Faith becoming stagnant. What do I do?

[Texasbluebonnet]

I guess I am a Christian because I answered "yes" to all but one of the questions on a previous post. The last one I answered "I hope". I really hope that my sins are forgiven. Are they really forgiven if you just ask to be forgiven and even if you commit the same sins over and over again? Also, I feel that my walk as a Christian has become stagnant. I feel I've lost my heart, my...fervor I guess. Can anyone offer advice on how to get that back? I need that fire back, that drive, the passion. I remember I didn't used to feel so dispassionate. I felt much more alive than this. Please, I need help on how to get back to where I used to be. I am trying, but what can I do proactively that will get me where I want to be?

[rocklife]

I guess I am a Christian because I answered "yes" to all but one of the questions on a previous post. The last one I answered "I hope". I really hope that my sins are forgiven. Are they really forgiven if you just ask to be forgiven and even if you commit the same sins over and over again?no, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning," meaning deliberately, not accidental. 1 John 3:9
Also, I feel that my walk as a Christian has become stagnant. I feel I've lost my heart, my...fervor I guess. Can anyone offer advice on how to get that back? I need that fire back, that drive, the passion. I remember I didn't used to feel so dispassionate. I felt much more alive than this. Please, I need help on how to get back to where I used to be. I am trying, but what can I do proactively that will get me where I want to be?
I encourage continue in Bible studies daily and be a doer. Also it can be helpful to learn of other strong Christians and their life story and testimony. That can also help you. William Tyndale, Wycliffe, Corrie ten Boom,and William Carey are very inspirational, and of course Bible people like Joseph and Daniel. You can even find Bible cartoons and movies to help you learn their lives a little more. some of them are found from www.visionvideo.com Learning their sacrifice and their stories is encouraging and can help us too. if you continue in studying the Bible every day, you will grow. His words help so much and learning from other strong faithful ones, especially from persecuted christians, can be really encouraging. And then be a doer of Jesus' teachings. christians are supposed to learn about Jesus and then copy His message and life too "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6. I encourage you to also read through the New Testament more than relying on sermons and preachings, so many wolves in sheep clothing, we cannot love God and money, the bible says, and many leaders love money, we cannot follow that, according to the bible.

[FrauleinElsa]

Dig in deeper to prayer and Bible reading. Everyone goes through times like this, you just have to trust that God is always there. Also, what are you doing in your life to cause this? If you feel as though God has moved, odd are it's you. Remove anything from your life that is a distraction so that you can put your focus back where it needs to be. Stay strong and resist the urge to slide back. It's easy to do, but this could be a chance to learn and grow.

[TheSuperNews]

Well, I think the reason that you are feeling you have become stagnant is that you ensared by your sins, it sounds like you are sinking back into the briars, or letting the weeds of life start to choke you.

Just because Jesus rescued you once, does not mean that it is the end of his rescuing nature. Jesus lives to intercede for us, he lives to rescue us.

Paul talked of the struggle between his fallen human nature and his Spirit controlled life. Faith really is the result of choosing to believe in Jesus Christ, and submitting to Holy Spirit. If you learn to submit to Holy Spirit, and allow him to live inside you. Faith never wains, because faith is the result of believing and relying on the Spirit of God within you to live and obey God. What wains in you is your belief, more exactly, your decision to believe in who Christ said and showed he was and is. When you choose to believe in who Christ is, and submit to the indwelling of Holy Spirit to live the life of Christ within you, you will have faith again, because faith comes from God, and is God in you. Holy Spirit in you has all the faith you will ever need.

By the way God way, God said he will never leave or forsake you. Therefore you do not have to worry that God is distant from you. It is us and our sins that put distance between God and us. But God has revealed a way to get right with him.

Ask God forgiveness for your sins. Then choose to believe he will do, and has done, to cancel your sins. When you sincerely ask for forgiveness God is willing and ready to forgive you.

