The Ubiquitous God

[darski]

I had an experience today with a post from a crochet group.

One of the members has severe health problems and had a crisis in the last couple of days. Suffice it to say that the paramedic asked what she would want done since she did not have a living will. She was very clear about the life and death nature of her situation. At this point, she is at home and on oxygen.

She posted this information (with more detail) and ended by saying that "God must have more for me to do because I am still going...)

I had just heard a good teaching on Phi. 1:21 "for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". I mentioned this promise of Christ to her in the belief that she understood how near she is to death and that she is in Christ because she cited God's plans for her. I'm paring it down here just to get it said... (I would add that I did consider her eternal state immediately upon reading her tale)

She wrote back with a rather terse thank you for the good thoughts.

It occurred to me that if she is not indeed in Christ, the promise implied in this verse would bring no comfort. There is this ubiquitous god out there that has nothing to do with Yahweh. It is just that god that is touted as ...out there...

I guess I am asking for a couple of help points here:

1. How do you decide if someone is citing the One, Living God ("God must have more for me to do...) in such a story? (what clues would you act on one way or the other? She began her story with a request for prayer but did not mention faith getting her through any part of this. Jesus was never mentioned at all)

2. Would you evangelize or not? (if yes, how?)

[st. Worm]

I had an experience today with a post from a crochet group.

One of the members has severe health problems and had a crisis in the last couple of days. Suffice it to say that the paramedic asked what she would want done since she did not have a living will. She was very clear about the life and death nature of her situation. At this point, she is at home and on oxygen.

She posted this information (with more detail) and ended by saying that "God must have more for me to do because I am still going...)

I had just heard a good teaching on Phi. 1:21 "for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". I mentioned this promise of Christ to her in the belief that she understood how near she is to death and that she is in Christ because she cited God's plans for her. I'm paring it down here just to get it said... (I would add that I did consider her eternal state immediately upon reading her tale)

She wrote back with a rather terse thank you for the good thoughts.

It occurred to me that if she is not indeed in Christ, the promise implied in this verse would bring no comfort. There is this ubiquitous god out there that has nothing to do with Yahweh. It is just that god that is touted as ...out there...

I guess I am asking for a couple of help points here:

1. How do you decide if someone is citing the One, Living God ("God must have more for me to do...) in such a story? (what clues would you act on one way or the other? She began her story with a request for prayer but did not mention faith getting her through any part of this. Jesus was never mentioned at all)

2. Would you evangelize or not? (if yes, how?)

This is not necessarily an indication that the woman is not saved. The nearness of death, even in a believer is usually a hard reality to accept. The old Adam clings to this world and hates the idea of death. However the old Adam resides in us all and will until we die. If she has faith in Christ and trusts in him for her salvation then her reluctance to accept death is not the determining factor in her salvation. I see no problem discussing and confirming her faith if there are doubts about it but I don't know if you need to treat her as an unbeliever just because of the response she gave you.

sw

[darski]

I only know her from the group and don't generally write to her.

I did treat her as a believer in writing to her. My reply was about the promise we have in Christ and the assurance that He - Jesus- is with us in whatever we face.

It was only later that I considered her post and the lack of references to Christ in anything written up to that last 'tag on bit' about god having something for her to do.

Would you, in relating that situation in your own life, omit references to Jesus in your time of trial?

Ok, I put Jesus into everything so maybe I'm not one to go by, but again, what clues would you use to decide how to proceed?

[Guest man]

I guess I would just ask what her belief's are and go from there.

There are people out there that say they believe in God but have no idea who Christ is. There are some who believe that unless you've done some horrible crime, you will go to heaven. And then there are others who believe that everyone goes to heaven because the world as we know it is hell.

Ask her , her thoughts on the afterlife. Ask her what one has to do to get into heaven. Find out what her belief's are where God is concerned.

I don't know what else to say. I'd say plant a seed, but from your post I assume she could close her eyes at any time.

Go with your feeling's. Say a little prayer and let the Spirit take over. Give it to God, He'll know what to do.

[st. Worm]

I only know her from the group and don't generally write to her.

I did treat her as a believer in writing to her. My reply was about the promise we have in Christ and the assurance that He - Jesus- is with us in whatever we face.

It was only later that I considered her post and the lack of references to Christ in anything written up to that last 'tag on bit' about god having something for her to do.

Would you, in relating that situation in your own life, omit references to Jesus in your time of trial?

Ok, I put Jesus into everything so maybe I'm not one to go by, but again, what clues would you use to decide how to proceed?

I understand your concern. However a believer might not make specific reference to Jesus in the way you expect in a time of trial. Like I said before I think its reasonable to sort of feel her out with regard to her faith before making any move to evangelize. You could even ask leading questions such as isn't it a comfort to know that her trust in Christ will someday provide an entrance to eternal bliss in the presence of God. If that concept appears strange to her then I think you could start talking about the good news of Jesus.

sw

[darski]

Thank you, I think I might try to do that.

I can write tomorrow just to check in on how she is feeling.

[cjrose]

I only know her from the group and don't generally write to her.

I did treat her as a believer in writing to her. My reply was about the promise we have in Christ and the assurance that He - Jesus- is with us in whatever we face.

It was only later that I considered her post and the lack of references to Christ in anything written up to that last 'tag on bit' about god having something for her to do.

Would you, in relating that situation in your own life, omit references to Jesus in your time of trial?

Ok, I put Jesus into everything so maybe I'm not one to go by, but again, what clues would you use to decide how to proceed?

Witness to her. Some women of the older generation think you can get to heaven by good works alone. Personally, I would feel responsible to talk about Jesus, His life, His death and salvation. To risk losing someone by not spreading the word is worth pleasing God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Pray for wisdom in your words. Some do believe they are Christians yet don't have a personal relationship with Christ. Perhaps God is working through you to get her to Heaven.

[Guest drbelitz]

I had an experience today with a post from a crochet group.

One of the members has severe health problems and had a crisis in the last couple of days. Suffice it to say that the paramedic asked what she would want done since she did not have a living will. She was very clear about the life and death nature of her situation. At this point, she is at home and on oxygen.

She posted this information (with more detail) and ended by saying that "God must have more for me to do because I am still going...)

I had just heard a good teaching on Phi. 1:21 "for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". I mentioned this promise of Christ to her in the belief that she understood how near she is to death and that she is in Christ because she cited God's plans for her. I'm paring it down here just to get it said... (I would add that I did consider her eternal state immediately upon reading her tale)

She wrote back with a rather terse thank you for the good thoughts.

It occurred to me that if she is not indeed in Christ, the promise implied in this verse would bring no comfort. There is this ubiquitous god out there that has nothing to do with Yahweh. It is just that god that is touted as ...out there...

I guess I am asking for a couple of help points here:

1. How do you decide if someone is citing the One, Living God ("God must have more for me to do...) in such a story? (what clues would you act on one way or the other? She began her story with a request for prayer but did not mention faith getting her through any part of this. Jesus was never mentioned at all)

2. Would you evangelize or not? (if yes, how?)

well thank God that Jesus(God) said that there are many in his flock which we know not of.

It doesn't matter if you are an indian in the jungle who never heard the gospel, you can still know the one True God for He makes Himself known to all, He reveals Himself to them and offers them salvation.

If by no fault of their own, they have not heard the gospel yet believe, then they are believing in Christ, because He is that Big, that loving and merciful and that powerful.

He writes it on the human heart, yet few respond.