I sometimes wonder... (Jesus, morals, Earth, grace, church)

[The Great Architect]

I'm relatively new to Christianity. I really picked up the Bible, about two years ago. (Maybe more...) I feel childish, even asking this but... anyhow...

I sometimes wonder if I am living my life the way I should be. That way in which God intended. Since my journey started, I have had no doubts about doubts about my faith, that is strong.

But, I don't pray every day; I still think I'm unkind to people sometimes, when they don't deserve it. I still curse a little. I still doubt some times if I am being a good enough person.

I am a good person, with love in my heart (for God, and those around me).

I need advice, please.

[Alex_G]

Originally Posted by The Great Architect

I'm relatively new to Christianity. I really picked up the Bible, about two years ago. (Maybe more...) I feel childish, even asking this but... anyhow...

I sometimes wonder if I am living my life the way I should be. That way in which God intended. Since my journey started, I have had no doubts about doubts about my faith, that is strong.

But, I don't pray every day; I still think I'm unkind to people sometimes, when they don't deserve it. I still curse a little. I still doubt some times if I am being a good enough person.

I am a good person, with love in my heart (for God, and those around me).

I need advice, please.

The fact you think about whether ur living a good life shows ur on the right tracks. Everyone is unkind from time to time, its almost part of human nature. Just try and treat everyone in a way ud like to be treated yourself, and before judging some1 think about what their story may be, what tradgedies they may have faced. If you do this u cant really go wrong.

Keep in mind, be a good person for yourself and for others. Dont worry so much about being judged and graded by some other being. Dont define your good morals and actions by a need to please.

Their just some of my thoughts u might like.

[rheff78]

No one is perfect. It's human nature to question yourself. I believe the only person who can say they did not sin while on earth was Jesus. Just keep up the good work an dyou'll find the answers you seek.

[tomspug]

Originally Posted by The Great Architect

I'm relatively new to Christianity. I really picked up the Bible, about two years ago. (Maybe more...) I feel childish, even asking this but... anyhow...

I sometimes wonder if I am living my life the way I should be. That way in which God intended. Since my journey started, I have had no doubts about doubts about my faith, that is strong.

But, I don't pray every day; I still think I'm unkind to people sometimes, when they don't deserve it. I still curse a little. I still doubt some times if I am being a good enough person.

I am a good person, with love in my heart (for God, and those around me).

I need advice, please.

Here's a question: why do you not ever doubt your faith? Aren't you a human? Don't you ever put some things above God or put things in priority over God? I think that there is this bad Christian mentality that because we are 'saved' that means that our 'faith' is automatically strong.

I think it is good to question and reevaluate everything that we, personally, have control over: our decisions, our motivations, our relationships, and the most important relationship we have - with God. There is nothing in the Bible saying that it is bad to ask questions.

Also: You sound like you think you're a BAD Christian because you're not perfect. Good Lord, man! It's great that you have high standards in life, but you shouldn't beat yourself down if you make mistakes. That's life! We make mistakes just like children do. Simply ask for forgiveness and keep fighting the good fight. The only bad Christian is an affluent Christian.

[Starfish]

Like standing still on an escalator, if you're not continuously striving to do better by taking those steps upward, you'll end up at the bottom. No sure why, but that just popped into my head.

God, who is your Father in Heaven, won't lead you astray. He will listen to your prayers and wants to help you. I know this because he's done it for me. I know he loves you. Keep praying, and in your prayers, really talk to him and then listen. Keep trying to improve and progress, but don't beat yourself up for weaknesses.
I hope you won't be offended if I share a scripture out of the Book of Mormon; it's one of my favorites and has helped me a lot:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they many be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

[The Great Architect]

Originally Posted by Starfish

Like standing still on an escalator, if you're not continuously striving to do better by taking those steps upward, you'll end up at the bottom. No sure why, but that just popped into my head.

God, who is your Father in Heaven, won't lead you astray. He will listen to your prayers and wants to help you. I know this because he's done it for me. I know he loves you. Keep praying, and in your prayers, really talk to him and then listen. Keep trying to improve and progress, but don't beat yourself up for weaknesses.
I hope you won't be offended if I share a scripture out of the Book of Mormon; it's one of my favorites and has helped me a lot:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they many be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

Thanks for the quote! It was very good.

And thanks for the advice, everyone. It was very helpful. I may not be perfect, but I am, indeed, fighting the good fight!

Also, I wanted to another question, of the community at large, if that's ok. I think my family is slightly bemused, (although still supportive) by the fact that I have chosen to embrace Jesus, in earnest. They love me, and will support me in whatever I do; but I think they are surprised.

They aren't atheists, or heathens, by any stretch of the imagination; we just have never been the church-going kind of family. I will probably want to go 'church hunting', when I get better, though. I hope to find an intellectually progressive church, with not too much flash. About ideas and good people.

The eldest of my two younger sisters, is a self-proclaimed atheist, and proud. Not that it's a bad thing. She can be quite aggressive, though -- saying how everything is garbage, God does not exist, and that my explorations are a bit weird. You get the idea!

Atheism does not bother me in the slightest; but it can be difficult, when I'm trying to forge a new path for myself.

I'm sure some of you have come up against this! Any words of advice, please?

[Starfish]

My only thought is to not wait to find a church when you "get better". That's like waiting to find a doctor after you get healthy. The whole point of religion is to help you get better.

Use prayer in your search. Ask God to help you find it, or to send the true church to you somehow. I've heard many instances of people praying for this and it happened! Also, in your prayers, ask him to help you recognize it when it comes.

[The Great Architect]

Originally Posted by Starfish

My only thought is to not wait to find a church when you "get better". That's like waiting to find a doctor after you get healthy. The whole point of religion is to help you get better.

Use prayer in your search. Ask God to help you find it, or to send the true church to you somehow. I've heard many instances of people praying for this and it happened! Also, in your prayers, ask him to help you recognize it when it comes.

That was a good post, thank you. I do see what you are saying. However, I have no choice but to rely on doctors, who, after all this time, still know very little about how to help me with my illness. So I must rely on God for guidance; when humans do nothing but tread water and lose their interest.

Also, I am in my makeshift church, at the moment(my room). I'm bed-bound, you see. I can't go anywhere.

Where do I go from here (metaphorically speaking)?

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by The Great Architect

That was a good post, thank you. I do see what you are saying. However, I have no choice but to rely on doctors, who, after all this time, still know very little about how to help me with my illness. So I must rely on God for guidance; when humans do nothing but tread water and lose their interest.

Also, I am in my makeshift church, at the moment(my room). I'm bed-bound, you see. I can't go anywhere.

Where do I go from here (metaphorically speaking)?

Then you really do need to ask God to send the truth to you. Literally. It can happen; it has happened for others. He knows you and your trials, and will help you.
Hopefully your condition is temporary and you will again be able to get out. If not, we're all here for you online.

[The Great Architect]

Originally Posted by Starfish

Then you really do need to ask God to send the truth to you. Literally. It can happen; it has happened for others. He knows you and your trials, and will help you.
Hopefully your condition is temporary and you will again be able to get out. If not, we're all here for you online.

Thank you, I appreciate your kindness. As far as I know, my condition isn't temporarily. Hopefully, though, I'll find medication to keep it under control. Until then, I shall pray, as you suggest, and stay close to my friends here.