I have 2 friends. One appears to be on a spiritual quest, and she seems to have decided on believing that it is possible that all the gods of this world exist so therefore she will just accept that there is a higher power and will do nothing about it. She is very pessimistic, and I don't know how to bring up Christianity in our conversations.
My other friend is a very selfless optimist, who is pretty much one of the nicest people I've ever met, but unfortunately she is uninformed and has settled upon atheism. I fear that with her being very "intellectual" she will immediately dismiss the idea of God.
I know that I should pray to God so that He sends me the Holy Spirit and that he gives me the right words to say to them, but I still need some advice. These are pretty tough cases and I truly want them to be saved. At the same time, I don't want to turn them off either.
Thanks and God bless!
2006-10-28 15:50:50 · 26 answers · asked by Kiwi 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I do not want to convert my friends to reassure myself. I don't need to be reassured. I want my friends to be Christian so they will be saved by the one True God. I am sorry you are so close-minded to God. He can do wonders in your life. I will be praying for you.
2006-10-28 15:58:16 · update #1
I do not want to convert my friends to reassure myself. I don't need to be reassured. I want my friends to be Christian so they will be saved by the one True God. I am sorry you are so close-minded to God. He can do wonders in your life. I will be praying for you.
2006-10-28 15:58:17 · update #2
Will someone please just answer my question? I'm getting tired of these immature athiests bashing my beliefs. I am not trying to "enlighten" anyone! I am trying to save them! Keep your comments to yourselves unless you're going to directly answer the question.
2006-10-28 16:00:01 · update #3
You cannot Convert anybody as much as you may wish you could. You can talk to them about God but you can't make that decision for them. My suggestion would be to live a Christian life around them (because whether you know it or not, they are watching you). Let them see how your life is different from theirs and how you are so happy. If you do that, they will get curious and start asking questions and then a door will open for you to speak to them. Don't keep preaching at them. Before I came to know God, I watched those who claimed to be Christians. I finally knew that I wanted what they had. I also want them to be saved but you have to know that even though God wants all people to be with him, he gave us a choice and only WE can make that choice. If you have done all you can do then your hands are clean..just pray and live a Godly life in front of them in words,& actions. Hope this helps you some.
2006-10-28 16:01:28 · answer #1 · answered by chilover 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried reading a little bit of the bible in your spare time? If you don't know your bible, cover to cover, it's pretty hard to know what to say at all. This will take a lot of time, and may not seem to help you convert either of them, but they will see that you are serious about God, and they might get curious enough to ask a little bit about it. Converting isn't always a simple one step process. Sometimes you have to just show them it exists, and let others do the "converting." If there's something cool going on at your church some time, you might invite them. Nothing too wild now... baby steps into the bible, baby steps into the church... know what I mean.
Sounds to me like both you, and your friends are pretty young yet, and while it may seem like all of you could die at any minute, chances are they'll both have long, rewarding lives, with plenty of time to see the light before they pass on into glory.
The best thing right now is just to be a friend... but be a christian friend. They don't need any religion shoved down their throats, least of all the true religion. So, don't force them, because that will just turn them off to it all. Some are easy to convert, some take lots of patience, and you may never see the rewards of your faithful work in this lifetime.
2006-10-28 16:13:48 · answer #2 · answered by ye_river_xiv 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard someplace earlier than that it's higher to have sincere doubts than to false perception. If you desire to transform, then convert. I do not for my part have an opinion on both. I recognise a few amazing Christians, and I recognise a few amazing Jewish members. It all relies on what you consider. Tell your loved ones that you're now not doing this to harm them in any respect. This is what you consider, and in the event that they love you they'll help you. Also, I have no idea an excessive amount of approximately Baptist scripture, but when that is relevant like I feel it's, remind them that Jesus used to be a Jew. Good success.
2016-09-01 04:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by stufflebeam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to have to echo Sean's answer -- what would it take to get you to convert to atheism? Your first friend might be interested in Christianity, but why not give her the chance to work out her religious beliefs on her own? And your second friend, the one who "settled" upon atheism, do you really have so little respect for her personal beliefs that you think you need to change her?
Imagine if you had a friend who was a Muslim or a Scientologist or an Atheist and decided that they knew better than you what you should believe and tried to convert you. Do you think you would just magically change your beliefs because of them, or are you content with what you believe? Would you really want someone telling you that your beliefs are wrong?
