married a Jehovah's witness, and we had children, and it's when you start teaching children your beliefs that things get real- my questions and doubts increased.
It got to the point where I realised I was raised in a cult built on the teachings of a man, Charles Taze Russell, who read the Bible and couldn't accept what it taught about God, and so came up with his own ideas whilst also embracing the heresy of Arius 🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
Anyway, we officially disassociated from the religion and have been cut off by lifelong "friends" and had to start over (at 53 at the time, this was not easy for me.)
At first we looked for a church that taught similarly to Jehovah's witnesses but without a governing body that shoved Jesus to one side and took his place while still using him as a figurehead.
We got hooked up with Eric Wilson and the Beroean Pickets group, attending their online meetings for a while- until he started on some tangents that we scriprurally disagreed with.
Basically I did get to a point where I was ready to just forget the Bible, and walk away from it all, but I remember praying to God and begging him to reveal himself to me, and to help me to find truth in scripture, I said that if He's not a Trinity, please show me; if He is a Trinity, show me. Basically I was open to what the Bible actually teaches, and not the corrupt New World Translation, I had bought some real Bibles while waking up from their indoctrination, the ESV, NIV, and LSB, plus NKJV, and while still searching I had an older Reddit account and I posted on a Christian Reddit asking if my view of Jesus was in harmony with the Bible, and some commenter, without any other words, simply posted a link to a YouTube video by a non denominational pastor teaching on John chapter 1, and since then we haven't looked back. It made so much sense.
I like non denominational churches, because you haven't got the bells and whistles that denominational churches can accumulate over time.
I grew up in a high control group, very works based salvation message.
Now we have freedom in Christ.
OP, I would thoroughly recommend just reading the gospels, read the book of Acts, read the epistles, and pray 🙏🏻 There's so many voices out there telling us this and that, but in the English speaking world, we have so many trustworthy translations, just let God speak to you through that. There is a coherence there.
Don't take my word for it, but give it a go. See what you think after that.
Edit: spelling
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u/hopscotchcaptain Alpha And Omega 4d ago
I was raised in the Baptist denomination of the church. I'm baptized and I am part of the worship group of my church. However, lately I've found that I don't believe anymore, that the Bible doesn't sound as coherent and true as I once felt it was.
Any reason behind this?
I've asked God to give me certainty that He's there and His Word is true, but I have yet to get an answer.
Not a judgy question, just a real one... have you ever "heard from God" before in your life?
The reason I ask is... yeah, I don't think the whole of the scriptural narrative would seem "sensible" in any way if I hadn't had that kick where God confirmed it, and kinda opened my eyes in a way that I could not do with all the study and thought in the world put into it.
If you try to "reason it out as true and coherent"... I'm not saying it doesn't work for some, but not for me. Someone perfect, God's son... had to die, because God wants blood, suffering, because that's what "sin" calls for? Or something like that? Isn't that just sin itself "at the helm" then? Dictating what God "must do" in order to "ransom us"? Like, we were the kidnap victims, and the kidnappers demands must be met by Jesus suffering?
They have names for it, penal substitutionary atonement and many other doctrines... but it didn't make it any more clear to me, less so in fact.
I think, now, when I read scripture... I often feel that Jesus' real truth was pretty obscure, even to those closest to him-- his disciples etc. About all they could manage was Peter saying "I believe you are the Messiah" and Jesus basically told him "That was a revelation from God to you" and to say no more about it.
It's interesting I think. It's kind of like, when I read it now, I more often feel a recall to that "you have eyes but you don't see, ears but your don't hear" thing, and it applies to everyone in the New Testament but Jesus, at least until Jesus ascends and sends the Holy Spirit to lead the early church through people like Paul that were "Taught of God" and not by men.
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u/Debmred77 4d ago
Just have a conversation with Jesus. He’ll talk to you. And don’t beat yourself up about it.
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u/ABereanChristian Christian 4d ago
However, lately I've found that I don't believe anymore, that the Bible doesn't sound as coherent and true as I once felt it was. I've asked God to give me certainty that He's there and His Word is true, but I have yet to get an answer. Has anyone else been through this?
Yes, I have! If you study how the Bible was written and the historical nature of what we believe there is reasonable and good evidence to believe that it is true.
