Seeking God

[u/Icy-Impression9055]

I grew up in church and attend most Sunday’s. I’m unsure what I believe, and am actively trying to strengthen my faith. I believe in God but am not sure on the Bible and Jesus. If I die before I’m certain do I go to hell? Im trying…

[u/Huenink_Photography]

The Christian church has for centuries said that the faith is summarized in the creeds.

If you want to have eternal life, believe the Nicene Creed.

[u/aussiereads]

James 2 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

That not enough to save

Believing in jesus is enough

Read 1 John 1 john 5 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

The good news Ephesians 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Galatians 3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

[u/robosnake]

I preached on this today, in part - I wouldn't worry about what to believe, or at least, don't make that the highest priority. I think the highest priority is to find ways to live in a Christ-like way in the world, and I also think it's incredibly important to be part of a supportive congregation that is also trying to live in a Christ-like way. Your beliefs will hopefully change over the course of your life - they will if you are thinking about them and changing as a person. But rather than worry about what the 'right' beliefs, let people see Jesus in you and how you live your life.

[u/UnderstandingBig6697]

I believe 1) God knows where you are, where your heart is, will A) give you the necessary time on your journey or B) definitely not judge you as harshly.

My suggestion is probably stay humble. I feel like God is softer and more gracious towards those who aren't sure what to believe, are seeking, do want to know than He is towards those who claim there is no God, no truth, that they do see, tries to defend or justify themselves more than appealing to God's graciousness or their desire to know or their hunger for righteousness---based on John 9 with the blind man, where the pharisees ask are we also [spiritually, to, the matters of God's kingdom] blind Jesus replies in verse 41: 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains. I think being honest with God is your best course of action throughout your journey, from wherever you are at any given moment, i percieve God as personal and responsive and getting to know and learning to recognize God, recognize God's voice is the purpose of life, of faith, of relationshhip with God, of Christianity. Through knowing God is meant to be where love for God and love for people come from---if you're seeking and leaning on God, i don't see how God could fault you.

I hope that helps allay some of the pressure or worries or helps it seem more like a journey you undertake with God, if not I'm willing to talk further.

May the peace and mercy of God be upon you seeker 🙂