How do you have faith in Jesus Christ, and a God you don't really know exists?

Question

I was baptized Catholic, and have gone to various churches throughout my life. I am torn between the "is there or isn't there". I know it all comes down to faith. But, that's just it. How can you have faith in something not seen with your own eyes, and only read about in books?

I want to have faith. I want to be able to believe that there is a God, but I just don't know how. The love that I see people have for Jesus Christ and God, the undeniable peace that true Christians seem to have - well, I would like to be able to believe. I do believe it is something I am missing out on. When I go to church, I feel as though I am not worthy enough to be there. Because I have that doubt.

I hope that all makes sense. So, my ultimate question is just that- How do you have faith in Jesus Christ, and a God you don't really know exists?

Answer 1

Honestly, if you flip the question around it will give you a good perspective that just might help you out. Think of what's stopping you from having faith. Is it just the world as you've seen it that makes you feel like Jesus might not have been an actual person, that God didn't make this world? Life somtimes seems like it's all just a test of your faith, with temptations to make you feel like you don't believe. But if you put your trust into God, you're going to realize it's not that hard to believe in him. You've got to have a personal relationship with Jesus and just if I only had three words to sum it all up in: FIGHT FOR FAITH. The harder you fight, the stronger you'll be. God wants you to be strong in your faith, and if you look around and see what he's done for you, you can realize even though it's not totally obvious he's right there in front of you, he's still with you all the time. Never feel like you aren't worthy enough for God's love. Actually, though, to tell you the truth, you're not. But I'm not either. None of us are. It's Jesus that makes us worthy because he died for us. Just pray to God that he will give you strength, and when you pray, know that you are actually talking to your Savior, not just reciting big words to yourself to make it sound all fancy. Just talk to God the same way you'd talk to your best friend, because God is my best friend. What's stopping you from believing? Just because you haven't seen him directly, it doesn't mean you never will. I'm praying for you and I hope that I've helped in some way or another. Remember that you have to fight for your faith and that the only thing stopping you is, well, yourself. Once you know God, it's gonna be pretty hard to break the relationship between you and him. God is awesome, and you don't really have to see him to know that. Thanks much.

Answer 2

It all makes sense because I was exactly the same as you. Except I stopped going to church for about a decade and lived as wildly as possible. Last summer I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit that left me in no doubt of the reality of God - I wasn't even LOOKING, I was on my way to the pub to meet up with my friends! I wish now that I had been one of those people for whom faith alone is enough but I am very much a 'why' person - I need to know WHY things happen, I always want proof of something and for every question someone answers, I have ten more.

Another important thing is being in the right church. A lot of churches are filled with the Enemy, or at best well-meaning but spiritually dead people. Even after being anointed I still didn't find the right church or the right people. Finally, I think I'm there :-)

Answer 3

What a beautiful question. May I say you sure do have faith. And don't worry about feeling worthy, because its not about how we feel, its about what Gods word says. Besides even the Bible tells us "there's nobody living right, not even one". The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. You see true faith is something we just cant see, it is what makes up what we are hoping for. God is drawing you to him, and if you continue to look for him the way you are now, as a little child. Then when your ready, and when He's ready, your going to find him, and its going to be beautiful. You shall know the truth of Gods Love in your life, and that truth must set you free. Keep looking, your probably closer to him at this point than you've ever been before. Agape (Gods Unconditional Love) your soon to be brother in Christ! PS If you really want to know him As Soon As Possible, pray this prayer. LORD I believe your peace is something I am missing out on. Help me with my doubts!" Amen.

Answer 4

How is your prayer life? Do you do some meditating every day? It really does not ALL come down to faith, because Faith is an unearned gift. No one is worthy to be in any Church; that is why we go. And we will never be worthy. If only good people went to Church, the Church would be completely empty. EVERYONE in Heaven, are simply repentent sinners. Give God a chance. If you hear His voice today, harden not your heart. Don't give up. Say a prayer now and then to the unknown God.

Answer 5

Hey!

