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Why is it that I feel that God hasn't forgiven me?

Why is it that I feel that God has left me, that I feel unwanted. My life is an empty shell; have I done something wrong for him to do this to me. I pray everyday and night for forgiveness, but I never have been given an answer.

Thanks for writing.

First, you need to make sure that you are a Christian. You do this by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), believing that word (Hebrews 6:11), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20), confessing Jesus as Lord and Christ (Matthew 10:27,28; Romans 10:10), being baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) and then living a faithful Christian life (Revelation 2:10). If you haven’t been saved according to this plan, then you are not truly saved and that may be the reason that you feel the way you do. When the Ethiopian Eunuch followed this plan, he rejoiced (Acts 8:26-40 note vs. 39).

Second, if you are a Christian, then God forgives when you ask. 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our faults that God is faithful and just to forgive us. A lot of times people don’t “feel” like they have been forgiven. Well, God doesn’t give us any special feeling to make us “know” that we have been forgiven. God promises us forgiveness and it is up to us to trust God and have faith in His word. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

There is another reason why you may not feel forgiven, though. I don’t know your life, so I can’t judge you, but let me ask you some thought provoking questions for you to consider.

1) Am I doing everything that I can to seek God?s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)?
2) Am I searching the scriptures on a daily basis to let God speak to me (Acts 20:7)?
3) Am I praying to God on a regular basis (1 Thess. 5:17).
4) Am I attending services regularly (Hebrews 10:25)?
5) Am I practicing Christian kindness and love toward my fellow man (Romans 12:17-21)?
6) Am I avoiding sin in my life (Romans 6:1)?
7) Am I examining myself daily to make sure that I am in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5)?

Here are some very practical things that you can focus upon. If you are *not* practicing these things, then you shouldn?t feel good about your relationship with God, because God saves those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). If you *are* practicing these things, then you just need to increase your awareness that God loves you and wants you to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Studying God’s word more often will help with this awareness.

I sincerely hope that this helps in your relationship with God. Thank you for your question.