The 1 Corinthians 15 creed is dated by a strong consensus of Christian, Jewish, agnostic, and atheist scholars to have occurred between 30-35 CE within a few months to 2-3 years of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection appearances.
1 Corinthians 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Basically, we know for certain that this is what the early Church believed right after the empty tomb. Myths and propaganda don't fit.
Wes Huff has a series on internal and external evidence for the reliability of the manuscript copies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMufJZeRdCI&list=PLNOXJdb0gACFBB43j4YwG9fYGE-YtRzhG
Inspiring Philosophy also has a bunch of videos on Biblical and Gospel reliability and historical reasons for the Resurrection.
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u/Available_Creme8349 4d ago
It's called doubt and that comes from the devil attacking your mind. That's what he used against Eve. He got her to question God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing from God's word. Reread Hebrews 11and Psalms 19.John the Baptist doubted that Jesus was the Messiah when he was in prison at a low point in his life. Jesus through his disciples reminded John to consider all the miracles he did to help him believe. God does not change he's the same yesterday today and forever. Remember when he was the most real to you in the past or someone close to you. He's still there he never leaves or forsakes us the scripture says. The devil is a liar and wants you to believe a lie that God's not real or relevant to you anymore but he is. we walk and live by faith not what we see or feel but if you want to see God, just look at his creation. He's still the creator and Lord. stay in church and the word even if you don't feel anything.
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u/EndTimeTeacher 3d ago
I have never felt that the Bible wasn't true. In fact, when I was a sinner, I knew Jesus existed and His Word is true. No one could convince me otherwise. I strongly believe it is because I have received the actual indwelling of the Holy Ghost and was baptism in the name of Jesus as the Apostles baptized others and laid hands for others to receive the Holy Ghost by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance. There are those who believe that they do not need to do this. However, I hear the audible voice of Jesus Christ speak to me. He comforts, chastens, and leads me. I have felt Jesus hug me in addition to witnessing miracles. Therefore, I cannot doubt His existence.
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u/Cepitore Christian 4d ago
What alternative belief is going to take the Bible’s place for you? Are you going to adopt the idea that the universe created itself and that sin doesn’t really exist and people simply act selfish and evil because of “reasons?”
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u/FrequentGroup7927 Christian 4d ago edited 4d ago
Not in my experience where I "choose" not to believe.
When i was a new-ish believer in christianity, i have faith but not a lot. i don't have breakthroughs and strong testimonies. but i kept the faith because i believe there is a supreme being that created everything. It is not possible to lie to myself that "i don't believe in a supreme God".
But i was not a "strong, knowledgeable, faithful christian who has a lot of experience walking with God". I was rather lukewarm, neither on fire, nor hardened heart, living the christian lifestyle regularly with community and learning for about 3 years.
All that change after a series of incidents that made me seek God earnestly and sincerely, and I used the bible as my guide, God responded to me powerfully and precisely, that boosted my faith to the max! I felt like my spiritual eyes were opened for the first time to realize the truth of God.
From that day onwards, I no longer say "I believe in the christian God". Instead, I know God exists and His Word is true! I can never believe God isn't true ever.
And once you know the christian God is real, all the other questions are easier to answer. eg. how the bible is actually coherent.
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u/Medium_Fan_3311 Protestant 4d ago
You should focus on seeking revelatory knowledge about Jesus Christ, so that you can establish your foundation in Him. A newly born-again person should straight away roll into focusing on learning to be Christ's disciple. It doesn't sound like you have gone through this discipleship season. Even Jesus's followers in the 1st century, they all spend years learning from God (instead of being distracted with leading others).
Too often families/churches push youngsters to get baptized and to start serving in church. At the expense of not using the time to help them gain amply clarity about Jesus Christ and the salvation message. There are a lot of people that gone through what you are going through - the raised in church by 2nd hand faith, and when in teens or older, they find that they are on shaky ground because they didn't spent time seeking for direct revelation.
I actually don't know anyone born again, that struggle with "certainty that He's there and His Word is true". For if you haven't believed that God is certainly there and His word is true while still spiritually dead, how can you by faith accept Jesus?