I have plenty of Christian friends, but as much of an atheist as I am, I respect their decision to believe what they believe and I expect them to respect me the same way.
Just the opinion of an "immature atheist" "bashing" Christianity by refusing to convert despite pretty regular pressure from well-meaning individuals who don't understand that we can all save ourselves and don't need you to do it for us, thank you very much.
2006-10-28 16:00:35 · answer #4 · answered by coreyander 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Respect your friends right to believe what they believe.
Here's the problem: Both of your friends are smarter than you.
Neither one has bought into the same crap that you did. Your one friend is a deist, which is a stupid position in it's own right but not as stupid as subscribing to one faith and feeling the need to "save" others.
Your other friend is a confirmed atheist, so nothing you can say can make her believe. I know, I'm an atheist who would LOVE it if there was a supernautral entity that is the direct cause of everything. I really do want to believe it to be true! But I have a brain in my head and the ability to reason, so I can't just put aside my critical thinking and everything I know, and just decide to believe in something that sounds like such utter bull-crap! I have to guess that your intellectual friend is the same way.
Isn't it interesting that this atheist friend of yours is optimistic and one of the nicest, most selfless people you know, and yet doesn't need the threat of eternal damnation as any motivation for her to be that way?
2006-10-28 16:10:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Don't be a preacher, be a friend! , when the time is right God will give you the words and the opportunity to share (he may use someone else to do the planting and have you there to help when they do accept the word given), until then live your life as an example and wait for the time, pray for them and always ask God to give them sight..remember God is in control and it is his will that all come to the knowledge of him.
2006-10-28 16:37:05 · answer #6 · answered by candi_k7 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I respect your desire to win them to Christ. I think the best thing you can do for right now is pray for them to be converted. Along
with that ask the Lord to open the door and show you how to
witness . I have heard of the most unusual ways God has given Christians opportunities to speak to friends and relatives. God knows your heart and your desire to see these friends won to Him. Remember it's not up to you to do the converting. You can only witness. But the Bible does say ask and you will receive.
I believe God will give you that opportunity for each. Just keep on
living for Him.His timming is not our timming. .They will see something in you sooner or later they may want. Let Him work
though you His love,,joy, peace, and patience. God bless you.
2006-10-28 16:27:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You sound like you have a very kind and loving heart. God bless you. But don't stress yourself so much on God's account. Just live your life according to His principles and pray for your friends. No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws them---not you. Just love them with the love of the Father. Holy Spirit will do all of the spiritual work. I know it's hard when you really really care, but your faith in the Father's goodness will help you to persevere.
Consider whether you are focusing on them too much, especially if they are very close to you. If they see that you care about others too, it may help them to see how much God cares about them. Sometimes it helps to see things from a little distance. Just a thought.
Hoping the very best for you and your friends...
2006-10-28 16:08:04 · answer #8 · answered by Debra N 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Are you concerned about them being Christian, or are you concerned about them going to Heaven?
If it's Heaven that you're concerned about, as any good Christian would be, then the Bible says that only those who actively reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will go to Hell. So the best thing you can do is just NOT BRING IT UP.
Your optimistic friend sounds like she is doing nothing to harm anyone, so she is experiencing the goodness of God in her own way.
Your pessimistic friend sounds similar, but you say she's still kind of searching, so let her search - maybe she'll find Jesus all on her own.
But if you tell them about Jesus, and they reject him, then, well... You wouldn't want to feel responsible about contributing to their damnation, would you?
Proselytizing isn't all peaches and cream like most would have you believe. Let them find their own way to the light. Remember: God works in mysterious ways; just let Him work his magic!
2006-10-28 16:00:20 · answer #9 · answered by Lady of the Pink 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hey,
Well, I've never really been in the situation you are in, but I know how it feels to want your friends to be saved and to have no idea how to go about it. I think for now, just loving on them, and living a Christian life in their sight, and showing them how much you love God is going to be what you have to do. Share Christian books with them, books that have touched your heart, and just let them see you living a life that glorifies God. An amazing book I've read is called "Unlikely Angel" by a girl named Ashley Smith...it really touched my heart, and made me think about my relationship with God. Just listen for God's leading. I'll keep you in my prayers. God bless you, my friend, and let me know what happens. :) Also, pray for your friends that their hearts will be open to what you have to say and show them.
Melissa
2006-10-28 17:00:30 · answer #10 · answered by whooblue42 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