Advice/help on accepting Jesus

[claire_fb]

Hey Everyone!

I'll try to put this as succinctly as possible however I'm not really sure how to word it so sorry for any rambliness. Basically, I would like some advice because no matter how hard I try I don't seem to be able to accept Jesus.
I'll try to explain. I started looking into Christianity out of curiosity, reading the Bible, doing the Alpha and Christianity Explored courses, reading books and websites, and essentially taking an intellectual approach (I was originally interested in Christianity and not in becoming a Christian.) I realise that this isn't the best way to come to Christ but I was brought up to research everything and be informed before making a decision. Having done all this, I have come to realise that accepting Jesus isn't about knowing and being able to explain everything. I know that I need to trust Him and accept that there are some things that I will never understand but I can't seem bring myself to do this. It's like although I believe with both my head and my heart that God is real and Jesus died to save us, there is a part of both that doesn't completely believe and is always questioning (I know that sounds very cliched but it's the only way I can phrase it). I have prayed that God will open my eyes and that He will help me to allow myself to accept the truth, but always there is a part of me that objects, that thinks that it is all nonsense. I truly would like to be saved but I don't know what to do. I know that I need to put my trust in Jesus and just believe but I don't seem to be able to. Has anyone got any advice? Or has anyone been in a similar situation? If so, what made you fully believe and silenced that voice? Any comments or advice would be welcome. I know that I haven't expressed this very well so I hope it makes some sense!

Thank you in advance,
Claire

ps I hope this is in the right section! Sorry if it's not.

 

[Chad]

Hi Claire,

Welcome to the forums. Thank you for your honesty. I'd like to first say that you're not alone in how you feel. Its rather normal to question things and only makes sense to make sure whatever it is that you believe in (in general actually), its the truth. Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Way to GOD the Father. You probably know this fact already.

Here's a thought to ponder (and please consider the possibility): why did you come to this site? How did you find this site? In other words, do you think its a mere coincidence that you're here?

I can answer this for you believe it or not. From my 5 years experience running this ministry, I can assure you that the Holy Spirit has led many unbelievers/seekers of Jesus Christ to this site. He does the same for other ministries as well of course, for those who actually do follow Jesus sincerely.

So, consider that [high-light]GOD might be already working in your heart and led you here to this site[/high-light] - somehow, some way, whether you "felt" in your heart to research about Jesus or merely browsing the net and just stumbled upon this site.

Maybe this Scripture will give you a basic idea of how GOD is always thinking of you, out of His love even when you're not thinking of Him:

[quoteit]Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet to the nations."[/quoteit]

[quoteit]Luke 12:6-8 <sup value="6" class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25457">
6</sup>Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. <sup value="7" class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25458">7</sup>Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Acknowledge Christ Before Men
<sup value="8" class="versenum" id="en-ESV-25459">8</sup>"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,[/quoteit]

I can go on and give you a huge list of awesome links to read. Here are some for starters that should certainly touch your heart. Please don't be like some who ignorant refuse to actually read the links, see the proof, etc for themselves. You at least sound better and sincere than those kinds of people.

http://www.talkjesus.com/get-saved-now/10887-how-friends-god.html
http://www.talkjesus.com/get-saved-now/8110-personal-relationship-god.html
http://www.talkjesus.com/get-saved-now/7749-meet-jesus.html
http://www.talkjesus.com/get-saved-now/9596-fathers-love-letter.html (grab some tissues)

Facts & Evidence

http://www.talkjesus.com/get-saved-now/25887-can-you-prove-bible-true.html

Please read the sticky (yellow threads) in this forum:
Evidence & Bible Prophecy - Talk Jesus | Christian Forums & Chat

Also, here is a very valuable Holy Spirit inspired/driven website of all questions and answers that you will find helpful:

Crucial Questions

Hope this helps you. Any questions, please ask.

Also, to give you a direct link to one specific article (with a cool flash intro)

What is the plan of salvation / way of salvation?

 

[Lion_of_Judah]

Hi Claire, and welcome to TJ.

I can empathize with your questions and concerns.
I've spent some time conversing with many about the subject of God/religion
and most important ..accepting it all, or rejecting it all.

