Questions on Faith and Doubt

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
P

pottersclay

Guest
#21
#21
Faith is the seed planted in you. It matures as you walk and have a relationship with the living God.
The parable of the mustard seed.
Jesus said "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all shall be added.
Little is much when God is in it.
Even the measure of faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains so what measure of faith can be measured?
God expects us to doubt in fact he anticipates it. Be assured we have a God of the impossible. But his ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
Praying for his will to be done as jesus instructed is the way to approach the throne of grace.
Excepting the answer from God weather favored or not is on us. Being assured it's the best for us at that time.
Paul wraps it up with these two things which are key....pray with expectation and being content in all things.
 
S

stephenjames

Banned
#22
Jun 28, 2021
39
6
8
#22
CherieR said:
What are your thoughts on faith and doubt? What are some helpful Scriptures on this? Can you have faith in God and doubt him at the same time? Does faith and doubt often coexist? Are they opposite of each other?
Click to expand...
 
S

stephenjames

Banned
#23
Jun 28, 2021
39
6
8
#23
CherieR said:
What are your thoughts on faith and doubt? What are some helpful Scriptures on this? Can you have faith in God and doubt him at the same time? Does faith and doubt often coexist? Are they opposite of each other?
Click to expand...
Your spirit is where your faith comes walk imitating Christ your faith will get stronger each day
the tests in life are to strengthen you in all virtue
win those tests with love
Gods will not mine
 
S

stephenjames

Banned
#24
Jun 28, 2021
39
6
8
#24
Your spirit is where your faith comes walk imitating Christ your faith will get stronger each day
the tests in life are to strengthen you in all virtue
win those tests with love
Gods will not mine
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#25
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#25
CherieR said:
What are your thoughts on faith and doubt? What are some helpful Scriptures on this? Can you have faith in God and doubt him at the same time? Does faith and doubt often coexist? Are they opposite of each other?
Click to expand...
It's possible to believe God and His promises, but not trust His promises. It stems partially from our inability to grasp them as tangible. This is why faith is important. Another part is not having fear of God. All will be made clearer on judgment day I believe.

I believe sincere repentance impresses God. Not that we can ever do anything "good enough" to pay the wages for the sins we've committed, but repentance demonstrates our desire to forsake our evil deeds; God commands repentance, too.

Biggest thing is to know that forgiveness comes from Jesus, not the things we say or do. This may seem counterintuitive at first because our natural minds tend to think we have to work to earn something. However, it is God Who has worked make a way for us and all He asks is our faith. His Holy Spirit will work with you on everything else.
 
PennEd

PennEd

Senior Member
#28
Apr 22, 2013
13,578
9,094
113
#28
CherieR said:
What are your thoughts on faith and doubt? What are some helpful Scriptures on this? Can you have faith in God and doubt him at the same time? Does faith and doubt often coexist? Are they opposite of each other?
Click to expand...
I think it’s important to establish exactly what you are doubting.
 
F

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
#29
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#29
p_rehbein said:
IMO:

Two noticeable types of faith are:
a) earthly/carnal faith
b) spiritual/God given faith

All men are born with a modicum of earthly/carnal faith. Unbelievers in Jesus/God have such faith. They place their faith in all sorts of earthly things. Money, possessions, other humans, etc.

New believers have this faith also while they remain "carnal believers" as Paul taught. They believe, yet are not yet mature or strong enough in their faith to remove "all doubts."

Once they have received the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost, they receive the Heavenly/God given faith. This faith is the strongest of all "faiths" and removes all doubt of the reality of God and the Truth of His Word, and the Salvation He bestows upon all who believe. John 3:16 is speaking of this type of faith when it says "whosoever believeth in Him." This "believeth" is a ongoing, never ending belief and not just a one time thing. The God given faith is what allows the believer to "endure till the end" as Jesus spoke of.

(my thoughts)
Click to expand...
"New believers", as you put it are actually already born with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They are new born babes in Christ and have to gradually understand spiritual things as they grow to be mature in the knowledge of God's righteousness.

