A serious question for Christians...?

Question

I have been a Christian for many, many years - and I really love God. However, I've had a lot of really hard experiences in the church. It seems to me that there is a "one-size-fits-all" mentality amongst us (at least here in the West). I hear the word "just" too often: "JUST pray"... "JUST forgive"... "JUST give it to Jesus". I don't really think there is a "JUST" do any one thing... God is diverse and creative. I really think we put Him in a box...what do you think? I've often felt I was never good enough as a Christian. I'm tired of it and I don't really think it's true any more! What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Well, I know this does not answer your question (exactly) and I am not going to say (just pray) but I am wondering since you started to have doubts or even before...

1. have you asked God for strength?
2. have you asked God for wisdom?
3. have you asked Him to lead you in everything you do?
4. have you asked Him for knowledge and the wisdom to understand the knowledge He gives you?
5. have you tried just sitting down and talking to Him?

You have to remember as a Christian God will not force you to do anything, that includes talk to Him or study His word...

Once you become a Christian you still have freewill, you do not change into a robot of knowledge and strength...

I don't know any "true" Christian that thinks they are "good enough".

You talk about a "one size fits all mentality" surly if you were old enough to accept Christ as Savior and understand what you were doing, then you are old enough to study the Bible yourself and find out where you fit into God's plan and know that "You need to talk to God yourself" in order to be close to Him.

Remember what ever you do it is "yours" to do, you can not blame others (if) you are not actively taking part in Knowing God and it will be you who faces God on judgment day and will answer for "your own" sins.

Answer 2

I think that we all have a different relationship with God. We all have different needs at different times, and so need our own personal relationship. What helps one Christian may not help another, as God knows what is best for us. Some Christians to make us feel better tell us feel good things, that may or may not help us. I get a little tired of feel good religion. I want an honest relationship with God, where he is where I am at all times, and I know He will never leave ... especially when I am struggling to be a "good Christian" and falling short of the mark. Yes we put God in a box ...one size fits all mentality. I think a lot of this is because of the competition between the churches for dollars and confusing praise for them feeling good. We need to get back to caring about each other and stop chasing the money.

Answer 3

God is diverse and creative. AMEN. God does not belong in a box. God will break out of any box people try to put Him in. He does that to prove He is bigger and greater than we think He is. Some people want life to be uncomplicated. They want an easy answer for everything. But sometimes there are no easy answers, and it is in those times that we grow and learn more than we thought we could.

I don't know why you thought you were not a good enough Christian, but I have a feeling it was not God but other people who were making you feel that way.

Answer 4

Dealing with a personal dilema requires clear and honest communication as it concerns your own personal situation. Those who follow the teachings of Christ should understand this and listen to you and seek to resolve whatever hard experiences you have had in the church and/or in your personal life in general. The quick fix approach is not always appropriate but sometimes it really is. The problem for you seems to be an over simplification of your situation and suggestions to "just" do this or "just" do that without them really understanding (or failing to show you that they do understand) your situation and actively doing something about it. Sounds to me like you are in an overly legalistic church and not one that teaches what Christ taught; which is that love transcends law and Makes you good enough (even if you are not to begin with). Love is what binds us together, love heals our hearts and makes us strong. You are right to say that God will not fit in any 'box'. I would strongly suggest you dig deep to see what is at the heart of the matter such as some unresolved pain or issue from your past. Legalism has a way of stirring up guilt and shame but not resolving them. You need to talk to someone about those issues. You may contact me if you wish, I have been there and back.

Answer 5

I can understand that.Sometimes people cannot understand what you are feeling.I don't mean to derail this,but an example would be with my sister.She was suffering from liver disease and was really ill.I'd hear all the time,'Don't worry!' 'God is in control'.And that is true,but it didn't make me feel any better in the short term.It didn't make me feel any more hopeful about her chances of surviving.And it sure wasn't easy to just stop worrying! Sometimes people can only give 'pat' answers.
Don't let people make you feel you aren't 'good enough' to be a Christian.We are all sinners saved by grace,and others have their own skeletons in the closet.We just need to do the best we can,and build each other up in out struggles rather than tearing each other down.
In the end,it's not what I think that matters.Or what Mr Joe Christian thinks.It's God that counts.

Answer 6

the Just here doesnt mean that u will forgive or pray in a second , it means that the only way or the thing that u can do is to pray or to forgive , if u r in a problem u have to pray and this means that u ask God to solve this problem and talk to him ask him to show u the purpose of this thing that's happening to u , and ask him from ur deep heart , u should have a relation with God he is ur father, about forgiveness its the same , itsnt like that ill say that ill forgive then its done, itsnt this way , ur faith isnt only believing in God its making actions that proves that faith , Devils believe in God and they are so afraid of it , so if u want to forgive somebody and u feel u cant u should start praying and ask God to help u to forgive him , i think there is no just , every thing is done by praying , having faith adn strong will , nothing happens without thinking or will , the last thing is that we should know God well and read the bible , the bible is our gide it tells us how to live , u will find every solution and every way to deal with ur day , the bible is our base . pray and ask God to help u and u will find the answer

Answer 7

Well, really and truly, I'm kinda confused on your question. But I'll try my best to answer it.
Praying and giving it to God and forgiving is a vital part of things like that. I understand that you feel that there should be more, but that is in the process of it. you don't JUST forgive. You pray for God to help you to forgive, you fight with what your mind says (or what Satan whispers in your ear) and what your heart says and then you are finally able to forgive. You can't just say it and its over. This applies to many things.
As for the part where you never thought you were a good enough Christian. You don't have to be! You just have to try. We are not perfect and Christ doesn't expect us to be. He only wants us to try our hardest and not to give up. We have to follow his will and we will make it through.
I hope this helped some!

Answer 8

You are experiencing what millions of christians and former christians have experienced but won't acknowledge. Just because you don't get along with the church doesn't make you a bad christian. Try reading spiritual books from outside the church.

Conformity is required for the future of the church. Innovation isn't rewarded.

I found Karen Armstrong's "A History of God" helpful. She's a former Catholic nun.

Answer 9

Nike's Logo is "Just Do It". The reason you hear that so much in church's is because God himself has taught us to "Just Do It".

Example:
Moses. When he came Before God He said but God how do you expect me to take your word to pharaoh if I have a speech impediment. God said Take Arron and he will speak for you.

Jeremiah said "But god I am too young" and god said "do no tell me you are too young"

Alot of time's God tell's us to do something "personally" and we put excuses but when god tells you to do it then do it. The reason you hear it so much is because alot of Pastor's preach "General Messages" like the ones about how we need to pray or how we need to read the word. So you'll hear alot of Just Do It's. It's not a bad thing but you are right are God being More then that. But the fact still does remain that you must do it.

Answer 10

Congratulations, sounds like you had a wonderful spiritual sneeze and blew some of the dust out of your brain ! If you were what I call a Sunday Morning Christian, no wonder you are not feeling good enough...do some reading and researching on other religions...where you live what you believe all day , every day and your actions toward fellow man and the creatures of the earth reflect that...perhaps find a middle path grin..none among us do not feel at times that we have not done our best...we do the best that we can with the tools we have on hand....sounds like you may need to do some tool shopping...so you can allow your self at night to go to bed feeling good about yourself and what you have done with the last 24 hrs..! Life is never a "just" thing....good luck...find your spiritual/intellectual contentment place !