Am I a Christian or not?

[Corpfox]

I had a talk with...someone and interestly, he was right.

I was a Christian and accept Jesus Gift, and etc.

But unfortunately, I labelled myself a Non-Christian because I lost my faith.

Interestly, because I accept Jesus Gift, I cannot return it.

So, what am I?

A questionable Christian, curious Non-Christian, or something else?

I believe there is a God, that he died for your sins and raised from the dead to wash away your sins.

But like I keep saying, which doesn't make any sense, is, "I believe that you believe, but I don't believe it for myself."

I do not "Love" God or Jesus, I cannot even use the emotion "Love" as for me, it is icky, like kissing. YUCK!

Honestly, I don't like watching people kissing for real and in movies/films.

So, I turn away or rewind it till its been skipped.

 

[vibrokatana]

I do not "Love" God or Jesus, I cannot even use the emotion "Love" as for me, it is icky, like kissing. YUCK!

There are multiple degrees of "love". For instance (if you had a sister) you wouldn't want to have sex with her, but you would want to protect her if possible from harm. Protection, friendship, etc are different forms of love. Unfortunately English doesn't do a good job of differentiating them and you probably don't want to walk around saying you love your friends, heh. Sexual drive, etc usually falls under lust but that word isn't commonly used by society because it has negative connotations.

 

[cc.slim]

Lol Ya know I started a flower garden this year. I poked the seed in the ground and covered it. You can't see it right away but it is there! It busted through the ground scraggly and didn't look like much but I knew it was a flower where others thought it was a weed. Yeah it did bloom beautiful to show what it was. My point is we push Gods timing or try to with our impatience because we don't see or feel the growth. Hehehe I sense the lack of passion more so than the lack of love! The passionate love comes when your inner beauty reaches for his light just as a seed sprouts and to his glory blossoms!

Feed and water the seed, and beauty will come forth hehehe standing proud amongst weeds hehehe wOOt standout!

 

[RiverTigress]

When you become a Christian in the biblical sense of accepting Jesus Christ, at that moment the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell inside your heart which makes you a new creature and no longer a part of the non-holy world. It is this part that can't be returned. You can ignore the Holy Spirit, push him away from you and out of your mind till you've completely forgotten him, but he doesn't forget or leave you so you're stuck now being one of God's children whether you like it or not. There's nothing you can do to change it since it wasn't by our own works we could gain heaven in the first place, likewise nothing of our own works or lack of works can cause us to lose it.

No one can really know for sure what has happened in your heart except you and God, but if you didn't really have the Holy Spirit inside you deep down somewhere, you probably would have been completely repulsed by his presence here in other people and not spent nearly so much time with us as you have, so based on that I wouldn't doubt your salvation at all.

It's ok to be different though if that's something you are worried about. We may be likened to a flock of sheep, but we are sheep of many different colors and have all come into the flock in varying conditions - injured, diseased, mangled, maimed, and otherwise challenged in all sorts of ways. The ones that tend to catch our eye with the shiny, pretty, fluffy coats all frolicking in fields of happiness and joy all day long, the ones we compare ourselves to and feel ashamed, they didn't start out all that different from you or anyone else really, they've just been in the care of the shepherd longer and its his care that does that for them not anything special that they have that you don't. God knows sheep don't have the ability to take care of themselves. That's why he gives us a part of himself and each other to help us along the way.

 

[The Mighty Gerbil]

Ohhh Hi Corps! I'll chime in with my two cents I hope it helps .

I had a talk with...someone and interestly, he was right.

I was a Christian and accept Jesus Gift, and etc.

But unfortunately, I labelled myself a Non-Christian because I lost my faith.

I cannot remember for certain but was it you who said something on the forums a while back about having a problem believing in God because of the terrible things God lets happen? If that is the case the vast majority of bad things in this world are either directly caused by people's choices (murder, war, STDs, etc.) or could be alleviated by people (sickness, natural disaster, poverty). Even the ones we don't directly cause entered this world through original sin (another discussion I shall digress from).