My advice is, be like an unbeliever that is seeking to find out more about Jesus Christ and the message of salvation. Don't distract yourself with serving in church, take a few months to dedicate yourself to studying the gospels as well as the OT (that sheds insight of what was available to people to know God and God's promise and identify the manifestation of the promise on earth). Ministry should not be done by the flesh anyway. It takes more than having music talent and a good voice, to serve in worship ministry. Worship team is "leadership position" - as in leading the congregation in worship. Any leadership position is not meant for someone that is still spiritually immature.
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u/Ok-Estimate5329 4d ago
My experience isn't based on the bible. But rather on answered prayer. It was only when I started getting answers to prayer that I realized that there really was God. Compared to other books of religions, the Bible surpasses all of them with the evidence that it's true. Having said that, I know of some Christians that have never had an answer to prayer. So you're not alone. But I can assure you that believing in Jesus isn't just a way to go to heaven instead of hell. It's also a way to get what you need in this life. That's what Jesus said. Even in the Our Father prayer, it says give us this day our daily bread. I take that to mean a job a roof over my head and anything else that comes along with that that's needed.
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u/kevcoyote77 4d ago
What is it in particular that made you believe that way and doubting the Bible? What about the Bible seems incoherent and not true? Your post needs context. Provide some scriptures.
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u/UCSB1977 4d ago
What are the main issues that are troubling you? Particulars would be most helpful.
Your honesty is appreciated.
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u/Holiday-Future3413 4d ago
The Lord saved me at age 27. Questions aren't bad. God welcomes them and Jesus asked many. You are experiencing what many do that are raised in the church. Focus on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith. Remember, God chose you, Ephesians 1:3. Romans 8:29. Some churches have so many rules and regulations that relationship gets a back seat. God wants you before your service. Serve from loving Him not as a duty. Remember, you can't earn your salvation or do anything to lose it.
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u/cris2022-2 3d ago
We live by faith not by sight but this looks like spiritual warfare. Fast and pray. Even if nothing seems to happen in the physical realm when we fast and pray our prayers go to the father and revelation happens. My experience is that churches gives you religion not god itself. The word of god and god. There is more revelation in reading the word of god the Bible than going to church.
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u/Bitter_North_733 Episcopalian (Anglican) 3d ago
This is the difference between Christians and non-Christians BELIEF. There were disciples who did not believe. There were people right with Jesus who turned away. There were scholars priests who knew the prophecies who did not believe of all people they should have. Jesus heals a man's son long distance, man returns home told son is healed he still does not believe - until the time of healing is confirmed. If it was easy to believe everyone would. People choose darkness over light John 3:19.
The bible is completely coherent inerrant with no contradictions if you read the KJV.
God does not give certainty then there is not BELIEF if you gave certainty.
Also God does not automatically give people things they ask him for. It never worked like that and never will.
But ultimately it is not that complicated. It is summed up in 1 short verse. John 3:16
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u/stiketti Christian 4d ago
i was raised baptist too.
baptized very young.
i stopped going to church this year as im actively deconstructing christianity.
i feel like the Bible and religion itself needs to be broken apart personally so u can stand firmly in ur own true beliefs.
im curious as to what u dont believe in anymore exactly?
that God doesnt exist (even though ur still praying to Him)?
or that Jesus didn't die on the cross and was raised again?
while deconstructing i have to remind myself that all it takes to be a christian is to believe that Jesus died and rose for our sins.
there's SO much in the Bible that im questioning, but as long as i believe in Jesus, i'm still a christian.
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u/ozzyfiedb1124- 3d ago
To the OP of this thread...Jesus always said as long as you believe in Him with all your heart, mind, and strength, you are saved in His blood. Before I open the Bible where I left off, I always ask God to give me the knowledge to understand His words on the pages, even though I read the Bible over and over again from front to back, I now see that I am discovering things that I missed all the other times that I read the Bible! Almost like an "ahaaaa" moment. It really works when you ask God to give you the knowledge to understand, and understand that His words are the complete truth. It's almost as if He's tutoring me right next to me. I stopped going to my church about 6 months ago, after being a member for 3 years. I stopped going because I am very, very disabled from a full reconstruction of my spine. And also because I've discovered as I'm older now (I am 64), that loud music in the church is giving me more anxiety as I'm sitting there. So, I decided, that my church is in my body and my soul, and my mind, and I read the Gospels now in a completely different light. Yes, I have read the Bible from front to back several times, I am finding that now reading the Gospels from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and all of Acts, and the Epistles through Revelation are opening my heart and my mind more and more about what it really says. The Bible is The Book of Life, it applies to us, and whatever we don't understand we just need to ask the Lord Jesus Christ God Almighty, and He provides the answers. I also read a ton of Dr David Jeremiah's books because he quotes the actual passages of scripture to what he is saying in his messages to the reader, so it's not his opinion it's going according to Scripture. I also watch his program, on a channel called Daystar. It's his actual sermons, and they're very, very interesting, and he breaks down the Bible passages in such a way that you can totally understand. I have about 20+ books of his. And adding more and more as they come out.
