Question on sharing your faith for Christians?

Question

I know that many Christians witness because they don't want anyone to go to hell. For a minute, take into account how it feels to have a Jehovah's Witness or a Mormon come to your door. You don't like it, do you?

So, putting yourself in the shoes of an unsaved person, and knowing that they are offended about the hell issue, what are some other reasons you can give to nonbelievers on why they should become Christians as opposed to Buddist, or Hindus, etc.

If you were to share Christ with someone that is offended about the hell issue, what would you say to them that might convince them to follow Christ? I'm not saying to deny the salvation issue, but how can we bring others to Christ without going the hellfire and brimstone route which is offensive to them?

Answer 1

Instead of telling them, why not SHOW them? Show them Christ's love IN ACTION.

LDS missionaries are now supposed to spend at least one day a week volunteering in the community. I think the ones in our town go to the schools to help with reading.

IMHO, many people don't reject Christ so much as they reject the self-righteous, sanctimonious, hypocritical representatives of Christ. I know that I have talked to a lot of Christians, who, when they think that I'm not saved, are very patronizing about it. Let me tell you, it's an INSTANT turn-off! Especially when someone has a religious faith that you might not believe is right, like Buddhism or hinduism. When you automatically condemn them to eternal hell, without even ONCE trying to learn WHY they believe as they do, you are doing them a big injustice.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that they KNOW what's true (Christ) but deliberately turn their backs on Him to follow a "false religion". If one is Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, Wiccan, Jewish, Christian (including Mormons and JW's), they are USUALLY a follower of that faith FOR A GOOD REASON. No one joins any faith without a good reason, or stays there if they were raised that way. But, many Christians ignorantly think that, if they are told THE TRUTH about what these others believe, that they will be sucked down, unable to resist the "lure of Satan" that comes with such a thing. THAT'S why I say that those who are anti-Mormon are insecure with their own faith. They don't trust that they can overcome whatever is told them by those of other faiths. That simply talking to the missionaries, without trying to challenge their faith, is to get "sucked into Mormonism". Which is really rediculous.

Answer 2

The Bible teaches us that while only some are given the gift of evangelism (Ephesians 4:11-12), we are ALL to evangelize (Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:44-49, etc.) Some have the gift, such as Billy Graham, while most of us do not. We are however, called through the Great Commission, to preach the Word.

For those of us who do not have the gift of evangelism, we can ‘evangelize’ through our words, actions and deeds. As Christ-followers, our actions toward others should reflect Christ in us. Such actions, so different from the secular world we live in, WILL be noticed by others. When asked about your actions, give credit to God for them. Our words, deeds and actions should give off the ‘aroma’ of Christ. To those who are not His, our actions are the smell of death.

As Christ-followers in a secular world, we are watched VERY closely by those who don't believe, looking for an opportunity to say, "See, what a hypocrite!” We must ensure that our actions reflect Christ at all times. Yes, we are ALL hypocrites, everyone in this world however, as a believer, I am being changed by the Holy Spirit.

Our words and actions should reflect Christ’s indwelling in us. Remember that conversion is an event and that evangelism is a process. Surveys show that the average Christ-follower can name 16 significant people God used in calling them to Himself. Conversion is the Holy Spirit’s ‘job’, ours is evangelism.

Answer 3

Well, it is very important that we follow the biblical principal of preaching God's Moral Law, before preaching the cross. It makes what Jesus did on the cross make sense, and it makes the reality of Hell reasonable.

Preaching the reality of hell, without using the Law to bring the knowledge of sin, can do a great deal of damage to the cause of the gospel. A sinner cannot conceive of the thought that God would send anyone to hell, as long as he is deceived into thinking that God’s standard of righteousness is the same as his. Paul "reasoned" with Felix regarding righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come (Acts 24:25). This is the righteousness that is of the Law and judgment by the Law. Felix "trembled" because he suddenly understood that his intemperance made him a guilty sinner in the sight of a holy God. The reality of hell suddenly became reasonable to him when the Law was used to bring the knowledge of sin.

Imagine if the police burst into your home, arrested you, and shouted, "You are going away for a long time!" Such conduct would probably leave you bewildered and angry. What they have done seems unreasonable. However, imagine if the law burst into your home and instead told you specifically why you were in trouble: "We have discovered 10,000 marijuana plants growing in your back yard. You are going away for a long time!" At least then you would understand why you are in trouble. Knowledge of the law you have transgressed furnished you with that understanding. It makes judgment reasonable.

