Do you have any thoughts on how to draw the line between embracing fellowship with other Christians, loving one another, etc....versus being as transparent as possible as Paul was when witnessing about Christ, so as to lead people to Christ, not to us. (As Paul said, "I must decrease so that he may increase.")
Sometimes I find it hard to get just the right balance between these two things...any advice would be much appreciated!
2007-09-01 05:09:32 · 12 answers · asked by whitehorse456 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is a hard balance for me as well sometimes. I believe we are to remain as true to ourselves as possible while spiritually be as open as possible to God. I have seen many believers change in appearance, speaking, and manners so that they all look cloned. It is sad since they are no longer their personality but a clone of the herd. Yet, there is and should be a commonality among all believers. This should be certain traits that we all strive for and become part of who we are. However, this is accomplished from the inside and not the outside. As this is done I believe we become more like what Paul describes.
2007-09-01 05:17:49 · answer #1 · answered by . 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are different type of Christians. Shocked? Should not be so but unfortunately,it is a sign of the times.Some Preachers do not believe in the virgin birth etc and they pass this onto their congregation.My suggestion,tell them up front what your believes are.Also,that no compromise on the Bible.Sometimes that may ruffle a bunch of feathers. But if you start compromising,you will hear The Lord say,"Depart from me,I never knew you,"Mathew:7:21.Mathew10: And 1Timothy4:1-7. There are many more,but remember that you will get backlash at times.And that you have to answer with a gentle and loving response.Proverbs 15:1.Keep up with your work. As long as you remember what Jesus said "If you confess me before men, will confess you before my Father.Mathew 10:32-33.
2007-09-01 11:20:28 · answer #2 · answered by Siegfried M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't quite understand your question. It seems like you are saying you cannot embrace fellowship with other Christians and be transparent all at the same time. I think the key is to pray for wisdom about when you say or reveal things. If you reveal something you know about Christ to other Christians too soon they will reject you, but on the other hand, God will confirm you and what you said later down the road if you do mess up on the timing of things. I just don't understand what you are saying really but I do think there is a "spirit of religion" that gets in churches and among the brethren and causes people not to be transparent but religious. They just talk the talk and don't walk the walk and they are not being real with one another. I have noticed when I'm "real" with many Christians they get all upset, horrified shocked or whatever. I call it "wearing masks". they basically put on their nice little Christian mask and hide what they are really feeling inside. Paul I think rebuked Peter because he was hanging out with those of the "circumcision" and Peter was being "religious" and not letting it all hang out he was saved by grace. Paul considered this to be a great threat to the gospel of Christ and to the message of salvation by grace, not of works. so I don't know I am thinking be true to yourself and let your faith face reality. Reality is that a lot of times when we reveal who we are in Christ we will find the religious non-born again Christians who say they are brethren rejecting us. There are wolves among sheep, goats among the sheep, and so on. There is the yeast of the Pharisees that gets into the Christian gatherings and begins to convince everyone they are saved by works like attending church, not by grace. I recommend the book Grace walk by Steve McVey. It's the best book on Grace I ever read and it's written by a pastor who says he got "under law" for a long time and was extremely miserable. It all had to do with pleasing the supposed "body of Christ' around him.
2007-09-01 05:22:21 · answer #3 · answered by sisterzeal 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough question, but an excellent one! My only thought about it is that the most important thing is to be continually tapped in to the Source. Without that, we're pretty much shot down when we're out trying to lead or witness.
So just remember to stay connected to Christ, keep Him close and be very vigilant that you are listening for His voice while you are with unbelievers.
It's sometimes hard to do, but imperitive!
God bless you for your perseverence!
2007-09-01 05:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by Devoted1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it just takes practice. find the balance you need between getting uplifted and encouraged by other believers, and studying God's Word, and going out witnessing amongst non-believers. remember, you live in this world but you are not to be of it. Jesus hung out with the lowest of the low, but He never became one of them. so once you notice you're starting to do things against God's Word, take some time to refocuse and get in His Word then go back out again. Bless you, friend
2007-09-01 05:17:23 · answer #5 · answered by zero_or_die77 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just as Paul did, we focus on Jesus' words and not on ourselves. Taking ourselves out of the picture as much as possible. We never want any to be followers of men instead of the Christ. Answer questions with questions that make others think and reason the answer themselves. Guide them with these and they will never elevate you, only Jesus in his worship to his Father.
2007-09-01 05:26:20 · answer #6 · answered by grnlow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God obviously created us to have a personality. That is what makes us, us. The way we reflect Jesus is by doing what is right. Our actions show Jesus' character. The way we lift up God in our conversations, the way we build others up through encouragement, sacrifice our time to help others, being generous with our money and talents. We are still "ourselves" when living for Jesus, but by doing those things, we begin to look more and more like Jesus.
2007-09-01 05:20:04 · answer #7 · answered by The GMC 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thoroughly accept as true with you. i would be sure why people could desire to sense like somebody's looking out for them yet i are not getting why they attempt an rigidity their ideals on others. it is not suited, people insist their suited and seem down on you when you consider which you have not have been given faith and all i will think of is it is going to suck to stay a life the place you consistently hardship approximately going to hell. extremely, no, people who hardship approximately going to hell? i don't suggestions them plenty especially circumstances, what extremely gets to me are people who care not something approximately their faith yet sense the could desire to assert your incorrect for not believing in it. while i replaced right into a infant i concept i replaced right into a Christian yet when I found out I wasn't all the different little ones regarded at me like i replaced right into a freak that is stupid that folk won't be in a position to be sure previous such issues
2016-10-17 09:43:01 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya all can take the horse to water but if the horse doesn't want to drink it....then....of what concern is that of yours? Just look at your non-believing brethren as being the sheep or horse that they truly are and you are leading them to the water of life. Takes care of transparency and takes care of "being seen". The horse doesn't remember who brought him/her to water....they just relish in the water/or walk away without drinking.
The rest is up to God not you.....right?
2007-09-01 05:33:07 · answer #9 · answered by malter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have learned that discernment in Gods word has helped me immensely,it is hard to balance between witnessing and fellowship,God will lead you listen to your inner man
2007-09-01 05:55:22 · answer #10 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