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I’m at the lowest point in my life and my faith and belief in god is hanging on by a thread and it’s very very very hard to pray it’s like I’m stuck in this moment each day and can’t get out of it I believe in god but when I think that my mind goes to he’s not real it keeps going in and out I do love god with all my heart and I want to get closer to him every day but I keep going down in that hole and I think do I really believe in god if I think like this I’m just lost in my faith and would like to get some opinions please help
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The content of one’s prayers changes according to the purpose for which they believe in God. If a person prays in vain, following the desires of the world and accumulating sin throughout their life, that prayer is of the flesh. But if one prays as a true Christian who pursues the hope of Christ and follows the love of God, then that prayer becomes entirely different. Depending on this, a person becomes either a sinner who belongs to the world and to the flesh—repeating sin endlessly—or a true Christian who lives centered on the hope of Christ, pursuing God’s love, righteousness, and goodness.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.(2 Corinthians 7 : 10)
Prayer exists for this purpose: to help the weaknesses of true Christians whose sole goal is to pursue the hope of Christ that flows from the love of God, and to grant them the mighty power of God’s love—a power poured into them so that the evil habits of humanity, which inevitably repeat sin, may be put to death. In other words, the purpose of prayer is that we may receive the divine power within the mighty love of God, which enables us to destroy the sinful habits and members of the body that act as stumbling blocks to forming within us the divine nature—the very character of God—that resembles the God of love.
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.(1 Peter 1 : 5)
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.(1 Corinthians 1 : 17~21)
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.(2 Corinthians 13 : 4)
All forms of faith that do not obtain the power of God within His mighty love—regardless of who they belong to—are nothing more than the children of the devil, condemned to repeat sin throughout their entire lives. They remain sinners. But the children of God are freed from sin and do not live a lifetime of continual transgression as Christians of the world do.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.(1 John 3 : 6~10)
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.(Romans 6 :16~18)
Most Christians today spend their entire lives seeking only solutions for their family problems, business problems, workplace problems, relationship problems, children’s problems, and health problems. This is because their faith and their prayers are directed solely toward the worldly and fleshly life that is the very root of sin.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.(Exodus 20 : 7)(Deuteronomy 5 : 11)(Leviticus 19 : 11~12)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.(Romans 14 : 7)
Those who commit sin belong to the devil, yet the blind do not realize that these words apply to themselves. Because blind teachers instruct blind learners, they grow increasingly indifferent to their own sins, increasingly bold, shameless, and brazen—so hardened that they no longer feel any pangs of conscience. Thus, there are far too many vain, detestable, and deceitful fleshly forms of faith. This is because their faith follows the lusts and desires of the flesh, which can only continue repeating sin.
The purpose for which these people claim to believe in God is nothing more than their own happiness, blessing, success, and prosperity. Their faith is nothing but a cunning faith that pursues their own desires and expectations, all while wishing to enter heaven as well. Yet desire gives birth to sin, and sin gives birth to death and judgment. The reflections and repentance of Christians today—like the trivial writings in a child’s diary—are never the repentance of rebirth in Christ.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;(Ephesians 5 : 3)(1 Samuel 12 : 21)
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.(Romans 13 : 14)
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.(1 Timothy 6 : 9~10)
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.(Proverbs 23 : 4)
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.(Psalms 115 : 4)(Proverbs 11 : 28)(Psalms 135 : 15)
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.(Ecclesiastes 11 : 9)
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.(2 Timothy 2 : 22~23)
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.(Psalms 17 : 14)
Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!(Isaiah 5 : 8)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world….(1 John 2 : 15~17)
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.(James 4 : 3~4)
The faith of all religious people today is the same: they spend their entire lives, like Esau, seeking only the concerns of the flesh—problems of family, business, work, children, relationships, and health—pursuing nothing but their own happiness, success, blessing, and prosperity. Because their faith seeks only the worldly concerns of the flesh, they are unable even to receive the love of the truth or the opportunity for repentance.
The purpose of repentance and reflection is that one might no longer commit sin. The repentance of Christ begins with denying and casting away the very life of the flesh that follows lust and desire, a life that can only repeat sin.
In other words, the repentance of Christians who continue to regret and reflect, yet turn back and repeatedly commit sin according to their own interests—living out a continuous cycle of evil habits—is never the true repentance of Christ. For those who live with the hope of Christ, pursuing the love of the cross that gives even one’s own life, sin born of desire and lust does not arise.
No matter how diligently a person attends church, calls upon the name of God, prays, and practices a religious life, if they spend their entire life seeking solutions to their family problems, business problems, workplace problems, children’s problems, relationship problems, and health problems, then regardless of who they are, such a faith belongs to the flesh and leads to death and judgment.
That is to say, because their faith follows only their own desires—seeking nothing but personal happiness, success, blessing, and prosperity—they can never live according to God’s holy will, which requires pursuing the hope of Christ that follows the love of the cross, even to the point of laying down one’s life.
Those who follow desire seek only the worldly concerns that continually produce death; thus their faith is a fleshly faith that leads to death and judgment.