I'll phrase it this way life is like a machine God made for us. To work the machine God gives us common sense, an instruction book (the Bible) and a help line to call (prayer). Yet when, against the instruction book and common sense, people throw a wrench in the machine they blame God for wrecking it, which makes no sense >.< . One could blame God for allowing people the choice to do evil things (throw wrenches) but our lives would be pointless (literally without meaning) if we could only chose the right/God's way. One could even argue if everything we did was right we would be God so as separate entities we would not exist. It's because we can choose wrong that our choosing right/God has value. You may say "things don't have to be SO bad though" as in why does God allow a specific act but then that is akin to playing God as you would be believing you could do a better job. I know I certainly couldn't do a better job because I make mistakes and it only takes one mistake + infinite power to destroy everything.

Fact is God doesn't allow some things. We have the security of his prophecy (like humanity won't die out before Christ comes back) and we have the security of eternal salvation that cannot be taken away by anyone.

We also don't have brain parasites... well at least I don't have brain parasites... If brain parasites exist please don't tell me that one radio show with the brain worms creeped me out enough XD .

Interestly, because I accept Jesus Gift, I cannot return it.

You are correct .Once you are saved I do not believe you can become un-saved. Thing is I don't know what the circumstances of your salvation were (your perception of who Jesus is or what the gift was). I have no reason to doubt your salvation either though.

So, what am I?

Um Confused . Ok that didn't help but I really can't say as I don't know your inner most thoughts. I can say you seem concerned about who you are and where you are going and that is a good sign. Many people just bum through life without ever asking. I believe if people discard self and earnestly pursue truth and they will find a closer relationship to God.

A questionable Christian, curious Non-Christian, or something else?

I believe there is a God, that he died for your sins and raised from the dead to wash away your sins.

This phrase makes me think you may have difficulty in believing that God cares about you personally though you believe he exists...

But like I keep saying, which doesn't make any sense, is, "I believe that you believe, but I don't believe it for myself."

...but this phrase makes it sound like you don't believe Jesus was God's son and died at all... now we are both confused >.<. If I where to go by the first statement I'd say it's an emotional impediment towards Christian growth not a logical one. I mean it sounds like you are a Christian but can't "feel" God's love. Sometimes we can feel unworthy and distance ourselves from God or perhaps the weight of the world can make you feel like God does not care about you. BTW I find the emotional argument people use against God to be far more logical and honest with themselves than the "logical" ones people use. Some people just "can't" (believe God loves them) and it takes time to build faith. The relevant love discussion is continued below.

I do not "Love" God or Jesus, I cannot even use the emotion "Love" as for me, it is icky, like kissing. YUCK!

Honestly, I don't like watching people kissing for real and in movies/films.

So, I turn away or rewind it till its been skipped.

There are many different words for different types of "love" in Hebrew (if I remember correctly). As already stated by another post these are relational. Love can be between a man and women, child and parent, brother and sister, God's love or perfect love (Agape) and so forth. Jesus' sacrifice was an act of love, a solider taking a bullet for a friend is an act of love, the word "charity" originally meant specifically "Christian love" though now it has seemingly lost that specific connotation. My point it love is certainly NOT DEFINED solely by kissing or emotional fluff you see in movies. However an act, maybe kissing, may provide EVIDENCE of love. Thing is kissing can be faked as a means of personal gain. Sacrifice or giving up something could be seen as an act of love but this again could be faked if what you where giving up was less valuable than what you could gain. The greatest evidence of love is an act where the actor gains the least possible imaginable I.E. they chose to die for another. With Jesus he could have had anything he wished being God but still choose to die for us over that. Now when I accept someone died for me I would feel gratitude, when that someone lived their whole life for me I feel more and when that someone is God I'd feel unworthy and indebted to them to say the least. Thunderbolts and lightning may not happen when you accept that someone loves truly loves you but I certainly couldn't spit in their face. Returning love more often than not takes time because people fear commitment and feel not up to the task of being able to love as it requires putting another above oneself. I've heard salvation stories where a person fell away or forgot about God after accepting Jesus but it seems like their conscious and the Holy Spirit always called them back. Quite frankly ALL Christians stumble and fall away from God by sinning while on Earth but love always calls you back.

Taking bullets for buddies and manly shoulder punches between friends still count as evidence of love and are less goopy than kisses .

Once again I find myself in the position of needing sleep. Well I've got to do a ton of work first XD then a ton of sleep to do so I may not post again for a while. Later Corps .

