Witnessing to Christians....

[tenn4ever]

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?

Sometimes these people will assure me they are a Christian so how can I say anything to them without appearing to judge them or appearing to think they are not truthfully telling others that they are a Christian. I know it's for God to judge and I don't judge them harshly but I do worry about their salvation and that they may be lying to themselves.

Does anyone else run into that predicament?

[romans224]

One way can be using scripture. If your heart is concern for them then you are not judging but rather loving. Sometimes the best way to examine (I will use the term me and I) myself would be how can I know I am a christian? Well fruit comes with faith. Is God charter rubbing off on me? Am I growing since I devoted my life to Christ? In what ways can I improve my walk. Family members are harder to talk to because some allow thier hearts to be harden thus being decieved.

The best way for me is if they believe they are Christian talk about God's word. If they get uncomfortable ask why (since they profess Christ) Remeber you are doing this in love so if they jump down your throat you are IN NO WAY judging them. Hope this helps!

[Jesuslover_2002]

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?

Sometimes these people will assure me they are a Christian so how can I say anything to them without appearing to judge them or appearing to think they are not truthfully telling others that they are a Christian. I know it's for God to judge and I don't judge them harshly but I do worry about their salvation and that they may be lying to themselves.

Does anyone else run into that predicament?


go to kirk and ray comforts website. Www.wayofthemaster.com. I hope this helps.:hug

[tenn4ever]

Thank you.

[AllforHim]

:hug I've had the same problem and my heart is so burdened for them!! The way of the master helped me.:)

[amy_elisabeth]

Listen to this sermon then have them listen to it. It's free to download and distribute or you can buy it:

http://www.livingwaters.com/learn/trueandfalse.htm

I hand these out to people who profess to be Christians, but who clearly don't show fruit. It's one of 3 sermons God used to show me the truth... that I wasn't saved all those years that I thought I was... and I even taught Bible studies and was a youth group leader. Pretty scary, huh?

[StinkerBell]

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?

Sometimes these people will assure me they are a Christian so how can I say anything to them without appearing to judge them or appearing to think they are not truthfully telling others that they are a Christian. I know it's for God to judge and I don't judge them harshly but I do worry about their salvation and that they may be lying to themselves.

Does anyone else run into that predicament?
Can you provide a more detailed explanation please. Thanks.

[tenn4ever]

I'm not really sure how you want me to explain further but I will try to give some examples and see if that will help.

We've had neighbors(at least three sets I can think of) over the years in two different places we've lived who we've been friends with (not best friends) who we have invited to church and have tried to witness to. Upon doing either of these two things they would tell us they attend so and so church and that they are already a Christian or that they became a Christian at so and so age. What more could we say to them? We just have to go with it and accept that they are even though over time we came to realize they never "darken" the door of a church as the expression goes and when socializing with them we see actions which are definitely not Christian. It just makes it difficult to know what to do.

Plus, I have a couple relatives (very close relatives) who I've talked to about their relationship with Christ and they say "oh, I'm okay in that area" and then very firmly close the subject. I'm close enough to both of these relatives to know probably otherwise so what can I say to them.

This is a little bit different case but I'll throw it in.
In the case of some friends I've been told that they believe so and so (mystical new age type beliefs) and they expect others to respect their beliefs and to please not discuss my Christian beliefs with them.

I guess some people might say that these people have made their decisions so we have to let it go. I do pray for them.

One thing I did do recently with one of my close relative who says he's "okay" but likes to really argue about faith is that I gave him Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" and wrote him a letter which I included.

I guess I need to know when to stop and not say anything more to some of these folks.

[amy_elisabeth]

You can always ask for their conversion story. Just say, "Hey, I'd love to hear when you were born again. Will you tell me your conversion story?"

[Mailman Dan]

Hey Stink...

I have friends that do the same. While claiming to be "Christian" they use God's name as a curse word daily. They take pride in living in sin, rather than making an effort to flee from it. Most of them don't understand the concept of sin. I wasn't much different when I was a false convert.

The link Amy posted about true and false conversion is very bibical. Jesus stated many would come to Him and say "Lord Lord, didn't we do things in your name?"

Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Reality is, there are many that profess to be Christians, that are not. God will be the judge at sorting them out, but we should never limit outreach to those who just say they are "not" Christians.

Dan~~~>suggest checking out the audio (or video)