I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father (and the Son),
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

If you disagree with any of it, then how is it the defining line in the sand of whether you are a Christian or not? I ask this because, by necessity, some denomination have to reject the last paragraph.

As a 23 year old man, I have the strongest desire in my life than ever before to spread the good news but Im just not sure how I can get through to people when so many people in this world have hardened hearts.

I want everyone to know and understand that the love that Jesus Christ offers is something every soul not just wants, but needs. We need Jesus just as much as our lungs need air to breathe. But most people I talk to just don’t comprehend or understand that.

He has changed my life and is continuing to mold me into the person I need to be. He gives a peace the world can’t give to us.

Satan is deceiving so many every single day in this chaotic world and it makes my soul sad to see other souls lost. I want as many people to know that their true spiritual peace can be found in the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Jesus Christ is the name above all names and Im proud to say it!

I recently lost something important im a huge clutz but I went out of my way to really make sure this never happened and so honestly one of my first thoughts was to pray to find it lol. in my situation in particular I’ve already got a huge situation with god and I’m already so far so in comparison it’s minuscule but I still do pray I find it.

Im just wondering do other people do that? And even though im on thin ice with god right now with my situation could I maybe pray about it?

It is so hard to find genuine friends in general when you are already older (I’m 29F) it seems, but especially Christian ones.
Most people do not seem to know how to communicate and reciprocate a genuine connection, at least the way I’d like.

Is there something wrong with me? Are my “standards” too high. I have been told I’m too picky before. 😭 though I feel it is the bare minimum.

I feel like I just have such a short fuse now with others. Once someone starts to consistently not acknowledge me or what I’m saying, I just don’t want to partake anymore.
I lose interest quickly.
It has happened so much now where I’m not given the same that I’m giving within a friendship or relationship that I’m just over it. I do trust God with it though… is anyone else experiencing this 😭

There is still a battle that we must overcome in this life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our strength in victory so that we may inherit the promise.

If perseverance of the saints were true, the New Testament authors and Christ himself didnt get the memo. Here is the truth laid bare.

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

— Revelation 2:4–5

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

— Revelation 2:18–23

Hence why Christ warns genuine believers to return to their proper state of being if perseverance of the saints were true; how is it possible that these beleivers abandoned the faith they had at first?

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise.” — Hebrews 10:36

Again, why are belivers being told they have need of endurance if faith necessarily produces endurance?

2 Peter 1:5–10 — “make every effort,” “be diligent”

Why make every effort if the faith you expressed at first was the end-all, be-all?

1 Peter 5:8–9:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11

Why is Satan still presented as a genuine threat to believers? If indeed perseverance of the saints were true, this would be nonsensical.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…”

— 1 Timothy 6:12

What is there to fight for or take hold of? It's already been done, as they say...

7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

— Galatians 6:7–9

There is clearly a sense in which giving up is a real possibility in Paul's mind; this is incompatible with the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. Furthermore, Paul warns the belivers not to sow to the flesh, which shouldn't be possible under this framework.

These verses only scratch the surface; there are hundreds of verses that directly fly in the face of this doctrine, and I'd wish Christians would start to take the scriptures seriously and revolt agaisnt the false doctrines that infiltrated and seduced the Churches.

I got saved a little over 1 year ago but have neglected reading my Bible tbh.

I’ve struggled with cptsd, ocd, depression, self hatred and anxiety disorder all my life and I’m in a really dark place right now.

God has blessed me with a wonderful, loving husband but my mental illness makes it hard for me to fully commit. I‘m scared to my core of hurting or disappointing him and I think about leaving because of this.

I started grabbing my Bible more often and I actually want to stick to reading and journaling daily. It’s actually my last straw tbh since therapy and medication haven’t done too much for me.

Has it helped you with mental illness and general life quality? Do you have any tips on how specifically you’ve journaled? I was thinking about a gratitude type journal. And just writing down Bible verses that give me hope.

