Am I a Christian?

[Akire2987]

Hello Everyone this is my first time posting in The Christians in Recovery forum. I'm currently working on step 3. I think. I'm pretty confused. I'm not sure if i can truly call myself a Christian. I'm trying to build my connection with God. I was raised a Catholic. However I haven't belonged to the Catholic church in years. For the past five years I've been with an amazing man and he and his family are Born Again Christians. They've taught me so much, but how do I know what is right?

They tell me I need to be saved. They've said that once I invite the Lord into my life that I will feel like a new person. That my whole life will change. Many times I have prayed to God and asked him into my life. But I don't feel any different. I do feel closer to God. But how do I know if I am a Christian. Does a Christian need to go to church? Do I need to be Born Again? I do love Christ, and I do want to become close to him and live my life for him.

[jblair]

Your message touched me.
If you are not sure if you are currently working on Step 3, it appears that you do not have a sponsor. If this is the case, then identify someone that could at least be your temporary sponsor. Among other things a sponsor leads you through each step.
It also appears that your "amazing man" and his family have a different view of being saved than the Catholic Church teaches. Although you state that you have not been a practicing Catholic in years, I suggest you talk with a priest about your concerns. He should clarify for you what the Church teaches about being saved.

[Stubborn1]

No where in the bible does it say you have to be saved to go to heaven. It is more of a symbolic gesture to yourself that you are cleansed and if and when you are ready you may want to do that symbolism for yourself.

I don't know why so many people make being a Christian this difficult thing. All you need to do is say this "Dear Lord I ask you to come into my heart. I believe you to be my Lord and savior" that's it. You can do this all by yourself.

Let it all speak for itself. When you do surrender everything to your HP then you will see it all for yourself.

I had enough and got on my knees and said angrily "ok God, you want all of my problems then here you go......take them" and that was all it took. Slowly I began to feel lighter. I can't explain it, it just happens.
There is no proof that one religion is correct so no priest, pastor or clergy has the power to tell you what's right for you. Let your heart speak for itself. One God, one you that's it. No need for labels or rituals. Just you and him. Just speak to him.

[cmc]

Here's a link that will show you what the bible actually does say about this topic.
GodQuiz - Response - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley

The reason that Jesus came here, suffered, died and rose again... was to provide a way for any/all who choose to believe and ask Him into their heart- the means to spend eternity in heaven.

In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.” To reach God and live in heaven after you die, you must accept Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.

[GoldenSilence]

Read the gospels dear heart. Jesus himself will teach you through the word of God and the Holy Spirit. It will tell you however, there is a need to repent of all known sins...
Also, you don't have to go to "church" to be a Christian. There is a huge misunderstanding about that. "Church" is not a building, the word itself means ekklesia, "the called out ones" or "assembly" of believers. The early Christians met very simply...in each other's homes, sharing meals, and the love of God and each other. Modern Christianity complicates things, with all their various doctrines in my opinion.
So, it is my prayer for you that you will simply pray, and study your bible, and ask for guidance from God himself and if you preservere, you will know the truth that sets free

[best]

If you believe in your heart and confess with you lips that Jesus is Lord...


Being a Christian is a life style and the best way I have found to learn what that life style is.... Read and study the bible to see what the Lord asks of us.

Love in action and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and God of our life.
What others may tell us...might... be true or might not be true. By reading the bible for myself and asking the Holy Spirit to guide me, I can find the truth for myself.

[Lily]

Very good question, and I have an answer for you!

Let see..... Perhaps you are already a Christian and do not know it because you are looking for a "feeling." See, we cannot trust our feelings because a lot of times they are wrong. So therefore, we must go by what the word of God says.

Here is what is says:

Heaven is a free gift. For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life thru Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

It is not earned or deserved.

For it is by grace thru faith you are saved, not of yourselves, it is a gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph. 2:8&9

We cannnot earn eternal life because it is not something that is earned thru personal effort, good works or religious deeds, it is a genuine FREE GIFT.

Man:

Man is a sinner

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23

Man cannot save himself.

Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

so do you see why it is impossible for anyone to get to heaven by his own good works?

(We all sin daily in thought word and deed)

God -He is merciful

God is love. 1 John 4:8b

God is Just (he must punish sin)

Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished Exodus 34:7b

God solved this problem in the person of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ
both God and Man

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The word became flesh (JESUS) and made His dwelling among us. I have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.

