How do we win?

[JustinM]

Thank you all so much for your advice about witnessing. I can't really use my actions as an example (over the internet) to people in other parts of the world. I can say what I do, but then will be labelled a pharisee. In this particular website, there's about 6 people that post regularly, 4 of them are anti-Christian, one has a very liberal view of Christianity, almost secular humanistic and the other chimes in from time to time, but has been pretty muzzled by the "fabulous four."

One of the posters constantly calls Christianity a death cult and accuses us of worshipping the jewish people. There's no getting through this person I'm afraid. I bring up this person's pro-abortion stance and ask her why she can condemn Christianity as a death cult and not see the hipocricy in that statement.

When I tell this person that Christians respect and love the Jewish people, because they did provide the bloodline of Christ for us, I get accused of worshipping them. She also likes to say that God's Commandments only apply to the Jews and that Christ came here to save them, not us gentiles.

This person claims to be against all war, but excuses the suicide attacks against the jews as self defense, and the accuses the Jewish acts of self-defense as war crimes.

This person believes we are foolish to believe in a myth and simply ignores the facts when presented to her. The other 3 people in this group, tend to think along the same lines as her and when going against all four of them, it becomes quite overwhelming.

I still wonder, if I've done my job of planting the seed of faith and feel I must move on. I'm afraid it's a never ending battle and it gets discouraging at times.

Do you remember where it says that there will be mockers, scorners, blasphemers, idolators and prideful and foolish knowledge and that we will be ridiculed for our witness? This couldn't be more apparent at this particular website.

If some veteran Christians would like to visit this forum and get a feel for the place, please IM me and I will tell you where to find it. It's not a pretty place to be, though it is labeled a Christian Forum, nothing could be further from the truth. It seems to entice young Christians, then attempts to destroy their faith.

I've never witnessed more bitterness or hatred in my life, than I have there. I empathize for them and am saddened that they hold so much bitter resentment in their hearts.

Thank you all brothers and sisters, God Bless You all.

Some posts seemed to be quite off topic, I am sorry if some of you here feel like you are being judged by us. If you would like to share some things with me, I am not the type to broadcast other people's problems to the entire world, please IM me. We can pray together and discuss the challenges we all face.

In Christ's Love

Justin

[cjrose]

Hello everyone,

Do you all face obstacles like this when trying to teach people about God? Sometimes I wonder, if I need to shake the dust off my feet and move on to the next village. (or forum)

I have prayed for the answers to helping these people, but these people will never trust in God like I do or take the Bible as God's word.

I've learned that my purpose (either my entire purpose, part of it or a wee bit of it) is to just plant seeds. Often times when I am simply just sharing my own transformation to those closest to me, obstacles pop up. I used to think years ago when I first became born again that everyone should be saved and fast because the Lord is coming. As a babe in Christ, I learned by trial and error that not everyone I encounter is ready to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

It took me a long time, a very long time to realize and to accept that I live in God's garden and plant seeds no matter how subtle or obvious they may be. Whether these seeds produce fruit is usually something that I am not a witness to as sometimes seeds take longer to grow than others and I've moved on. That isn't to say that once I plant the seed I intentionally leave it alone because I don't. If I can cultivate and water the seed it is up to the Lord and He will guide me.

There will always be obstacles and my enthusiasm would be crushed in my moments of great joy and peace. Crushed by worldly views and satan and his dominions to sway me from the Lord and attempting to cause doubt.

That will never change but we must perservere and endure while keeping our faith and trust in obedience and repentence. It is through the world's ignorance that we learn and grow even more intimately in our walk with the Lord.

To risk nothing is to gain nothing. We are commanded to spread the good news of Jesus. I do it now with everyone I encounter and it is mostly strangers I may strike up a conversation with and many times, those conversations can end up lasting much longer than intended which is a good thing! You will know by the Holy Spirit what to say, when to say it and who to say it to. Of course we need to attempt to reach everyone as we may feel their heart is closed, it may be a way of protection. It is a much more delicate situation but not impossible.

