Dead faith

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Thebo55man

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I asked Jesus into my heart eight years ago but I didn't feel anything. I recently started a new church and became committed. Although I now realize I may have dead faith. I'm only obeying because I don't want to go to hell. I don't feel an emotional connection with Jesus. I never really have. But I want to be a true Christian. I want to obey out of love for him. I mean, I think I want to. A part of me is saying deep down inside I'm just selfish and want to save my skin no matter what I try to say. The only way I can obey out of love is if the Holy Spirit grants it. I can't do it myself.
I've been praying about this for a long time, I even poured out my heart out at the altar last night praying to God to give me that love for him so I can be a true child of God. And on that same night one of our church members said that the youth needed a new fire in their hearts for God.. or something along the lines of that. (I'm apart of the youth) I thought that would be the answer to my prayer, but after the group prayer in front of the whole church, I still didn't get that desire or feeling. I mean, I understand it might not happen over night. But I still worry. Why is God keeping this from me? I can feel my faith shrinking over time. Some people might tell me to get back on track and obey again but how can I if its not out of love for Christ?
I've been in constant worry and doubt because of this for at least a month and a half now. I just don't know what to do anymore. I mean, Jesus loves me and wants to get to know me...so there's still hope, right?
(By the way, sorry if this is in the wrong category. I'm a young man so I put this in the Christian Young Adults forum.)
 
Thebo55man said:
I asked Jesus into my heart eight years ago but I didn't feel anything. I recently started a new church and became committed. Although I now realize I may have dead faith. I'm only obeying because I don't want to go to hell. I don't feel an emotional connection with Jesus. I never really have. But I want to be a true Christian. I want to obey out of love for him. I mean, I think I want to. A part of me is saying deep down inside I'm just selfish and want to save my skin no matter what I try to say. The only way I can obey out of love is if the Holy Spirit grants it. I can't do it myself.
I've been praying about this for a long time, I even poured out my heart out at the altar last night praying to God to give me that love for him so I can be a true child of God. And on that same night one of our church members said that the youth needed a new fire in their hearts for God.. or something along the lines of that. (I'm apart of the youth) I thought that would be the answer to my prayer, but after the group prayer in front of the whole church, I still didn't get that desire or feeling. I mean, I understand it might not happen over night. But I still worry. Why is God keeping this from me? I can feel my faith shrinking over time. Some people might tell me to get back on track and obey again but how can I if its not out of love for Christ?
I've been in constant worry and doubt because of this for at least a month and a half now. I just don't know what to do anymore. I mean, Jesus loves me and wants to get to know me...so there's still hope, right?
(By the way, sorry if this is in the wrong category. I'm a young man so I put this in the Christian Young Adults forum.)
Click to expand...



I didn't feel anything when I converted... unless you want to count the sadness, anger, and tears running down my face before converting. But, the moment I accepted God. I didn't get some feeling right that moment.

I don't know any scripture that says "When thou converts, you shall feel a great feeling."

Yeah, I had trouble with the emotional connection thing too. I would often pray that God make me feel more for him. I had trouble for years. What worked for me is reflecting on the miracles that God did in my life... God granted me a vision, he helped me pass high school (freshman and sophomore years were D's and F's... I prayed... then junior and Senior years were A's and B's) ... and other prayer responses.

I don't think it's "selfish" to be wise enough to care for your own salvation...

Luke 12:19-21

[SUP]19 [/SUP]And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ [SUP]20 [/SUP]But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
[SUP]21 [/SUP]“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

^^^ That guy was a fool... he thought," Hey I'm rich and can relax..." but what's really a treasure is assuring your salvation... Eternal life in heaven is a worth a hell of a lot more than being the richest man on earth.


Matthew 16:26

[SUP]26 [/SUP]For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

^^^ Rhetorical questions in the bible... I like that. lol I think we can look at our own salvation not in the context of love but in one where we are making a wise decision.

If your looking for a moralistic reason... there's that too. You just have to recognize it. For starters, WHY are people going to hell? Because sin is so horribly wrong that it deserves hell. We might look at a tiny lie and think... meh that's not a big deal. But, God looks at that little lie as one of the worst evils of evils that could ever happen. The reason we should look to God is because doing good is right. I view this is as "duty." Do what's right because it's right.

You also have God's love right there.. the reason we won't go to hell is because God loved us enough to take OUR punishment for us.

At the very least, you have 3 good reasons.

1. Not moral.. but just wise reason. Matthew 16:26
2. Justice and righteousness
3. Love and forgiveness

I think your doing 1. right now and you'd like to do 3. That's great... you won't be a perfect christian for a long time (never will be...) .. it be great if we all loved God greatly and appreciated him 100% but that's easier said than done.

I think you can follow God out of sheer wisdom... you don't have to feel anything. As for a love for God, I think you could develop that too. I had the same struggle you did and thought ( and sill do) that I didn't love God enough.. but, that part developed in me as I reflected on what God has done in my life. He's treated me far too well not appreciate him and love him. He didn't have to do any miracles in my life to save me from low points, but he did because he loved me. Maybe you can ask him for signs? As of right now, I think your fine. Your probably new to the faith since your a young man (I feel old now ) and you just need to keep learning and moving forward okay
 
Oh man, I forgot to clarify something really important...

Your post seems to show that you don't understand salvation.

Jesus provided with salvation by his death. Salvation isn't earned by you obeying God. Salvation is accepted by you from Jesus Christ.

The obedience towards God won't grant you salvation, but obedience is expected and will bless your life. Does that make sense?
 
the bible states that if u declare with your mouth and believe in your heart that jesus christ is your lord and savior and he died and rose you shall be saved. people sometimes misunderstand what they need to do to be saved. they dont relize how simple it realy is. im not saying its super simple but compared too what a lot of people think it is. if u believe in god and jesus, believe he died and rose again and follow the bible to the best of your ability then thats all god requires of u in that aspect. people get so caught up with the bible having so many 'rules' that they miss the piont. be kind too others as much as possible. worship god and put him first in everything. do your best to follow the bible. thats it. see its not that complicated. following the bible is basically a book of morals. dont steal dont lie. read the bible and follow it. and keep god as number one. its easier than people make it seem. not that its easy to not sin. we will always sin. the difference is did we do it completly in defiance and not care. if someone tells you that u can be a perfect christian and never sin again they are wrong. we as humans are imperfect.
 
I bet you love your mother, right? Do you always have wonderful feelings for her, like all the time? Are you always rejoicing in your love for her? We dont live in a world like that :p The fact that you WANT to love Him is your love for Him :p The fact that you fear not loving Him, thats love :3 I would say you love Him, for sure :p

And I have like felt the Holy Spirit before, and it did encourage me, but I deal with bad feelings, envy, desire, anger, all these things, ALOT more than the Holy Spirit. I can tell you, God is watching. But hes watching you, and judging. He tells you, He is putting you through the test, He is strenghtening you, and judging you. Dont worry so much about the good feelings, God can do that yeah, but He wants you to live by His word, and not by your feelings :p
"Guard your heart", dont follow your heart :p



And btw, Im super encouraged and rejoiceful by what you said, that you love Him so much that you fear not having Him. Haha thats awesome, Id say your getting on a good path, yeah :p Dont let go of that love that you have :3
 
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