Witnessing to Christians....

[tenn4ever]

AmyE, thanks for that suggestion. I think that is one I will give a try. Thanks everyone else also. It's great to come here and get suggestions.

[StinkerBell]

Just trying to get more info so I can form some thoughts on the subject.


:wave Mailman Dan

[Betty]

My sister-in-law says she is a Christian. :idunno I honestly do not know.
She does not believe in going to Church says she gets all she needs from watching Joel Osteen on TV:gaah I have tried to tell her that she needs to get in to Church and get closer to God. She let me know quickly that she is always close to God. So for now, I am just praying for her.
betty

[tenn4ever]

Betty, you expressed for me the frustration I feel sometimes especially with some of my close relatives.

[Betty]

Tenn4ever,

It is hard dealing with family. I do not want her to get so mad that she stops listening to Joel Osteen completely because he is the only preaching she gets, but honestly I wish it was someone else she was listening to. I guess the only thing we can do is pray for family, because they are less likely to listen to us then strangers. sad but true.
I will say a prayer for your family. God says when two or more agree in prayer.:thumb
hugs :hug and prayers:pray
betty

[jgreen0227]

I think the best way to witness to christians that aren't "living" for Christ is to remind them of the Judgement Seat of Christ that is coming right after the Rapture. Many of us will be ashamed when the rewards are handed out and our works are tried by fire to see if they were good or not. We won't be judged on our sins, because Christ already was judged on the cross for those, BUT, our works after we became christians will be investigated by Jesus at this judgement. Not a lot of christians know about this judgement, but it is clearly in the bible and told to us by Paul. Read this...

http://www.circlegame.com/live/seat.htm

[Everlasting]

Letting our Spirit show forth our gifts, and blessings, is the best way to get someone's attention.

Ecc 9:17

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

Our heaviness of heart from the evil of this world, can only be overcome, through prayer and supplication. Rebuke the ill's that we have learned to overcome through prayers for others.

Act 6:4

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word.

Overcoming evil with good, and continuing to have faith that God's grace will be imparted, is the best recourse. Let not your heart be troubled.


:hug

Everlasting

Bible Inspired Science Fiction Author
Moon Over Key Biscayne
bn.com

[HeIsEnough]

I think the best way to witness to christians that aren't "living" for Christ is to remind them of the Judgement Seat of Christ that is coming right after the Rapture. Many of us will be ashamed when the rewards are handed out and our works are tried by fire to see if they were good or not. We won't be judged on our sins, because Christ already was judged on the cross for those, BUT, our works after we became christians will be investigated by Jesus at this judgement. Not a lot of christians know about this judgement, but it is clearly in the bible and told to us by Paul. Read this...

http://www.circlegame.com/live/seat.htm

Amen, good advice, nice post.

[Christy]

This is something which has been bothering me for some time, probably for several years. How do you witness to someone - relative, neighbor, friend - who says they are already a Christian but who rarely goes to church and who in other ways demonstrate an un-Christ-like personality?

I question these assumptions basically because:
1) They can be out of church simply because they cannot find a doctrinally sound church.
2) Their "unchristian-like personality" can be due to numerous things and not necessarily mean they aren't christians.
3) Many christians draw the conclusion that they are to judge other's motives and hearts - but in essence ONLY God knows our hearts and our motives.

Unless you know something I don't regarding their salvation, I'd say that you need to pray for them, not just try and witness to them.

If I were to be judged by this very same thing, I wouldn't come out smelling like roses at all because basically I don't go to church because I can't find one that's doctrinally sound - although I must admit I'm still looking. Secondly I can just view what my personality would seem like to certain people as I'm rather a quiet person, I'm also a perfectionist and I don't like certain things - so if I inherited my personality from my parents/grandparents and God made me that way - must I change the type of person I am - to suit other people? Isn't that a tad legalistic, and how pray does one change one's personality? I'd rightfully say one is to change and build one's character though.

[tenn4ever]

Christy, I'm sorry you took my post the wrong way. I don't in anyway judge these friends, neighbors and relatives. These are not relationships that have just begun but are people I would have known for some time. In the case of friends and relatives - for years. In the case of some of my neighbors - for at least a couple years. Over that amount of time a person can have some questions about whether we should just accept at face value that a person is a Christian or if we should say a little more. I think the suggestions which were given above in some of the posts are excellent ones - prayer for the person, living a Christian example or even as was suggested, at some point, asking them about their Christian experience (how they came to know Christ). I thought that was an excellent suggestion.

Let me give an example of a dear neighbor. He indicates when talking to him that he is a Christian (we've known him for two years) but he speaks of God in a general sense as a deity - sort of "new age" language and different ways to get to Heaven. He and his family never go to church. We live in an area where there are about fifteen to twenty churches within a couple miles so I don't think it's a matter of finding one which is doctrinally sound.

Keep in mind I'm not saying he's not a Christian but I am trying to discern what God would have me do as far as talking and witnessing to neighbors, friends and relatives who make it clear by what they say and do that they don't understand "that" personal relationship with Jesus or having been born again. It's much easier if a person knows right out that the other person is not a Christian.