Our relationships with non-believers. (Full Version)

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slimon11 -> Our relationships with non-believers. (7/26/2008 7:44:03 PM)

I have a non-Christian friend that I met before I knew God. I have known her a long time and, in many ways we are very close. She knows that I am now Christian but, I do no talk to her about God because, I fear the timing is not right, her eyes are not yet ready to see.

I fear rejection, not so much for myself but, for her. I fear she will be turned off from me, one of the better influences in her life. In these sort of relationships, is it okay to simply pray and express love? Or, do you think in most situations we should vocal on behalf of Jesus because tomorrow is never promised?



makarizo -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/26/2008 10:51:59 PM)

Part of knowing me, is knowing that I love Jesus Christ. It is who I am.
Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world and that no one lights a candle and then hides it under a bushel... let your light shine before all men.

our witness is more the vocal, it is our attitude, our action, our new love.
the good news is not bad news at all, it is good news!!!



jaimestarcross -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/26/2008 11:39:30 PM)

You pray about when to witness to your friend - follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Live out your faith before her, don't pretend to be neutral around your friend.

Remember - Jesus said you will be rejected by people who are friends, family etc... his
Word will divide us from many non-believers.



buckifn -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/27/2008 7:51:53 AM)

I believe as you pray for her the Holy Spirit will absolutely let you know when is the right time to share verbally about accepting Jesus as her personal Saviour. I also believe and know from past exp. the Holy Spirit will give you the exact words to say at that time.

Until that happens keep living a life that honors Jesus. people see more of what we do than they hear what we say.



agapetos -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/27/2008 7:03:42 PM)

Remember that it is not always talking that is witnessing, it's our behaviour too. She will see the changes in you. Keep praying for her and about how to witness to her and keep on being her friend.



Roberta_ -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/27/2008 7:15:18 PM)

There are probably many non-Christians that you know and have been friends with since before you became a Christian. Is this relationship different than those?



slimon11 -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/27/2008 10:29:13 PM)

Hi DenimDiva,

To be honest, one might say my friend is anti-Christian. She attended a secular school, has her masters. I've read papers she has written on "social justice," that we should be tolerant of those that hold other religious beliefs, are homosexual, want an abortion etc, etc. I usually avoid talking about these subjects with her, change the subject to what is currently going on in our lives.

I fear if she knows where I stand, she will think something along the lines that "the Christians got a hold of me and brainwashed me" and that she will stop being receptive to me.

She is single, I pray that God sent her a good Christian man to fall in love with. I sometimes think that the message might be better recieved from someone else.

Thanks everyone, I will continue to pray and listen to God's guidance.



beachcooky -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/28/2008 2:03:29 AM)

A lot of Christians are afraid of being rejected. But you were put on this earth to minister to others. But I've been in that boat many times, and I felt that people would reject me so I never shared God's love with them. I am now sharing my beliefs...but it is so hard to do. Soooo hard.

But you need to remember, soo many people hated Jesus when he was walking the earth.
"All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22 (NIV)



manda59 -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/28/2008 7:23:42 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: slimon11
She is single, I pray that God sent her a good Christian man to fall in love with.



Yikes, I'd suggest you don't pray that. For his sake as well as hers.



agapetos -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/28/2008 9:16:43 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: manda59

quote:

ORIGINAL: slimon11
She is single, I pray that God sent her a good Christian man to fall in love with.



Yikes, I'd suggest you don't pray that. For his sake as well as hers.

I'd agree... yes, it could happen, but she needs to find faith by example and knowledge, not through falling for a guy.



jaimestarcross -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/28/2008 10:06:37 AM)

quote:

I fear if she knows where I stand, she will think something along the lines that "the Christians got a hold of me and brainwashed me" and that she will stop being receptive to me.

*Pray she is receptive and responds to the drawing of the Holy Spirit - it's the Holy Spirit that convicts and draws (not us!)

She is single, I pray that God sent her a good Christian man to fall in love with. I sometimes think that the message might be better recieved from someone else.


*The Bible is clear that a Christian shouldn't be yolked with a non-believer/unsaved person.

Once again, pray for her heart to be softened so she will respond positively to the Good News of the Gospel.
Keep your focus on Christ and continue lifting her up in prayer - regardless if she rejects or accepts Christ as Savior - she may respond at another time, many of us didn't accept Christ the first time we were witnessed to!



