Does God keep giving chances?

Dear hjk78,

God does keep giving chances, as long as there is hope for us to take him up. Peter asked Jesus how often to forgive his brother, seven times (i.e, perfectly)? Jesus answered, “Not seven times, but seventy seven times.” (Matt 18:21-22) Jesus is always ready to forgive.

The Church must also be ready to forgive always, which is why we have reconciliation (confession). It is not the only way to be forgiven and reconciled, but sometimes we need to hear the word ourselves. This is especially true when, as you say, you cannot feel God’s presence. That is what the Church is for: to remind us that God is with us when we are not sure of God’s love, when we are too weak to trust.

It is also helpful to get some advice from a trained guide (the priest) whom we can trust not to tell others of our sins or use them against us. It is also the way to get the community involved, since the priest represents not only Christ but the Body of Christ. Whenever we come asking for mercy, God will grant it.

This, of course, is the advantage of the sacraments: the Bible may lay out the way God wants us to go, but we also need strength for the journey. The Eucharist, Reconciliation, and all the other sacraments are just that: assurances of God’s grace, chances to be renewed in the Spirit, food on the way, “lest the journey be too much for you!” (1 Kings 19:7) Note in that story: Elijah’s strength gives out after just one day in the desert, but after eating and drinking, he walks forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the Lord’s mountain. So too, we find that out strength is too little, but when God feeds us, all things are possible.

Finding religion unfulfilling can be the first step to an whole new and more fulfilling path in your life.

You are stronger than you think you are. Many people who have been raised in strict religious households have overcome religion and became happy rational individuals.

I used to pray and worry all the time that I wasn’t pleasing God when at 12 it came to me that God and Christianity don’t make any sense. Why would God send his children that he supposedly loves to eternal torment? I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemies so do I have more compassion for my enemies than God has for his own children? It seems to me that God made us human than judged us for not being perfect; at the very least he should grade on a curve and look at how well we do relative to our challenges. Then there is the whole Jesus thing; if God wanted to forgive us why not just forgive us instead of nailing his son to a tree?

Lots of people who were just as indoctrinated as you are have freed themselves of Religion. Read the Bible and ask yourself if what you read makes sense to you. Be critical and think for yourself. If the Bible is true it will stand up to such scrutiny, if it is isn’t true it will fail this test.

Saved at 9, always saved. Many don’t think they measure up, to be worthy of salvation, but God accepts all of us when we ask. We all have been justified by Jesus on the cross, He paid for all sin, once for all.

He will never leave you nor forsake you in Christ! Bless you for your convictions and seeking truth.

That is a very common question. In Romans 1: 17 ‘ The just shall live by faith.” So some days we are not going to feel same but we still must know we are by faith. God bless you

God does not give up on people, people give up on him. If you still do not feel saved maybe its time to renew your vows and ask for salvation there is no such thing as eternal salvation even someone who is saved can go back to their sinful ways and then have to turn back to God. If you do not feel saved then your conscience is speaking to you if you do not do this now the voice of your conscience gets smaller and then you may not hear it because you actually choose to ignore it. Gods love is so great and sufficient for all all you need do is ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find the next step is fully up to you. All the best.

This was my question but I am just putting this out there for all of you. I welcome different advice from different people, but I will never NOT believe in God! He is the air I breath, the very beat of my heart. I wll not deny Him. It sounds nice to have faith in family and friends, but they will always let you down. They are here today gone tomorrow. God is infinite. He loves you even who deny Him. He waits with open arms for you to turn to Him. My eyes are again open to His eternal love. I hope you find Him one day, I also hope that filletofspam finds Him again. Thanks

JUST read LAMENTATIONS chapter 3 vs 18