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I Don't Understand... - 6/17/2008 5:30:30 PM
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ladyichigo
Posts: 445
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Makiki
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Maybe it is because I was raised in a Christian household, and some what sheltered…and maybe because I grew up knowing, hearing and seeing what God has done, or has not done with people around me, but I just don’t understand how or why a Christian would walk away from their faith. I can’t comprehend…I can’t imagine a life without Christ in my life!! There’s just too much at stake. And, I feel like from the moment that I realized in my own feeble understanding of who God is, I just felt this necessity to obey Him.
Sometimes I feel like I’m on a very short leash if you will. The conviction from the Holy Spirit is very very deep, and the consequences I’ve experienced from deliberate and willful sin is severe to the say the least to the point of physical and mental anguish. It’s not like I’m a “holier than thou” believer either. I haven’t reached that point of spiritual maturity where I can always stop dead in my tracks from knowingly sinning. My pride is always in the way…but every day I am humbled and it hurts.
I’ve tried countless times to do my own thing, and not listen to the Lord, but He is so persistent and faithful that I always end up running back. It’s impossible to completely turn my back on Him because the Holy Spirit tugs back HARD.
I wonder if some of these folks who say that they have lost faith, that they have turned away, are experiencing the same things, or have experienced them, but are just simply ignoring it, passing it off as just “guilt trips”? I’ve had times where I felt angry with God for not answering a prayer, only to realize that He did answer it, just not in the way I wanted. I’ve felt so angry with God I didn’t know what else to do except cry out to Him. Is that what He is waiting for in some of these folks?
My heart aches for them, and I know the Lord weeps for them and right now the all I can do is pray for them.
< Message edited by ladyichigo -- 6/17/2008 5:37:22 PM >
_____________________________
Mari
Attending church and being confirmed does not define what a Christian is, though it may define a “religious” person.
David Wright - AiG
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/17/2008 6:08:35 PM
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Walker311
Posts: 1718
Joined: 4/11/2005
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This is such a sensitive topic due to the belief differences and the fact that so many people have friends and relatives who are on the wrong path.
The bottom line is that God is not going to force ANYONE to accept His son, have a relationship with Him, and live for eternity in the heavenly realm.
If they could have a glimpse of His plan then maybe some would change their minds but don't forget Moses and Israel in the desert for 40 years. All the signs and wonders and many still desired a golden calf to worship.
This free will is a gift and may be seen as a curse but it is still a choice for what we will do with this life. It is either seen as an opportunity and something to cherish or something to misuse and throw away.
God always has His hand extended to those who have turned away and I am sure that He has revealed Himself to them in unmistakeable ways.
It is indeed frustrating and our greatest help is our prayers because there is always hope and our hope is in Jesus Christ who is our advocate.
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/17/2008 8:48:07 PM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3586
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: online
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quote:
The conviction from the Holy Spirit is very very deep, and the consequences I’ve experienced from deliberate and willful sin is severe to the say the least to the point of physical and mental anguish.
I think, this is truly why some, who are truly saved, walk away for a time. Conviction can be a very tough thing and sometimes we don't handle it very well. Some will walk away than face it.
I do believe once you are saved, you can't permenently walk away.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/17/2008 8:49:36 PM
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crh737
Posts: 672
Joined: 6/1/2005
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Ladyichigo~
Maybe they never knew Him or lost sight of Him. Some folks when a hurricane hits their life and they become blindsighted. They deal or blame with it the best they know how.
Some feel hopeless and some simple put the blame on God instead of where the blame belongs.
I read a book about a woman who was angry with God for over 70 years and raised her children atheist. (She watched the guards kill her father in front of her and her family for standing up for Jesus.= He would not deny Him and they blew his head off. After that she lost her mother, sister, and brother. She was the only survivor.)
However on her death bead, she made peace with our Creator and gave her story to her grand-daughter who published the book and how she regrets not raising her children with the faith that was bestowed to her.
So some find their way back and some unfortunately don't. I believe maybe some of it has to do with understanding, or inherit faith (A faith they were raised with but never grasped.)
Just my 2 cents
CRH
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/17/2008 9:27:24 PM
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ladyichigo
Posts: 445
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Makiki
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I'm hoping and praying that at least those who post on this forum who have turned away will turn back.
What a great testimony that will be....to God be the glory.
_____________________________
Mari
Attending church and being confirmed does not define what a Christian is, though it may define a “religious” person.