John 1:1, 14

What he did, he died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the dead to purchase a place in heaven for us.

We like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on hism the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

This gift is received by faith.

What faith is not: Head knowledge (we all know certain facts about certain ppl, George washington, Abe Lincoln, but we are not trusting in them for anything.)

Another type of faith that is not true faith would be Temporary faith (say praying for a certain safe trip or a sick child) but then going on with your life and not living for Christ.

What faith is: transfering your trust in yourself, to placing your trust in Jesus Christ alone for your eternal life.

The most important thing is to remember that it is not by good works that we get to heaven, or by being a good person. It is by asking Christ to come into our heart and being our Savior because of what he did, not because of us. As a result of this, we should want to live God honoring lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, not because we are strong, cuz we are not, but through him we are strong.

Does this make sense to you?

Have you taken those steps?

If you would like, here is a sample prayer you can pray and if you mean it from your heart then you will have eternal life in heaven should you die. I prayed a prayer similar to this prayer on May 8, 1989 and have never been the same! God is sooo good!

Knowing that I have sinned, and I need the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, I now turn from my sins and trust him for my eternal life.. I ask Jesus Christ to forgive me, and to deliver me from sin's power and give me eternal life.

I now give Jesus Christ control of my life. From this time forward, as He gives me strength, I will seek to trust Him and obey him in all areas of my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

About your other questions. No, one does not have to be in church to be a Christian, however there is no better place for us to grow. Get into a good bible believing fellowship for encouragement and growth, read your bible daily and do what it says.

blessings, Sheila

Please message me with questions.

[IO Storm]

The Bible does have many references to being "saved".

And as Best shared..the "requirement" is simple. By believing in your heart

and confessing with your lips that Jesus is Lord.

This from Romans..

25
About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened,
26
there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose.
27
When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew (his) sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped.
28
But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, "Do no harm to yourself; we are all here."
29
He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas.
30
Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31
And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved."
32

[Jazzed_N_AZ]

I wasn't going to post here but I remembered a point where my sponsor and I had hit a possible impasse. This man is my best friend as well, so finding a point of mutual understanding was paramount for us both.

I am Islamic by faith, he is Christian. I shared the Fatiha with him and he shared the Lords prayer with me. I shared my understanding of Jesus' life and work as he shared his.

Then we got to the father/son part. We debated for hours as friends w/unconditional love for each other. We agreed on many points about God. Pretty much all points. Especially Gods Power, the Word of God. He says BE, and it is. (period)
This is what He conveyed to Mary, according to my understanding. For me to understand and accept, my sponsor said, "Jesus is the Word of God, incarnate".

So, I do not believe that Isa is the one son of God, I believe that we are all His sons (and daughters). He is The Father and Jesus is His son because He said so, (not because He had sex with Mary which was the only way to be a biological parent at that time).

Am I Christian? I believe that I am Islamic and in Islam we are taught that Mary is the Mother, Jesus is her son (biologically). She carried and birthed this child because God said so.
Jesus went on to amaze all mankind, even those who did not believe. He taught mankind a way to live, we failed. He suffered for mankind we were apathetic at best. He foretold of more teachings to come then showed one more miracle.

To this day there are non-believers and those who just turn away. I pray for them. For those who believe, have no worries because Isa has already paid the price. Right vs. wrong. It really is that simple!

[cmc]

Jazz, I'm so glad that you are able to share with your sponsor like you do and have a healthy exchange of ideas. I very much appreciate your sharing and support here too.

The difference? At least one is about the diety of Jesus...ie the virgin birth and his actually being a part of the Holy Trinity. In the Christian faith the Father, Son and Spirit are one. And that being said...we seem to agree that the Islamic belief does not include the trinity nor the diety of Jesus, but instead reveres and respects Him as a wonderful teacher, healer and prophet of God. That jmho sums up 'the difference.'

I see no reason for debate on this as everyone must choose for themselves what we believe. This being a Christian forum, the Christian perspective is based on what the the bible has to say about it. It's a central issue agreed upon, even amoung the various Christian denominations...that Jesus is part of the Trinity, born of a virgin, died and rose again--AND that by His doing all of this, provision is made for those who believe to have a secure eternal salvation in heaven.

I very much appreciate your questions and your faith as well. Bless you and thank you for caring and sharing your recovery.

oh...I'm adding this late: I've never heard of the name "Isa" before...exactly what does that translate into? Thanks again for sharing.