I am having some troubling times

[FriendofNone]

Hello
I am new,

I haven't read much of this site yet, but my friend linked me to it and said it is very interesting. I have recently came to the conclusion that evolution is false because there is so fossil record that backs it up, and I don't think things could work as perfectly as they do just out of by chance.

But at the same time a find troubles. Just because of extreme uncertainties with in one idea that shouldn't prove any other theory correct.

I want to believe in god and I have felt him in my heart but I fear I Will be unable to accept him into my heart, for I feel I will go to hell.

And that brings up another thing I was concearned about, if I am trying to be good out of fear, well... isn't that wrong? My real motivations are I do not want to go to hell, would that mean I am going to hell for being so selfish?

I am sure many Christan are scared what will happen if they don't believe in god. And in truth many of them fear of hell probably is the base motivation. I am confused

 

[veteran]

Believing on Christ Jesus as God's Promised Saviour means a lot more than just being afraid of perishing in hell-fire. Christ's Salvation is about who wants to continue into God's Eternity, and live with Him forever. It's about the idea of submitting to Him instead of wanting to go it alone in thinking we can exist without Him.

Thinking like, "Well, I'll believe in God just in case there really is a God", is not real belief on Him. And He knows how we think and what's in our heart, so that kind of thinking won't trick Him. That thinking shows lack of belief, because to believe on Him means not doubting.

 

[Ret]

FriendofNone...Welcome to Christian forums

Read more around here on the forums and you may find something of particular interest to you.
For me, reading the Psalms is great for calming the soul and bringing peace where there was fear.

May you be blessed in your search for something better...Ret

 

[costcounter]

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Luke 12:4-5

blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:29

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Romans 8:24

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:28

 

[Drew]

I am sure many Christan are scared what will happen if they don't believe in god. And in truth many of them fear of hell probably is the base motivation. I am confused

I think that people miss the point when they focus on Christianity in terms of the issue of "where will I go when I die?". That mode of thinking makes it "about me" when I suggest it really about God first, and then only "about us" in terms of that.

The Bible tells the story of God's effort to redeem the entirety of his fallen creation - not just "us". I would recommend thinking in terms of the excitement of participating in that great project of reclamation in the here and now, and not simply in terms of what "will happen to you when you die".

We are offered roles in the continuing narrative of God's redemption of the cosmos. Now who would not want to be involved in that? When that project is grasped in all its richness, "fear of hell" really amounts to a choice not be involved in the great project. Now who, in their right mind, would make that choice?

 

[Ramsey]

I haven't read much of this site yet, but my friend linked me to it and said it is very interesting. I have recently came to the conclusion that evolution is false because there is so fossil record that backs it up, and I don't think things could work as perfectly as they do just out of by chance.

But at the same time a find troubles. Just because of extreme uncertainties with in one idea that shouldn't prove any other theory correct.

There are many theories, and beliefs about creation and evolution. Some believe in evolution, some believe strictly in bible creation story, some believe in some sort of compromise between the two. But I would ask you does any of it really matter?

Personally, I don't care how the world was created. All that matters to me is that there is a God that loves me so much that he sent his only son to die for my sins. The past is important in order to learn lessons from our anscetors. I don't dwell on the past; though, instead focus on the future, and what you are doing now.

And that brings up another thing I was concearned about, if I am trying to be good out of fear, well... isn't that wrong? My real motivations are I do not want to go to hell, would that mean I am going to hell for being so selfish?

I don't fear going to hell. Maybe as a child it may have seemed scary, but my motivation to do good is to better myself, and my relationship with God. I grew up as a Christian, but almost exactly a year from now I made some choices that sent my life into the gutter. God helped me get out of the situation I was in, and I did not blame him for it, but at the same time, I had gone through so much I just felt like I could deal with things better on my own for a while, and I distanced myself.

This last year has been the hardest year of my life. The loneliness and despair I felt was horrible. Things started to get a little better for me about three months ago, but now I have been in Afghanistan for about a month, and am starting to feel same loneliness and despair again. I turned to God this time by just reading and starting to participate in this forum. Within a day of just reading posts and reflecting on my life I was able to put everything into perspective. This last year I was living for myself, and doing things that put me at conflict with God. As soon as I made the decision to right myself, and make God important in my life again all that loneliness was gone, and I feel better and more put together then I have in a long time.

The way to salvation is a path. Make the choice to walk the path. Not out of fear, but because you realize that there is more than just you in this universe, because there is a lot of age old wisdom and Truth in the teaching of the bible, and because submitting yourself to God’s will is the best thing anyone can do for themselves.

 

[jasoncran]

yup, in war one tends to look at things a litttle more closely. Best church i ever had was in country. No distractions.

 

[MarkT]

Hello
I am new,

I haven't read much of this site yet, but my friend linked me to it and said it is very interesting. I have recently came to the conclusion that evolution is false because there is so fossil record that backs it up, and I don't think things could work as perfectly as they do just out of by chance.

But at the same time a find troubles. Just because of extreme uncertainties with in one idea that shouldn't prove any other theory correct.

I want to believe in god and I have felt him in my heart but I fear I Will be unable to accept him into my heart, for I feel I will go to hell.

And that brings up another thing I was concearned about, if I am trying to be good out of fear, well... isn't that wrong? My real motivations are I do not want to go to hell, would that mean I am going to hell for being so selfish?

I am sure many Christan are scared what will happen if they don't believe in god. And in truth many of them fear of hell probably is the base motivation. I am confused

Don't be. The fear of the LORD is the first thing, and without the fear of the LORD you will never gain a good understanding. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the LORD is to be desired. You can't even begin to gain wisdom unless you get it first. If God doesn't put it in you, you might as well say hello to hell. Be happy and rejoice that God has given you what you need.

Psalms 111:10 RSV
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Proverbs 1:7 RSV
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

[Panin]

Hello
I am new,

I haven't read much of this site yet, but my friend linked me to it and said it is very interesting. I have recently came to the conclusion that evolution is false because there is so fossil record that backs it up, and I don't think things could work as perfectly as they do just out of by chance.

But at the same time a find troubles. Just because of extreme uncertainties with in one idea that shouldn't prove any other theory correct.

I want to believe in god and I have felt him in my heart but I fear I Will be unable to accept him into my heart, for I feel I will go to hell.

And that brings up another thing I was concearned about, if I am trying to be good out of fear, well... isn't that wrong? My real motivations are I do not want to go to hell, would that mean I am going to hell for being so selfish?

I am sure many Christan are scared what will happen if they don't believe in god. And in truth many of them fear of hell probably is the base motivation. I am confused

The fear of God is the begining of knowlegde.

There is nothing wrong with the fear of eternal damnation bringing you to salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. Any one who realises that this is the truth of the matter and is not afraid, is a liar. I am saved and I am still afraid of judgement day.