I'll help you straighten out your thoughts, lol.
Many people think I'm Atheist, and untill yesterday, I though I was too! Because I didn't know how to categorize my beleifs, because there simply wasn't a catagory. But now I realized what it was. I don't beleive that human's, small microdust particles littered accross some random planet in the universe, are capabgle of any "Godly" power. So, I do not beleive Jesus was, God, but I do acknowledge that he was a particularly clever, kind, and intelligent man of his day. And even though many people claim he could walk on water, or bring people back from the dead, as you probably know, seeing is not always beleiving. We can tell because of how people "magically" saw people in half or make them vanish then reappear. But we know they are just tricks. We know they are not real. But years ago when people could not even fathon these ideas of trickery, they though that just because they saw something made it true. And just because millions of people beleive something does not make it true.
So basically, I beleive in: the Power of the Person. The fact that WE, yes YOU and ME have the power to "control" our surroundings. Not magically, but by reasoning and intellect. We should not rely on a "Greater Source" for anything. If we want something, we should get it ourselves!!! No, I am NOT without morals, since I beleive people should love everyone no matter what, and we should be kind and generous. Also notice how people saying religion is better has NO argument and are just taking random quotes from their "holy book". They are also not addressing my questions. This happens a lot! Lol. So, if you want to have a faith, have it in the goodness of people. The fact that people are capable of doing remarkably wonderfull things...if you trully beleive.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I've been a Catholic all my life and I get what you're trying to say I've seen others go through similar things. I guess the best advice I can give is to pray when you go to church it doesn't have to be anything complicated even if you're not sure that God exsists it couldn't hurt right? Just pray plainly like you're talking to God face to face ask Him for guidance. Don't think that you're not worthy enough to be there even if you were one of the biggest sinners around God still loves you just as much as He always has and nothing could change that I'm sure He's aware that you're feeling lost and confused and all you need to do is reach out to him and be patient and give it some time. To answer the first part of your question I have faith in the Lord because I just feel that He exsists and reading the bible and praying helps me with that-also all of the miracles that have occured and continue to occur through out the world are some pretty good proof. I realise this has to be a very hard time for you so I promise that I will pray for you! Good luck in your search for the Lord. :)


hope this helps you out.

Answer 7

I too was baptized a Catholic. Faith is just that, faith. You don't question it. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is God. However, I don't believe in God anymore. Christianity, Jesus, was just a Roman idea for politics.

Answer 8

I have had faith in God since I was a small boy. I have been fortunate, mixed in with the normal tragidies of life, I have experienced many things that only God could have done. I lived thru events that should have killed me. Found at the worst times of my life, that if I turned to God, things did get better. God always answered my prayers. Although sometimes the answer was no. I could not possibly explain all the things, but here is one that means a lot to me: My second son was born with a medical disorder. He was bleeding inside, the doctors could not figure out why or what to do. They came to me and told me flat out, that my son was dying, would not last thru the night, and there was nothing that could be done. I asked for a priest to come in and bless my son. At the same time, I prayed with all my heart to God, to save my precious son. Within moments of the blessing, and my prayer, my son began to look better. Right after that, the doctors decided to move him by air ambulance to another Hospital in Utah. We followed by vehicle. Stopping to call along the way. We were assured that our son was stable. On arriving at the Hospital, we found that not only was our son doing better. Somehow, God placed the only surgeon in the United States who had ever handled a similar case, at that hospital. We found out that our son was only the second child born in the U.S. with that disorder and that we were now in the hands of the surgeon who saved the first boy. To make a long story short, God guided us thru his will to that particular hospital at that exact time. The surgery was a complete success, even though the other doctors still told us he would never live. The surgeon saved our son, God gave him the skills and experience to do so. I saw the changes start at the time of the blessing and the prayer. 21 years later, my son has given us two beautiful grand children and is our "miracle". I could go on, but until you experience your own miracle you will still have doubts. I'll add a little prayer for you to receive your miracle when it is needed the most. Then you will know why I believe.

Answer 9

I'm very sorry that you are in doubt. I'll do my best to help you. I was in doubt myself, but it was people that made me have that doubt, because when I figured it out it I realized that He was with me always.

True faith is never blind.

There is God that exists within you. He is the guide and comforter. He is the one that lets you know right from wrong.
The Holy Spirit of God is inside you. Your body is it's temple.

You have doubted it because people make you doubt . Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is known as the eternal sin. It's unforgivable because it's blasphemy makes people distrust God. If no one can deny Jesus the Holy Spirit, neither must we deny the Holy Spirit in ANY of God's children. That would against God's will.

Can you trust that the Holy Spirit is with you always? It's the only part of God you can never doubt. Blasphemy of the Father and the Son are both forgiven. Anyone can distrust the God and Jesus, no problem, easily forgiven. You just have to trust the Holy Spirit.

He reveals the truth

Answer 10

Everyone at one point or another questions what they believe. It's part of who we are as humans and is normal and natural.

I look at your question as 2 separate questions really...

1. How do I have faith in a God you don't really know exists?

I choose (and it is a choice) to believe that God exists. I look at the alternative and find it sad and disappointing. This is a GUT instinctual answer. That's what faith is all about. There are plenty of reasons to believe in him and a million books on scientific proofs on his existence. You can look at the similarities of creation myths from around the world. You can just watch the sun set and marvel at how beautiful this world really is. But, at some point you have to let go and simply accept that there is something out there that we don't understand, and most people refer to it as God. He most likely is not an old bald man with a white beard in a white robe, or Morgan Freeman in a white Suit. We simply don't know what God is like... But for me at least, it's harder to believe that there is no God at all.

2. How do I have faith in Jesus Christ?

I believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah foretold in Jewish tradition. Many Jewish people today still seek a messiah's return. Me personally I look at old testament scriptures, and the overwhelming effects that Jesus has had on this world and have no doubt in my mind that Jesus is the Mesiah who was foretold.

I hope you find this helpful in your quest for the truth and personal peace.