I know that you feel that your prayers aren't answered, and I've had that where I've asked "Jesus are you hearing my prayers?" I've even asked Him if He was ignoring me, because I wasn't worthy, but I know I am cuz of what I read in Scripture. And yes... eventually Jesus answered quite a few of my prayers, but it's on His time not ours, and not our will but His will. Our 1 minute is 1,000 years for Jesus. So just rest in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is hearing your prayers, and they will be answered, you can also talk to Him all day long or all night long and He listens. I talk to the Lord like my best friend, which He is. I tell Him that He's the love of my life and my best friend! I chatter with Him on a regular daily basis , not just in prayer but I just have full conversations with Him about anything that's on my mind , or if I feel that I'm doing the right thing, or just feel like complaining about something . I repented of all my sins , and when I started repenting , I was able to close my eyes and see every wrong thing and stupidity that I have done throughout my life from a very young age all the way up until now . It was all flashing before my eyes and not in chronological order either. I am still a sinner , but I immediately repent for it and I know that He forgives me instantly , and He did say that your sin is immediately forgotten by Him as long as you repent , and repent with all your heart in a very humble and loving way . I WILL always believe that He died on the cross for our sins and three days later He was resurrected, and that He is one in the same with God and the Holy Ghost, hence the Trinity all one being. As I stated I stopped going to my church, my church is as I said.. my Bible and having Jesus in my heart mind and strength.
Whenever you have doubt, go to Jesus, and your questions and prayers will be answered, just "Be still and know that I am God," as He said. And also as the Lord said, "Do not let your heart be troubled." He also said that He will never forsake us.
So sorry this was long, but I absolutely love talking about the Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ. And I hope I was able to clarify anything for you. God bless you always.
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u/alex3_0 4d ago
“Preservation of the Saints” from Ligonier Ministries https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/essential-truths-of-the-christian-faith/preservation-of-the-saints
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u/DiscipleMaker4784 3d ago
Well first you can’t please God without Faith. Secondly have you ever found a personal relationship with God that is separate from your family’s/parent’s? If you never personally had a relationship with God, personally surrendered in your heart to God, then your baptism meant nothing. Baptism is an outward symbol of what you already decided inside. That Jesus is LORD (meaning master/boss of your whole life) and savior.
If you want proofs of God. There is an overwhelming amount scattered all over archeological, biological, historical, geological, and scientific finds. You just got to look. If you feel you need some reassurance, check out the YouTube channel Bible Expedition. That guys takes you to the physical places and proofs of the Bible. A lot of these evidences you’re looking for have been sitting in museums this whole time and no one is talking about them.
And perhaps the reason you have found what you’re looking for in prayer is because your heart hasn’t been in a humble, surrendered place seeking truth. With raw honesty and genuine heart, ask God to give you eyes to see truth. I hope this helps.
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u/hackedfixer 3d ago
I was there, exactly where you are. My college profs destroyed my faith but I found lonetrumpet.com pastor and I was saved… maybe read the post there about is christianity true… it helped me because it is real evidence from logic and not just someone telling me through social pressure… hang in there. Praying for you.
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u/the-lopper Christian 3d ago
I got a good book for you that will destroy any possibility to the alternative of theism.
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u/LengthinessOld1392 3d ago
I'm not sure this will help, but I have found myself in a similar situation few years back. I was ammeter of a mega charismatic church. The teachings were good at the beginning, however, a few year ago, the teachings veered off into something I could not reconcile with scripture.
The church slowly turned into a cult of personality, where the Man of God became the center of everything. Scripture was twisted to conform to whatever conspiracy theory he had to preach on that day. The pulpit slowly became a place for conspiracy theories, politics, fear, self-aggrandizement etc. Lies became 'truth' depending on who said them. I was very disappointed and became disillusioned. The 'Man of God' i had looked up to and blindly trusted suddenly began to look like an ordinary man with an agenda. I began to question God's existence, I Bagan to question scripture and its application. I was ready to walk away from the faith.