Isaiah 28:9-10 explains the process of the new born babe's growth.
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#30
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#30
PennEd said:
I think it’s important to establish exactly what you are doubting.
Click to expand...
For me I think it’s mostly knowing God’s love and his acceptance of me. And thoughts that question if I really believe or have saving faith. I’ve had moments of questioning the reliability of the gospel accounts particularly John because I heard it was written later though I have seen correlation with John and another gospel and John and a letter of Peter. I heard of the Christ myth theory which may have caused questioning in my mind as well but history doesn’t support this in biblical and extra biblical sources. The willingness of the apostles to die is compelling reason to believe in Jesus in my opinion.

In all the questioning I have believed in Jesus and I remain committed to him. What I feel more concern about is if I believe in him but doubt , will Jesus still accept me as his own?
 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#31
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#31
You know being courageous isn't to be without fear it is being afraid and choosing to act anyways, so likewise in my opinion at least having great faith isn't to be without doubt but having doubt yet choosing to believe
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#32
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#32
CherieR said:
What I feel more concern about is if I believe in him but doubt , will Jesus still accept me as his own?
Click to expand...
If doubt is a fleeting thing that is one thing. But if there is always doubt then there is a serious problem.
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#33
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#33
Blain said:
You know being courageous isn't to be without fear it is being afraid and choosing to act anyways, so likewise in my opinion at least having great faith isn't to be without doubt but having doubt yet choosing to believe
Click to expand...
I like that way of thinking about it and I definitely agree when it comes to being courageous. It seems to me in certain ways there can be both faith and doubt. I would like to understand more from the Scripture on this.
 
GRACE_ambassador

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
#34
Feb 22, 2021
3,209
1,612
113
Midwest
#34
CherieR said:
In all the questioning I have believed in Jesus and I remain committed to him. What I feel more concern about is if I believe in him but doubt , will Jesus still accept me as his own?
Click to expand...
Precious friend:

(1) IF you have believed The Gospel Of GRACE, that CHRIST Died For your
sin, that He Was Buried And Rose Again, According To The Scriptures, THEN,
That Is ALL that is needed for God To Establish An ETERNAL Relationship
With HIM! You are Forever "Accepted In The Beloved" (Ephesians 1 : 6 KJB!)

(2) Now, to "remain committed to HIM," is Different Than The Above,
Because "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJB!)

Make sense? Thus our "doubts" may interrupt our fellowship, But Can
NEVER "Break" {contrary to false teachers!} HIS ETERNAL Relationship
With us! Amen?

"...faith {NOT doubt} cometh by hearing and hearing By The WORD Of God!"
(Romans 10:17 cp Philippians 4:7-9 KJB!)

(3) IF I may suggest Ephesians to read and re-read to start
"getting to KNOW HIM Better," and thus "remain committed To HIM!" Ok?
+
More help to increase faith and Eliminate doubt "studies" In HIS WORD:

God's OPERATION On All HIS New-born babes In CHRIST!
God's FREE Gift of ETERNAL Life!

Thus, MOSTLY Scriptures, and a LOT LESS what "we hear" from ALL other sources! Amen?

Be Blessed!
 
Pilgrimshope

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
#35
Sep 2, 2020
13,998
5,673
113
#35
CherieR said:
What are your thoughts on faith and doubt? What are some helpful Scriptures on this? Can you have faith in God and doubt him at the same time? Does faith and doubt often coexist? Are they opposite of each other?
Click to expand...
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭

we need to hear the gospel Jesus sent into the world in order to hear that word of faith . If we don’t hear Gods word we can never have any faith in it faith is literally to believe what God said is going to happen even when we don’t see the proof we take his word for truth .

so we need to hear what he’s said in the gospel to it’s why he sent it to us to offer us faith

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

faith comes when we hear the gospel it’s Gods message of eternal Life we have discombobulated as humans the meaning of terms like faith

it isn’t to believe that God exists even devils know that part and they fear exceedingly knowing the time will come for their recompense

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭

faith is to believe what the one God has said and then seek him in those thkngs he said

