|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/29/2008 3:33:35 PM
|
|
|
stellaluna
Posts: 4226
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Hislittleone
Are you saying that we might as well be close friends with non-Christians because we are just as likely to be let down or betrayed by believers as non-believers...that there isn't much difference either way?
I think it makes a difference in some ways, but it's just a reminder to not expect human beings to be perfect, not hurt us, always have our best interests at heart, etc. I have had several failed friendships, one fairly recent, with people who say they are Christians.
_____________________________
Who should be allowed to attend church?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/29/2008 3:34:31 PM
|
|
|
TorchHeart
Posts: 1497
Joined: 6/4/2008
From: One of the coldest places on Earth
Status: online
|
quote:
LOL! You take the aspirin, I'll take the tylenol.
I might just skip it and look for something stronger. 
quote:
You're absolutely right in that believers betray other Christians all the time. We live in a fallen world filled with sinful people. Unfortunately, Christians aren't immune to temptations. Are you saying that we might as well be close friends with non-Christians because we are just as likely to be let down or betrayed by believers as non-believers...that there isn't much difference either way?
MMM. No, I don't think I'm saying that. I would agree with the idea of keeping our closest friends as other Christians is probably the better rule to live by. While I don't agree that we shouldn't be friends with non-Christians at all, I would say that people who are Christians are most likely going to be the ones whom we could lean on more for spiritual matters (and in some other cases) than non-Chrisitans. And thus, we should keep them as probably our closest friends.
That said, though, I think this just shows that there are vipers lurking even among those who we trust the most. And as I said, its possible that anyone (if properly motivated... or perhaps I should say UNproperly motivated) could turn on you for material goods. With that in mind, even if you try and isolate yourself from having such things happen to you by avoiding friendships with non-believers, chances are that you're going to be disappointed because even other Christians can stab you in the back/hurt you/etc. Maybe I'm kind of shooting for a "choose your friends, but choose them carefully" type thing here.
On the other hand, I will openly admit, I could be trying to make something out of nothing, too.
< Message edited by TorchHeart -- 9/29/2008 3:43:57 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/29/2008 3:44:50 PM
|
|
|
TorchHeart
Posts: 1497
Joined: 6/4/2008
From: One of the coldest places on Earth
Status: online
|
quote:
I think it makes a difference in some ways, but it's just a reminder to not expect human beings to be perfect, not hurt us, always have our best interests at heart, etc. I have had several failed friendships, one fairly recent, with people who say they are Christians.
What she said.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/29/2008 4:51:07 PM
|
|
|
sudden
Posts: 164
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Toronto
Status: offline
|
Dear Stella:
I, like you, spend the vast majority of my time with people who are not of the Christian faith. I worked one place where I was the only Christian. I would say that half of my friends are Christian, half are not. I think it is our responsibility to "Be in the WOrld" to provide a light...salt...not to hide away.
Yours for spending time with our Non-Christian friends,
Sudden
_____________________________
I will lie down in rest and sleep and peace, for thou, O Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/29/2008 5:49:43 PM
|
|
|
CoeurdeLeon
Posts: 9501
Joined: 9/4/2005
From: Inside my head
Status: online
|
At first I couldn't understand what people were saying about non-Christian friends influencing them negatively. I think there is often a difference of opinion on the meaning of "friends".
I look at it this way...
With my Christian friends there is give and take between us that is pretty even over the long haul.
With my non-Christian friends, I am mostly looking to give. I want them to have what I have. I enjoy them, I love them, I can ask them for physical help if I need it (can you give me a ride to pick up my car at the shop?) but in our relationships I don't go to them for advice, etc. I am the listener, the sounding-board, the one they come to with a problem.
_____________________________
This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
10.13.08
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/29/2008 6:58:00 PM
|
|
|
sudden
Posts: 164
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Toronto
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
I think it would depend on how close the relationship is. Somewhere in between talking to them and marrying them, obviously. 
My thoughts are that our relationship should be close enough that we genuinely care about them, and not hold them out at arms length, but not "bosom friends" as Anne Shirley would say. If we get to the point where they are influencing us more than we are influencing them, we call fall into trouble. I just read the other day about a Christian biker ministry in California that were arresting for getting into a fight and stabbing people.
LINK
The Bible does say the he who walks with wise men will be wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. We need to make sure that those who are having the most influence on our lives are ones who will help us grow in our Christian walk.
