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About John of AllFaith
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You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christian Teens > Christianity -- Christian Living > don't really know how to describe this...
Expert: John of AllFaith - 10/20/2009
Question
So I became a Christian 2 years ago, and I hope to be baptized really soon. My denomination is Southern Baptist. Until recently, I was very complacent in my faith. After a life-changing experience at a summer youth camp, I decided to try to live for Jesus. It has been a rocky road full of obstacles. I'm not a people person, and could be considered introverted. My faith helps with that. But how can I witness to those who hate Him? I have many friends who do just that (Atheists, homosexuals, ect.) How can I help them know God without hurting feelings or browbeating? I've been told that not everyone can be saved, but I don't believe Jesus would let that happen. When I see them suffering, I want to help. But I feel like it's for my own selfish reason, because I don't want to feel guilty. Is this wrong? I know the results are up to God, but sometimes I don't feel like it. My face breaks out and my stomach cramps. I want to try to improve the reputation of my denomination, but with love. I have Christian friends, and I enjoy their company more than most of the others who are not Christian. But I refuse to turn my back on the lost. It wouldn't seem right. Is witnessing this much to fret over? Now I feel guilty for venting. Thanks for taking the time!!
Answer
Hi Paige,
First, congratulations on coming to God and for desiring to serve Him more fully.
As for witnessing, Southern Baptists often stress the importance of witnessing but understand that the most important witness is the life-witness, conforming oneself to the image of Jesus and shining from that place.
Romans 8:29 .... be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Conform your own heart and life so that you take on the qualities of Jesus: love, peace, joy and so on.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
No one is perfect of course, but recall the words of Jesus:
Matthew 23:26: ...cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
When you do this your inner spiritual light will naturally shine. People will see the love of God in you and some of them will want what you have -- others will not -- but be "a light on a hill."
You only need to please God.
So my advise is NOT to go out witnessing but to focus on your own spiritual life and developing spiritual maturity.
You will find that many if not most Atheists are not really Atheists at all. They are Agnostics who have been so put off by Christian hypocrisy that they want nothing to do with even the concept of God. Love these people. Be real toward them. Be an example of true Christianity to them. Many have probably never met a real Believer!
Remember that old question, What would Jesus do -- Do that.
Re-read the four Gospels and notice how Jesus dealt with people. The ONLY people he was EVER harsh with were religious hypocrites.
Understand that it is NOT our jobs to condemn people. It is our jobs to love them as Jesus loves us. NO ONE is lost BECAUSE they are gay, BECAUSE they drink, smoke, have illicit sex, steal, cheat etc. They are lost (if they are) because they don't have a saving relationship with God.
Convince the "sinner to sin no more" and he/she will still lost! One is not saved nor lost by works:
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Neither you nor I have ANYTHING to boast about when it comes to our salvation. GOD did it ALL.
BUT, as the Spirit inspires, lead people to God's love, grace and mercy and they will be saved...
THEN GOD will make the needed changes in their lives even as He is working on our shortcomings.
Don't be like the Laodecian Christians:
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Be "hot for God." Devote YOURSELF to Him fully. Live for Him as best YOU can. LOVE everyone as best YOU can. Be a blessing to EVERYONE as best YOU can. Be NO ONE'S Judge -- THEN the LOVE of Christ will shine through you.
Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
WAY too many Christians condemn others, try and convert others because they inwardly think it will make them better Christians, "At least I'm not like so and so... I will bend my knee and offer them the Truth..."
That's not how the Faith works.
As for the idea that not everyone can be saved... NOT SO.
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
ANYONE can believe and be saved. Anyone.
Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Be wise.
Avoid anything and anyone that draws you away from God.
When you friends do wrong see that they are desperately seeking to fill an inner void. They get drunk etc. because there is something meaningful missing in their lives: GOD. Don't judge and despise people for this lack... but don't join them either! Love them. Show them by example that there are better alternatives.
We are ALL God's children and He loves us all.
Micah 6:6 How shall I come before Yahweh,
and bow myself before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
6:7 Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams?
With tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience?
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good.
What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Love God's children -- beginning with yourself.
Love God.
Hope this helps,
~ John of AllFaith
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