 

[Neirai the Forgiven]

Okay, so I'm going to try something different. I'm pretty convinced that saying a sinner's prayer doesn't save you. The work of the Holy Spirit and belief in Christ does, and so does Christ himself.

My questions are:
What do you mean that you lost your faith? Do you mean that you stopped believing that God, miracles, and salvation exist? Do you mean that you no longer believe in your church or your church's doctrine? Or in the goodness of God? Or, as my personal hunch is, that you are able to be a Christian yourself, due to a lack of faith or ability to overcome sin?

You mention that you believe in God, believe that he died for sins, that Christ was raised from the dead. So far, so good. But you say you're not certain you can't apply it to yourself.

To me, it sounds like you believe in Jesus Christ, but feel that somehow, for some reason, you feel like you're beyond the pale. Something makes you ineligible for the whole thing.

As a response to not loving God, the Bible says that we love God because he first loves us. In other words, at one time each of us does not love God. Then we realize that God truly does love us, even despite the heinous things we do and the war that we wage on him. Then we slowly come to love God. That also means that for some of us, including, to be blunt, myself, loving God doesn't happen naturally yet because we're somewhere in the middle of steps 1 and 2.

It will be that way eventually. I trust that.


The essential nature of Christianity is trusting God, actually not loving God. Loving God is a byproduct of God's trustworthiness and his actions. So the question is, do you trust that God is on your side? Do you trust that Jesus Christ is real and that he's on your side and will overcome your sins eventually?


In closing, I'd like to present some lyrics, from a very popular band. It's interesting, and it talks about overcoming your past and moving forward, with the help of mercy, which comes from God.

In this farewell, there’s no blood. There’s no alibi. ‘Cause I’ve drawn regret from the truth of a thousand lies. So let mercy come and wash away what I’ve done.
I'll face myself, to cross out what I’ve become; Erase myself -- and let go of what I’ve done:
Put to rest what you thought of me while I clean this slate with the hands of uncertainty.
So let mercy come and wash away what I’ve done.
I'll face myself, to cross out what I’ve become; Erase myself -- and let go of what I’ve done.
For what I’ve done, I start again. And whatever pain may come, today this ends:
I’m forgiving what I’ve done.
I'll face myself, to cross out what I’ve become; Erase myself -- and let go of what I’ve done.
What I’ve done -- Forgiving what I’ve done

Lots of people believe that "God so loved the rest of the world, that he sent his only begotten son, that if everyone else believes in him, they will be saved and will not perish, except for me. The reason they think this is because of the things they feel they have done. Jesus never said that we had to be perfect in order to be saved. He said he came for the people who needed him, not those who did not. Those who needed him were the ones who felt that they did the wrong things in life.

The truth is that the people in the Bible who were following Jesus were predominantly the tax collectors (traitors) and the prostitutes, etc. The people who had things in their life that the people around them wouldn't let them forget. Things that separated them from God, as far as they knew. Jesus came, befriended them, and told them to believe that God was on their side.

Anyhow, I'm making some assumptions here. I could be completely wrong here.

 

[XionTawa]

I'd like to make this really simple...

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

[Hescominsoon]

the only person who can answer corp's question is Corp and God himself.

Corp you need to go find a good church and get in there. they will be much better equipped to help in this seeking njourney than me or others typing at keyboards.

 

[Abba San]

Bug - you said it perfectly.

We can cite all the passages about believing and being saved - eternal security - His faithfulness even when we are faithless - and many others...BUT...the bottom line is none of us has a magic stethoscope that allows us to listen to someone else's heart and determine whether they are saved or not.

We find confidence and assurance in our growing relationship with God and our growing relationship with God's people. If you are not growing in those two areas, you may not be a child of God.

 

[Stc95]

the only person who can answer corp's question is Corp and God himself.

Corp you need to go find a good church and get in there. they will be much better equipped to help in this seeking njourney than me or others typing at keyboards.

Bug - you said it perfectly.

We can cite all the passages about believing and being saved - eternal security - His faithfulness even when we are faithless - and many others...BUT...the bottom line is none of us has a magic stethoscope that allows us to listen to someone else's heart and determine whether they are saved or not.

We find confidence and assurance in our growing relationship with God and our growing relationship with God's people. If you are not growing in those two areas, you may not be a child of God.