If we do not influence each other, I could not call you my friend. . Non-Christians are merely people who have not accepted forgiveness - yet! Not peculiar aliens from whom we are to be alienated. (tee hee) We have far more in common with them than not.
A true friend is always of influence and close to one's heart. I think that what you are describing is an "acquaintence".
I would not describe the person you are describing as a "friend".
Yours for hair-splitting,
Sudden
_____________________________
I will lie down in rest and sleep and peace, for thou, O Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/30/2008 1:25:00 AM
|
|
|
diz71266
Posts: 26
Joined: 6/20/2007
From: NJ
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: thedivabrat
I am not sure Christ was hanging out with sinners. Yes He was with them and available to them and spoke with them and demonstrated His power to them and taught them--but did He hang out with them? I think when He was with those He called friends--the believers--they were the ones He was hanging out with.
Luke 7:36-39
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
Luke 19:5-7
5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
John 8(Jesus and the Adulteress)
Romans 5:6-8
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Matthew 9:9-13
9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Matthew 11:18,19
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Luke 15: 1,2
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
I could go on if you want me to include all those who were considered "unclean"in the eyes of the Pharisees,like the lepers,and crippled,the poor and beggars,but whos got the time just see all four Gospels
Also we need to remember that we too are sinners,we are covered by his blood so our sin is blotted out,invisible.
1John 1:7-10
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/30/2008 6:50:54 AM
|
|
|
makarizo
Posts: 2978
Joined: 4/13/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
people who say they are Christians.
when a person says "I am a Christian".... it means almost absolutely nothing to me. just words, just a label, just an associational or a wannabe thing.
Last week, 2 friends sat at a table with me, and gave their lives to Jesus. it never would have happened if I wouldn't have spent time with them.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/30/2008 8:07:34 AM
|
|
|
Consecrated2God
Posts: 4923
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Formerly Jesus Land
Status: online
|
quote:
9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I always thought this passage was fascinating, since the Pharisees only thought they were righteous, but were not. They were sinners, too. So why did Jesus hang with some sinners and not other sinners? I think it boils down to their receptiveness. The Pharisees rejected Jesus and were not willing to listen to what He had to say. The others (the ones the Pharisees called sinners) were willing to listen and repent.
I think that's one thing we should keep in mind when deciding whether or not to maintain a relationship with an unbeliever. If they want nothing to do with the Lord, the Bible tells us to wipe the dust from our feet and go to someone who will listen. If they are open-minded, I believe we should do all we can to leave that door open for them. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment in this area.
_____________________________
<--Plantation house in Louisiana
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/30/2008 10:10:50 AM
|
|
|
Liveloved
Posts: 1838
Status: offline
|
Another excellent topic. Thanks, stellaluna!
I guess I try not to categorize people as believers or nonbelievers in general. I relate to people as individuals ALL who Jesus died for. That is how Jesus relates to us. So how do I live that out?
By listening. . . and especially listening to people's hearts. Not just hearing their words or thinking how to respond or what to say but what is their need.
ALL people need people who are truly listening. That goes for those who know Christ as well as those who do not.
Only when we truly listen, hear, and respond to their inner need are we Jesus. That's what He did. That's what He continues to do.
He did not divide people into categories. They divide themselves.
He just ministered and spoke to the heart needs of each individual whose path He crossed. For me that is life as well.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/30/2008 10:18:05 AM
|
|
|
stellaluna
Posts: 4226
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
Another excellent topic. Thanks, stellaluna!
I guess I try not to categorize people as believers or nonbelievers in general. I relate to people as individuals ALL who Jesus died for. That is how Jesus relates to us. So how do I live that out?
By listening. . . and especially listening to people's hearts. Not just hearing their words or thinking how to respond or what to say but what is their need.
ALL people need people who are truly listening. That goes for those who know Christ as well as those who do not.
Only when we truly listen, hear, and respond to their inner need are we Jesus. That's what He did. That's what He continues to do.
He did not divide people into categories. They divide themselves.
He just ministered and spoke to the heart needs of each individual whose path He crossed. For me that is life as well.
That's a really good post. +1
_____________________________
Who should be allowed to attend church?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 9/30/2008 10:20:20 AM
|
|
|
stellaluna
Posts: 4226
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
I think that's one thing we should keep in mind when deciding whether or not to maintain a relationship with an unbeliever. If they want nothing to do with the Lord, the Bible tells us to wipe the dust from our feet and go to someone who will listen. If they are open-minded, I believe we should do all we can to leave that door open for them. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment in this area.
