I have several friends who claim to be Christians, but the Lord's wisdom tells me otherwise. I have tried to show them the error of their ways, but they insist I am wrong. How can I save their souls so that they might join me in God's Heavenly grace? As I know the end is very near, I must act swiftly. Please help me.
PS: They are Methodists.
2006-07-22 16:33:54 · 34 answers · asked by Arkangyle 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
DevlsAdvoct : Only those who have been born again in Christ are saved.
2006-07-22 16:45:33 · update #1
Try getting real for a change. As if you are God's special messenger. Oh yeah, you gotta watch those Methodists !!
2006-07-22 16:37:45 · answer #1 · answered by SB 7 · 8⤊ 11⤋
This is interesting how you could KNOW, they are not saved.
My friend, listen to me for a minute. Just because a person is disobedient in the Word, does NOT mean they are not saved.
You didn't go into detail as to what is or is not going on, but, remember one thing. Can a Christian judge? Yes, absolutely. BUT....You will be judged by the same measuring rod you measure with.
If these friends are not saved, and are faithful, you might have a really hard road to hoe. There are different Methodists, you didn't say which one.
When you try to convert a person to a church from a church, this could take a extra banana at breakfast.
You didn't mention your denomination. Your going to end up in a scripture debate. Which can be good. Just don't go 1/2 loaded, you better be really well grounded and versed.
Good Luck.
2006-07-22 17:00:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you really don't know about the state of someone else's soul. What you call the "Lord's Wisdom" may well be your own imagination.
Secondly, you can't force someone else to believe something - all you can do is share what you believe and why, and pray for them.
Third, you know the end is near? What ever happened to "like a thief in the night", eh? You're not SUPPOSED to know that, so stop being so superstitious.
2006-07-22 16:40:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, all you can do is keep praying for them and doing the Lord's will....we can't save anyone from hell. Only Christ has that ability, but we are to plant the seeds....God gives the increase. If you have told them about how to accept Christ as Savior, the seed is planted, and they can't say you never told them. I have many friends that aren't Christians, and they just totally reject the free gift of salvation...you are not alone my brother. Keep praying and setting the godly example the Lord would have you to. I am praying for them and you also! :)
In Christ,
Sabrina
2006-07-22 16:37:37 · answer #4 · answered by SS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand your situation very clearly. I also know of some of may groups that don't seem to have the Spirit dwelling in them, at least in that their fruits can be seen. I believe we do what we can, but the most effective tool is that of prayer. We must spend much time upon our knees praying to God for them that their eyes might be opened before it is too late. The Holy Spirit must convict them of their need and only when they come under that conviction will you be able to lead them to the truth, but until then it will be a futile effort for they will believe that they have the only way to heaven and that is by their "methods."
2006-07-22 16:38:57 · answer #5 · answered by Dhere 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My, my, my don't you have an ego! What ever happened to "judge not, lest you be judged"? I'm not sure who appointed you the saver of souls but I do know God frowns upon those with excessive pride so I'd be careful if I were you. By the way, your type of question is why Christians have the atheists breathing down our backs. You sound like a jerk.
2006-07-22 16:43:25 · answer #6 · answered by jeanhack42 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you could search the Scriptures and ask them to compare what the Bible says to their lives. How do you now that they are not saved?
Do they live a lifestyle that is characterized by unrepentant sin?
1 John 3:3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
Do they love this world and the things of this world and only go through the motions of religious activity?
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.
Or do they just have a different doctrine than you do in nonessential matters of the faith? Many saved people don't agree on certain doctrines but there are a core of beliefs that a saved person must agree to.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."
2006-07-22 16:48:09 · answer #7 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what does being Methodists have to do with anything? it sounds like it's time for you to stop and pull the beam out of your OWN eye so that you can help your friends remove the specks from theirs...i wonder if they're asking the same questions about YOU? the best way to show anyone the light, is to BE the light...i'm praying for you...
2006-07-22 16:38:28 · answer #8 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don`t mean to sound like I`m aginst your religion, but this is exactly why a lot of people hate Christianity. For all you know, they`re right and you`re worng and the chances of your religion being completely right are microscopic. If you force your religion on them they will completely reject it and they`ll be further away from believing than they were. Plus they might start hating you for it.
2006-07-22 16:39:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are brainwashed and you want to brain wash other people to the way you think. Maybe you should read a book or two, get educated. Often religious people are very dumb. Smart people would never have that much arrogance. Thats why they say- The more you know the more you know what you don't know.
2006-07-22 16:38:12 · answer #10 · answered by CJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are not to judge. Only they and God know whether or not they're saved. Live a life of love and compassion before them, and let the Holy Spirit do His work in their lives. Pray for them.
2006-07-22 16:39:20 · answer #11 · answered by autiger1956 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