David Wright - AiG
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/17/2008 9:57:17 PM
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ladyichigo
Posts: 445
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Makiki
Status: offline
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^ is this a miss-post?
_____________________________
Mari
Attending church and being confirmed does not define what a Christian is, though it may define a “religious” person.
David Wright - AiG
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/17/2008 10:02:31 PM
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4IMPersuaded
Posts: 424
Joined: 11/17/2007
From: Florence, KY
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Mari-- your sentiments echo mine. Your OP could be describing me, though I fail God daily despite my best efforts. Praise God that it is He that is faithful to complete the good work He started in us, huh?
I don't know... I can't imagine what would make me so angry at God that I'd turn my back and renounce my faith. I think the conversation is important, though. I do believe that oftentimes it is a result of a faith tradition of rules and legalism-- I think many seekers need to see that not every Christian is an irrational, mindless, judgmental follower. That so many of us do not fit the stereotype.
They don't get to see that Jesus is real, that it is about the relationship... the daily walk and the richness of a life in Christ. I would shout it from the mountain if that was an effective evangelical technique! What I have found, though, is that living a transparent life is a better witness. I just pray regularly that God will allow me the privilege of being there when someone does decide to follow Him!
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/18/2008 7:58:48 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3586
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: online
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LOL....do do do do...twilight zone moment...????!!!
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/18/2008 8:19:38 AM
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SomeFineDay
Posts: 68
Joined: 5/2/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
quote:
The conviction from the Holy Spirit is very very deep, and the consequences I’ve experienced from deliberate and willful sin is severe to the say the least to the point of physical and mental anguish.
I think, this is truly why some, who are truly saved, walk away for a time. Conviction can be a very tough thing and sometimes we don't handle it very well. Some will walk away than face it.
I do believe once you are saved, you can't permenently walk away.
I once had trouble staying the course until I realized that I was shooting myself in the foot. I would grow closer to God, start walking his way, until I realized that the leash was short. Then I would panic, rebel and fall way. Conviction would eventually get me, and I would come back. After a while I got tired of the whole cycle and analyzed myself as to why it was happening and vowed not to keep on endlessly repeating it. Now, things are much better.
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/18/2008 9:22:07 AM
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timf
Posts: 636
Joined: 10/20/2006
Status: offline
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I wonder if some of these folks who say that they have lost faith, that they have turned away, are experiencing the same things, or have experienced them, but are just simply ignoring it,
If we see someone who "walks away" from the faith we might want to ask;
1. Was the person a real Christian?
2. Is this a Christian who is following a path of carnality?
3. Is this a Christian who cannot stand organizational systematized "churchianity"?
4. Is this a person unwilling to associate with some who have been unkind to him?
5. Is the person really getting closer to Christ while I am the one "far away"?
6. Is the person just rejecting the rules I hold dear?
7. Is the person drawn to the world or to truth?
It is impossible to look into another person's heart. We can observe actions, express loving concern, but in the last analysis, we cannot control what people do. If a Christian follows the path of carnality, the Lord may let them experience some significant pain. We want to be ready to help a person return to faithfulness. Nathan was able to help David because the Lord opened David's heart to recognize what he had done.
Satan sets the course of this world (in as much as God allows him). This world has a huge influence on the church. Like people in a boat caught in a current, some churches drift after the pattern of this world and never notice the change.
We live in a country where Christians have allowed and even helped the religion of secularism (the worship of man in general and self in particular) to become the state religion. In a country where Christianity is so quickly being repudiated, there are not enough tears. We cannot stem the tide, but we can be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us.
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RE: I Don't Understand... - 6/18/2008 3:31:51 PM
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ladyichigo
Posts: 445
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Makiki
Status: offline
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quote:
Nathan was able to help David because the Lord opened David's heart to recognize what he had done.
I wonder if the Lord will do the same for some of those who have fallen away and post in this forum or is He going to keep them hardened for a purpose yet unseen?
I know it's all in God's time. It just breaks my heart to hear these people talk about how they were Christians but they turned away because of what they learned at school, what they researched themselves, and how they put man's wisdom over God. They let their doubts ultimately get the best of them instead of turning those doubts over to the Lord in humility. I think I've posted a similar post in the past. This is just something I need to really turn over to the Lord. It's out of my hands.
_____________________________
Mari
Attending church and being confirmed does not define what a Christian is, though it may define a “religious” person.
David Wright - AiG
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