A Question for Those With Strong Faith?

Question

For years I vaguely believed in God and partially subscribed to various Christian values. In recent years I have become actively involved with Christianity, studying, worshipping and taking a very evangelical stance. This is because a less intensive approach seems to me to fall short of Christ's specific teachings and might constitute false religion, although it would of course involve less effort. Be that as it may, I find that if I do not study and worship very regularly I begin to weaken. I feel that given a year alone I would soon revert to my old stance. Does this happen to most of us, or am I fundamentally lacking?

Answer 1

The scriptures say that we need to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together because we draw strength and encouragement from the association with our brothers. (Heb 10:24-25). Proverbs 18:1 states : "One isolating himself will seek [his own] selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth." So when we stay away from good Christian association, foolish things and seeking out selfish interests follow. So the answer to your question is that you need the association to stay spiritually strong and do what is right in the eyes of God. Left to our own imperfect desires, we would all revert to our old lives. God Bless.

Answer 2

Your question begs a question - What is a 'strong faith'?

Faith is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8, its immediate source is the Word of God, Romans 10:17, its object is Jesus Christ Galatians 2:20.

Do you have this kind of faith? Its the only kind of faith that matters.

Christians are exhorted to give full attention to their faith relationship with Jesus Christ, words such as: 'watch and pray', 'fight the good fight', 'hold fast', etc., all remind you that the the Christian's life is one of fellowship with Jesus Christ, the experience of whom depends on the level of your commitment to Him.

Added to this are warnings about the many forces which work against living in communion with God: the world, the flesh and the devil 1 John 2:16.

Christians are to called persevere in the faith, running the race looking to Jesus, Hebrews 12:1-3, in the confidence that the desire and power to do so are provided by the Saviour God, Philippians 2:12,13.

Finally this Saviour has promised to keep you, Jude 1:24, to finish what He's begun in you, Philippians 1:6, to preserve you from all who would try to break his relationship with you, John 10:28.

The difficulty you describe is not uncommon for disciples of Jesus Christ, read Romans 7. The purpose of which is that they might not depend on their feelings or performance, but on the one who died for sinners, rose again and now lives in the Father's presence on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25.

Answer 3

It's pretty common. We are told to be in the world but not a part of it, but that is hard to pull off consistently. The culture today is substantially less supportive of Christian beliefs (5 minutes on this Q&A page will prove that!) than it was just 20 years ago. I think most Christians would admit to feeling your pain. Put on the whole armor of God and fight the good fight brother....that's all you can do!

Answer 4

No, you are not fundamentally lacking, it happens to us all.

Why? Because the Devil has no desire for us to be active Christians. He can't do anything about the fact that we are saved but he can try to make sure that nobody becomes saved because of our influence.

When we stop spending time at Church etc, we are giving him the window of oppportunity and he'll jump right in. That's why spending time with other Christians, both in and out of the Church atmosphere, is so important

Answer 5

The narrow road is never going to be easy. I don't
see that you are lacking, if you are keeping the faith. Stay in the word and pray. Just remeber the effort Jesus put forth for us. If you do this outside things should not weaken your faith but make it stronger. "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything" God Bless

Answer 6

I find that if I let myself go off on my own rather than to be concious of God's presence in my life that I tend to revert back to some of my old ways. Worship for me is a constant awareness of His presence and his guidance in everything I do and say. Even my answers here are based on what He conveys to me.

Answer 7

I have very strong faith and christian values. I pray every day even though I do not attend church. I do not attend church anymore because I got sick and tired of everyone telling me that every other religion is going to hell so I read my bible when I can, probably not often enough and pray, I talk to god quiet often. Not being a bible beater and a holy roller doesn't make us bad people. All you can do is whats right for you. Pray about it.

Answer 8

This happens to most people, which is why it's good to keep close to God at all times. If you don't spend time with someone for a long time you will start to forget what they are like and lose intimacy, it's just the same with Jesus.

Answer 9

We are on the right track when we follow what the early disciples did in Acts 2:42 to continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Doing these things consistently will build up our relationship with the Lord and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. To me it is of greater priority for me to know the Lord intimately so that I can hear and obey Him. This is the commandment of our Father in Matthew 17:5 "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. HEAR HIM."

Answer 10

Even Christ weakened in His faith on the Cross when He cried out " My God, My God, why have You deserted me" - but it returned for Him to say His dying words " Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit".
We all have doubts from time to time, it is natural. I like many at these moments offer up the prayer " Lord, I believe in you, help my disbelief".