TorchHeart -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/28/2008 10:15:51 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: slimon11

To be honest, one might say my friend is anti-Christian. She attended a secular school, has her masters. I've read papers she has written on "social justice," that we should be tolerant of those that hold other religious beliefs, are homosexual, want an abortion etc, etc.



OK. So she attended a secular school and has some different view points (many of which are held by other Christians, too). None of that necessarily means that she's anti-Christian, though, does it? Or has she expressed thats she's actually anti-Christian?



preserved -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/28/2008 6:30:36 PM)

You need to take a stand on what you believe...If you are ashamed to admit that you are a christian and ashamed to talk about God with her...then where does that place you with God??

You ask the Holy Spirit on how and what and when to speak. You do not have to force God on her...Plant the seed...Your prayer for her should be to seek the truth and for her salavtion...not about her meeting some a good christian man to fall in love with...

Are you not a christian man???? and yet you are afraid to share God's Word with her??



PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/29/2008 3:43:32 PM)

Matthew 5:16 ?

"Let your light so shine before all men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."



georgerobbyjr -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/29/2008 11:39:03 PM)

Deciding when to witness should be on a case by case basis. The time should be right, and should usually be done with friends that value your opinion in genereal (IMHO). It seems a waste to go out of your way to witness to an individual that is anti-christian (I have experienced this). Witnessing is also done by example, as agapetos pointed out.


I won't tell you when, where and how to witness, it's a personal thing and I'm not sure anyone else should either. However, when she mentions subjects like abortion or homosexuality, don't change the subject, and don't back down. Let her know what you think and why. God wanted man and women to be together, and abortion is murder. That's what I think, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell her so.

quote:

You need to take a stand on what you believe...If you are ashamed to admit that you are a christian and ashamed to talk about God with her...then where does that place you with God??

You ask the Holy Spirit on how and what and when to speak. You do not have to force God on her...Plant the seed...Your prayer for her should be to seek the truth and for her salavtion...not about her meeting some a good christian man to fall in love with...

Are you not a christian man???? and yet you are afraid to share God's Word with her??


I think this is a little harsh, but good guidelines nonetheless. Do not be afraid or ashamed to share the good news or tell her why you believe what you believe. You don't need to shove it down her throat though, and when and how you witness to her is your call.



sudden -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/30/2008 7:28:36 PM)

Our greatest testimony is the way we live. I think we've all been around people who we sensed were Christians and upon asking them have had it confirmed verbally.

I pray that your friend will see, if she hasn't already, Christ in you. If we live as we are wont to do and lift Jesus up....she will see him.

Don't worry about your words....be concerned about your actions. If she knows you attend church, read a bible etc. she will at some point ask you questions. Be free with your answers and avoid the temptation to argue.

Only the HOly Spirit can bring your friend to Jesus.

Many people have become CHristians in answer to prayer. I hope your friend does so.

Sudden



beachcooky -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (7/31/2008 12:22:23 AM)

quote:

You need to take a stand on what you believe...If you are ashamed to admit that you are a christian and ashamed to talk about God with her...then where does that place you with God??


I agree with georgerobbyjr. That is pretty harsh, but very good point. But you also need to realize that telling about God is really hard to do. Only because you fear of being rejected. But the bible talks about that. The bible tell us that we ARE going to be persecuted. Pray pray pray! Let the Holy Spirit direct your words.



slimon11 -> RE: Our relationships with non-believers. (8/1/2008 9:02:58 PM)

Thank you Sudden, this is how I am viewing the relationship at this time. I hope the questions come, like many said, I am sure God will give me the words when the time is right and help it to be a positive converstation rather than an argument. I guess He also speaks for Himself by the ways He has changed me and how He continues to do so.
quote:

ORIGINAL: sudden

Don't worry about your words....be concerned about your actions. If she knows you attend church, read a bible etc. she will at some point ask you questions. Be free with your answers and avoid the temptation to argue.

Sudden



Thank you all for your points of view. I am a female by the way. I do above all pray for my friend's salvation. I do get what you guys are saying, only Jesus saves but, I do hope a Christian man comes her way before she marries one of the non-christians she dates. Maybe he can be another positive influence in her life, help lead her to Jesus and, then of course in the right time marry her.



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