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭

the reason the Bible centers on the gospel sent into the world is because that’s where saving faith comes from when we hear the gospel and begin to let it into our beliefs ot takes a conscious decision to accept the gospel Jesus sent forth it takes faith to receive and believe by his word rather than the worlds version of faith

“ do I believe God exists “ isn’t a question of faith , “ do I believe the one God sent Jesus Christ to offer eternal salvation ? Is a woestion of faith and the gospel answers that question thoroughly but to believe anything we have to hear from him first

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the great commission is a centrally important theme it’s when salvstion was offered to all who are willing to throw caution to the wind and embrace the lord Jesus by his own account in the four gospels
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#36
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#36
Pilgrimshope said:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭

we need to hear the gospel Jesus sent into the world in order to hear that word of faith . If we don’t hear Gods word we can never have any faith in it faith is literally to believe what God said is going to happen even when we don’t see the proof we take his word for truth .

so we need to hear what he’s said in the gospel to it’s why he sent it to us to offer us faith

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

faith comes when we hear the gospel it’s Gods message of eternal Life we have discombobulated as humans the meaning of terms like faith

it isn’t to believe that God exists even devils know that part and they fear exceedingly knowing the time will come for their recompense

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭

faith is to believe what the one God has said and then seek him in those thkngs he said

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭

the reason the Bible centers on the gospel sent into the world is because that’s where saving faith comes from when we hear the gospel and begin to let it into our beliefs ot takes a conscious decision to accept the gospel Jesus sent forth it takes faith to receive and believe by his word rather than the worlds version of faith

“ do I believe God exists “ isn’t a question of faith , “ do I believe the one God sent Jesus Christ to offer eternal salvation ? Is a woestion of faith and the gospel answers that question thoroughly but to believe anything we have to hear from him first

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the great commission is a centrally important theme it’s when salvstion was offered to all who are willing to throw caution to the wind and embrace the lord Jesus by his own account in the four gospels
Click to expand...
I have heard the gospel and I believe it.
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#37
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#37
GRACE_ambassador said:
Precious friend:

(1) IF you have believed The Gospel Of GRACE, that CHRIST Died For your
sin, that He Was Buried And Rose Again, According To The Scriptures, THEN,
That Is ALL that is needed for God To Establish An ETERNAL Relationship
With HIM! You are Forever "Accepted In The Beloved" (Ephesians 1 : 6 KJB!)

(2) Now, to "remain committed to HIM," is Different Than The Above,
Because "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJB!)

Make sense? Thus our "doubts" may interrupt our fellowship, But Can
NEVER "Break" {contrary to false teachers!} HIS ETERNAL Relationship
With us! Amen?

"...faith {NOT doubt} cometh by hearing and hearing By The WORD Of God!"
(Romans 10:17 cp Philippians 4:7-9 KJB!)

(3) IF I may suggest Ephesians to read and re-read to start
"getting to KNOW HIM Better," and thus "remain committed To HIM!" Ok?
+
More help to increase faith and Eliminate doubt "studies" In HIS WORD:

God's OPERATION On All HIS New-born babes In CHRIST!
God's FREE Gift of ETERNAL Life!

Thus, MOSTLY Scriptures, and a LOT LESS what "we hear" from ALL other sources! Amen?

Be Blessed!
Click to expand...
I may see commitment as a part of faith. It would demonstrate faith in my opinion. The apostles commitment in the face of persecution shows not just their faith but love for Jesus as well.
 
P

PaulNew

Banned
#38
Feb 24, 2019
256
168
43
#38
Faith is this...

you KNOW!

you KNOW!

You know God is your Father in heaven,

and you are His child, and He loves you.

And when you believe that...

you have faith...

and you can walk on water!
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#40
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#40
PaulNew said:
Faith is this...

you KNOW!

you KNOW!

You know God is your Father in heaven,

and you are His child, and He loves you.

And when you believe that...

you have faith...

and you can walk on water!
Click to expand...
That is a form of faith and a desirable faith in my opinion. Other ways of looking at faith is moving forward through the uncertainty, walking with God when it is dark, looking to Jesus when fear is present.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.