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Bev, good word.
Tim, God is drawing you. Your misgivings are not that uncommon. When you are finally able to see Jesus for who He is and see your sin for what it is and have godly sorrow which leads you to repentance, then nothing will be able to stop you from getting to Jesus. You will need Him so much and know that being without Him is no longer a possibility for you.
"yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" 2 Cor 7:9-10.
As Bev says, I also pray you will continue to move towards Jesus your Savior.
Tim,
I share the same sentiments as Bev and Amanda, echo their advice to you, and I am encouraged and happy that you have heard God's call. My hope and prayer is that you will choose to answer "yes" to God.
As you hear and process God's call--his invitation to new life--does the thought of having Christ really dwell within you offer you hope or scare the living daylights out of you? Or do you feel like a curious tourist who sees something that catches his attention for a moment and then moves on?
Each of us has a choice to make concerning the good news of God. However, the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penaty for our sins can't begin to make sense to any of us until we accept that we are sinners. The easiest part of the Gospel for me to understand is that the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Those that do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are caught up in sin; that is, they are "foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures" and living "in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another" (Titus 3:3).
I suspect that you are not truly happy with where you are, who you are, and the direction in which your life is heading. Am I right?
The good news is that God accepts us as we are and where are, but that is not where he intends to leave us. God loves us too much to be satisfied with who we see in the mirror. The cross of Jesus tells us that God forgives us, and the resurrection of Jesus tells us that God loves us. Our sin, no matter what it is, will not stop God from forgiving us and loving us, because Jesus has taken away the sin of the world.
Fortunately for us, Jesus is like the shepherd that searches for us until we are found. He is like the loving father who waits with outstretched arms for our return and calls for a celebration. Jesus is calling you. You can respond to his call like a curious tourist, who looks and moves on, or you can begin a new life by accepting his free gift of grace-filled love, of forgiveness for your sins, and eternal life. If you accept God's invitation to accept the gospel or good news, you will not have to struggle with "becoming a Christian" any longer.
Why not surrender into the loving arms of Jesus Christ who will gently lead you into love? Once you do so, you will find that nothing can separate you from the forgiveness and grace-filled love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Put your fears and doubts aside, follow Christ, turn your life over to him, and learn to "walk by faith, not by sight." God will lead you in walking in paths of righteousness. It is a decision you will never regret.
If you are not yet ready to answer God's call, please ponder and then explain what you mean by this: "Reading the bible but I can't find what I'm looking for... ." What (or who) are you "looking for" in God's written word that is proving to be seemingly elusive?
Humbly and faithfully in Christ,
Colby
Hi Tim.
Welcome to AAG. You have gotten wonderful words from Bev, Amanda and Colby. I agree with what each one of them has said.
It is not unusual to feel a sort of 'resistance' when making the decision to surrender to Christ. There is a battle which occurs in the spiritual realm. As you grow in your walk with the Lord, you will learn about it and how to be victorious in it.
It's possible you may lose friends when you come to Christ---but it also may be something the enemy has put there as a thought in you to create a 'stumbling block'---no one wants to lose friends.
Consider this---if the gospel of Christ is so powerful that friends would actually leave you because of it---how convicting and real is the message of the gospel? It's a message of freedom and love... it's truth will be distorted amongst people who do not know the Lord. My sense is that God may be raising you up to be a voice in your own circles, and bring the gospel to them.
Bless you.
Carla
ps--there's nothing wrong with your head---that's another lie of the enemy.
Tim,
All have given you straight and great advice. Listen to the gentle call of God and know that Jesus died on the cross that you may be forgiven. Trust Him and His Word, and come into a living relationship with Him.
Lord Bless,
LT
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
http://bible.cc/matthew/11-28.htm
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKmdIdQg3Ks
Sorry I don't know how to put the video visually up.
Tim,
This is a couple of verses that I use whenever I have an issue...regardless of what the issue is. I find peace when I practice them...
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
I lean on Him completely and He shows me how to go. But first, a person has to accept Christ, to let Him lead and guide.
Blessings to you, Tim , as you place yourself in His Mighty Hand...
Rita
Tim...
The time to answer the call of the Holy Spirit is NOW. He will iron out any issues you might open up when you open the door of your heart to allow Christ entrance. Your real friends will still be your real friends. The others...well, maybe the best thing is not to have them so close to you.
Blessings...
Rita
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