Question:
Hey guys, long time reader, not much of a writer.
OK, so I've been raised in church, and when I was 8 I did the whole pray to ask Jesus in your heart thing, but I wasn't sincere, I didn't mean it, so there was no real change in me, just something you're supposed to do as a Southern Baptist. Well, when I was 13 I came to the realization of how I was just religious, and didn't have a relationship with Christ. That summer I prayed and received Jesus in my life, and I felt such a change inside. Things were brand new, I had peace and joy like never before. I started having a daily quiet time, actually having a desire to go to church, and wanting to be active in what God was doing. I got involved in the music ministry with my church, and actually become the youth worship leader before I left for college. Well, at times after I got saved at 13, I would have a convicting feeling come over me. Sometimes during invitations at church, sometimes a convicting and heartbreaking feeling just anytime. That's kind of where I am again. It seemed like my salvation of experience was so real, and I felt like my life was changed and that I had received salvation, but these convicting feelings are eating away at me. I'm beginning to think I might not truly be saved. It's so confusing....tonight I've prayed for God to show me if I truly know Him, but I don't feel like He's providing an answer. I'm so ready to end this doubting, I just want to know where I truly stand in grace. If it's not in Jesus I'm ready to receive. I'm just so confused. Has anyone been where I am right now ?
Answer:
What sort of convicting feelings? If you've sinned, repent. When God saved you, the blood of Christ that was sacrificed for you has washed away your sins and made you clean. Why dwell on what's been forgiven. God's forgiven you, forgive yourself. We all sin after we're saved. That's part of being human and imperfect. God knows we're going to sin, even after salvation. Just because you may have messed up doesn't mean you've failed God. I don't think you should doubt your salvation just because you're having some feelings of conviction. Just repent of whatever sin is making you feel guilty. I have to repent of those things pretty much constantly.
Answer:
What do you feel and think when these convicting feelings come to you?
If you honestly don't know why you have these convicting feelings then you should pray and ask God for clarification. I know you said you don't feel like you're getting an answer but you must be persistent with your prayers. Be honest and open with Him.
Most importantly, just be open with God. He may be looking for a deeper commitment from you, building your dependence open Him.
As a last bit of encouragement, never doubt your salvation. As Chris said, even as Christians we stumble sometimes but that doesn't mean God has let go of you.
Answer:
the enemy loves to lie to us. he will do anything to turn you away from God and it sounds like he's been messing with you a little lately. anytime you feel like you may not be saved, stop right then and pray. hard. tell God how you feel and that you want to overcome it. you can't do it alone. and He will be right there with you the entire time through. as long as you have a personal relationship with God, nothing can come between you. even if it seems as though it is.
~in prayer.
Answer:
I would think that God is calling you closer. He wants every one of his people to come closer to Him and so many are unwilling to come. There is so much more for you in the Lord after salvation! Your whole life is before you and He very much wants to be a part of it.
Spend some time praying about it with the understanding/assumption that He is drawing you closer. Listen with your heart. Hear what He has to say. It's not a strange thing, the Word says that the sheep know him and hear His voice. You are His sheep, listen, hear!