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anonymous

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Not a troll, but I have to say I can not claim to be a Christian according to a standard I keep hearing repeated over and over. That standard is, having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I do believe Jesus is the messiah without a doubt. The prophecies in Daniel 9 (amongst others) clearly point to Jesus as the Messiah. However, when I pray I always pray to 'the Father' and 'do so through Jesus'. I feel like I have a relationship with the 'Father' but not Jesus. I feel like the Father guides me and talks to me (yeah I know it sounds crazy to some) but I just do not feel like I have a connection with Jesus.

I accept him as the messiah and what he has done for me, although I do not know why he would want to save m because I really am scum, but I suppose I get a free ride since i'm mixed in with others that are desirable. So let me know what you think my problem is with relating to Jesus.
 
anonymous said:
Not a troll, but I have to say I can not claim to be a Christian according to a standard I keep hearing repeated over and over. That standard is, having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I do believe Jesus is the messiah without a doubt. The prophecies in Daniel 9 (amongst others) clearly point to Jesus as the Messiah. However, when I pray I always pray to 'the Father' and 'do so through Jesus'. I feel like I have a relationship with the 'Father' but not Jesus. I feel like the Father guides me and talks to me (yeah I know it sounds crazy to some) but I just do not feel like I have a connection with Jesus.

I accept him as the messiah and what he has done for me, although I do not know why he would want to save m because I really am scum, but I suppose I get a free ride since i'm mixed in with others that are desirable. So let me know what you think my problem is with relating to Jesus.
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have you actually repented and asked the lord into your life?
 
Welcome to the forum. :wave

It sounds as though you are struggling with some things, but only partly expressed this in your post. You said that you feel unable to call yourself a Christian, because other people define it as having a personal relationship with Jesus, and you do not have one.

Personally, I view a Christian as a "follower of Christ".

But what is not mentioned in your post is that you do not believe Jesus is God. If you did believe he is God, then in having a relationship with God you would also feel that relationship with Jesus, as you would see the two inseparable as one God.

Let me ask: Do you have inner conflict over the identity of Jesus? What I mean by this is, are you happy in viewing him as the messiah and not as God, or do you have any inner conflict over who he is beyond the title of messiah?

I ask this questions, because perhaps what you first need to do is to ask God to reveal to you who Jesus is and also study who he is.

If Jesus stood before you and asked "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16) How would you answer?

Secondly, I wanted to address the fact that you feel unable to call yourself a "Christian" because others say you must have a personal relationship with Jesus to be one.

Being a "Christian" is a label. It its simplest form, it means that you are a follower of Christ. I would honestly say that how others define being a Christian should not be important. If you have repented of your sins, believe on Jesus, and follow him-- then you are a Christian.

Some would say that only those who speak in tongues are "saved". If this were true, then a LARGE number of Christians better stop calling themselves that. :) I am only using this example to show that we can not go by what others say is so.

But having a relationship as a requirement...... the only reason I dislike this definition is because it is subjective. Objectively, we can look at the teachings of Christ, look at the fruits, etc. and use those specific things as a measure if we so chose to. But what is the criteria for "having a relationship?" I spend a lot of time with my dog, I pet her, I feed her, I give her special treats, I crocheted her a sweater, and I even put her outside potty-- but I do not have a relationship with the dog nor do I have any emotional attachment. I would be the last person to ever brush her or take her for a walk. Likewise, a person could spend a lot of time in prayer, doing good works, reading the Bible, etc. and not have a relationship with Jesus (nor with God, since you separate the two).

But if you feel that you need to have a relationship with Jesus in order to call yourself a Christian, then I would suggest writing down a list of objective information about what defines a "relationship" in your life, and then if having a relationship with Jesus is something that you desire, next write down a list of goals towards achieving that relationship and steps to take in meeting those goals.

A good prayer for you, "Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief."
 
a:

Hi!!!

We need to read the Bible in a seaching way, and not just for speculation. Fact is, we need the Saviour. God bless His Word to you. "Seek, and ye shall find".
 
I am just learning to follow Jesus.

Yes, I am having trouble putting Jesus and God together. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

I understand the concept that water steam and ice are still just h2o but in the new testament Jesus puts God the Father above himself many times and 'hes going to sit at the right side of the father' and then I read revelation and here is Jesus, 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever' .. I am confused.

I do not want to be in front of Jesus and give the wrong answer. He knows my heart, he knows I want to know and that I want to understand. And i see God(?) or Jesus(?) 'working' in my life, as I so often here people say. Let me sharte an example to those interested in continuing to read on...

I was struggling with 'pearls before swine', thinking, of course you don't thrown money to pigs, but that wasn't the point. I found the point when i tried witnessing to a homeless guy a couple of days later. I had never witnessed before (like this anyway) and I had not initially planned to talk to this guy, i just bought some homeless guy some food then went back later and discovered he had not eaten the food and did not want it and even gave me back the money my wife (unbeknownst to him it was my wife) had given him. He went on about nonsense, so I left. I got it, do not waist my time on people who are not open to Christ. I even got that vibe that this guy was going to 'turn and tear me to pieces." I get it. He was prideful and did wanted to live his life how he wanted and did not want anything to do with God.

I guess I am here to learn, my first time exploring in this format.

I cam here with questions, lots of questions. And to relate my growing experiences in God. I hope someone here is willing to teach and guide me. Thanks for reading.
 
I do believe Jesus is the messiah without a doubt. The prophecies in Daniel 9 (amongst others) clearly point to Jesus as the Messiah. However, when I pray I always pray to 'the Father' and 'do so through Jesus'. I feel like I have a relationship with the 'Father' but not Jesus. I feel like the Father guides me and talks to me (yeah I know it sounds crazy to some) but I just do not feel like I have a connection with Jesus.
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I believe Daniel is all about the Messiah too. :yes

I also believe that when I pray, I am praying to the Father, through Jesus. If you were to start a thread in, maybe, our Christian Talk and Advice or our Bible Study forums, verses and passages can be provided as to why myself and other believe this to be right.

Answers to having a right relationship with the Lord can also be worked out as well. One of the things that must be considered is the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and their respective "roles' in the life of a believer.

Try to keep in mind that Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit was sent to guide us and comfort us in all things.

Anyway, welcome to the site. :yes
 
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