How does one find the need for God?

[Leafy Green Vegetables]

I ask this because most of the Christians I know (myself included) have came to love God out of a hardship (death of relatives/friends, drug addictions, etc.). Now I imagine that there are tons of people who have found faith without experiencing such hardships.

Since I was brought to Christ through losing someone, I am blind to other reasons as to how someone would come to Him. Can someone elaborate as to how someone would find Chist without such trauma? In other words, if you did not grow up religious, what are the reasons to believe or need Christ?

Thanks!

[Venom]

Galatians 3:19-29
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.


The bible says that man is convicted of sin by the Law. As we see that our lives are unworthy of the kingdom of God, and in fact filthy rags before him, this brings us to the revelation of Jesus Christ. That is, we cannot be justified by our own acts—only by Christ. Further, the Holy Spirit convicts man concious of this need effortlessly.

Once this revelation occurs, we have a decision to make. Many come to this revelation, but they choose to not accept Christ for many reasons.

Jesus discuses this in the parable of the seeds.


"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."

This is a very sorry case. These are those who hear the word, and know that it is true. And would love to get closer to the Lord. But they are watered down Christians. Peter speaks about this parable:

2 Peter 3: 15 - 18
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

People like this hear the word, but than when Satan, and his trials, and temptations come. Because they are slack, and not well versed, they fall at the drop of a hat! James describes them best:

James 1:2-12
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

These people, that are to lazy to search Gods word. Are extremely unstable. You will see it clearly, when hardship comes, they are quick to quit, or quick to use sharp words, and give into their flesh. They console themselves in tears, instead of God. And in the end, they lose what little faith they had, and as James says, receive nothing.

Often times, people only repent at first out of fear, and want for rewards. But there is no true repentance of the heart.


"22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

This is also a sad case. These are people, who account the sins of this world of greater treasure than eternity with Christ. Because these people want this, Satan has it easy. And he uses the same tactics now, as he did in the Garden of Eden.


"23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty"

And last of all, these are the true Christians, who listen to Gods word, and put it into practice.

The bible says that

John 3:1-21
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. F9 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

1 John 2:18-19
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

1 John 3:4-10
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.



When we come to this revelation and are convicted, we then make a decision. Those who are planted in “good soil” make the decision to follow Christ, because they have had a change in heart.

There desire now is to do good, and abhor evil in their heart.

But the only way this can be accomplished is to accept Christ and his righteousness.

Romans 7:14-25
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Hope that helps!

[Leafy Green Vegetables]

Thanks for the reply Venom!

That does help, yet I do not agree that people choose not to follow Christ just so they can continue to sin. There are quite a few people I know who (to my knowledge) are not followers of Christ, yet from their behavior you could not tell.

[Venom]

[ QUOTE ]
Yet I do not agree that people choose not to follow Christ just so they can continue to sin. There are

[/ QUOTE ]

I did not mean to imply so. There are many reasons why. Some believe that they can enter heaven because they are good people; so they do not feel Christ is neccesary for them. And others have other reasons, which are mentioned in the bible.

Well, I accepted Christ at a young age (I think I was 6!)

and I grew up in a Christian family. I think sometimes

people like me haven't seen all the bad stuff out there, so

they go and experiment, ruin their lives and then come back

and realize that Jesus is the only way. While others grow

up doing whatever they want and then they come to the

realization that they need Jesus (What on earth am I here

for?!) As humans, it seems like we always feel the need to

"test the waters" and that makes it so hard to just take

Jesus as his word and trust him totally by faith.


Jbagger, to answer your last question, "In other words, if

you did not grow up religious, what are the reasons to

believe or need Christ?" I believe the reason to believe in

Christ is because Jesus says "for all have sinned, and fall

short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. We all sin, we all

need Jesus!


Does that help at all?

[Leafy Green Vegetables]

Thanks guys.

What I am really getting at here is I have a really close friend who lives his life like a Christian but is not technically a "Christian". He believes in a "higher" power but is not comfortable associating this with Jesus or anyone specific.

