Do you believe that "faith" is a choice?

Question

In other words, if I, in my heart, don't feel that any God does or ever did exist, is there something I could do to save my soul?

Answer 1

Accurate Knowledge—A Key to Belief in God
as belief in God is concerned, accurate Bible knowledge is essential. The apostle Paul told the Christians in the ancient city of Philippi: "This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment
Philippians 1:9) Paul here relates love for God and for fellow believers to accurate knowledge of God and discernment of what his will is.

This is reasonable, since the first requirement for having trust and confidence in someone is knowing that person—the more completely and accurately, the better. Similarly, accurate knowledge is needed for you to be motivated to believe in God.
"Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld," Paul said. (Hebrews 11:1) Belief in God without accurate knowledge of the Bible is like a house of cards. A little puff is enough to make it fall.
Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld. 2 For by means of this the men of old times had witness borne to them.

3 By faith we perceive that the systems of things were put in order by God’s word, so that what is beheld has come to be out of things that do not appear.

4 By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain, through which [faith] he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness respecting his gifts; and through it he, although he died, yet speaks.

5 By faith E´noch was transferred so as not to see death, and he was nowhere to be found because God had transferred him; for before his transference he had the witness that he had pleased God well. 6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.

7 By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; and through this [faith] he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed in going out into a place he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, although not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he resided as an alien in the land of the promise as in a foreign land, and dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the very same promise. 10 For he was awaiting the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which [city] is God.

11 By faith also Sarah herself received power to conceive seed, even when she was past the age limit, since she esteemed him faithful who had promised. 12 Hence also from one [man], and him as good as dead, there were born [children] just as the stars of heaven for multitude and as the sands that are by the seaside, innumerable.

13 In faith all these died, although they did not get the [fulfillment of the] promises, but they saw them afar off and welcomed them and publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land. 14 For those who say such things give evidence that they are earnestly seeking a place of their own. 15 And yet, if they had indeed kept remembering that [place] from which they had gone forth, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they are reaching out for a better [place], that is, one belonging to heaven. Hence God is not ashamed of them, to be called upon as their God, for he has made a city ready for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up Isaac, and the man that had gladly received the promises attempted to offer up [his] only-begotten [son], 18 although it had been said to him: “What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.” 19 But he reckoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead; and from there he did receive him also in an illustrative way.

20 By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and E´sau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when about to die, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, nearing his end, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel; and he gave a command concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses was hid for three months by his parents after his birth, because they saw the young child was beautiful and they did not fear the order of the king. 24 By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of the daughter of Phar´aoh, 25 choosing to be ill-treated with the people of God rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin, 26 because he esteemed the reproach of the Christ as riches greater than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked intently toward the payment of the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, but not fearing the anger of the king, for he continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible. 28 By faith he had celebrated the passover and the splashing of the blood, that the destroyer might not touch their firstborn ones.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, but on venturing out upon it the Egyptians were swallowed up.

30 By faith the walls of Jer´i·cho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Ra´hab the harlot did not perish with those who acted disobediently, because she received the spies in a peaceable way.
Through his Son, Jesus Christ, he provides the hope of a resurrection for sinful mankind.—John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15.
To help us appreciate the truth about the resurrection, the Bible record contains several examples of individuals whom Jesus brought back to life. (Luke 7:11-17; 8:40-56; John 11:17-45) As you read these Bible accounts, note the joy and elation experienced by friends and family of the resurrected ones. Note also that they were moved to praise God and to put faith in Jesus.
Love for God—Foremost Reason for Serving Him
While accurate knowledge is essential to faith in God, more is needed to move one to obey and to serve him. When asked what is the greatest commandment from God, Jesus said: "You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength." (Mark 12:30) If a person loves God the way Jesus indicated, he will be most willing to obey and serve Him. Is that true of you?
"He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love. By this the love of God was made manifest in our case, because God sent forth his only-begotten Son into the world that we might gain life through him. The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent forth his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins."—1 John 4:8-10.

Do you appreciate how great this love is? Just imagine that you were drowning in a rushing stream and a man risked his life to save you. Would you forget him, or would you not be extremely grateful to him? Would you not be willing to do everything you could for him? The love that God showed in providing his Son, Jesus Christ, as the ransom sacrifice is incomparably greater. (John 3:16; Romans 8:38, 39) When your heart is touched by God's love, you will be motivated to love and serve him wholeheartedly.
Although our love for God should be the foremost reason for doing his will, it is heartwarming to know that God rewards those who serve him. The apostle Paul points out: "Without faith it is impossible to please him well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him."—Hebrews 11:6.

Those who love and obey God are truly blessed by him. Many enjoy better health as a result of following Bible principles. (Proverbs 23:20, 21; 2 Corinthians 7:1) Those who apply Bible principles regarding honesty and diligence are generally trusted by their employers and thus enjoy greater economic security. (Colossians 3:23) By putting their trust in Jehovah, God's servants are blessed with peace of mind even under trying circumstances. (Proverbs 28:25; Philippians 4:6, 7) Above all, they confidently look forward to the blessing of everlasting life in the coming earthly Paradise.—Psalm 37:11, 29.

