CHRISTIANS --- do you feel it's necessary to witness to non-Christian family, friends & strangers? If so, why?

Question

Or perhaps just to family and friends? And if you feel it's necessary, what NEED do they have to convert? Why is it absolutely imperative that they become Christians?

Answer 1

I have a niece who went out of her way to get me to accept Christ as my savior. Finally, I asked her why this was of such importance to her. She explained that she believes we are living in the end times, and she is afraid for my soul and the souls of my children. She doesn't want our blood on her hands.

I think they do it because they are concerned, for us and for themselves. She genuinely thought it her duty to help save us, and to fail would put her own salvation in jeopardy. After all, she feels that God wants her and other Christians to save us before it's too late.

Because I understand her position, I can sit calmly through any amount of preaching and not be offended. While it may not always appear so, they really do want the best for us, and they do believe that we are doomed if we don't accept Christ.

Answer 2

This may shock you but true Christians do not convert at all. It isn't like changing wireless providers or something like that. There are two reasons why Christians preach...1: they are told to by Christ....2: They have a love of fellow man...

However it is YOU who "converts" because of your heart. If you are humble and God See's in you a quality he likes (although he desires none to perish he does abandon many because of THEIR actions and hearts Romans 1:20-31) he will "call you". It is up to Christians to show people where the answer to all problems. The Bible and God. I Never argue with anyone when I speak about Christ or God. we are not out there to "argue" or win a debate. Waste of time to do that! All we want to do is show you where YOU can look for answers if you want to. Just because you say no today doesn't mean in 5 months you may have a change of heart...hence the constant witnessing. However there will come a time when that will stop to. This is a one time event in human history and when it comes right down to it...you either choose God or not and live with the rewards or consequences of your choice...

You should know one thing for sure...at Galatians 6:7 God is not one to be mocked...what ever he is sowing he shall reap.

Answer 3

It depends what you mean by "witness."

I do not believe I am compelled to act like a vacuum cleaner salesman to my friends and non-Christian family. I don't proselytize.

However, I do believe that my life and actions have to be - to the extent that a humble and flawed man can be - a living witness to the gospel. Jesus said to be light of the world, and salt of the Earth, and I cannot ignore that command.

St. Francis put it best: "Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." Words certainly come into it when I am asked about my faith. But that's not the same as being a door to door Hoover guy. :)

Answer 4

I don't witness. I did tell my non-Christian family members and friends when I became a Christian, and then I let it drop. If they want to become Christians, they know I'm open for discussion. If not, we don't talk about it.

And you don't know my friends. Some of them SERIOUSLY need a little divine intervention. I worry about them constantly.

But I don't preach to them. I don't have that right, and I don't want to scare them off. It's the same with my agnostic husband. I don't preach at him, and we don't even discuss it unless he brings it up.

I could tell you why I feel it's important for people to become Christians, but I know what people will say to it. ("You're being judgemental! You're being narrow-minded! Stop using the Bible, we don't believe in it!") So I'll just leave it at that.

I'll just say, though, that when I became a Christian, I experienced an indescribable peace and contentment. I want others to know the same peace. It's love, not condemnation, that makes me want others to become Christians.

Answer 5

Your witness should be a Christian lifestyle that you practice. This need not include preaching or teaching unless you happen to be an ordained minister (even then only in church). Since Christ lives in you (if you live in Him) He will guide your words and actions and those whom He wishes to "convert" will be converted. Not by your grace and power but by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. If you are doing this then may our Lord be with you!

Answer 6

i found that most people who know me come up to me and say there is something different about you what is it so that leads me to telling them how good has been to me. If i see my family and friends down on there luck and they just hit rock bottom i tell them the only way to come out of there mess is with god he will fill the void so yes i do find it necessary to tell people how god died for you and would do it again without hesitation that's why i have to tell people it would not kill you to thank the man who died for you some of your time. i like that word imperative and that's the proper word to use because it is imperative for everybody to get on one accord and bless the father for he has done and all that he's going to do.

Answer 7

Long answer short--Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all the world, spreading the Good News wherever they went. As far as sharing the Gospel with family members, it's hard, but I would rather risk stepping on someone's toes than not sharing the Truth with them only to see them fall into hell.

If they tell me they don't want to talk about it, I respect that and tell them that I will be praying for them, then I don't bring it up again unless they ask. No one has ever been argued into heaven. I try to live as the best witness for Christ as I can, and hope that they see th difference in me and my life.

Answer 8

I look forward to reading others' explanations, but I want to chime in.

I understand why it's uncomfortable for a few of my relatives to be around me as I am. Being Pagan, bi, and married to another woman, I "expose" my cousins, who are all much younger than I am (I'm the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter) to "alternative lifestyles," as they put it. They try to avoid letting the kids see lives like mine on the internet and TV, and then Cousin Lilo comes in with hugs, presents, and a pentacle necklace and her wife's teaching them capoiera moves. They try to tell the kids God is important, and then my brother and his wife brush off the topic like a puff of lint and ask to talk about something real. Oh, and our mother conditioned my brother and I to be fair and hash things out in discussion, too.

I can see the bind, even though I have no intention to change or closet myself. They don't like Pagans or atheists or LGBTs as groups, but they love me and my brother and like our wives. They care for us and think we're going to suffer in hell. They don't enjoy the prospect of our going. They can't let the kids think they didn't mean all that stuff they said about their brand of Christianity being the only way, either. So they must talk about it. Maybe this time me and my brother and our spouses will get it. Maybe if they keep going, their only contact with my wife will be a postcard thanking them for the salvation and I'll bring home a husband and my brother and his wife will raise their eventual child as a Christian. None of this sounds good to the four of us, of course, but that's what they want.

We love them, but it's maddening. It helps to reinforce the bond that the four of us have, too--we have to back each other up and stay strong together.

Answer 9

Yes, as a believer in the Trinity and the Holy Bible, Jesus instructs us as believers to got out and spread the word of the Gospel. As a Believer it is necessary for all to come to Jesus for forgiveness of sin, and therefore inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. I guess the best way to explain it in simple terms is this:

You are having a party and it is going to be the greatest thing ever. You send out invitations with RSVP hopes that everyone is comming. Not everyone answers and therefore does not get to enjoy your great party. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!

Answer 10

Yes! It is a MUST to witness God's LOVE to all Non-Christians; especially to your family members and friends. As Jesus said: "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). Confess and Have FAITH in JESUS is the ONLY WAY a person to be saved from HELL. You LOVE them by telling them about God's SALVATION Plan.
If you do not witness, they will not know about about Jesus; then they will not be in HEAVEN! Therefore, you must tell them if you really LOVE them.
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the POWER of GOD for the SALVATION of everyone who believes". (Romans 1:16).
Must spread the GOOD NEWS! as it is the FREE GIFT from GOD.
** Heaven is So Real! see website: www.choothomas.com