I don’t feel like a true Christian
Question:
I am 27 years old, I’ve gone to church all my life but never felt like a Christian. I made the decision to become one and live right. (I was baptized as well.) Does it take a while to become a true Christian? I don’t feel like one -- like a true one -- if that makes sense. I know I just really started. I almost feel lost. I pray about these things. I will keep praying and hoping I get better at this.
Answer:
"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (I John 2:3-6).
We live in a time when people value feelings over reality. Yet, God is very clear that feelings are unreliable. The heart is considered to be the center of a person's feelings. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered" (Proverbs 28:26). It is what you do in accordance with what is wise that makes a difference.
How do you know if you are following Christ? John tells us to look at what we are doing. If we are keeping the commands of Christ, then we have a close relationship with Christ. If you are uncertain about whether you keeping the commands of Christ, then you need to start studying the Scriptures more and applying what you learn to your life.
This completely changes the problem from a subjective feeling to an objective examination of your life. There are far too many people who feel that they are close to God and going to heaven, but they break God's laws because they are inconvenient to them. These people are simply lying to themselves. You are able to know that you are a true Christian but looking at the things you are doing.