Mmm hmm. I think you have to be really open to the Holy Spirit when you are dealing with unbelievers, especially if they are the kind that are openly anti-religion/Christianity/God/etc. You have to know when you've done your work and when it's okay to move on, hoping that any seed you've planted will get rooted or watered later. (Or that you've helped water a seed that someone else planted.)
_____________________________
Who should be allowed to attend church?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 10/1/2008 5:59:33 PM
|
|
|
diz71266
Posts: 26
Joined: 6/20/2007
From: NJ
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
I think that's one thing we should keep in mind when deciding whether or not to maintain a relationship with an unbeliever. If they want nothing to do with the Lord, the Bible tells us to wipe the dust from our feet and go to someone who will listen. If they are open-minded, I believe we should do all we can to leave that door open for them. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment in this area.
Mmm hmm. I think you have to be really open to the Holy Spirit when you are dealing with unbelievers, especially if they are the kind that are openly anti-religion/Christianity/God/etc. You have to know when you've done your work and when it's okay to move on, hoping that any seed you've planted will get rooted or watered later. (Or that you've helped water a seed that someone else planted.)
For consecrated to God
Excellent point on the Holy Spirit
For stellaluna
cool... ive never seen someone spell out mmm hmmm before!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 10/5/2008 4:15:00 AM
|
|
|
Giulia
Posts: 862
Joined: 9/29/2005
From: Giulia
Status: offline
|
quote:
Anyway, I'm just wondering what the consensus is on spending time and building relationships with those who need Jesus versus those who already know Him.
Everywhere I go, work and play I openly tell them I am Christian and act acordingly. Most of them are not Christian. Also some of my friends are not Christian because of the same reason as you, hypocrisy in the church.
_____________________________
Rejected by the world but loved by heaven
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 10/5/2008 11:40:10 AM
|
|
|
everjoyful
Posts: 125
Joined: 1/4/2007
Status: offline
|
I spend about 100% of my time with non christians. I don't have christian friends and haven't been to church for a long while. I am going to be joining in with a home group and parenting course with some christians at a local church though. so hopefully. I feel like such an outsider right now in my life.
_____________________________
john 14 v27...do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 10/6/2008 2:43:16 AM
|
|
|
lightbeamrider
Posts: 79
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline
|
It's a mixed bag. A while back i attended a Bible Study on a regular basis whose leader was a strong personalty type. He belonged to no church and worshiped at his home on Sundays along with his public Bible Studies. Anyways i was accused of blasphemy and the group sided with the leader and i left and never returned. On occasion i have seen other members about town. Say hi and then leave. When a friend suggested i check out this Bible Study he was attending i was game until i found out it was the same group and declined and briefly stated my reasons.
Non Christians on the other hand will fixate on the one who struggles in their walk and use them as a prototype for all Christians. They will ignore the others who are strong in their faith and walk as they talk. These are the Christians i try to cultivate friendships with.
As for non Christians sometimes i am easy on them and sometimes i let them have it. When i do the latter am usually rebuked by other Christians as not being loving. Have found both groups as a whole aren't all that easy to get along with. That is why for me it is important to belong to a church body where i can cultivate friendships with real deal Christians and be accountable to them. On my shift i know of no other Christian. They are a mixed bag, hard working nice and friendly people. Off time is where it ends because i simply do not do what many of them do to socialize. I also tend to avoid the single female because i don't want to get too involved with them. Im not bragging but the point being is i know i could and that would not be in their best interest if we ended up in the sack together which is no big deal to them. For as most of u know as far as the unbeliever is concerned fornication is fine as long as two people care for each other and as long as no one gets hurt. I have two special friends who are moving to San Francisco after fall quarter ends which will create a vacuum so i will have to try and fill that with others. As for now, i spend as much time with my two friends as i can and dread the day they will leave.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: How much time do you spend with non-Christians... - 10/8/2008 10:35:25 AM
|
|
|
iamjc-s
Posts: 358
Joined: 8/1/2007
Status: offline
|
-
The Key :
To have a better, more mature & steadfast relationship with God
than with anyone else & test everything with His word.
Then you can't be lead astray by any human.
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