I agree with both your statements however I'd just like to say something. Communicating, either verbal or not, with someone or not, is healthy and very therapeutic. Again I agree that MUCH more ministry (?) can be done face to face and heart to heart with God but there is something by just talking, and it could be the seed being planted/watered, or the stepping stone into something more powerful. While I don't believe you guys were "giving up" or "passing" him along I just wanted to say that this is healthy, if done in the right manner and it doesn't get out of hand. Just my 2 cents on that particular topic.

As per Corps question: I'm curious why you feel this way.

I believe there is a God, that he died for your sins and raised from the dead to wash away your sins.

But like I keep saying, which doesn't make any sense, is, "I believe that you believe, but I don't believe it for myself."

 

[Keero]

Long answer: no.
Short answer: no.

Takes two to keep a relationship going, and if you aren't wanting Christ, you've made your decision.

 

[Neirai the Forgiven]

Long answer: no.
Short answer: no.

Takes two to keep a relationship going, and if you aren't wanting Christ, you've made your decision.

I have to argue here for a second: most Churches teach the doctrine of prevenient Grace -- mainly, that it is impossible to have a saving belief in Christ without the help of the Holy Spirit. So, in short, if Corpfox is asking these questions, it's because the Holy Spirit is involved, somehow. And any person's life in which the Holy Spirit is involved is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination.

I don't think Corpfox would have started this thread if he felt it was a done deal, either (although maybe he would, I can't say I know a man's heart any more than any of us.)


Edit: Anecdote: For probably the first 8-9 months of my relationship with the woman who is now my fiance, you'd probably have thought it was rather one-sided. I pursued her, she tried to convince me that was a bad idea. It was certainly not a "two people working to keep a relationship going." But now, the hard and often painful work paid off. I convinced her, and we started dating -- now we're getting married in the near future.

Edit: more theology: "God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" Romans 5:8 (NLT) Basically, at one point every one of us were enemies of God. God kept the relationship going.

I don't like to come down like a ton of bricks, but I would like to respectively disagree (a third time.) While I would definitely say that we know we're saved (in a simple sense) by the fact that we say that Jesus is Lord and that we believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, and I'd truly say that Corpfox doesn't sound like he's doing the former, I do want to point out that in God's economy, it doesn't seem to take two to have a relationship.

 

[Keero]

There's a difference between God calling someone to salvation, and someone losing their salvation.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

For the earth which brings in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned." (Hebrews 6:4-8)

"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:20)

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matthew 7:21)

This pertains to many Christians who confess Christ, yet do nothing in their relationship.

"You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:4)

"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not BLOT OUT his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5)

Why would the Bible even mention blotting if we couldn't lose our salvation? Jesus wouldn't of said it if he didn't mean it.

Edit:

Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " Mark 16

Another thing. After Peter denies Christ, the angel tells the two Mary's to tell the others of Christ's resurrection. Why would the angel state "and Peter" other than the fact Peter not being counted as a disciple because he denied his faith? Did he lose his salvation, or was just singled him out from favor?

So what does this all mean? It means I believe Corp Fox is no longer a Christian. Do I believe he can change that around? Yeah. But that's between him and Christ. Just like the parable of the sower, only 25% of people who hear the Word will grow from it. The others? Get tangled up, move on, or ignore it. He asked our opinion, and I gave mine.

 

[Proverb]

because I lost my faith

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

This is a bit tough to talk to ya on the boards we dont know all facts and we dont have any answers to what everyone has said to ya or asked ya. But i know each person posted cares for ya and Loves you. I have to wonder if you ever received the GIFT in the first place did you really give ALL of your heart to him have you ever in your life felt like giving everything you have away just for him. I have prayed about you last night and this what is on my heart.

I do not "Love" God or Jesus

Luke 10:27
... 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself

This is Second command Jesus given us, did you give ALL of your heart? If not, maybe you never did receive his gift. I can not stress enough this happens so often So many people fall short of the glory of God. Many people today think they are saved and live in the world and never given it all to God.

I believe there is a God

1 John 2:4
The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

I ask you to ask yourself Do you really know him, have you given ALL of yourself to him. So many of us Like see ya Get into church seek him. Your personal relationship with him will show your fruits and give you your answer "What am I"

I had a talk with...someone

Not sure who you are talking to, is this man of God or just a friend?
Yesterday I was given a verse from The Lord and I'm not sure it is for you but I like to share with ya.

Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

Run the Good Race Corpfox get into church receive God, receive fellowship with brothers and sisters we all care for you.

 

[Captain_Tea]

I had a talk with...someone and interestly, he was right.

I was a Christian and accept Jesus Gift, and etc.

But unfortunately, I labelled myself a Non-Christian because I lost my faith.

Interestly, because I accept Jesus Gift, I cannot return it.

So, what am I?

A questionable Christian, curious Non-Christian, or something else?

I believe there is a God, that he died for your sins and raised from the dead to wash away your sins.

But like I keep saying, which doesn't make any sense, is, "I believe that you believe, but I don't believe it for myself."

I do not "Love" God or Jesus, I cannot even use the emotion "Love" as for me, it is icky, like kissing. YUCK!

Honestly, I don't like watching people kissing for real and in movies/films.

So, I turn away or rewind it till its been skipped.

I'd have to say one of 2 things is going on. Either you are "saved" and are backsliden, or you were never saved to begin with. Once you have it, you can't lose your salvation.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Joh 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

As for love, i've learned over the years through great personal tribulation, that love is not a feeling, nor is it sexual. it's a choice moment by moment to place others needs and desires before your own.

You need to a lot of soul searching my friend, you need to make sure. Hell is no joke.

 

[Durruck]

Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' " Mark 16

Another thing. After Peter denies Christ, the angel tells the two Mary's to tell the others of Christ's resurrection. Why would the angel state "and Peter" other than the fact Peter not being counted as a disciple because he denied his faith? Did he lose his salvation, or was just singled him out from favor?

I don't want this to drop into an off-topic theological debate. But I can't help but point out that I think you're misinterpreting the point of the text. I could very well be wrong here, but... here goes.

Jesus already knew that Peter would deny him, but Jesus never cast him (Peter) out. Peter separated himself away after the third denial. The other disciples probably looked down upon Peter and wanted nothing to do with him. But the angel knew that Peter was still one of Jesus' followers. Peter's restoration in John 21 is likely as much about restoring Peter's faith in himself, the other disciple's faith in Peter... than it is restoring him as a child of God.

As for CorpFox's situation? I don't know. I'm inclined to believe that even after Peter denied Jesus, and before the restoration... that if Peter had died, he was still covered by Jesus forgiveness. But I am not the judge - God is.

 

[Odale]

Corp, have you spoken to a pastor about this yet?

Have you wanted to?

There are several here that post regularly.

I can't help but think that you should go to a pastor first instead of asking the general public first.

 

[Corpfox]

My questions are:
What do you mean that you lost your faith?

I'd say, dramatically, I just crashed landed to the ground.

Do you mean that you stopped believing that God, miracles, and salvation exist?

Well, I believe there is a God and the stuff in Genesis verses.

As for Miracles, I don't believe.

And salvation, if only I was wiser enough about Christianity.

Do you mean that you no longer believe in your church or your church's doctrine? Or in the goodness of God? Or, as my personal hunch is, that you are able to be a Christian yourself, due to a lack of faith or ability to overcome sin?

I don't go to church and the fact is, not ALL Christians go to church.

But thats not my excuse, I just don't go.

I know I'm a sinner, as well as everyone else.

Not sure who you are talking to, is this man of God or just a friend?
Yesterday I was given a verse from The Lord and I'm not sure it is for you but I like to share with ya.

Corp, have you spoken to a pastor about this yet?

Actually, the person I talked too, is a Pastor; Pastorwirl.

I don't think it would of made any difference if I talked to Rev_rog (another pastor) or someone else that is a Pastor too.

 

[Glitch]

I don't want this to drop into an off-topic theological debate.

agreed. If we continue posting, it will just turn into a debate, and the issue would be lost.

If you just want a mass consensus of our thoughts here is my QUICK two sense.

What are you? Confused. and being confused is not bad. it is just a process.

I don't think it is humans place to judge one's salvation. that is for God to judge. one would have to ask Him.

 

[Corpfox]

Well, looks like talking to a Pastor was a good idea.

I guess it made everyone speechless, hehehe.

It makes sense that I'm not but I still stand in believing there is a God.