At the same time, he is one of the most happiest and content guys I know. He is very respectfull of everyone and their beliefs and generally doesnt seem to ever have really bad days, or at least to the point where he does not feel the need to ask God for strength.

For myself, if event X had not happened in my life, I do not feel I would have ever returned to believing in Christ again.

So are you telling me that he will come to the realization at some point in his life that the only way for eternal life and to be saved is through Jesus? That this is natural process of every human being, regardless of their life experiences?

[Adam Knowlden]

[ QUOTE ]
Since I was brought to Christ through losing someone, I am blind to other reasons as to how someone would come to Him. Can someone elaborate as to how someone would find Chist without such trauma? In other words, if you did not grow up religious, what are the reasons to believe or need Christ?


[/ QUOTE ]


This should help too:

http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/sho...;page=0#1059900 (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1059900&an=0&page=0#1059 900)

[Adam Knowlden]

[ QUOTE ]
He believes in a "higher" power but is not comfortable associating this with Jesus or anyone specific.


[/ QUOTE ]

Then he'll have to stand before God on his own righteousness...which won't get him very far.

[ QUOTE ]
At the same time, he is one of the most happiest and content guys I know. He is very respectfull of everyone and their beliefs and generally doesnt seem to ever have really bad days, or at least to the point where he does not feel the need to ask God for strength.


[/ QUOTE ]

Happy or not, he's a sinner. Doesn't matter if you have the perfect life.

The issue is repentence, independent of what is going on in your life.

[ QUOTE ]
So are you telling me that he will come to the realization at some point in his life that the only way for eternal life and to be saved is through Jesus?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessarily, it already sounds like he's rejected Christ.

There's really no excuse either, he has access to tons of churches and bibles.

[ QUOTE ]
That this is natural process of every human being, regardless of their life experiences?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is a whole different topic, but it is our job to preach the Gospel bro. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[kokokolo]

[ QUOTE ]
Since I was brought to Christ through losing someone, I am blind to other reasons as to how someone would come to Him. Can someone elaborate as to how someone would find Chist without such trauma? In other words, if you did not grow up religious, what are the reasons to believe or need Christ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Im not sure if I would use the word "find"

I would say someone needs to realise the meed for God. The thing about this is, the way you realise the need for god, is to realise that you are in fact going to die. Traama and loss reminds you of this, and thus brings you to god.

[Leafy Green Vegetables]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Since I was brought to Christ through losing someone, I am blind to other reasons as to how someone would come to Him. Can someone elaborate as to how someone would find Chist without such trauma? In other words, if you did not grow up religious, what are the reasons to believe or need Christ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Im not sure if I would use the word "find"

I would say someone needs to realise the meed for God. The thing about this is, the way you realise the need for god, is to realise that you are in fact going to die. Traama and loss reminds you of this, and thus brings you to god.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats a good distinction between find and "realise the need". I agree.

For myself, it was not the reminder of death that brought me to God, it was the need for something greater than myself to take my grief and burdens away from me. Thats is, I couldnt deal with the loss on my own.

[kokokolo]

good point

realise that without god life has no purpose, and its depresssing and seems pointless to keep on living...

sounds sad, but I think its true. We have a need for a purpose driven life. The purpose driven life is also an awesome book .

[TForce]

I would say that people find a need for God in a myriad of ways. Some are so desperate for guidance because, left to their own devices, they have not gotten anywhere meaningful, and turn to the church. Some have a completely earth-shattering experience which really opens their eyes. Some have God forced down their throat in some sort of rehabilitation until they finally at least concede to the notion of at least saying that there is a God, pretending to believe in God. Some believe all along that there could be a God, but are essentially agnostic, because they have never witnessed God at work, or accepted that God was doing the work.

[Adam Knowlden]

[ QUOTE ]
Some have God forced down their throat in some sort of rehabilitation until they finally at least concede to the notion of at least saying that there is a God, pretending to believe in God. Some believe all along that there could be a God, but are essentially agnostic, because they have never witnessed God at work, or accepted that God was doing the work.

[/ QUOTE ]

From the strong emphasis, I'm taking it this is your stance. /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good to see you active in this forum TForce. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif