christians: how can you explain this?

Question

A lot of people believe in god, but i dont understand how, since you cant see him visually. some people say you can feel god, but thats just weird. I, myself want to believe in God, but i cant... believe me i try praying, anything but i just cant believe. so will i go to heaven, even if i cant believe but i tried hard to yet i cant succeed? i mean, its not my fault i cant. what do you think will happen in this situation?

(please, dont write answers such as keep praying, because for me its very pointless)

Answer 1

Somehow I feel you could be genuinely concerned about your search for answers about God; however, I must point out that you are using rationalization to solve this very real predicament. The mind can do very sad things. It can think it is indestructible and reigns supreme. It can convince you to harm yourself or others. It can thrive on retaliation. It often believes it IS God. It can work against us instead of for us. It can fool you into believing it has all the facts.
I know of no true Christian who has not wrestled for an answer as you are doing. It takes great effort to fight against the feeling that God exists. A relationship is there for you if you only approach Him. This is a situation only the heart can consider and accept. Strange thing, Your heart can be more rational than your head.
While your head is doing it's thing, the clean heart wants the best for you. There IS something that exists and is more important and powerful than finding proof. It is called FAITH. It does not require you to be perfect, intelligent nor does it render you stupid and weak.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Vs. 3 "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." I believe "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" means "seen" as "understanding" (as in, I see what you mean). Whatever "appears" I believe is something tangible, an object, something that can be physically touched.
Faith is believing what cannot be proven in the conventional way. It is based on the idea that what God offers God will fulfill and it is the promise of a new life, both here on earth and in heaven. It is a matter of trust in the Lord even if you can't rationalize the promise.
I have had to work to silence my mind's demand to prove everything; to convince it that it doesn't have to have all the answers.
I was once in a situation that I lacked money and could not buy groceries. I had no way to borrow money. I was troubled and hungry but decided to release the predicament to God and trust/have faith that He would take care of me. As I was able to work (due to a disability), it was amazing that someone I knew only slightly asked me to dinner at a restaurant. Another asked me to their house for a meal. I was invited to a party...lots of food. I was excited about these results. He worked through people with loving hearts. They were open to sharing.
There have been many occasions that the Lord provided for my needs. Most of all He gave me peace of mind and protection. When I pray for something specific I also ask Him to give me a good attitude if I don't get it. He always knows what's best and what follows is always better than what I requested. He'll always prove Himself if you just (as the Big Book of AA says) 'relax and take it easy." Now I paraphrase, "we ask Him for an intuitive thought or feeling. We don't struggle." Another passage says that if we work at it, it will become a working part of the mind.
Be honest and tell Him about your struggle. Then wait for the answer. My best for you and I will pray for you to find the solution

Answer 2

First you have to believe that God is good and have good intentions for you. When you have confidence in the goodness of God you can pray to Him and He will listen to you. Then you will find God when you seek Him with all your heart:

Jer 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Answer 3

This is probably one of those answers that you didn't want, but here goes any way.
You say you Have tried, but there must be something still holding you back. First of all you have to pray with a humble heart, and you must believe that God will hear you. God does hear you whether you know it or not. Yes I have felt Gods presence in my life and in my heart. I don't always hear Gods answer when I pray, but i do know that He has heard me.
How do you pray when you pray? Do you say God why can't you hear me, or do you humble your self and say God I know I am unworthy of your forgiveness but I ask you to forgive me and come into my life. And then believe that He has heard you and except Jesus as your savior. Believe me, you will feel His presence and you will feel joy in your heart. If you try that way, please let me know what happens for you, ok.

Answer 4

Good question- at least you want to believe. It is a big step of faith. I can't see Abraham Lincoln either, but I believe he was real because many people did see him and have written about him. I can't see the wind, but I can see the effects of the wind and people have studied it. I can't see an atom, but I know they exist. Every day we have to have faith - I have to have faith right now that the chair I'm sitting on isn't going to give out on me! Looking at nature and watching a baby being born, etc... I can't help but NOT believe - because it is evidence of God's power.

I would recommend that you go to a good church - and when I say good - I mean, a Bible-believing church. Look up "Calvary Chapel" under churches in the phone book - a good place to start. The faith will come, but it takes one step at a time.

Answer 5

The Bible says that in the book of John the apostle the 3rd chapter and the 16th verse that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES in Him SHALL NOT PARISH but have everlasting life". Verse 17 says that "WHO EVER DOES'NT BELIEVE in Him is ALREADY CONDEMNED because he did not believe in the son of God''. But it's not God will that any one perish but that every one comes to the repentance of Christ and knowledge of Him. It's not all about a feeling you get, It's all about your BELIEF IN JESUS. You see, Cristianity is not just when people go to a building every Sunday , it's a personal relaionship with The Lord and Savior of your soul "JESUS". When you go to God you must belive that He is there to listen to you. Because He first loves you, even though you can't come to grasp everything about Him. He still loves you and He wants to meet you at your needs. Just go beyond how you feel and BELIEVE that He loves YOU because He does. IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH and BELIEVE in your Heart that God raised Jesus from the dead YOU SHALL be saved ROMANS 10:9 says. Now, to the carnal mind the secrets of God are not revealed. This means that you must go further than the carnal things (your mind, will and, emotions) and truely seek after God. He tells us that those who seek after God shall find Him and if you ask it shall be given unto you. Those who hunger and thirst after God and His rightousness shall be filled. In all of your geting get understanding.
Now I'm leaving:
because i'm going to leave it up to you to take that extra step and believe God. Admit your a sinner, Believe Jesus died and rose for your sins, Confess your faults to God and, Recieve Him as your Lord and Savior of your life. Turn your will over to God and He will give you a new life. Old things will be passed away and EVERYTHING will become new in your spirit. Draw Closer to God and He will draw closer to you. Be blessed. I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Answer 6

When you want to see a friend of yours, where do you go? Much of the time, you probably go to his or her house, the place where he or she dwells.

Dietrich Bonhoffer (Oh, I wish I could remember how exactly to spell his last name!) in his "Cost of Discipleship" addresses that very question. How does a modern disciple hear the call of Christ? How does a modern person find communion with God? We find communion and we hear our call to pick up our cross where he dwells for us now, first in His word and then hopefully, in our hearts.

You might try reading passages in Luke dealing with the shepherd who rejoices more over the one lost sheep who was found than the 99 who were never lost, or the woman who hunts and hunts until she finds that lost coin. Or the Father whose son had left, deserted him, spent his wealth, and then had the nerve to come back and instead of that Father rejecting him and giving him what for, that Father literally RUNS out to greet him, hug him, welcome him home, and gives him an extravagent party.

Try reading these verses intently and meditating on them and their message. And if you are still struggling, try Bonhoffer's the Call to Discipleship! or Shane Claiborne's 'The Irresistible Revolution" for a more modern take on Christianity, the call, and God's work in the world!

Answer 7

This religion is based on Faith. You believe in what you can't see. I can't tell you there will be a happy ending without Faith...It's all about belief in God and Jesus Christ. Jesus saves us from our iniquities..our sins..We can't get to heaven by trying hard, or being good..You must believe Jesus died on the cross for you & I..That He rose again on the 3rd day..( conquered death) and showed himself to many. Also, that He is going to return for His people, the church, or rapture, or second coming. He promised He would return for us. Talk to someone you know who is a Christian. And I pray that you'll find our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

I came to Christ as an adult. While I was by no means looking for 'religion' when I got saved, I did have a sneaking feeling in the back of my mind throughout my life that Jesus was the Truth. Sometimes I would wake up in a sweat concerned for my soul, but I just couldn't 'muster' belief. At these times I would pray (sorry, just being honest) and ask the Lord to show me Himself and give me faith if He was Truth.

It did take years of this before I became a Christian. Again, it wasn't dedicated seeking by any means, but it did happen from time to time.

I really believe that if you are really seeking God, He will find you, if that makes sense, in His time. In answer to your question, no, you will not go to heaven without faith on Jesus. But my thought is (and I think the Bible backs this up), if you are looking for Him, He is already looking for you. I do not think that if you are really seeking Him that He will let you die without giving you the gift of faith.

I never, *ever* mustered up the faith to believe --- not to this day. It was truly a gift; one day I didn't have it and the next day I did. Trying to force yourself to believe won't change things. This is a heart issue, and until He changes your heart, you can't make yourself believe. But again, if you are looking for Him, He is looking for you. He WILL respond to your prayers when it is His time for you, when you are ready.

He's the God of the universe. He controls when you are born, when you die. If you are seeking Him, He won't let you die before He gives you faith. I believe that.

Answer 9

If you are serious, you can start by putting on a shirt and changing your avatar name. You are correct that He is not seen with the human eyes. That should be sufficient proof that you must look elsewhere. Where He is not found, don't look there any more.
God is spirit and deals with the spirit of man. He has said, "Be still, and know that I am God." You will find Him in a quiet place when your mind and heart are upon Him, but only if He wishes to be found by you. He lets you have that control.

Answer 10

that is impressive...I had a overwhelming feeling to be a extra suited man or woman. I replaced numerous issues in my existence. i had to renowned each thing approximately Christianity, and approximately Jesus Christ. i could no longer get adequate of examining the Bible. I study distinctive variations and asked questions. it particularly is a great feeling, to have the Holy Spirit in you, you like everybody, and you cry, alot! and you experience sorry for the individuals, who in basic terms are not getting it!!!!