In response to my last question, MANY MANY people said that if their friend didn't want to be witnessed to, they would instead witness "silently" by living a good life.
If I'm a decent, kind, compassionate, honest, all around good person and lead a truly expemplary life, am I leading a "Christian" life?
Is that the only "good" life there is? The Christian life? Are all good, moral people living a Christian life unbeknownst to them? Are all decent people secret Christians?
2007-03-29 11:48:24 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't think everyone got "the point", but thanks to everyone who responded anyway!
2007-03-29 12:26:34 · update #1
St. Francis of Assisi said: Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.
That means LIVE IT.
Yes. I know many non-Christian giving silent witness to Christ. Jesus himself says there are those who naturally follow God and his commandments. Even never having had formation.
2007-03-29 11:52:16 · answer #1 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No we each must make the choice whether to worship God and his son or not, if we choose not to then no matter how morally we lived, we do not have God's acceptance. The way that appears good is not always right Proverbs 16:25; Matthew 7: 21 There are two roads to travel, only one leads to life. Matthew 7:13, 14; Deuterotomy 30:19 There are many Gods, but only one True God 1 Corinthians 8: 5, 6 Psalms 82:1 Knowing the true God is essential for life John 17: 3; 1 John 5:20
2007-03-29 12:02:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you were living like you said I would say that you are definitely living a decent life a good life and all the other things you mentioned although I don't understand how that would make it a Christian life. Surely to make it a christian life you would have to believe in Jesus etc. And if you don't how does that detract from being a decent person or leading a decent life.
2007-03-29 12:05:26 · answer #3 · answered by Perplexed User 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In order to be considered a Christian a person must accept Christ as their Savior and know that He died for them and it is through this believing that you are saved. Also, a person must know that Christ died because we are imperfect and not able to lead Pure lives. We will never be "good enough" there will always be something that you do that is wrong. Because it is our nature. Yes, people can show they are christians by their actions, but it is by the confession of faith and not the basis of our behavior that we act a certain way.
You can witness to a friend in subtle ways. If they have a problem tell them you will pray for them. Let a person who feels noone cares that God cares and loves them. No matter what. You cannot lead an exemplary life, it's not possible.
The Bible says "For it is by grace you have been saved, not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, Not of works, so that no one can boast." Don't assume that just because a person is good that they are Christians. This could prevent a witness that needed to happen because of human judgement. Let God decide that or be bold and be proud to be a Christian. It is such a relief to know that God forgives me no matter what. It doesn't matter how bad the sin is (swearing, cheating, infidelity, lying, or hurting someone) It is ALL forgiven if we confess and accept Him.
He comes to us and touches our lives in such a way that it changes you in all ways. We may not be perfect, but we are forgiven...AMEN
2007-03-29 12:03:37 · answer #4 · answered by ellymom 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, not unless you explicitly state that you are making your life choices based on Christ's teachings.
If you live a decent, kind, compassionate, good and honest life, you are witnessing for the Atheist life, if that is what you profess to be.
People of all religions and no religion can live a good life, and there are witnesses to that fact. I know people from many religions, and Atheists who all live decent, upright lives. You are a witness that it is not just Christians who can live that life.
2007-03-29 12:20:39 · answer #5 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all decent people are secret Christians but many Christians would rather witness quietly than "Bible thump". Since the definition of witness is to be a sign post it does make sense to let your life be a witness for Christ. When you follow Him you'll discover there are many times opportunities arise for you to tell people about Christ. In my own life I am amazed at the number of times I'm asked why I do the things I do and why I am able to handle the things I have handled without going crazy. People are more receptive when they can see the results of your beliefs and know you are not going to beat them with the Bible.
2007-03-29 11:59:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a rather important and good-looking theologian, I believe that I am best suited to answer this question.
Yes, you are inadvertently witnessing for Christ.
Theologians agree that your witness is perfect, until you open your mouth.
That's when you screw things up for everybody.
This is why God wants us to speak in tongues, so we can bypass our faulty and evil brains.
You should, if you want to be a perfect witness, only speak in tongues to your friend.
You see, when you speak in tongues, you are speaking the pure words of the Lord. Your brain, with all of it's preconceptions and wrong interpretations of scripture and misunderstandings and it's just plain evil nature, will not get in the way.
Eventually, since your pure words have such perfect power from God - i.e., this will be the same force that God used to "speak" the worlds into existence - Your friends salvation will be spoken into existence.
Oh, it may seem silly to the both of you at first, but eventually, your friend will get the picture.
In fact, if you would want to live a perfect Christian life, full of the power of the Holy Ghost, you'd speak in tongues all the time.
I am a theologian.... it is my middle name....
I'm kind of a big deal.
Speak in tongues and stop all that brain talking.
2007-03-29 12:00:44 · answer #7 · answered by The Burninator 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, you can live a good life without being a christian. The kicker is you can`t get into heaven outside of Jesus. And being able to live a good moral life because of God`s gift of grace is a benefit that makes it easy to do.You can struggle to be the best person you could ever be and it will still never be enough without Jesus`s payment for your sins.
2007-03-29 12:06:47 · answer #8 · answered by moma 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the piece that is missing here is the fact that a person has to be a Christian in order for it to be understood that his/her character is a result of his/her relationship with Christ.
We live in a very different world from our parents. People don't trust the traveling salesmen, so when we try to be one for Christ we normally get a negative reaction. Witnessing is a lot more complicated now and requires a much more personal relationship with the person you are witnessing to in order for it to be effective.
2007-03-29 11:53:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
All decent people are secretly spiritual. Only some believers, christian and otherwise, qualify. If there is a god, which there isn't, she will reward decency over faith.
Still, if you are worried about being mistaken for a christian (and I can understand how that would upset many decent people), you could alway have 666 tattooed on your forehead.
2007-03-29 11:53:08 · answer #10 · answered by Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