Why do you Believe?

[RoyalWing]

Hello,

I'm frightened to ask this question. I hope it does not hurt anyone. And, I really shouldn't ask it, I have exams to study... but then I might forget.

Why do you believe in Lord Jesus? Why do you want to believe? What makes you get up every day and say to yourself "I believe, because.."

Not how you came to believe, why you continue. (do you understand? I'm sorry.)

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I believe because he has given me thousands of opportunities to do what is right, to correct my wrongs, and he has died for my sins

why do i continue?

because life gets much better and better and better with him, sure there are trials, both big and small, but he pulls through ^^

i came to believe because he wanted me to believe, he didn't force me too, he asked me too, and i accepted

[termyt]

I've spent a great deal of time considering this. I take it very seriously. I've weighed the evidence and explored other options. Atheism, Judaism, Islam, even Hinduism. Christianity is the only one that rang true to me.

Considering the sacrifice God made for me, I am forced to respond with gratitude and adoration. I have been bought for a price, so my life is not my own. I see no other option available to me other than to serve my Lord.

[Doubleshadow]

I took a chance on Him in a time of trouble and He's never left me. I talk with Him in prayer, get answers, and see Him do awesome things in my life and my Chrisitan friends lives. I'm certain He loves me even though I have my spiritual dry points once in a while.

[IZ&Trigun4life]

Why do I believe, Hmmm I asked my self that when I was seven. (yes I ask my self mature questions at a young age). I came up with a few answers One...I believe in God, and was told that Jesus was my savior as a child, and if mommy says it, it must be true. As I grew older I asked my self that again, and said..how do I know there really is a God, and why should I listen to all these "dumb rules". But something didn't let me believe that...I just thought about it. Now..being almost 15 I believe in God and accepted Jesus as my savior because...I just can't not believe in God and say Jesus isn't my savior. It's weird, but the Lord is in my life and I believe He has a special hold over me for a reason. Whatever that reason is, he's going to make sure I do what He planned one way or another. That's why I believe. Basically ..he made me do it.

[Ssjjvash]

I believe because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain with Him. On top of all that, He saved my life in more ways than one.

[Debitt]

I've was raised in a Christian family, sent to a Christian school, and was taught Bible stories from a very young age. I never really questioned my beliefs while I was still in a Christian school since I was spoonfed things constantly. I knew they were true, I just didn't know why. Ever since I started attending a public high school and came under the fire of some very painful personal problems, I was forced to take a step back and look over what I believed, and the more I looked at things, the more I realized that there was nothing else that could lead to truth and life other than Christ Jesus. ^_^

[Alice]

I'd say for most believers it is a gradual and lifelong process of seeing God is real, and continuing to believe.

For many, it is answers to prayer.

Some people just believe very strongly in God, so that they have never doubted that he exists, even if they might have doubts about other things. (Like whether Jesus was God, things like that.)

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a great book to read on this topic. It is logical but easy to follow, too. Written for radio talks, so it had to be something people could understand.

I don't remember if that's the book it's in, but somewhere C.S. Lewis says, he had to do the same thing when he was an athiest. Believe even when he didn't feel it. He had to go on and keep believing. In the end, it became easier to believe in God (because of many things that were leading him to that).

But he says in one place, when you have no real reason to question your faith, (such as no new evidence or old, shaky understand that needs questioned) -- when you have your faith still but have feelings of doubt, then you need to just keep believing. It's Faith. You can't change your mind on feelings of doubt.

Keep believing -- hm. I think Bible reading and prayer and worship help keep faith alive. Also fellowship is important, so you're not hanging out only with nonbelievers and you feel like the only one who believes in God and Jesus and the Bible.

As for the rest, I guess it's been a lifelong thing. Believing in God, and Jesus. Answers to prayers, things that happen, things I learn. I've doubted things about God, but I don't know if I've ever doubted his existence, because of my own experiences in life.

I guess you didn't need that much of an answer, though, huh?