(For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.) but the sorrow of the world worketh death.(2 Corinthians 7 : 10) Only those who live the life of Christ—the life of the Spirit—are the people of Christ in whom the Spirit of Christ works, and they alone are the true spiritual Christians. Those who merely call upon the name of God while spending their entire lives seeking only their own happiness, blessing, success, and prosperity are never true Christians. A true Christian, who lives by pursuing the love of Christ that sacrifices even one’s own life, neither lives for himself nor dies for himself. (For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.)(Romans 14 : 7)
In other words, there is absolutely no true Christian who seeks his own happiness, blessing, success, or prosperity. If you truly desire to be freed from sin, then come out from the corrupted, heretical, and deceitful fleshly faith that serves God together with the world and material things. Take up your own cross, pursue the life of Christ—the spiritual life—and obtain the power of Christ’s love! Truth is not a matter of words, theories, teachings, or the emotional inspiration that makes believers repeat a lifetime of awakening, determination, and resolve. Truth is the divine power that appears only within the love of Christ.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.(2 Timothy 3 : 16~17)
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.(Ephesians 4 : 15~16)
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.(Titus 2 : 11~15)
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.(Colossians 2 : 18~19)
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.(Titus 3 : 3~7)
It is not the temporary goodness or righteousness that one practices for a moment by following emotional inspiration from words, but the love that is carried out by the power of God, pursued through the love of God. Leading people to receive this love—to receive the gift of God’s power that supplies it—is the true meaning of truth. Those who remain within the true truth that follows love do not pursue desire; therefore, they do not commit sin. For it is the power of God that leads, governs, and works in them, and because of this, they do not fall into sin. Emotional inspiration from words and theories is never the truth. True truth is what leads a person to receive the power that enables them to escape the bondage of sin that repeats sin and repentance.
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.(1 Peter 1 : 5)
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.(1 Corinthians 1 : 17~18)
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.(2 Corinthians 13 : 4)
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.(1 John 3 : 14)
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.(3 John 1 : 11)
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.(James 4 : 17)
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.(2 Corinthians 9 : 7~9)(Psalms 112 : 6~9)
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.(Proverbs 14 : 31~32)
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:(1 Timothy 6 : 14)
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.(Exodus 20 : 7)(Deuteronomy 5 : 11)(Leviticus 19 : 11~12)
Just like today’s Christians who spend their whole lives repenting and reflecting yet turn back and commit sin again, a true Christian does not follow lust or selfish desire, and therefore does not fall into such sins. Because the blind teach and the blind learn—never realizing that the Scripture saying “whoever commits sin is of the devil” applies directly to themselves—they gradually come to take their own sins lightly. They become increasingly bold, shameless, and brazen, to the point where they no longer feel even the slightest pang of conscience.
Such vain, detestable, and deceitful fleshly faith is exceedingly common, for it is a faith driven by the desires and cravings of the flesh—a faith that cannot help but repeat sin. Their purpose in believing in God is merely to obtain their own happiness, blessings, success, and prosperity. It is nothing more than a cunning faith that seeks to pursue one’s own desires while also wanting to enter heaven.
But desire gives birth to sin, and sin brings forth death and judgment. The shallow reflections and repentance of many Christians—no different from a child’s diary—are never the repentance that leads to the true rebirth in Christ.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.(Romans 13 : 8~10)
A shepherd of God is a shepherd of love—one who leads people to receive the power of God’s love that enables them to be freed from sin.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.(Romans 6 : 16~18)
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.(1 Peter 4 : 1~2)
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.(Jeremiah 23 : 21~22)
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.(James 5 : 19~20)
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.(Daniel 12 : 3)(Malachi 2 : 5~6)
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.(1 John 3 : 5~10)
Those who possess the gift of power—the power that works through God’s might united with divine love—do not repeat sin. This is because they do not follow the lusts and desires that belong to the world and to the flesh, but instead pursue the love of Christ as their goal and the hope of Christ as their aim. It is the faith of Christ that delivers a person from the limitations of the flesh, which otherwise can do nothing but repeat sin.
In other words, all Christians today who claim to believe in God and to practice God’s love, yet continue repeating the same cycle of sin and regret just like worldly people, are those who serve God for the sake of their own desires—serving God while clinging to the world and to material things. Such people stand on corruption, heresy, and falsehood, for they deny and disgrace the love of Christ’s cross and cling instead to a fleshly faith.
But those who renounce and deny everything that belongs to this world and the flesh—everything that will eventually perish—and pursue only the love of the cross, inevitably bear the fruits and evidence of God’s love, because the power of love that comes from dwelling in Christ’s love is manifested in them. Only those who abide in God’s love obtain God’s power, wisdom, truth, grace, and salvation.
Christians who continually repeat sin are children of the devil, not children of God. Therefore, do not become a religious follower shaped by human institutions, but become a true Christian who follows love—according to the holy will of God who created mankind.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.(Romans 6 : 16~18)
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.(Romans 8 : 19~21)