So near....

[yomotalking]

She comes from a strict Christian family, so she knows how to.

She is older than me....so I was worried that she thought I was trying to bully her into doing it.......THAT'S the problem.........

Yomo

[Pipit]

That makes it more difficult. The hardest people to witness to are those who grew up in the church. They know all the 'right' answers, but don't want to commit to them!

However, it still doesn't mean she necessarily knows how to, or that she fully understands those aspects. Sad truth, repentence is a rarity in todays church, and even in strict 'Christian' environments, it may not be mentioned. Usually a strict Christian household focuses on obedience and punishment, but leaves repentence out. It may be because of that obedience and punishment mentality that your friend is uncertain and uncommitted. Or it may be that she simply has difficulty having faith in God ( "I thought that God has saved me, but I realize He hadn't" ).

Sadly, such a statement shows a lack of faith. And lacking faith, or lacking belief, in the Salvation of God is making God out as a liar (1st John 5:10). Nor is it possible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).

At risk of being seen as a bit of pushy to your friend, gently ask why she feels she is not saved. Do so remembering what Jude told us "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them, to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing corrupted by the flesh" (Jude v.22-23).

Also remember that it may be better to be a bit pushy and to have the opportunity to witness and share with someone the salvation we have through Christ (even if they don't accept Him), then it is to remine silent and have that person go to hell without having the opportunity to fully understand what God has done for us.

And, before you do so, ask God for wisdom and direction, as you prepare to speak to your friend.

[yomotalking]

That makes it more difficult. The hardest people to witness to are those who grew up in the church. They know all the 'right' answers, but don't want to commit to them!

However, it still doesn't mean she necessarily knows how to, or that she fully understands those aspects. Sad truth, repentence is a rarity in todays church, and even in strict 'Christian' environments, it may not be mentioned. Usually a strict Christian household focuses on obedience and punishment, but leaves repentence out. It may be because of that obedience and punishment mentality that your friend is uncertain and uncommitted. Or it may be that she simply has difficulty having faith in God ( "I thought that God has saved me, but I realize He hadn't" ).

Sadly, such a statement shows a lack of faith. And lacking faith, or lacking belief, in the Salvation of God is making God out as a liar (1st John 5:10). Nor is it possible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).

At risk of being seen as a bit of pushy to your friend, gently ask why she feels she is not saved. Do so remembering what Jude told us "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them, to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing corrupted by the flesh" (Jude v.22-23).

Also remember that it may be better to be a bit pushy and to have the opportunity to witness and share with someone the salvation we have through Christ (even if they don't accept Him), then it is to remine silent and have that person go to hell without having the opportunity to fully understand what God has done for us.

And, before you do so, ask God for wisdom and direction, as you prepare to speak to your friend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh, thankyou, Pupit!!!

Oh, one more.

Please don't get mad....ok?

Right.......here goes.

Wouldn't she think me really pushy, and nosey? (for asking all this stuff?)

I hope not, for I am begining a good friendship there........

Yomo

[Pipit]

Hey Yomo...

Maybe she may see you as a bit pushy, but if she counts you as a friend, and you appraoch her as a friend concerned for her, even if you are a bit pushy, hopefully it will be the push she needs to get right with God.

Be praying for you and your friend, that God may give you the wisdom and sensitivity, as well as the boldness, to be an open witness to her, and that He will open her heart to hear!

Blessings to you!

agape--->

p.s. It's Pipit.... not Pupit! Though... it could be worse... you could have called me Pimpit... (ahh, working with inner-city kids at a camp, how the nick names get twisted! )

[Khristeeanos]

Greetings,

The "bare minimum Christian" is shown in the Bible as the "thief on the cross" that asked the Lord to "remember me when you come into your Kingdom". But he was dying and had no time to waste. His confession of Christ was to the other thief when he rebuked him for making fun of our Lord.

If your friend's heart is motivated to honor Christ, and it MUST be Christ, not just God, or A god, then she CAN be assured that she is saved. You might want to remind her of this verse:

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Dad Ernie. To be honest, the thief died before the Resurrection of Jesus, and thus was under the OT Law and not under the New Covenant.

[Dad Ernie]

Hey Dad Ernie.  To be honest, the thief died before the Resurrection of Jesus, and thus was under the OT Law and not under the New Covenant.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greetings 1Diem,

So you believe that the thief was "saved" under the Old Covenant? Sorry, I don't think so.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[yomotalking]

Ahhh...sorry...didn't see my mistake........

Oh well.

Sorry for that, then!!!

LOL

Thanks for the replies!!!

Yomo

[Khristeeanos]

Hey Dad Ernie.

[Dad Ernie]

I believe that the New Covenant was fully realized when Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

There wasn't one person who understood the first thing about the New Covenant until after Jesus raised from the dead.

Greetings 1Diem,

Luke 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Do you believe that Jesus was speaking of the thief being saved? Then how was the thief saved?

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Mikeyjay]

I believe that the New Covenant was fully realized when Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

There wasn't one person who understood the first thing about the New Covenant until after Jesus raised from the dead.

Greetings 1Diem,

Luke 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Do you believe that Jesus was speaking of the thief being saved? Then how was the thief saved?

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

remember people that after Jesus desended into the pit of Hell and took back the keys from Satan...he then went into Paradise (also known as Abraham's Bossom) and freed the captive souls of those who died under the old covenant...those who would accept Him!