You Too Can Have True Faith
"Jehovah of armies is judging with righteousness; he is examining the kidneys and the heart," says the Bible. (Jeremiah 11:20) Yes, Jehovah is examining what is hidden in the deepest recesses of our being. Each one should examine his own motive for believing in God. Erroneous beliefs and concepts about God may have contributed to wrong actions in the past. But accurate knowledge of the Bible can lead to a right relationship with the Creator, Jehovah God.—1 Timothy 2:3, 4.

Answer 2

If I believe something because I am told that it is true, do I really believe it? How can you have real faith without a reason for it?

Long ago I believed in Santa Claus because: 1, I was told he was real; 2, my peer group believed; and 3, presents attributed to him appeared as if by magic on Christmas morning. That belief was less a matter of choice than a conclusion based on my observations. As I grew, my observations led me to question that belief to the point that I abandoned it.

If I am on a jury I have to think critically about the evidence, and from that evidence I should believe in a verdict. Should a person accept blindly what he is told? If I am innocent and being tried, I don't want the jury to believe something without weighing the evidence. I don't consider a belief system to be valid until it has been tested. If you believe something only because a person in a pulpit said so, then your faith is pretty weak.

"Because I said so" answers in this forum that merely cite religious texts do not pass my test.

Answer 3

No, not a choice. It is interesting that in the Quran there are several verses that say that God "hardened" or "sealed" the hearts of the "nonbelievers" so that they don't want to see the "truth". When I read this I really wondered a lot how could a just God send people to hell forever for not believing when he himself "sealed their hearts" so that they don't believe.
Personally I am sure enough that the religions that believe in eternal hell (Christianity and Islam) aren't true that I am not afraid in any way I might go to hell and I don't think my soul should be "saved". I don't believe in God and I know there is no switch in my head I could push that would make me believe in one. These stories of hell if you don't believe and salvation if you do just convince me more that at least Christianity and Islam are not the truth.

Answer 4

Why not ask God to reveal Himself to you? He'll make Himself known in some way. But you need to ask with a sincere heart not a mocking one.

Do you really want your soul to be saved? If not, then you are choosing not to believe. Faith can't be forced on you. You either believe or you don't. If you are willing to accept, then God will let you know He is real. Ask Him to give you faith in Him.

Then ask Jesus into your heart by admitting that you know you are a sinner and wish to be forgiven. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior.

Then get yourself a Bible if you don't already have one, find a church and start attending. It will help your faith grow being around others who have faith.

Answer 5

I just answered a similar answer for another question. Kierkegard, a Christian Existentialist, says that for faith to exist there must be doubt. For an act to be called faith it must overcome uncertainty, but the uncertainty must exist.

I think if you feel a certain way but act in a way to overcome that feeling, you have a conflict of what to be and the expression is what you are.

For example, if you dislike someone, but you want to like him, those are two inward feelings, the expression is what you are not the feelings you have.

If you feel doubt, but want to believe, if you act in a faithless manner than you are faithless (in regards to what you are attempting to have faith in, whether person or God) If you act in a manner that believes, you have faith. So yes, I believe faith is a choice.

Answer 6

Faith is a gift of God. It's all Grace. If you "think", or even "believe" that god is real, that God had a son, and that He died for you....even THAT is a gift. It's all Grace.

Salvation is not an "event" - it is a lifelong process, that begins with Holy Baptism (THAT is not a "work" - it is a gift...an outward and visible sign on an inward and spiritual Grace - GIVEN freely by God) - and ends when we die...

There is never anything you, or any of us can "DO", to save our souls.

Again...it's all Grace.

Answer 7

Not according to God. And if you, in your heart do not believe in God it is a moot point as you would not believe you have a soul to worry about. No soul, no problem.

Answer 8

Yes, faith is a choice.

No, you cannot save your soul without God and specifically without Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

There are 2 ways to live.

Baptism is an act that is commanded for every follower of Christ by Jesus Christ himself as an outward indication of an inward repentance, faith in Jesus Christ and decision to die to our sins and be made alive through Jesus Christ to follow him exclusively.

Answer 9

Grace Alone. You can ask God even in doubt for faith. Grace is given freely by God.

Answer 10

Faith is choice. One day you will have a visitor (in thought) and you will make a conscious choice on what to do. If you are not ready, you reject the vistior. If ready, you gladly choose to take the leap.

Answer 11

yes don't believe it and contact AMAZING FACTS. ask them for some bible study guides and do them. U will really love it.. really though faith is a gift from GOD and is one of the principle ways to prove GOD does exist. but u have to accept HIS GIFT of faith in order to experience it.. and the best way I know is to study it with AMAZING FACTS.. GOD bless you they have a website by that name