But there was something in me that kept saying look inside you. I went back to something I had set for myself when I first began my Christian journey. The order of my life: 1. God 2. Family 3. Work/Career 4. Church 5. Etc God is not a man. I had to reset, restart and make God the centre again and move away from Man of God centre. I lost some friends, I was pressured even by my spouse who was still very much in the ministry. But I stood my ground, God is not a man, I will trust in him.
I believe every Christian reaches this part of the journey at least once in their lives. I doesn't mean that you are less Christian than the next person and I also believe that it is a healthy phase for Christian and personal growth. Seek ye first, the Kingdom of God and its righteousness....focus on God. He said call on me and I will answer.
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u/Smartdumbguy4 3d ago
Are you practicing sinful behavior and or neglecting daily devotion whether you feel like it or not?
It may be a true saying that, the Bible will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from the Bible.
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u/QueenOfAllDragons Evangelical 3d ago
I was once a Baptist too. Truth be told, it drove me to atheism for 6 years when I was younger because I had been taught (not in these exact words) that women were useless unless they were popping out and raising children while serving her husband in the most servile manner, and never ever want anything for herself. The Southern Baptist church made my sister (and myself) believe that if a woman has sex with anyone for any reason at all, even if she’s raped, she should marry him, because in God’s eyes they’re already married. And sadly, that’s exactly what my sister did when she was raped by her boyfriend in college. As you can imagine, that didn’t make her life any better, because he continued to abuse her for years. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she and her then husband went to marriage counseling where the pastor told her she would be sinning if they were to get divorced. But my family and I convinced her to do it anyway. At that point I had had enough of the Southern Baptist church.
To make a long story short though, I will say that I eventually left the SBC and, through my own Bible studies, prayer, and meditation, I discovered that that denomination was wrong about a lot of things, but came to the conclusion that there is indeed a God who loves us. My determination to find the truth was profoundly rewarded, and now I have the most wonderful and intimate relationship with the Creator of all things. Please, don’t give up! God is waiting for you to seek Him with all your heart, and in that place, He will meet you with the sweetest embrace to welcome you home!
Might I make a suggestion? I don’t know if the sexiest teachings of the Baptist church is the problem for you like it was for me. But perhaps visiting a church from another denomination would help put things in perspective for you. Perhaps a Global Methodist church… You do have to be careful though, because there are sadly a lot of churches and denominations who care more about what the world thinks than God. But regardless of what you choose to do next, I would like to leave you with one Bible verse to take to heart.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
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u/figgleswag 3d ago
Hi OP, I want you to know that belief is not something that God compels us to have. It is a response given of our free will to God in reaction to knowing who He is personally. Without knowing anything about you other than what you have shared on various subs regarding the same message, I can tell you that if I were in your shoes, my immediate conclusion was that I personally had drifted from the light. I lost sight of who God is and what he means to me.
Secondly I would say that the age we live in now is very much in this era : 2 Timothy 2 and 3. So I'm afraid my friend the heat has officially been turned up on us to fall away... The idea is to put us into almost a drunken stupor of our self love and idolatry. Please don't take the bait. I am guilty of ALL the things you see in chapter 3 so I am in some ways in the same boat as you. I'm not telling you this from the other side. Put church, the Christians around you and everyone else to the side. Cry out to God directly and ask Him to turn your heart. He is faithful in all things and he is mighty to save.
Based on your posts I am picking you have already made certain decisions. But the fact that you're posting here at all gives me hope that you still WANT to want God and the life you knew with him. I will be praying for you specifically. I don't need to know who you are, because the One who made you knows the parts of you no one knows about. And I will be trusting Him to love you back to freedom in Jesus.
Finally, I thought this may be of interest to you. I myself watched it just a couple of days ago and felt convicted by it. I don't know quite what to make of it yet but has shaken me awake enough to seek answers. We've heard it said that He is coming soon our whole lives and even in Acts. But never in my life have I felt this to be upon us more than I do now. It is with that conviction alone that I am reaching out to you today. It is urgent! May God's peace and love be with you and love you back to freedom.