Hell-fire preaching without use of the Law to show the sinner why God is angry with him will more than likely leave him bewildered and angry—for what he considers unreasonable punishment.

I have been witnessing to a good number of people, and I do talk about sin, righteousness, judgement and Hell, and not one person has felt offended. Infact more often than not they thank me for taking the time to talk to them, and tell me that they have never head the gospel explained to them like that before, and that it actually made sense.

Answer 4

Well one thing I always try to remember is IF what I have is so great, then my life, and the way I live it should reflect that fact. I should be able to find some commonality, and share POSITIVE things. Also while I try to not hide my faith I do not force it, No true Christian does. I offer to share with others, if they say no, then that is their choice. My best friend from quite a while back says he is currently agnostic. He knows I am a Witness. I know he is not. He knows, hopefully:D, that if he wants to talk about spiritual matters I am here. We still have conversations.

The key, at least for me, is, or should be, to remember that Jehovah gave us ALL freewill, it is not for me or others to try and remove that free will.

Answer 5

I really don't talk about hell when I witness to someone.

Usually they are going through something and I am encouraging them and lifting them up with Scripture and praying for them. The subject of hell only comes up if they bring it up.

There is so much more to the Bible to talk about than hell.

But I would probably say something like we are all going to die one day and maybe they should think about
where they will spend eternity. If they say that they believe there is no hell or once you are dead you are dead, I may show them Scripture and leave them with those thoughts. If they want to talk further, they know where to find me.

Answer 6

hell should never be a witnessing tool. Did you read that passage in the Bible that says it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance? Jesus hung out with sinners all the time, did He use hell to convince them? I don't think so. He was a friend, He shared His life with them. He lived out the Kingdom life and people flocked to follow Him. If you witness the way Jesus did, it is much less likely to be offensive.

I've tried to live that way. I live my life, and I talk about it with my co-workers. They share about their weekend partying, I share about my church service and outings with friends. It's fair, it's not pushy.... I have had my non-Christian friends turn to me for advice when they hit trouble, they comment on how I don't come across as judgemental. They appreciate that. They still know about Jesus, they've been loved, they see the kindness, and they become willing to listen and accept the truth that I have to share. It's love that brings people into the Kingdom, not a fear of hell.

Answer 7

It's a great question, but I have to say that the hell issue does not offend me.

I can't say I'm totally Atheist I guess, I don't know. I'm open to the possibility, but have VERY strong doubts about the existence of a God.

Can't say I would welcome any kind of "Christ sharing" actually. When I want something I will go find it myself. Unwanted advice, help, talk, or whatever does nothing but push people away.

I appreciate that you're trying to find other ways, but please, don't push the issue.

Answer 8

If someone has ambitions to be a missionary....then they shouldn't be in the miltary as an ordinary enlistee. Being a chaplain as an officer is something else again. The primary mission of the military is national defense. The business of any enlistee is to give up his own personal agenda and fulfill the terms of the legal contract they have signed with Uncle Sam. That should be clear from the get go. End of discussion.

Answer 9

You cant. But the issue can be discussed without the Christian being offensive about it. Many Christians act happy that the lost will go to hell. Thats offensive. Jesus talked more about Hell than He did about Heaven. Im sure He offended many. But He was not offensive. The "Cross" and the Gospel will always be offensive. We have to preach it, and the lost need to hear it. For a good example of how NOT to preach it, and how a Christian can be offensive, see my profile and look up the question and my answer on Biblestudents07 Question about "turning the tables". THAT is how NOT to preach it. But it MUST be preached......theBerean

Answer 10

Really, everyone who respects and obeys Jesus Christ goes from door to door to teach his neighbors about the Bible's good news. It is interesting that only Jehovah's Witnesses are so clearly identified with the preaching work; globally more than 6 million preach publicly each month.

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.

(Acts 5:42) Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.

(Acts 20:20) I did not hold back ...from teaching you publicly and from house to house


It's sad when someone who claims to respect the bible actually insults or even advocates attacking a peaceful preacher. Sad but completely expected.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching... You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.


Really, if someone goes out of their way to disregard Christian preachers and preaching, what is he saying about himself?

(Luke 10:1-17) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos... “He that listens to you listens to me too. And he that disregards you disregards me too. Moreover, he that disregards me disregards also him that sent me forth.”


Learn more:
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_15.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm