While listening to Keith Green, at the end of the songs, he says: I would rather people hate me than have a cool friendship and knowing that I tried to offer the plan of salvation to them.
Are we there as Christians? ready to be hated for offering Jesus, or do we want an easy relationship with people,knowing they may have eternal death.
2006-10-17 07:49:55 · 25 answers · asked by 2ndchhapteracts 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Aren't we, as Christians, called to walk in the fruit of the spirit. We are a walking witness to Jesus Christ in our life. I see so many Christians with a cross their neck, but not having a witness walk.
I believe that is a true witness of Jesus, when people see Him, through us.
2006-10-17 08:05:57 · update #1
Good question. But people are in different places in their walk. So to offer the plan of Salvation to people has to be done by God's divine guidance.
If God tells you to talk to someone about it, you need to obey God. That person may die tomorrow.
A true example would be: a stewardess replaced another just before 9/11. The replacement didn't know Christ as her Lord & Savior. But the day before 9/11 someone led her to Jesus. She told that person, "It must be important, because two other people told her about Jesus just this week.". So she confessed Jesus Christ her Lord the day before 9/11. Her plane went into one of the twin towers & she went on to be with the Lord.
Sometimes it is better to pray for others & wait for God's timing as to when to present it to them. Sometimes they already know & have rejected it, and need the right person to explain it to them that it makes sense.
It all roots in if you have faith in God for that person's salvation. Has God given you assurance? Has God told you to talk to that person that it is time?
2006-10-17 08:13:51 · answer #1 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Rarely are we forced to choose between these two in Western culture. Most people won't hate you for following Jesus. I think Keith Green's point was more that many Christians are afraid to talk about their faith in Jesus out of fear that they will be rejected. The truth is that if you are kind and loving, considerate, compassionate, and self-sacrificing, the people around you are very likely to at least listen to what you have to say about your faith with respect and consideration. They are very unlikely to reject those who truly live out their faith.
If Keith Green found himself often facing hatred and losing friends, it could be because he was a pretty young Christian and still had a lot to learn about living for Jesus when he died at the peak of his career.
I've been a Christian for 38 years, and this I know: love people, really love them, and tell them about Jesus. Then keep on loving them. I've never lost any friends following that plan.
2006-10-17 08:02:56 · answer #2 · answered by happygirl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nobody hates anyone for offering Jesus. That doesn't mean they won't hate you for other reasons which you may wrongly attribute to having offered Jesus.
Some Christians, just like anyone else, are annoying and unlikable, Jesus hasn't improved them much, and their "offering Jesus" is an opportunity for condescension, judgment, superiority, patronizing and just plain being obnoxious.
If your evangelism is about you, you'll at least be disliked. You can certainly be so annoying in your evangelism that people will avoid you when they see you coming, but they are hating you for a lousy approach, not your supposed care for their soul.
And if you're looking to Keith Green for guidance (who in the history of modern Christian music ever had such a raving martyr complex?) you might get some medication for that clinical depression you're dealing with, or alternatively, try and have some fun instead of sitting around in your sackcloth with your head covered in ashes.
2006-10-17 08:12:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
First, a true friend will hurt you with the truth to know that the overall outcome will be beneficial to that friend. Second, as a minister (servant) of the Lord, it is only proper to help those whom you feel needs the help. About the part where you become a good example, that is the truth. God made us to be the salt and the light, so that His glory seen through us may be seen for all.
2006-10-17 08:58:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure there are people here and elsewhere in my life who don't particularly like what I have to say,but I'm only doing what God asks of me.We are to tell people the Way to Salvation.It is up to them whether to accept that free gift or not.I fully expect hatred and persecution from those who have closed their minds to the Truth,but I am not here to win a popularity contest.I will continue to do God's will,for I would rather please God than please man.And yes,we must walk the walk in order to talk the talk.What kind of witnesses for God would we be if we didn't live what we preach or teach?
2006-10-17 08:31:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question. So often we just want to get along with everyone...I know that is my natural instinct. But when you know Christ, and the path to eternal salvation, being a true friend means putting the other person and their eternal destiny first. And how many testimonies have you heard from those whose friends didn't give up on them when they were nonbelievers, even though they were jerks to them!
Also, being a true friend to Christ means feeding His sheep...even though it ioften carries with it alot of misdirected hatred and rejection....But "if we share with Christ in His suffering, we will also share with Him in His glory"!
2006-10-17 08:05:16 · answer #6 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is difficult isn't it. I find tolerance something I practice so that my children and my family can enjoy their days on this earth. That is not to say I wouldn't prepare to be hated, I am sure I am, but I try to focus on what God has given me for whatever reason. I show my love for Christ by loving His people. By loving who he loves. And in my kindness I hope the people see Christ. It saddens me that I can't make people see the truth. But at least I do what I can everyday. We can't all be radicals and go on crusades for the truth. But we can share the word of God through our very lives and through this website. If I only reach one person, then I have helped one person see the truth and go to heaven. And isn't that what Jesus really wants?
2006-10-17 08:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jesus foretold that we would be hated by all nations for his sake. So when we are attacked or ridiculed for testifying, we are fulfilling prophecy, and receiving a great blessing.
The apostle Paul stated, "do you hate me because I have told you the truth?" The gospel is a rock of offence, and people are bound to get upset. Testify anyway, It is between you and Jesus, not them anyway!
2006-10-17 08:28:44 · answer #8 · answered by alms2thepoor 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you put the love and friendship first, the hate shouldn't be an issue. I don't think any relationship is easy. You have to present your testimony at the right time, lest you scare away someone.
That's just my opinion.
2006-10-17 08:39:42 · answer #9 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree we need to offer Jesus to all we meet and befriend. Living our life can be a witness that is more effective that by what we say. Not that we should not explain the gospel to those who are perishing and headed for hell.
2006-10-17 08:01:12 · answer #10 · answered by Lover of my soul 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