Lost Relatives

[Annette443pink]

Most of our family is "lost". We've witnessed to them and they've rejected. Anyway, this year we were invited to an Easter dinner at one of their houses. We didn't really want to go because it was Sunday and a long ways from our church but we didn't want to offend them either. They had about 5 friends out in the yard all drinking! We've had them around before at dinners etc. (not at my house) drinking discreetly and not acting "stupid" but I really didn't appreciate all these extra people that we didn't know at all drinking around our 5 year old. What would you do?

I guess maybe next time i should just invite them to my place and if they don't come that will be fine. They know we wouldn't have the drinking at our house. It's just hard because you don't want to break relationships with people. You want to be a witness etc.

Also, Easter is about God to us. It doesn't feel right exposing ourselves to that on such a special day.

[O'Dannyboy]

I guess maybe next time i should just invite them to my place and if they don't come that will be fine. They know we wouldn't have the drinking at our house. It's just hard because you don't want to break relationships with people. You want to be a witness etc.

Also, Easter is about God to us. It doesn't feel right exposing ourselves to that on such a special day.

Your feelings and concerns are not misplaced. If you wish to witness to them discretely then I think your place would be a great setting. The host should be making the decissions regarding what behaviors and activites are acceptable. However, we are told to distance ourselves from those living in a manner contrary to that which has been set for us. If you truly wish to see them saved and love them then you might consider a more forward aproach with them. If it is important to you then there is no time to delay. Basically, if the dangling carrot aproach has not worked then you might try grabbing hold of their upper lip and shoving it in....so to speak. Where someones salvation is concerned, we no longer have the luxurey of dancing around the subject. Think like Joe Friday......."just the facts maam".

Please don't take me literaly unless it makes cense. I too have family members that I would take great joy in seeing them come to Christ, but considdering the shortness of time we have left, I cannot see dwelling on one when many are in need. Our task is to plant the seeds.

An Jesus said:

John 15:1

[Work in Progress]

Yes, definately invite them to your place. Then, crank up the music and make sure there is lots of fun, games and laughter, so they can see that "fun" doesn't have to be the world's idea of fun. Don't hit them over the head with Christianity, just live it out in front of them. It doesn't have to be in every conversation.

My husband's family is not saved either. Whenever his mom and brother visit, they are exposed to praying before meals, the kids doing their morning Bible reading and devotions and, of course, they are invited to go to Church with us if their visit falls on a Sunday. Just "live it" it in front of them. And pray a lot.

[ann2]

Annettee443 pink, i am in the same situation as you are.I too have family that is lost but i still go around them.If any are drinking they usually stay away from.They all know i love them dearly but will not comprise my faith.Many terribl thing has happened to us in the last few years and they keep asking me how i keep on and i always say the same thing.I am a christian and God looks after his own He is the only reason i can go on .I tell them that i dont worry because He has more time than i do so let Him worry.

[NITE OWL]

I think a lot of people are in the same boat, myself included. All you can really do is walk in the Light. Little by little, show them what God means to you. Admit your faults to them. Let them see that you're not perfect. A lot of people are put off by the notion of God because they think there are all these rules you have to follow.

Christ gave us two commandments. Acknowledge the Father as the one true God and worship Him as such and only Him. And treat people the way you want to be treated. Very simple concept.

All you have to do is plant a seed here and there. Little comments like, "That's not true, or that's not right, or that's a lie, etc", will put the ball in their court. Most people will ask "why?", and guess what? You got their attention. If they don't respond, don't push it. Sooner or later "why" will come up.

Just be yourself.

[Scarletprayers]

I think Nite Owl, has the right idea! We are supposed to spread the word in everything we do, but living the word is more impressive than someone who only speaks it!

Your sister in Christ

Kahlan

[NITE OWL]

I think Nite Owl, has the right idea!  We are supposed to spread the word in everything we do, but living the word is more impressive than someone who only speaks it! 

Your sister in Christ

Kahlan

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you.

[Constant]

Hey!

You know it may be their house and they do have the right to do as they please BUT, youare their invited guest and they should respect your wishes and beliefs while you are there. I have no problem with people drinking around young children as long as it is done in a manner which no one is getting drunk and there are some adults not drinking. What I hate the most is people who smoke around non smokers. Then I would say something, their house or not!

[Annette443pink]

If you truly wish to see them saved and love them then you might consider a more forward aproach with them.

We've tried the forward approach and every other approach it seems. They just get irate. There are others who will tell us they are saved but don't want to talk about Christ which seems totally unnatural to me.

[Guest Bro David™]

Most of our family is "lost".