Born-again Christians: what can I say to my friend to make him know that God DOES exist and love him?

Question

This is what he wrote me in an e-mail:
"We never really discussed religion much - I consider myself an Agnostic, or one who does not believe in organized religion; I'm not sure about the god question, but I won't say there isn't one. Faith is a very tough issue for me. Most people say it helps when life gets tough; I can't remember a time when my life hasn't been a daily battle for survival. I guess my faith might be a bit worn down after 40+ years. I feel like if there is or was a god, I got left at the curb a long time ago; if I'm going to get to where I need to be, I gotta get there on my own."

How do I answer this?

I'm not trying to force it down his throat, I guess MAKE was the wrong word to choose... I just somehow want to SHOW him that he is not alone and that God does love him.

Answer 1

The most important thing you can do for this person is to uphold them in prayer before the Lord. Be there for him and to always show love. God will make Himself known. Just keep praying.

Father open the eyes of this person's heart and make yourself known to him in a very special way. Let him know that you are the Glory and the Lifter of head. We pray that he would lift up his eyes and see that his help comes from you, our Lord.

Amen.

Be Blessed. Keep praying.

Answer 2

The same way any rational person would support their friend: by respecting his beliefs and letting him know that you are there to help if need be.

Listen to your question:

"what can I say to MAKE him know God exists?" How do you FORCE your beliefs on him? What's an easy way to CRAM Christianity down his throat? He has already established that your faith does not fit into his life, so either you support his choice or you choose to leave him alone.

Here's a hint: just having another human being to listen every now and then is all the help some people need. Leave your religious baggage at the door.

Answer 3

Rightly translated, Born from Above.
Your answer is nothing. Nothing is the answer you give him.
He is over 40 years old and God has allowed Himself to be there the whole time. Remember, its the Father who leads us to His Son Jesus Christ. Its then we need to make that choice for ourselves. Do we choose life, ( this is what God hopes we will choose ) or do we accept death. Death is automatic when life is refused.

Its a difficult thing to do, saying nothing. You have planted the seed that God has told all of us to do. Now its time to move on. If germination will take place, its up to God to allow it.

When a sailing ship or for that matter, any ship is getting close to land, they on board start scanning the horizon for any tell tail sign such as a light shinning to guide them into port.

You need to be that light that is always shinning for them lost in the world. Don't give up on him because god has not.><>

Answer 4

The most important thing is don't preach to him. I hated it when people preached and forced it down my throat, even if I did believe and was just ignoring God for myself. I understand being worn down. What a friend did for me, was one day let me listen to a cassette of a sermon from his church that really touched him. Then at a different time he invited me to his church and that took care of the rest, as the church was different than any place I had been before. It was like a constant little dripping on me, instead of feeding me the whole course of Christianity at one time. Good luck with this.

Answer 5

With Scripture, here's a start:

Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

1 John 4
9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Answer 6

i think that that the word of God works by itself and so i would give Him scriptures from the bible such as John 3:16, Romans 5:8, I John 4:10, galations 1:4, or Luke 19:10.

Also I would pray before and after talking to him; for him and for yourself that the Holy Spirit will lead you.

Answer 7

Just let him know what the Bible says about believing in God and salvation. I'd let him know that I'd rather live my life as if there is a God and have a chance at eternal life in Heaven with God, than live my life as if there isn't a God and risk spending eternity in Hell. If you belong to a church that teaches the Bible as the word of God like the Lutherans and doesn't add or take away from that, then I'd invite him to church. If you belong to a church with strange rituals or one that dictates how to live your life (like Catholic or Baptist), then I wouldn't invite him as it will push him the other way.

Answer 8

We approach this from a presuppositional perspective, which is what the Bible does also. The Bible says that all men know God exists, but in order to hide their evil and live the lifestyle of their choosing, they suppress the knowledge of God. Thus, even Atheists know deep in their heart that God exists, but they suppress this knowledge and call themselves Atheists. In Romans 1:18-20 it says:"

Answer 9

You might try asking him who takes care of his breathing and heart beating for him?

If there was no God, each of us would have to tell our own hearts to beat...every beat...and our lungs to breathe...every breath. Our lives would be a living hell, and short. We would all die the first time we fell asleep.

Who makes our hearts beat and our lungs breathe? Not us, but the Lord. Here are the words of Jesus:

John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

Here are the words of Paul:

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

The world itself testifies to the existence of God...and of His love for each one of us, whether we love Him or believe in Him or not.

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Well the obvious...pray for him/her. Remember though, Jesus came down to where we were to share our burdens. We should be doing this also as christians. Ever notice that no one ever went hungry around Christ? I would show God's love by going to this man/woman where they were...try to share their burdens. If he is suffering because of financial problems...try to lend a hand that way. If he/she feels burdened by raising children without a break, offer to babysit. Try to share this persons burdens. In this way you can best show the love of Christ because you are helping out with this persons needs. Show them how the Lord has helped you in times of need by giving examples of how the Lord has provided for you. But most of all, let this person know that they are a unique and special creation that is like no other and because of that is rare....and like a rare jewel...is precious.