~Shalhevet~ Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 334 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 2,049 Content Per Day: 0.38 Reputation: 120 Days Won: 4 Joined: 08/13/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted October 15, 2009 I was approached by a man who was obviously an atheist. I asked him if he believed in heaven and hell. He said to me that "his" god would not put people in hell. That is "not a loving god." I didn't know what to say. So I left the conversation with the words: "Our God does not want you to go to hell." Did I handle that okay? I could sense he was getting a bit frustrated and irritated so I knew it was time to close fast. Was there something more that I should have said? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgedrw81 Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 7 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,823 Content Per Day: 0.33 Reputation: 36 Days Won: 2 Joined: 04/10/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted October 15, 2009 Jesus told you what to say. Blessings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Gareth Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 73 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 540 Content Per Day: 0.10 Reputation: 7 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/11/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 08/26/1980 Share Posted October 15, 2009 let the Holy Spirit guide you, it will tell you what to do and say. You did more than many would have done simply by trying in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokemaughan Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 74 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 630 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 12 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/19/2008 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/09/1990 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I would've asked what "his God" is, and then agreed with the right and showed him what was wrong But you did just fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botz Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 76 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 4,492 Content Per Day: 0.61 Reputation: 191 Days Won: 18 Joined: 03/29/2004 Status: Offline Share Posted October 15, 2009 I agree with the other brethren...you did just fine. I think each of us is unique, and hears the Father according to the grace that is ours. A righteous Judge is never considered 'loving'...but is venerated through the justness of his verdict. A loving Father on the other hand is 'loved' because of the relationship....it is natural, it is why the Holy Spirit has placed that response of 'Abba' in our heart. Your atheist friend choses only to see the Judge...but you want to introduce him to the Father through the Redeemer, who has taken the punishment on Himself...G-d did not pass an unjust law, and even though the sentence is severe, G-d so loved the world that the price has been paid through His dear Son....that truly demonstrates the love of G-d. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellarose Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 388 Content Per Day: 0.07 Reputation: 2 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/03/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/02/1989 Share Posted October 15, 2009 He has committed idolatry by making a God to suit himself and his own views. This is post modernism "It's true to me" and unfortunately for him, his God does not exist. If you take him through the law (like the 10 commandments) he should realise that he is sinner, and by the true God's standards, he deserves hell. At the commandment not to commit adultary remember: " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokemaughan Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 74 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 630 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 12 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/19/2008 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/09/1990 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Nevermind the conversion talk;I always wondered what to say to an atheist when they sneezed. I don't say bless you regardless, that's a tradition with odd occult reasoning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Shalhevet~ Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 334 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 2,049 Content Per Day: 0.38 Reputation: 120 Days Won: 4 Joined: 08/13/2009 Status: Offline Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 Thanks for your comments. I'm hoping that maybe I said something that sparked his attention in some way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Believer1997 Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 66 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 6,363 Content Per Day: 1.13 Reputation: 119 Days Won: 9 Joined: 11/07/2008 Status: Offline Share Posted October 15, 2009 I am in contact through work, etc. with people who have no belief in God. I just listen to my heart and wait for the HS to intervene and tell me ... what to say and when to say it. They respect me and I respect them for their talent and their good work - I have had several of these people ask me why I believe and what I believe and when that happens - the Holy Spirit seems to provide me with words that are appropriate and thought-provoking. A few years ago, one of these co-workers lost a child and he was so despondent and just almost non-functional. He talked a lot and I listened... a lot. One day I asked if I could pray for him and he agreed... I prayed and we both cried. He was transferred the next year to another post and we got a ... Christmas card from them last year - They had begun attending a church and had accepted Christ. My heart just felt so full of joy for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Shalhevet~ Posted October 15, 2009 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 334 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 2,049 Content Per Day: 0.38 Reputation: 120 Days Won: 4 Joined: 08/13/2009 Status: Offline Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 I truly believe that Jesus wanted me to tell him that God doesn't want him to go to hell. I'm assuming and hoping that's what this man needed to hear. He is a recovering alcoholic and has relapsed several times. I told him that AA is not going to heal him, and that only Jesus can heal. That's how the conversation got started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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