[Tsuki]

all of the above, and I questioned why myself, but i realized God had already proved it in my heart. Also not to mention the Bible itself was God breathed^^ Further more the gift I can't refuse and histery and science...ect. Therefor my over all answer would be because it is true. Thats why everyday i want to trust and obey.

[cbwing0]

Like termyt, I have spent a lot of time weighing the evidence, evaluating arguments, and thinking through tough questions. After all of that I still believe in Christianity, and in Christ as my Lord and Savior. Life and existence just don't make sense any other way.

On a personal level, I have had several faith-affirming experiences. This includes both amazing occurrences, and small things that seem to come from God.

I first believed, because my parents always took me to church, sunday school, and youth group. I continue to believe, because Christianity withstands every test that I can muster. It would be much more difficult (if not impossible) for me to stop believing than it would be to continue in what I know to be true.

[shooraijin]

> I continue to believe, because Christianity withstands every test that I can muster.

That, plus personal contact with God, goes for me as well.

[Artist4Jesus89]

because he has saved me on numerous occasions and delivered me from my sins and of corse he died for me and he shows me his love every single day

[Syaoran]

I continue to believe because it gives me the will to live and keep going.

[Nate]

I believe because I know it is true. No more, no less.

I can no more deny the truth of Christianity than I can say the chair I am sitting in does not exist. I don't know if that sentence has correct grammar or not but I'm not too concerned at the moment, as long as my idea gets across.

[Otaku10]

I believe in because I have lost everything and was lconfuse in this world. He was there when I was lost and still there through my trials. I didn't had the luxury of being raise in Christian family. I suffered a lot when I didn't know him. I was a lost soul in the world. No where to turn, I finally turn to him because he was there waiting patiently for me. He didn't force his believes upon me. He was there showing his love to me and calling out to me. Ever since I accept him, my life was turning for the better. I finally realize how bless I am. Sure there were trials and even now there is still trials going on but I am not alone. He is there to give me strength through my trials and tribulations.

[true_noir_chloe]

I guess I'll answer in song.

"I believe, I believe, 'cause He made me believe," a song from Wes King.

Let's face it, without the Holy Spirit having tugged at my heart I would not by my own free will have chosen Him. I am not that smart, not that loving, not that brave, not that accepting, and am full of sin, which is in constant opposition to God.

At times I might think I'm in control, but in reality He is. He chose to love me, to save me, to come down as a man and die for me, to be my advocate to this day for a life I don't deserve. It's all about Him, not me, and that's why I believe. He is truly a gracious God to place me in His plan.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound" I cry whenever I sing these words.

Because it's why I believe - because of His grace.

I have absolutely not one ounce of doubt on this side of the door of faith that He chose me and I've always been in His magnificent plan of salvation. It's why Abraham was so confident, why David was so secure in His God, and why Paul preached unfaltering and John loved so deeply.

To know my God more each day is why I continue to believe.

All I can do is be thankful - overwhelmingly thankful for His gracious gift to me.

Why do I stay with Him? Well, why does He stay with me, would be a more appropriate question. I am a vile sinner who knows my thoughts and that I'm selfish and screw up over and over again. Yet, He sticks it out with me through it all.

I believe because He is Who He is - the great I AM, the lover of my soul as Rich Mullins once penned.

Asking why is always a good question. ^____^

[battletech]

I believe because without Jesus I would be nothing. I am a sinfull human being. Jesus makes me something. He killed the old nothing and sinfull human being;and made me a new human being. That is why I know it is true, and thats how I keep beliving. Every time the old man comes back He forgives me and kills the old man again.

Romans 7:22-25 For I delight in the law of the God after the inward man: 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. O wreched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord So than with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

[Tsuki]

I really love to read all these reasons^^ There is so much hope in this that even though we are sinners God came to our rescue by loving us soooo much
It would be fun to make a song out of these reasons.