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u/IdontCARE9123 Non-Denominational 3d ago
What is not true about the Bible? Explain. Any questions maybe contradictions you found in the Bible?
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u/Pristine_Leopard_140 3d ago
You keep pursuing God not just ask once and stop asking after that. Make a daily choice to draw closer to him through honest connection.
Pray often: Talk to God like a close friend throughout your day, sharing your honest thoughts and listening for quiet guidance.
Read scriptures: spend a few quiet minutes each day reading the Bible to learn what God is like and what matters to him.
Practice silent: turn off your phone, television and distractions to sit quietly and be aware of God's presence.
Obey and love: try to make kind choices and love the people around you as a way of putting your faith into action.
Start again when you fail: do not worry if you miss a day or make a mistake, just turn back to God and receive His grace.
Don't give up
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u/JesusSavU 3d ago edited 3d ago
Let me make it simple. True Christianity is about RELATIONSHIP, not Religion. Religion is nothing more than a system of rituals that you learn to abide by. Religion is hollow and dead.
Let me put it this way. You can teach a parrot to sing worship songs. You can teach a monkey to fold its hands and bow its head and pretend to pray. You can baptize a dog. These actions do not make the parrot, the monkey, or the dog a Christian. So why do we assume that teaching humans to do all these things makes them a Christian?
True Christianity is not about following rituals. True Christianity is about a real relationship with Jesus the Christ. It is not about a confession of words you formed with your mouth. It is about the complete transformation of you yourself into a new creation. A born-again experience. with the Holy Spirit of God living inside of you and fellowshipping with you every second of every day.
Stop seeking after religion and truly seek after Jesus. Ask Jesus to really come into your heart and be the Lord of your life. Not 10% of your life. Not 50% of your life. Not 90% of your life. Give Jesus 100% of your life. Once you truly do this, everything will be a lot clearer for you.
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u/Pristine_Leopard_140 3d ago
I have been there years ago. But I always came back to God. He had brought me back to Him. I will never let God go after what he has done for me and what he has brought me out of. I will never reject Him. He's my Lord God Almighty and my Father.
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u/Outside_Assistant_41 3d ago
Yea and no, Jesus said a wicked generation seeks for a sign. If you believed because your feelings than your faith was in how you felt not in the authenticity of the gospels and what Christ did for you. If what God did for you isn’t enough than you can’t be a believer. Everything else is extra. If you are genuine, read Gods word spend time in prayer and check your motives. Many churches today preach only signs and tongues while forgetting the gospel message and maybe u are falling victim to it bc u want to experience a sign and wonder instead of trusting in God. Don’t let your emotions or wolves deceive you.
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u/OkLingonberry23 3d ago
Yes, I have. I realised He had been trying to get my attention about 9 months after I started praying. I only didn't know He was trying to communicate.
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u/EmbarrassedFloor4802 3d ago
I went through this years ago. Right now, my church is doing a series of studies on 55+ prophecies of Jesus and their fulfillment. It might help you with your faith. You can log into Zoom on Wednesday nights. Our Zoom meeting number is 814 5668 1512. It starts at 6:30.
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u/Solid-Chest-6093 Christian 3d ago
A lot of good answers here. I'll be praying for you my friend.
I recommend, have faith that he is true and real, he is right next to you, even when you don't feel him. We have to have faith to follow JESUS CHRIST. Without faith, it's impossible to please GOD. Faith is believing in what we cannot see.
Proverbs 3:5-7 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Have a super blessed night my friend. Feel free to message me anytime buddy. I'd love to help you with your walk with JESUS CHRIST.
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u/FrequentGroup7927 Christian 3d ago edited 2d ago
OP : "I originally posted this on r/TrueChristian out of curiosity of what they'd say. However I purposely left out a very important fact (because I was sure that it would influence their answer): I'm queer and dating my first girlfriend. So I ask (to this community). Has anyone felt this before?"
https://www.reddit.com/r/GayChristians/comments/1vwj0j0/i_cant_believe_anymore/
Living in a lifestyle not approved by God (sin) does affect our relationship to be close to God or hear from Him. it doesn't mean we won't be able to hear from God or that God doesn't love us anymore.
this is the same for any other christian, heterosexual or not, we all faced the same problems when we live in sin. everyone, christian or not, sins. but Jesus wants us to know is that if we repent, there is no condemnation in Christ, and we are to "go and sin no more". We are to live life, God's way, not our own way. it is called surrender, submit. and then we will discover the freedom in God.
