"I'm not a real Christian because I still have bad thoughts and doubts. Real Christians don't struggle like I do."
How it sounds in your head: You pray but still get tempted by stuff you shouldn't. You have questions about the Bible that 'good Christians' don't ask. If people knew what you actually thought about, they'd know you're faking being a believer. You're not really saved.
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
-- Romans 8:38-39Religion's lie that salvation is maintained by perfect thoughts, rooted in law-based Christianity rather than grace.
He's comparing his internal struggles to others' external appearances and believes 'real faith' means no doubts or temptations. He's measuring salvation by behavior instead of blood.
Peter DENIED Jesus three times with curses after three years of ministry. Jesus didn't make him 're-earn' salvation through a probation period—He INSTANTLY restored him by the beach, gave him keys to the kingdom, and Peter preached Pentecost weeks later.
I REFUSE the lie that my bad thoughts or doubts disqualify me from being a real Christian. IT IS WRITTEN that NOTHING can separate me from God's love—not things present, not things to come, not my worst thought. My salvation is based on Jesus' BLOOD, not my behavior. IT IS WRITTEN in John 10:28 that I shall NEVER perish and no one can snatch me from His hand. I am not defined by perfect thoughts—I'm defined by His perfect sacrifice. I stand in Romans 8:1—there is NO condemnation for me in Christ Jesus. My identity is GIFT, secured by covenant, unshakeable by struggle.
Your Father isn't waiting for you to stop having bad thoughts to finally accept you. He's already embraced you like the prodigal—while you still smelled like the pig pen. Your struggles don't surprise Him or change His love.