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Post by Soulfyre on Jan 20, 2005 14:30:16 GMT -5
Although I suppose this discussion could in fact go elsewhere on the board, I believe that men and women experience the doubt of faith differrently. I have often, in my life, struggled with the reality of my faith...even the existence of God and the notion of salvation. These were often difficult and despairing times, in which the encouragement of my friends seemed facile, rather like that first bite of warmed-over stale pizza several days later. While one could imagine it nourishing, it took more that the usual imagnination, having lost its freshness. Everything would beging to take on the aspect of a studied falsity, and I felt faced with the cold reality of a truly meaningless existence. God, in His grace, has brought me through such "dark nights of the soul", when in perceiving only one set of footprints, I thought myself unalterably alone, condemned by self-deception. He has graciously given me a vibrant sense of His daily Presence, condescending mercifully to my unworthiness in adopting me as His child through the redemption in the blood of His Unique Son, my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Have any of you struggled with debilitating doubt? How have you dealt with it? How can we encourage one another in this? May our Abba Father, the God of compassion and encouragement, make Himself know again to each one of us as we contemplate the face of our Beloved and rest in the embrace of the Comforter. Matthew (soulfyre)
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Post by jedi180 on Jan 28, 2005 18:24:57 GMT -5
One of my biggest problems is that I often question my faith. I've recently been going through a series of videos by R. C. Sproul about assurance of salvation. He's a great teacher, and explains things very clearly.
Salvation takes one thing only: faith. I've always grappled with questions like, "If I have faith, but don't obey God, then am I a Christian?" Well, I've learned that true faith always brings good works. Even though good works definitely do not make someone go to heaven, everyone who is going to heaven will show some good works.
It's a sort of paradox when you try to apply that to yourself, but in the end, all that matters is that you trust in and truly honor God in all that you do.
Jedi
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Post by Soulfyre on Jan 29, 2005 10:23:19 GMT -5
One of my biggest problems is that I often question my faith. I've recently been going through a series of videos by R. C. Sproul about assurance of salvation. He's a great teacher, and explains things very clearly. Salvation takes one thing only: faith. I've always grappled with questions like, "If I have faith, but don't obey God, then am I a Christian?" Well, I've learned that true faith always brings good works. Even though good works definitely do not make someone go to heaven, everyone who is going to heaven will show some good works. It's a sort of paradox when you try to apply that to yourself, but in the end, all that matters is that you trust in and truly honor God in all that you do. Jedi R. C. Sproul is indeed very helpful. Perhaps much of what I deal with are what any Christian deals with, godly sorrow when faced by the terrible mercy and tender card of God, whose Holiness, Righteousness and Justice are not tempered by His Faithful Love and Mercy, but co-exist in Him in an eternal verity that defies human understanding. I kneel in awe and wonder at what my Abba Father has done for me, desiring the day when His redemption will be revealed in its fullness, and the sin which so often plagues me if finally destroyed. What helps me from time to time is a scene from the movie, Anna and the King of Siam, in which Chow Yun Fat, as the King, is seated, solemnly presiding over the business of government, when his very young daughter rushes into the throne room. Although we are conditioned to expect a stern scowl and look of reproach, Chow Yun Fat immediately arises with a smile fairly beaming from his face and immediately scoops his daughter into his strong and loving arms. I recommend every Christian watch this film, if for this moving scene alone. I imagine that when the writer of Hebrews urges to come boldly before the Throne of Grace, this is what is pictured. Yet someday we will not be as children, but will meet our Heavenly Bridegroom as the spotless Bride to be ushered into the Bridal Chamber. When assailed by doubts, I remember that all that I have is a gift. It is unearned, and can never be deserved. I then find myself encouraged to redouble my efforts to be obedient, out of gratitude and love. God bless and keep you, brother, Matthew (soulfyre)
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Post by Kenny on Feb 10, 2005 22:57:23 GMT -5
Since I am into logic and apologetics I tend to doubt God in different ways than others ( at least the "others" that I know). I lie in my bed at night and think over "logic". What if there is no God, why am I wasting so much of my time? What if there is another God, and I am advocating the wrong God. Actually, this isn't really true doubt, I just sit and think about it. I know there is a God and that God is Jesus Christ, I just like putting myself in other people's shoes so I can see what they would feel like and think. The biggest "doubt" problem I had was my assurance of salvation, which, come to find out, is a big problem for many. When I was saved, I went to the altar not knowing exactly what I was doing. I broke down during an Easter play that I was in and when we had an invitation I went to the pastor and got "saved". All I knew is that I wanted to get dunked in that water. I wasn't sure what it all meant. Months or years later (I am not possitive which) I felt doubt of my salvation; however, I did not let it get the best of me. I went up during another invitation and told my pastor about it and publically announced it, knowing well what I was doing. So, here I am now, telling you with tons of knowledge (to me ) and a relationship that cannot be compared.
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Post by rgrove on Feb 11, 2005 2:03:04 GMT -5
Since I am into logic and apologetics I tend to doubt God in different ways than others ( at least the "others" that I know). I lie in my bed at night and think over "logic". What if there is no God, why am I wasting so much of my time? What if there is another God, and I am advocating the wrong God. Actually, this isn't really true doubt, I just sit and think about it. Maybe not, but Satan uses it to attack you nonetheless. I encounter the same problem and I have learned to deal with it in this way. As a matter of fact, just a couple days ago as I was doing my scripture reading for the day in Exodus I began to parse the passages like an unbeliever would. I began to feel cold and unfeeling towards the scriptures and knew I was under attack in many ways and that if I didn't respond right then it would only get worse. I stopped, began to pray, and cried out to our Father “ I believe; help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24b)”. Very soon afterward a calm came over me. Soon I was able to once again read scripture spiritually rather than fleshly. So, my recommendation is to cry out to our Father in heaven and he will surely answer you when this attack comes. And I do believe this to be a trick of the Devil. The word "Satan" in Hebrew I understand means "accuser". Satan stands before God accusing us of our shortcomings, but is foiled because Jesus is our mediator. Satan also "accuses" scripture and this attack is one that serious students of the Bible are very susceptible to as you have described. Never underestimate the Devil and never underestimate the power of the Word of God to vanquish him. Another thing I have done, that was recommended by my pastor, is that if I feel somewhat cold, or spiritually indifferent, to go into the book of Psalms and read a Psalm pray with the psalmist. He said I would feel spiritual warmth again ver quicky. I have found this to be my experience as well and Psalms has become my favorite book in the Bible as a result. Yours in Christ, Ron
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Post by fairbank on Feb 15, 2005 0:20:22 GMT -5
The puritans used to say that "The devil always comes over the hedge at the lowest point." For most of us, that is the fear that the one in whom we have invested all of our hope will prove to be untrue. Lest we feel that we are substandard or "weaker brethren," Spurgeon himself used to wrestle with this. He once said, "The very best people question their salvation; the very worst presume it."
Eric
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Post by Soulfyre on Feb 15, 2005 2:12:15 GMT -5
Thank you for your kind words about doubt, Eric. Although I do not fear that God will be untrue, I have often feared that my own mind, which, to my distress, I have often trusted above all else, will prove untrue. Perhaps this is, in fact, a problem with a faith so tied to intellectual belief that when one begins to doubt oneself, faith all but dissipates. I have begun only slowly to learn that just as I cannot trust my feelings, I also cannot trust my intellect. Neither is a trustworthy foundation to faith. Sometimes it is comforting to know that such giants of the faith as Spurgeon wrestled with doubt, as I believe was also true of Martin Luther. Ron, it is interesting that you should quote Mark 9:24b, "I believe, help thou my unbelief." This is the same verse quoted me by one of my Orthodox friends, who emphasizes the necessity of casting ourselves, not on God as we know Him, but on God as He knows Himself. For we, limited as we are by our creatureliness and sodden of sight, can scarcely know God in His essence, although we may truly perceive such glimpses of Himself as He offers in His words and works. Even to one who believes it is only granted to see the "hinder parts" of the Infinite Holy in His passing. The divine essence of Jesus Chirst, the Word of God, was shielded in his tabernacle of flesh, and only on the Mount of Transfiguration did three of His disciples, Peter, James and John, briefly perceive Jesus in His glory. I am learning to say that prayer often, as I desire to cast aside all of my limiting suppositions, and place myself in the arms of my Abba with the desire that I would come to know Him better. God bless and keep you all, Matthew (soulfyre)
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