I really hope there is light

​

Hi, ive been getting into faith for a little over a year. It started with praying, then going to church and finally learning a rosary. I went to confession like 2 weeks aho for the first time ever. I was in there for over an hour and it was so wonderful. I also thought abt it more and more and reflected and thought that i wasnt so bad in sinning after all, that i didnz sin at all and that i was practically perfect...well, i think god wants to give me a sign and strike me down bc ive been rlly struggling to pray and stay away from sin.

I also noticed how i purposefully choose the "easy" way by just sinning and thinking: i dont care, god isnt real anyways, why should i restrict myself. It scares me and i want to get away from that mindset as quickly as possible bc i was in such a good place mentally after confession and i felt so joyful and healed and close to god...maybe with a bit too much pride.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Or does anyone know how to deal with this? Thank u so much for reading this, i know it might be weird and too personal but i rlly needed a place to finally speak my mind.

In the night before this day I prayed for our lord to give me peace, I asked him when I go out to meet someone I have feeling to him to show me the way , I cry for , if he is the one keep him god and if he is an evil take him away , the date was horrible when I get to home I cried more because it was bad and pray again before one hour they call me that he didn't want me and we are not gonna work together I thanked him but say that I'm sad that we are not together, now I remembered that the 🙏 prayers I said was indeed, glory to the lord he listens and make me an answer I'm sad but I'm happy with him work with me , I love you Jesus 🖤✝️

So I’ve been talking to this great guy for the last few weeks. He’s caring, emotionally mature, handsome, so sweet, he always makes me feel good about myself and so much more. We instantly connected the moment we met. I prayed to God to speak to me about if he is someone I should pursue and I feel like God has given me multiple signs to go for it however I recently found out the guy I like doesn’t believe in God. I don’t even know if this is right subreddit to post in (sorry to the mods if this is the wrong one) or if there is a Christian relationship subreddit I should be posting in either way I don’t know what to do.

Edit(I realized I should’ve added this up here and not at the bottom) : Okay you all have made valid points and yes being equally yoked is extremely important I guess I’m just a little disappointed. He seems like such a great guy and he’s been very understanding of me refraining from sex until marriage, he respects my beliefs etc but like I said the disappointment is there. I was hoping this relationship would be different and what’s crazy is that I wasn’t even looking for a relationship but we met each other, started talking and we instantly clicked. I asked him about going to church with me one day and he basically told me that he wouldn’t. I couldn’t really ask about it, it was late we both were tired so we just said our goodnights and went to bed. I want to talk about it more with him today but I’m not sure how to go about it.

Heyyy!!! I'm a boy.. 19 years old and I'm new into christianity. I'm was a complete atheïst, but now I'm reading the bible I pray etc, but I find it difficult.. can you help me?

I feel just... empty,stressed, not hungry,ignored, left out, alone and not excepted in this world and I want to find God really bad.. can anyone help me please??

I've been a "Christian" all my life and while I think deep down I believe, at least to an extent, there's this disconnect between me and God and the Christian life that has been there always as well. This past year I've been searching for God or a sense of understanding and peace but no matter what I've tried, I don't feel even remotely close to connecting. I've maintained some bad habits but I have tried to repent but that never works. I've tried surrender and praying for true surrender but that hasn't happened either. Every day I'm stressed about something to the point it makes me depressed and I turn away from God even more. I've asked God for solutions and help but I feel I'm in the desert. I heard someone tell me my lack of peace and progress comes from the fact I'm not Born Again. If this is true, how can I become Born Again truly so I can finally find peace and surrender in my life?

I feel like I’m to blame for a certain situation that I could have prevented. What if I had done things differently? The situation happened over five years ago and I think about it every single day and the feelings of guilt come back. I can’t forgive myself for it. I get stomach aches and have to cry because of it and I just want to scream because I can’t turn back time and undo what happened. Does anyone else struggle with feelings of guilt and what has helped you? I feel like this is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.

Why do people post things in r/TrueChristian seem designed to damage other people's faith in God or start arguments? Maybe the community reinforces their beliefs. For me, seeing these posts makes me feel hopeless and makes salvation seem extremely difficult or impossible, while the people making those posts seem to think they're spiritually ‘in the good.

