I'm a christian and one day wants to be a youth minister or a speaker. I know and believe that fear God is very important for if you do not fear him then you do not love or respect him as God. And I believe in christ.....But I don't feel I believe it with every ounce of my being! I know I'm to fear God but I don't feel I fear him as much as I'm supposed to! Am I doing something wrong? And also I sometimes feel great inside and feel as though his presence is within me but sometimes I feel nothing and it bothers me! Am I really a christain if I don't believe it with every ounce of my mind?
2007-07-04 09:06:36 · 18 answers · asked by quickjoe11 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God doesn't want you to fear him, because fear and respect isn't the same thing. People feared Hitler but didn't respect him. You should only fear God if you know you did something wrong and didn't repent.
2007-07-04 09:09:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here is a good poem by Martin Luther on feelings:
For feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving ;
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever:
For though all things shall pass away,
His Word shall stand forever.
Martin Luther 1483-1546
Don't worry about having doubts or not feeling God's presence; that is very normal. We are called to live by FAITH, not by sight or feelings.
Also, the more you get to know God, the more you will LOVE Him and enjoy His love.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1. John 4:18
Visit my 360 profile and read about my spiritual journey, it might give you some help, as well.
2007-07-04 16:41:01 · answer #2 · answered by Friend of Jesus 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
brother, a person sometimes feel that emptiness inside but that doesn't mean that you're losing faith or you're not a Christian in every sense. shall we say, your faith is not as great as God wants it to be but you're on the right track. to be a great speaker is to know God better. you should have that relationship with Him. how do you respect and fear your parents is the same way you will feel about God. to be a great speaker, you need to be full of love for God without question. the Holy Spirit will give you the gift to have that unquestionable faith. good luck!
2007-07-04 16:16:41 · answer #3 · answered by Lola 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Your young and learning. Keep the faith. God loves you and when you feel He is not there as you may think because you cannot feel Him... He is. He is watching you and seeing if you are doing what He has taught you.
we all are being taught. We all are at different levels.
work out your own Salvation...
Phi 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
don't give up a lot of teens need you to help them and God will use you mightily if you keep your focus on HIM.
May the Lord bless you, and keep you: make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
2007-07-04 16:16:54 · answer #4 · answered by Chhaya05 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the fear you want to have is reverence
"WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT REVERENCE"
In Hebrews 12:28 the Bible says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. " Reverence is the respect and honor we give to God and all things pertaining to Him (Exodus 3:5). In Psalms 89:7 the Bible says, "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those who are around Him "
The Bible says that christians are to lead lives of reverence and respect for spiritual things and for any entity that God has ordained (I Timothy 2:2: Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 2:17; 2 Peter 2:10; Jude 8). The Bible says that christians are to teach their children to have reverence for them, for other people, and for God (1 Timothy 3:4; Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:32; Job 32:4-7; Isaiah 45:10).
The Bible says that reverence is expressed outwardly. Abraham fell on his face in reverence when God appeared and talked with Him (Genesis 17:1-3). The Bible says that while reverent behavior is to be practiced by all people regardless of age, it is the older people among us who are especially encouraged to show it (Titus 2:2-3).
In scripture reverence is often coupled with fear or awe in regard to God (Malachi 2:5; 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalm 4:4). When a people lose it fear, awe, respect, and reverence for God its morals and behavior deteriorate (Romans 3:10-18). This is what has happened in the moral and spiritual regression of America. We no longer have a strong, pervasive reverence in this nation for the things that pertain to God.
The Bible says that church leaders (e.g., deacons and their wives) should live reverently before God (1 Timothy 3:8-11). The example of reverence from church leaders will have an impact on the congregation(s) they are a part of (Malachi 1:6-ff; Lamentation 4:16). The Bible says that respect for each other comes from our showing reverence and respect to God (Ephesians 5:22-33; Matthew 21:33-46).
David Decker
2007-07-04 16:33:12 · answer #5 · answered by satanlostme2000 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give yourself a break. Your pushing too hard. Do not rely on your feelings all the time. Feelings come and go. If you have a relationship with God you will be close to Him no matter what you feel.
My son told me about a dream he had that seems to apply here. He was running in his dream. The more he tried to force himself to a better pace, the slower he went. He fought and fought to go faster but his pace slowed. When he stopped trying to force himself and let the natural rhythm of his body take over he began to run so fast he was passing cars. When we talked about this dream we decided it meant when one tries to force the closeness of God and put all our energy into making it happen we seem to be farther and farther away. When we let our spirit take over and allow it to do what it does, we get closer to God and our lives advance by leaps and bounds.
2007-07-04 16:24:25 · answer #6 · answered by kaehya2003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You used the word "feel" five times. We aren't saved by our feelings, we are saved by God's grace through our faith. Please examine your faith. It is normal for Christians to falter and for their faith to become weak at times because we are human. But that's why it's important to stay in God's Word, to pray and to associate ourselves with godly people who encourage us when we're weak. Also, to fear God isn't to be deathly afraid of Him, rather it is to have reverential awe of Him. God is Love, he isn't our enemy. If we aren't close to God, it isn't He that moved, it's us. Are you really a Christian? Only you know whether you have truly accepted Jesus as your Savior and made Him Lord of your life. If so, then you are a Christian. If you aren't sure, talk to a pastor that you trust. God Bless.
2007-07-04 16:27:43 · answer #7 · answered by Gram 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a tough one, but I don't think you're feeling anything that other christian's have not felt at some point in their life. I think you need to start at the beginning. The best way to get close to God is to get to know Him. And what better way to get to know Him than to read His word that he left for us. Study your bible. Ask hard questions and find the answers. Pick it apart. After all, isn't that the way that we get to know people we first meet? We ask questions about them, find out about them. That's how we build a relationship and get close to them, right? I know I'm going to get a lot of grief from people when I say this, but go talk to the Jehovah's Witnesses. They really got their acts together if you're not afraid to talk to them. They can help. I swear they're not a cult!
2007-07-04 16:18:52 · answer #8 · answered by yankeegirl 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Only God knows your heart. Yes you are a Christian don't doubt your faith. Read 1 John 5:13.
2007-07-04 16:12:59 · answer #9 · answered by Dark Angel 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i understand wut you mean, ignore the answers from the rude people about needing to go to school. i respect you for you bravery in asking this question..
i understand that at times we feel awesome, and that God is totally with me but at other times he feels like nothing and it bothers me to, but that is just part of the journey we will constantly go through ups and downs, it is just about how strong and faithful we stand through it. Fearing God and respecting him do go together and often we don't feel like we are good enough if we don't love him with every thing, don't be discouraged, if you gave yourself to Christ, you are a Christian don't worry about that, just focus on giving everyhting to him, don't hold back!
God Bless, sTAY strong, He is with you
2007-07-04 16:26:16 · answer #10 · answered by sun 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