Then submit your whole life to God, to Holy Spirit within you. When Jesus was a human, he had prior to his birth, emptied himself of all his Jesus powers, but was constantly filled with Holy Spirit, and holy Father, whose life in him gave him the power to overcome every temptation. We have the same Spirit in us that Jesus the human had and relied on to overcome evil. Holy Spirit, God within us is waiting to live his powerful life, the life of Jesus in and through us. So after you have prayed for forgiveness, then submit yourself to God's control and strength.

Then expect God will start to transform you into the zealous obedient servant he desire of you. The process is called "santification" God is teaching us Christians to be the supple, Holy Spirit-compliant servants he wants.

Ask for forgiveness, and let God control you. Always choose to believe God loves you, and God will win the victory in you, if you continue to choose to believe.

[heymikey80]

I guess I am a Christian because I answered "yes" to all but one of the questions on a previous post. The last one I answered "I hope". I really hope that my sins are forgiven. Are they really forgiven if you just ask to be forgiven and even if you commit the same sins over and over again?
Maybe you're a Christian; but maybe your questioning is that Spirit of God prodding you to want to grow in your faith. It's good that you're asking.

Believing in Christ is often misunderstood. It means "relying on Christ", resting on Him and His righteousness and strength to save you.

But that means you're involved. If you rely on Christ, Christ intends to transform you from the inside out. Pp 2:12-13 When you see that transformation, it's a confirmation: God's at work in you, and He shall complete His work in you for salvation.

If you don't see anything in your life that's changing, that's an ominous sign. I can't help you point out what's happening. The Spirit decides what to make new in you. But if there's nothing -- I think I'd be talking with my pastor to try to find out what's going on.
Also, I feel that my walk as a Christian has become stagnant. I feel I've lost my heart, my...fervor I guess. Can anyone offer advice on how to get that back?
Normally that comes with seeing God alongside of your work. When you see God at work in you -- it's not a "stagnant" feeling. I always remember Abraham's response, as a 99 year old man, when he saw God at Mamre. He ran. Can you see anything so odd as a 99 year old running?
I need that fire back, that drive, the passion. I remember I didn't used to feel so dispassionate. I felt much more alive than this. Please, I need help on how to get back to where I used to be. I am trying, but what can I do proactively that will get me where I want to be?
Sometimes I read 1 John. Sometimes I read Ephesians or another short book. But I wouldn't read 'em as if they're ... all religious and stuff. I remember my first encounter with 1 John in its own language. I was staring at the starting words thinking, "Wait a minute -- a real guy wrote this. He wasn't playing at religion. He didn't use his 'sermon voice.' He was tortured and exiled because he knew this guy Jesus who got up after He had died. And now he's telling ... me. He's serious."

[MrPolo]

"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning," meaning deliberately, not accidental. 1 John 3:9

I think the correct understanding of this passage is that this person will not "continue" to sin...not that he is not "capable" of sinning. This person will stumble, but not continue as such for long. To do so "accidentally" wouldn't be a sin at all.

To say we cannot sin is specifically denounced in Scripture by John in 1 John 1:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20john%201:8&version=31).

At any rate to the OP, I would continue to pray, pray, pray. The life of a Christian is full of struggle. Your suffering is a participation (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians%201:24&version=31) in the sufferings of Christ. Use it to draw yourself closer to Christ. Use it to determine where God would have you go.

To suffer innocently is to imitate Christ. And look what glory came from Him enduring it. God will create you more beautiful every day if you stay with Him through your suffering!:)

[JKid]

you have to remeber that feelings change from day to day. Sometimes you will feel like you are the closest to GOD but other times you will feel far away from him. My advice for you would be to spend some time each day reading the word and seeking GOD in prayer for guidanceand he will lead you back on to the correct path.

[annalisa201]

You must forgive others to be forgiven. It's like a rule... you reap what you sow. And watching TBN has helped me :)

[Kryzoz]

Christ died for ALL your sins, not some of them. The Lord understands that we are all human. Even Paul the Apostle had battles. He says "why do I find myself doing the things which I do not want to do, and not doing the things that I want."(Paraphrase) Romans is an awesome book to read to get a better grasp on the battle between sin and sanctification. In my opinion Christian maturity is like an evolution. You don't wake up one morning a saint, just like you don't wake up one morning an alcoholic. It is a process.
As for your stagnation: My opinion is that the Lord is going to grow you. Continue in prayer and in the scriptures. Also, you might want to take up a new office in your church. The extra responsibility helps you rely on God more.
~Kryzoz

[Johnnz]

You are part of a huge multitude who have discovered that the Christian life is a journey, not a sudden elevation to an exalted state. Growth takes place over time. Allow for that.