I need counsel please. I dont want to write an essay on how I ended up in the trenches. Recently I got close to God again and its only gotten harder. I'm at my wits end. I am jobless, late on rent, stuck really and I have been hoping and trusting for so much. I need a word, encouragement or something I started fighting with him and leaving only to apologise and seek his presence right after. If you have any questions I will answer

Hello all,

A recent question (and form of doubt) I've been struggling with recently as a Christian is on why God created everything in the particular form it takes. This is not necessarily replicating the question of why we have evil and suffering, but why evil and suffering go to the levels that they do. For example, God could've allowed free will and its consequences of evil to be far less painful upon humans and animals than he did, but he made it so. The question "why does God allow kids to have cancer" doesn't necessarily challenge why evil/suffering exists alongside God, but moreso why God made such suffering exist in the first place, when so many other forms of suffering, many of which are far less painful, exist, and can enable equal growth in his creation, equal growth in us. We experience evil when someone steals from us or lies to us, we experience suffering when a child we know we know dies from illness or a natural disaster, and yet, God created a magnitude to those forms of evil and suffering - why DOES the illness of the child cause unfathomable pain when it didn't need to, why DOES the natural disaster, such as a tsunami or earthquake, have the magnitude it has? Why did God design everything in the way it is, when he could've done so much more, yes, but could've also done done so much less.

It's hard for me to articulate this question, so I hope it makes sense, but please let me know if it doesn't.

Thank you, and as always, God bless and keep you all.

I haven't thought hard about it until now, maybe I didn't but whatever, I say this because of my problems, like I frequently get an astmatic attack so frequent, I kinda loose some sleep over it though it is on me in some way still though, not to mention how horrible I'm doing academically, I legitimately can't do any form of math that isn't from fith grade, and knowing my mom and dad had me and my sister before marriage I think I'm their punishment sent from God and it makes me feel so insignificant such a failure am i

Though I wouldn't also say failure completely I am wanting to learn coding and so I am learning but other then that I cause so much problems to my parents, I do horrible decisions, I have horrible medical problems, one that can lead to cancer and a respiratory one I want to think I'm.not made to just punish my parents but so much of me seems to point to that aaahhh

So I’ve been feeling more and more lately that the divide between Catholics and Protestants isn’t as wide as I thought. One of my closest friends is Catholic and he’s given me a lot of really great insight into what Catholics believe and practice. I agree with a lot of the things he brings up if I’m being honest. I’ve grown up non denominational and was also told that Catholics have strange practices that don’t line up with scripture. From a distance I can understand why someone would say that, but once I had a handful of great conversations with my friend, I slowly started to realize we are a lot closer than I once thought. For example, (I’m giving a very rough summary of these ideas I know they get a lot more complex) Catholics believe it’s faith and good works that get you to heaven, Protestants believe good works is the result of your faith and your faith gets you to heaven. In both school of thought it’s faith, work and salvation all linked together, we just have different ways of phrasing it. I’ve been going to a catholic mass for the past several months and prior to that I was going to a non denomination, I love both of them and feel they both have areas that really shine. Does anyone else feel this way? Also I feel like my orthodox brothers and sisters probably have a lot of the same beliefs that’s I hold I just didn’t speak on that side because I frankly don’t know a lot about it yet.

I've asked people if they think they are saved and, based in my experience, they tend to answer in two ways:

1. "Yes, I am very confident in my salvation because I have faith that I am saved through Christ's death and resurrection." These people are confident that when they die they will be in heaven with God.

2. "Only God knows if I'm going to heaven or not at the end of the day he is the judge and my salvation is at his mercy." I think these people don't want to sound overly confident and try to be humble about whether they're saved or not.

So a while back I was attending a retreat for Christian and one of the Catholic priest was talking to us.

And the story he told us was this (paraphrasing it):

A pastor, who rejected Catholicism passed away. When his soul reached heaven Mary came down to hug him and welcome him. And the pastor asked why she was hugging him when he lived his life telling others not to venerate her.

She replied : because the pastor loved her son above everything else.

I have seen so many members of the Christian community divided among themselves and trying to argue who is the real Christian.

If you are more worried about whether your faith is the real way then aren't you just being performative.

It really doesn't matter whether you are a Catholic, protestant or orthodox.