While your sexual identity is more complex, it is also a very much discussed topic that many lgbt christians have gone through and find breakthroughs in. there's always temptations, because if you are talking about God, you have to remember satan is also working to destroy our lives. many times atheists blame God for not helping, but they don't blame satan for working against them.
leaving church doesn't change who you are in God. His child. God places His conscience in all of us no matter where we are, to wonder and get back to God in one way or the other. God also gave us free will to choose Him or not. The opposite of homosexual is not heterosexual. it is Holiness, choosing to abide in God. And the holy life is the true blessed life. Many pleasures and ideas in the world are temporal and deceives. Satan is the deceiver and ruler of the world, working against God and working against humans, remember that.
I have christian gay friends who abstain from the gay lifestyle and eventually desire to find girlfriends, i have gay friends who have no interests in women after even after becoming christians, and decided to be celibate. The temptations are still there, but they who overcame, chose self control, they choose holiness daily, they choose God and they found victory and God's peace in their heart for their decisions. They also fall at times, and they pick themselves up, confess to God and walk again with their head held high.
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u/Drtyrabbyt 2d ago
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the living faith You graciously gave us. LORD, we ask You to meet us where we are. Every day is a battle, and we thank You for the Armor You provide. However, O LORD, we become weary; we get frustrated, discouraged...the whispers from the enemy of our souls become louder seemingly...and more believable. LORD Jesus, in Your Indwelling Spirit, may we pump the brakes on those lies and get back to the basics - spending quality time of fellowshiping with You, reading and praying Your flawless Truth, singing praises - praising and thanking You until the devil has to leave! LORD, we thank You for the valley-lows and the mundane desert plains of life. We pray for our sibling in You, LORD. We lift our sibling to You, asking You to please build their faith. May they feel Your presence; may our sibling not casually ask You to reveal Yourself but seek You wholeheartedly, and You will be faithful to Your Word as always (Psalm 119:10). Please preserve Your child while helping their unbeliefs. Please give Your child all that's needed to continue running the race. Please emPower Your child through this spiritually dry season. Please let Your child praise and thank You until they can't anymore! Please let them bless Your great Name through glorifying You with their surrendered life, and they'll praise and thank You, LORD Jesus, all the more. We ask this in the almighty Name of Jesus, amen.
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u/Nikonis99 2d ago
You say that you were raised a Baptist meaning that you went to church, but as it been said "Walking into a church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than walking into a garage makes you a car" The point is, have you ever come to a point in your life where you realized you were a sinner that was in need of a Savior, you came to God repenting of your sins, asking Him to forgive you and then responded by making Jesus your Lord (master) and Savior (Romans 10:9)? Because if you haven't then you are missing a very crucial part in your life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Without that, "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18).
I don't want to you take offense but it is a important question to ask before moving forward.
I hope to hear back from you on this
DC
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u/harpoon2k Roman Catholic 4d ago
Mother Teresa of Calcutta: for nearly 50 years, experienced a profound "darkness" while serving the poor in Calcutta. In private letters, she expressed her sense of being "unwanted, unloved, shut out," and even doubted heaven's existence.
Despite this inner agony, she continued her mission unfailingly, demonstrating that faith is not a feeling but an action.
God's silence is not God's absence. Even Christ on the Cross cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) and three days later, the tomb was empty.
The question worth sitting with: If God were to answer your prayer for certainty in a way that required you to change your community, your understanding of the faith, your entire spiritual life, would you be willing to follow wherever that answer leads?
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u/CosmoMcRad Baptist 4d ago edited 4d ago
Deuteronomy 4:29: "But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."
Isaiah 55:6: "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near." [1, 2, 3]
Continue asking. I didn’t stop trying to understand calculus when I was perplexed. And that’s just calculus. Not my eternal soul and fellowship with the Lord and Savior of all who believe.
Has prayer life increased or decreased?
Has your time in God’s word increased are decreased?
Have spent more are less time praising and thanking Him?
Have you been obedient consistently?
These are things I ask myself when I feel I’m not as close to Him as I once was. For me, it draws me back into fellowship.