[Ashley]

Oh man, I'm not sure that I can say anything that hasn't already been said.

I believe...because, by His grace, He pulled me out of my sins and lead me to the truth. He rescued me from the deepest, darkest pits of hell. I believe it because I know it in a way I can't explain...I just, I know in my very deepest core, my very heart of hearts, that it's true.

I believe because I have felt the prescence of the divine in me.

I believe because He has given me the strength to perservere in any situation. He has filled me with the grace, peace, and love I would not have by myself.

I believe...because the evidence is overwhelming. In any field, in any problem...everything in creation points to Christ.

I believe...because in Him I have found everything I could ever want. I told someone this afternoon...life without Christ is truly not worth living.

[Michael]

In my humble opinion; one of the points of the Christian life is not to be focused on yourself--why you believe and why you live this way--but to lose your whole being in God. He called, I could do nothing but answer. I wasn't there when He made the world, when he formed the oceans and the lands. His will be done, not mine.

To paraphrase True_Noir_Chloe: God made me believe.

[Tsuki]

[quote="Michael"]In my humble opinion]
YAY live to glorify God^^

[TheMelodyMaker]

Why do I believe? *shrug* Why not? I just do -- for me it's a very childlike faith, I guess. (Somehow I always have trouble explaining this kind of stuff... ^_^; )

[ice122985]

More than anything, i guess, i believe because i choose to. i was raised a Christian, but being somewhat rebellious, i have questioned everything that was given to me. I won't lie to you- some of my questions have not been answered. some things just don't make sense. i've stopped looking for a reason- i've stopped looking for the cause of this effect. Because there isn't one? Maybe. I see reasons to beleive and reasons not to. But i choose to believe because i believe that it is the right thing to do.

Neve alone by barlow girl really explains it well.

[ChristianKitsune]

As for me, I believe In Jesus because I want to...Jesus sacrificed himself so that I could be with him...and have eternal life..it is amazing to me, he would do that...and I thank everyday that He did...I believe in Christ because he wants a relationship with me, he loves me that much. I wanted him to be the lord of my life..and he has...

I continue living for him because without Him I wouldn't be anywhere...i would probably be a person that ppl would fear, and truthfully I probably would have gotten into some pretty crazy shtuff...I am THAT gullible...but wit Christ, and being a Christian I am strong enough to face whatever the world tries to sell me..I am strong enough to say that some things people believe in...are just crazy! I have a friend that is into wicca..(not INTO it but interested) and I am sure she would have gotten me into it as well if not for my relationship with Christ...

But Knowing christ also has it's consequences...I am not the most popular person in school...I don't get invited to parties...I don't hang with the IN crowd...and people sometimes don't listen to me...but you know what..THAT IS FINE.. I would rather walk with Christ than to live as the world lives...for Christ died so that I may have life...and live it to the fullest...I believe..that the only way to live to the fullest is to have Christ in my life, because other wise...what is else is there?

It makes me sad when people say that Christ isn't real...and that I am crazy to believe in such things..It really burdens my heart to see that people see the gift offered to them..but throw in His face...

[JediSonic]

Wow.. what a great question! I'm one of those people who questions/challenges everything and goes through all the hard questions to make sure i'm on the right path. When I was about 12 I experienced the climax of all the doubts about god I'd felt creeping up on me for some time - a crisis of faith. I didn't know what to beleive. My pastor, rather than try to convince me, said to always keep an open mind. I took the advice to heart and feel I'm a much stronger christian because of it.

For me, the 2 possibilities that make the most sense right now are Catholicism and athiesm. After much deliberation, I've decided to stick with Catholicism.

The athiest would have me beleive that the universe has always been here, has always been moving forward in time, since an infinite amount of time ago. That it will continue to do so forever, for no reason at all, and happened to produce a world like this, with intelligent beautiful creatures like us as well as birds and fish and flowers. This, to me, sounds quite absurd. All change has a cause, so change itself must be caused by something unchanging. Given the world we live in that seems to be the Christian God (see CS Lewis' Mere Christianity)

I also have gut feelings about the matter of my own conciousness that I cant really describe but which, to me, prove the existence of something beyond my material body that defines who I am.