As long as you believe Jesus Christ is the only saviour and you follow the two commandments that have been given to you, which are (love God above everything and love everyone else as much as yourself). It's simple but difficult commandment. Something we all struggle with. Because to love God and others we must be able to let go of the things that make you part of society.

Unable to explain all the details and the ins and outs of the situation in its entirety, but am hoping to get some guidance and clarity regarding a voice heard speaking clearly many years ago and more recently. The experience began years back but has reached a critical point recently.

Are there some people/situations where God needs to be very direct, blunt and straight forward?

I do believe that God can and at times does speak to individuals personally. I understand that not every voice is of God. Would God say something such as; "you had your chance", "you can't have your way" etc?

Without giving the context of the situation it may be a challenge to determine whether a voice heard would be God or not. Uncertain of what I have been hearing as the source. It is always accurate in what is spoken, even in regard to events or situations that are far ahead into the future.

Hello everyone,

This is my second time posting here, and I come back to read these prompts often, so it felt fitting to share this. I’m in a new stage of life: I’m married, I bought a home, everything is going well! However, lately there has been an attack on my mind regarding my past decisions.

Life couldn’t be better right now, but I haven’t always been the way I am today. A few years ago, I was a bit troubled: getting into fights, doing unchristian like things, and I was not the person I am today.

Looking back on these things fills me with rage and a bit of despair, I wish I could take back how I acted or carried myself. Lately, I find myself reflecting or lamenting on a past moments that I am not too proud of.

I’m looking for some advice to ease my mind and even to know I’m not alone in this. It has really impacted me lately and I don’t want my sadness to be portrayed onto my new marriage and many current blessings. Peace & thank you!

The last time I posted about my personal problems I thought to my self I won't do this again. Thats because I believe it removes attention from the more positive posts here. But here I am again hopefully this is the last time.

In my previous post, I complained about being a child of a narcissistic, emotionally and mentally manipulative unbelieving father. Some of the comments were ... "its a season, practice being a better Christian, its a test." Few people actually condemned my father's behaviour and wished me a better future. Thanks to the latter.

So its been a year and guess what? Same situation, first class degree holder cant get a job and cant leave my toxic father. I live in Africa to those wondering and my country has almost a non existent industry. However my friends did find work, which im happy for them. But it has me thinking, are my prayers unheard? Do my requests matter or am I an object of wrath. A person burdened to suffer from birth till death. That would not surprise me as that has been the highlight of my life. I used to laugh and say one day I will leave home and live a better life.

I need real help. Yes prayers help but also lend out a hand. I dont want your money, I need a referral, an opportunity to work my way out of this prison. I have the qualifications and a years experience.

I have been baptised for over a year now, and attending the church for 2 years, glory to God. That was just the beginning, my spiritual struggle increased 10x after that. I was aware this would happen and it certainly did. Like many people Lust has been the sin I have struggled with the most.

For such a long time I tried everything I could to avoid lusting and self abuse, and I felt genuinely shattered every time I would fall to the sin. I would rush to make my prayers and try my best to turn away from the sin. I did not despair and I found myself in Gods mercy.

But in the last few months, something changed and I don’t know what. These urges have been intensified to a point where it feels so hard and so wrong to flee from them.

I don’t understand how, I as a baptised person, who knows deep down in my soul of the goodness of God, of his mercies, of his kingdom and the promises of the things to come, and I can see this amazing creator who desires for my repentance, who genuinely loves me and wishes for my salvation, how do I know this truth, but still choose evil over Christ 9/10 times? Who even am I? I am like those who say to Christ “Lord lord” but never really knew him.

I hate my sin and wish I could please God and abide in his love everyday, but in the exact same breath I love my sin and my wicked fantasies which I seem to entertain more and more. Christ says those who love him will do his will, but I never do it, so how can I claim to love God? How can I get out of this mess?

I believe and confess that Christ is lord but I do not ever seek to please him or do his well. Increasingly my heart feels harder and I do not care for repentance as much as I used to, and I hate this fact. Please pray for me. This is more of a rant than a direct question I suppose but if someone would like to say anything that seems fitting I would appreciate that.

God be with us all