I believe in God and Jesus Christ sacrifice for our sins,but I still find myself being rebellious to organized

Question

religion. I know I need to ask for forgiveness but I am very confused,what should I do,is their a priest or religious philosipher who could give me some valuable advice? Please no negative comments keep them to yourself.

Answer 1

...Organized religion isn't your thing...

That's not WRONG. Don't be worried because several of the denominations are saying "join our club because it's the ONLY one God approves of".

There are plenty of non-denominational Christians and plenty of generally spiritual folk who lead rewarding lives. Don't think you have to jump on ANY bandwagon to be "worthy".

Just be a good person, lead a decent life, worship in the way that feels appropriate to you and don't worry so much.

Answer 2

I have to ask you one question, what did Jesus do? That is easy enough, look at how he called the religious leaders out for their actions. They were so busy being religious that they forgot how to love God. They made so may laws (that they broke) that no one could obtain God. But what did Jesus do? He came to the least of these and built his Church, The Body of Christ is what it was called in the Book of Acts.

The Church today is no different today than it was in Jesus' day. Look at how people act in church. Many that go only go for show, just like in Jesus' day. See if you look at what Jesus did and then model you like after that then it is not religion that you are following but faith in Christ. If you are noticing a problem in the religious part then you are seeing the spirit behind what is going on and you are discerning it for what it is. That is why you are having a problem, and that is good.

Discern everything by the spirit of the action and if it doesn't match the red letters, then it's wrong. So if it is religion that makes you stumble then it is the spirit of religion that is the problem and not the faith.Remember faith is about the relationship with Christ, and you walk in faith. I find that Paul's letters are eye openers and the Book of James it cool to. James was Jesus next younger brother, they grew up together. James didn't come to the faith until after Jesus rose from the dead. It is short to the point and he doesn't hold anything back. It is the book I like the most.

Follow your heart and stay in the word, Let your spirit be open and you will see. I don't feel that the problem is yours but that you are seeing that there is a problem. Hang in there and you will be okay.

Answer 3

It's as natural to be hostile to organized religion as it is to sin.

Do you see the relationship there?

It's highly unlikely that anyone can reach their true potential as a Christian without being part of an active faith community, participating fully in both the work and the worship of God's church.

Most of us are just not smart enough to do it on our own.

If you want to study the matter, here's a link to official teachings of the most organized religion on the planet ... the official catechism of the Catholic church:

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

The church is so old, and so well organized that most Catholics have a hard time understanding all that it teaches, but fortunately, everything it teaches is true.

The Catholic faith is the original and most complete faith on the face of the earth. We have the Bible. We have God the Father. We have Jesus Christ. We have the Holy Spirit. We have valid sacraments that truly dispense grace. We have the Mass and Holy Communion. We have the sacred traditions of the apostles. We have Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the communion of all the saints. We have an earthly leader, the pope, who wields the God given authority to settle arguments between various members of the worlwide church. We have our own country, the Vatican. We have a complete body of both dedicated religious scholarship and divine revelation that goes back 2,000 years, all the way back to Jesus Christ himself, and then spans the old testament, all the way back to creation. We also have the great commission, and the irrevocable promises of Christ.

It's as good a place to start as any. If you're lucky, you won't have to look any further.

God bless you.

Answer 4

You have an open link to God, use it.
(I will speak of myself here)
I got feed up with church! Get all dressed up go there, and some guy (preacher) would read a verse, and talk about it trying to convey what he believed. Being told most of the old testament is no longer valid, and Revelations you don't kneed to know, you will not be here and if you are your damned.
Main feature "Jesus Saves are you saved".
Be like a child, never grow up in Christ!
Talk about skin deep. Oh it's so nice to see all the people in there very best, being well better than thou!

I did not understand the bible but I know there was far more than Jesus save, and to question might send you to hell! If he God did not want me to know he would not have written it!

So I read, cover to cover and I did me about as much good as reading the latest DC comic!

I had a base but that was it! I would catch the TV preachers and I know they did not know what they were putting out. Every one I watched had less of a grasp than I did. But determined to discern not judge I would watch everyone I saw for at least one of there sermons before I would Sh!t Can them! I went through a lot, a few I liked what they said, or the way they said it but come down to it they were no different that a stock pumper, same hype different stock!

He started out from the bible, (I don't remember what book, chapter, or verse)
And never left it, he would read a verse and explain it, read the next verse, and explain it.
He made it come alive. I understood.

I'm Pissed, where was he 20 years ago.
Why doesn't everyone teach that way!


G I just testified didn't I.

Answer 5

You will find a great number of people with your same predicament here.
Welcome!
You can believe in God and Jesus and not trust an organized religion. The feelings you have right now is similar to a butterfly leaving its' cocoon.
Not all believers make it through.
The church would have you think the social atmosphere, tithing and joining them, are the only Path to heaven.
The teachings of Jesus are far deeper than this physical worlds preachers can explain.
I believe that true spirituality can be achieved by every human on this earth.
A truly loving God/Creator would have seen to it that knowledge of Him, would be embedded in our very genes. I find it hard to imagine that God would require us to follow stories and religions handed down through generations of ambitious men.
One can simply look through science and find the complexities in
nature. Each creature needing another for survival.
Don't get angry at yourself for feeling this way. Research different philosophies and look within yourself for the answers. But by all means trust the true meanings of ALL the teachings of Jesus. The Bible only has a few of his teachings.
Live well, I hope you find the serenity you seek.

Answer 6

I, too, struggle with all the man-made rules in organized religion. I won't go into a lot of details except to say that I was raised a Catholic and converted to Protestant at age 34. The best church I ever found was not affiliated with any denomination. It was a community church. I'd love to find one like it again. I commune with God every day. My husband and I are reading and studying the Bible. The more I learn, the stronger my faith is. I confess my sins directly to God. I know that He forgives me if I am truly repentant. I try to live my life by Christ's Golden Rule: Do to others what I would have them do to me.

May I suggest that you start reading the Bible? The one we have chosen we found through Guideposts.com. They present the books in as much of a chronological order as possible. And they have provided summaries prior to each reading so that you can better understand it. It's written so that you can read it in a year. But you could do it at your own pace.

I pray you find what you are looking for and so desperately need. God bless!

Answer 7

All of these religions on the Earth are not eternal, which means they will pass with this Earth.

You can communicate with God and Jesus Christ directly, asking for forgiveness and guidance. All your trust must be in them.

The Bible, "word of God", is a great comfort. I forget in which of the new testament letters God says something along the lines of do not be consumed by the worry of your sins.

But read the Bible in fellowship with God and Jesus with the Holy Spirit as your teacher. Use the "word of God" as your guide. For those whom the "word of God" is revealed to will see and hear. All the rest are blind, have waxed and itchy ears, and hearts of stone. They reason amongst themselves.

"Word of God" will teach you that you cannot get right with God. But salvation is a blessing given by God to you and not for what you do. Patiently read and study the word of God. For example find out how the word "purple" is used throughout the Bible.

Read the Bible (King James Version), read, read, read. You do not need an organized religion for this because the Bible is the word of God and does not belong or owned by any one religion. Nor can any religion or person forgive you.

Answer 8

I agree totally. Some organized religions aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Read the old testament. God was constantly spanking the Jews for trying to rewrite God's rules. God's people are human and will be until they are taken home. I can only say take time and find a body that is walking as close to God as possible, understanding that if we could do it right 100% of the time we wouldn't need Jesus.

Answer 9

Try and not think of the "religion" part of it and you'll be OK. Remember, God wants us to believe in Him and become a part of the body of Christ. That happens once you have received Jesus as your Savior and following in Baptism. The sacrifice you speak of is when Jesus died for our sin. That means past, present and future sins. You will NEVER lose your salvation You can rebel and back slide or go the way of the world, but when it gets too much for you, or you know the heavy burden on your heart, God wants to hear from you. Not a religion. When the bible speaks of the church he means the body of Christ or all those who have received Jesus into their hearts and follow His word. He wants us to be in the fellowship of other believers so we can solidify our commitment to living the life as a Christian, which is very hard to do. If you stop thinking religion but instead think of it as a support group for others who are of your belief it is better yet! I hope this helps you my friend in Christ,
Peace to you,
Raylene♥

Answer 10

You sound exactly like me... Believe in christ but find CHURCHES to be a waste of time or Hypocritical.
There is nothing wrong in that and in fact it probably means your smart enough to see through their stupid rhetoric.

Most churches do not teach the word of God And in the Bible God says that there are only Two churches of seven that meet his favor(figurativly) and that if you "study" with those churches you will not
find your way to Heaven.
In other words most churches are a waste of time, God does not ask that you go to church, only that you know his word.
Most of the rituals practiced in church are not in the Bible.

I have found one source of learning that seems to be real-- That is Sheperds Chapel, They broadcast on tv in some places, you may have to look for them in your area( in Los angeles they are on KSCI/Ch.18 a Korean lanquage station starting at 2A.M.), they play 3 one hour shows in a row, each show the Pastor Arnold Murray or his son Dennis Read a book out of the Bible line by line, explaining what is meant by the sometimes confusing phrases and words. One half hour reading and one half hour answering viewers questions from letters. Very Educational and enlightning.
I tape them on my VCR and watch at my convenience.
They are also on the web:http://www.shepherdschapel.com/default.htm

One thing that i have found very valuable is what is called--The Companion Bible--I got mine from a religious/Bible store for fifty dollars, it was well worth it as it has footnotes and appendixes that explain alot, info that is not in any other Bible. Another website that includes them; http://www.levendwater.org/companion/index_companion.html.
Once you start to understand the Bible and what it really says you can start to discern for yourself what is truth and where your are best to look for it.

Many "priests" I have seen on TV could never Give the kind of insight and knowledge that I have recieved from the two sources I have listed above.
Oh and that Knowledge has truly given me "peace of mind"
Good luck and have fun!

Answer 11

I have the exact same problem! After being burned by denomination after denomination, I left the organized church.

Try looking for home fellowships in your area. You may be surprised at how many there are! There are a lot of people who feel this way: unable or unwilling to let a "professional" christian run over their lives and spirituality, while themselves standing above all criticism (no matter WHAT they are doing).

If you can't find anything in your area (it may take a while) there are groups online. Try going to Yahoo groups, and typing in "Home Fellowships" or "House Church" under the discussion list search engine.

Peace.