The athiest would have me beleive that one criminal and 12 friends of his decided to become poor homeless people and ultimately martyrs, oppressed by the great Roman government for their whole lives. Furthermore, these liars somehow created an underground religion that would spread to encompass billions (trillions?) of beleivers all over the world. Yeah right.

There are many other reasons, which I wont go into, which also affirm my faith. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is definitely a great book, as someone mentioned already!

I was raised on Catholicism as opposed to Protestant Christianity, and I havent found a single doctrinal issue yet that puts me at odds with the Catholic faith. I don't want to start a debate about it here but I felt compelled to mention it as long as I'm talking about why I beleive what I beleive. The protestant reformation sparked an exponentially increasing divergence in the Christian faith which I find unfortunate (though obviously some consider it necessary). The one good thing to come of all this denominationalism (IMO) is that it challenges us to look at the little details of what we beleive about God and the nature of Christianity, rather than generalizing about the beleif system. Just goes to show everything is part of God's divine plan for salvation!

This is a great topic.. keep posting, people!

[Fsiphskilm]

Beca

[Elric_kun]

i believe because God allows me to believe and because i can

[oro!]

I continue to believe because I know He'll be there for me, through it all. The "debt" of love can never be repayed. God gave his own son for us. I am happy that He chose to give us a way out of the condemnation for sin, and so I want ot follow Him, where ever he leads me. It may be hard, but i know, in the end, I'll go to heaven.

[Galant]

Great question. Each Christian should ask it of themselves. It helps set things in perspective.

For me, the answer to that question is one of the scariest and yet most exciting parts of my life. There have been a number of times when I've been on my own and taken a look at my life and felt completely helpless. My whole life, I mean all of it, is on God. I mean if GOd didn't exist then my identity, my plans, goals, my way of looking at things, the best things about me, my greatest achievements, and greatest hopes of future achievement and betterment - are dashed. This isn't a cliche, I am truly nothing without God. I have quite literally ruined my life for anything but God.

When I get up in the morning, no matter how I'm feeling, whether it's guilty, happy, depressed, dozy, excited or determined, I cannot feel these things without also relating them to God. He's just, there. Sometimes He feels far away, other times I feel as though I'm facing His judgement, but no matter what, He's there.

I suppose He's so significant in my view of the world and life because of His presence in my family's life, education etc. I just know that my hope of who I am and what I will become is tied up with God. I went to university (Bible college) because of and for God. I live here, a Brit in the USA, because of God. My whole work here is for God and as I decide where I go next in life, it is in view of service towards God and doing His will. At this point, it's not so much why I believe, it's that he is so real and present in my life that I can't not believe. God's non-existence is incomprehensible to me.

There was a time when Jesus walked on Earth and many of those who had been following Him decided they could follow Him no longer and they left Him. Yet some remained, and when He asked them if they were going to leave Him also, Peter, one of the remaining few answered, "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."

For the full account go to John 6:60-69

[steelbeliever]

hey good question...i kinda think every christian goes through this whether they admit it or not...i too have been places without God that i barely made it out of. sometimes you think God is just another one of those scams to get money, but he's not...he's as real as Satan is too though. I choose to look at it this way: When you are tempted to trust in other things other than Christ that is because as humans we need to trust what we can see and feel...at elast i am that way...sometimes we can't see or feel the sun but we don't doubt it just stops existing do we? we may not be able to see the wind but we don't doubt that it blows through our hair. when you breathe in air you can't see it but you know its there, it fills your lungs and keeps you alive. so it is with God. if it weren't for his very presence in and with me every day, i would be dead in so many ways. I believe in God because there is no other way for me to go. I cannot and will not move from my Rock, God Almighty.