The issue always..... and I mean always... comes down to faith. The underlying issue is one's ability to trust what/who you cannot see.


Heb 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Heb 11:1 (NEB) Faith... makes us certain of realities we do not see.
Heb 11:1 (Mof) Now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see.
Heb 11:1 (Wey) Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see.

One person of interest I might point you to is CS Lewis, who was agnostic at best before he came to Christ; became one of the most well spoken apologetics for Christ; nearly lost his way in his faith over the loss of his wife; then regained his footing once again in Christ.

His life is mearly an illistration of all our lives. It's natural to have questions.

When you talk to some one on the phone you don't really know well, your natural response is to ask, "who is this?"
After spending some time talking with the person over weeks or months, even years,
you no longer ask that question.. you recognize the voice.

So it is with our heavanly Father and His son Jesus. You can trust Him, and you'll soon learn to recognize His voice from day to day.

God bless you, Marco

 

[claire_fb]

Hi Chad and Marco,

Firstly, thank you both for your swift replies!

Chad, I will read your links and get back to you. Thanks for taking the time to post them. I think that maybe you are right and it is perhaps not a coincidence that I was led to this site. An interesting thought!

Marco, Thank you also. The phone analogy is a good one. I think perhaps I am just too impatient! Like you say it takes time to recognise a voice and to build a relationship so maybe I just need to give it more time and eventually I will be able to completely trust and have faith in God. However, this worries me slightly because although it may take time to build a relationship I feel that the starting point of that relationship should be trust and faith and this is where I fall short. You say you have encountered this many times (and that I can believe!) and I just wondered if you knew what it was for some people that made have that complete faith or whether it is really just a case of time? (I realise that is probably not the easiest question to answer as everyone is different but I thought maybe you had some insight!) On the matter of CS Lewis, I have one of his books 'Mere Christianity' but I admit that I haven't got round to reading it yet. Being a student there are so many that I have to read for exams that I never get to reading those which are arguably more important! But yes I agree that his life is a good illustration.

Thank you both once more! I'll get reading!

Claire

 

[Chad]

Hi Claire,

If you want some awesome books to read, especially since you mentioned the awesome Mere Christianity book by the amazing author (and actually an ex-atheist) C.S. Lewis - here are some I may suggest:

The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel

The bookstore is a great bookstore. For me, I'd rather support a Christian store than a non Christian store, so I linked you to Christianbook.com - Shop for Christian Books, Bibles, Music, Homeschool Products, Gifts & more which has plenty of reviews by customers too as well.

Also, some other valuable links:

Answers in Genesis - Creation, Evolution, Christian Apologetics
CARM - Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry
eBible.com: Online Bible Search & Bible Study Community

 

[claire_fb]

Hi Chad,

Wow, thank you for all the links. I'm working my through the first ones at the moment and they have certainly given me some food for thought, although much of it I have encountered before but it is always good to refresh your memory! A friend also suggested reading The Case for Christ (I think she said it was written by a journalist looking to prove to his wife that Christianity isn't real and he ended up converting...?) so thank you for suggesting it, I will definitely get on to it. Can't wait for the summer when I'll actually have time to read! But please if you think of anymore then let me know because I'm making a note of them and I really do appreciate it!

Claire

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I know that I need to put my trust in Jesus and just believe but I don't seem to be able to

Claire, Forgive me if I'm wrong, but, I suspect that up to this time in your life you've been trained to believe that there is no concept that cannot or will not eventually be explained by man's intelligence. That's the world's way of thinking.

It was not by accident that you came to explore and be drawn to Christianity. The answer to your quandary lies, in my opinion, in the very description of faith that is found in the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that having faith is a decision to believe what we cannot fully grasp. It is totally countercultural and therefore difficult for many people. It's like stepping into a swirling fog bank and trusting that someone on the other side will take your hand and guide you.

Such faith starts small and grows as it is exercised and stretched. And, as it is stretched over time, you will experience God in ways that defy description. But, when these things happen, you'll know beyond doubt that it was God moving in your life. You will be experiencing Him. All true believers do.

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)