Sometimes we are given a pretty unsatisfactory account of what knowing God is all about. Then we 'run dry' because we have not discovered the vitality of an exciting vision. Good reading has helped me tremendously here.

John
NZ

[salida]

Well, after you repented did you ask the Lord for the Holy Spirit? He will give you the power to live a christian life and therefore you will sin less and less - your nature will change from the old nature to the new one. We will never be sinless on earth - but one won't want to practice it.

It takes time and we are to die daily and therefore, crusify ourselves with Christ daily. Its a life long commitment and lifestyle.

Without the Holy Spirit - its impossible to live the christian life. We can't rely on our human power - because it will always disappoint us.

I would pray and ask God to help me with His Holy Spirit. Pray until it stops - it will!

[jazzypooh]

I guess I am a Christian because I answered "yes" to all but one of the questions on a previous post. The last one I answered "I hope". I really hope that my sins are forgiven. Are they really forgiven if you just ask to be forgiven and even if you commit the same sins over and over again? Also, I feel that my walk as a Christian has become stagnant. I feel I've lost my heart, my...fervor I guess. Can anyone offer advice on how to get that back? I need that fire back, that drive, the passion. I remember I didn't used to feel so dispassionate. I felt much more alive than this. Please, I need help on how to get back to where I used to be. I am trying, but what can I do proactively that will get me where I want to be?
you know, sometimes when i feel like that it's because God is trying to draw me to Him - just for some alone time. something may have happened that might have discouraged me or distracted me from an assignment or just from His presence, and God would want to speak to me about it. so He causes the brook to dry up so that I'll come to Him and be refreshed in His presence. so usually what i'll do is i'll either spend some time in worship (and stay there until i feel released) or i'll go on a fast to clear my mind and spirit so God can speak to me and i can hear Him more clearly. i'll usually do which ever one the Spirit leads me to do. so maybe you should just get somewhere alone with God AWAY from people and just spend some alone time with Him. spend some time in worship. if He speaks to you and tells you to do something, do it. make sure you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. if you ask for forgiveness and mean it, He'll forgive you. simple as that. as long as you are a work IN PROGRESS than you're fine. the very fact that you're uncomfortable with your sin tells me that the Holy Spirit is working with you to bring about a change in your life. He IS changing you. don't ever doubt that. conviction is the 1st step to conformity. so don't beat yourself up. forgive yourself, go to God and ask Him to forgive you and spend more time with Him in worship. pray in the Spirit more. when you do that, it's not you praying, but the Holy Spirit is interceding for you and praying for you. so that prayer is perfect and unbiased. not only that but it increases your faith; it builds you up.

so you just need to be refreshed again in His presence. go to Him and worship Him. stay there until He releases you to leave. right before God takes you to a deeper place in Him, you're spirit begins to feel uncomfortable and dried up. you feel thirsty in your spirit like something is missing or something. that's because God is moving you to another place. that's what He's trying to do with you. and the devil is trying to make you feel condemned about your progress, so that you won't go deeper in God. but you fight the good fight of faith. don't let the enemy discourage you or make you feel guilty about where you are. continue in prayer. continue to read your Bible. and spend more time with God in worship. when he tries to make you doubt your progress in God, quote Philippians 1:6 back at him and know that God is completing that work in you.

Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you WILL perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus

be confident of what God is doing in your life and know that He WILL see it through unto completion. :clap:

God bless you Sis! :hug:

[Proph]

I pray that you ask GOD to lead you to a Pastor and I pray that you will take the step afterwards to go and visit. IN Jesus name AMEN AMEN AMEN

Ps. Faith comes be hearing the word of GOD, but that person has to be sent. Such as Pastors. That's their roll to feed the sheeps.