By having high expectations of others recieving the Word as you have will most likely bring disappointments. By continuing to follow God's will, you are doing His work and you may even get to a point where it just comes so naturally that the seeds are bulging out of your pockets spreading all over. Where they end up is the Lord's will.

Do not be discouraged but rejoice and praise letting your light continue to shine!

[maguschris]

Well to begin with you cant expect someone else to share yoru beliefs when they havn't shared your life experiences. I dont accept the Bible as the word of God only because there is no logical and scientific proof. Many parts of the Bible are not true, even many christians admit to that. For example 2 of any species is not anough for a species to propogate properly and survive. There are many examples of this in the Bible. Adam and Eve and after the flood are the two that are comign to mind right now. There is no geologic evidence of a world wide flood either.

May I ask how everyone here accepts some stories of the Bible, but not others, since some aren't true?

[stafy]

Hey, I'm not happy about this sort of thing. I cannot make a person be with God and become a Christian. Its impossible, no one can. But all I hear other Christians go on about is saving others. Like I can just go out and make people Christians as an act of willpower or effort.

Also, I can't be a witness to anyone. So what will happen to me?? Is there going to be trouble because of this? I WAS a good example once, but it offended God that I was being a fake christian, or so I assume. My best behavior makes other very upset. People call me all kinds of things. I am severly tempted to deny all affiliation with Jesus because people like me are so hated that we're only ever seen in movies or on the news. What should I do though? I've heard that if I deny knowing him I'll commit a sin.

And whether I acknowledge that I know him or not people still think I'm evil and twisted. They hate what they see. The fruit of my life is death and corruption.

So, would you people condemn me? For not being Christian enough? Most of you probably already have. I think that almost all of you would send me to hell if you could. I don't want to go to heaven with that. I don't want that set over me when I get there. I hate that. I'd rather die and have no part in eternal life if I could avoid hell at the same time.

So, Leonard, and those others of you I'm talking to,if you can hear me, Are you willing to just wash your hands of me and have no opinions what so ever at least for the sake of the relationship I have with God? Because he might not consider it all my fault someday?

Oh, by the way, could someone very spiritual tell me what to think about all the things above like not being a good example despite trying? Or Evangelist types warping the dynamics of Christianity in a way possibly harmful to new believers.

Dear freind There are much bigger issues in your life, than can be addressed here on a post site. you ask for a spiritual answer. But i will not give you one as you are not in a position to cope with the answer, i'm sorry if this seems like a cop- out, you mention your fruits are evil and corrupt in such a state it would be unwise to give a spiritual answer, that would only serve to get you into more trouble. I hear the anger in you letter and thats fine, you expressed it in a mature manure and that is all we ask, i'm not an offical of this site. and as such not in a position to offer you any help. for this fact that I proberly live on the other side of the planet and your situation requires personal hands on attention. I can only leave you in the hands of the living god, and trust in his good salvation to come to you when he is ready.

[JustinM]

Well to begin with you cant expect someone else to share yoru beliefs when they havn't shared your life experiences. I dont accept the Bible as the word of God only because there is no logical and scientific proof. Many parts of the Bible are not true, even many christians admit to that. For example 2 of any species is not anough for a species to propogate properly and survive. There are many examples of this in the Bible. Adam and Eve and after the flood are the two that are comign to mind right now. There is no geologic evidence of a world wide flood either.

May I ask how everyone here accepts some stories of the Bible, but not others, since some aren't true?

What "Christians" have you been talking to, that believe that only some parts of the bible are true? I am a Christian that believes in everything the bible says. For those stories that seem to be too far fetched, it only adds to my wonder and awe of God, nothing is beyond His capabilities.

As for the world wide flood. What about the discoveries of massive boats found near the tops of some mountains? A person has to wonder how they got there, because it's too big to carry up a mountain, and also pointless.

The great plains are flat with rolling hills and sways. Our soil is some of the most fertile in the world. Besides, there's hardly any trees in the great plains. That looks like plenty of evidence that that part of the country was once under water. Does the idea of a world wide flood seem impossible? Not if you're God. God first created the world with 1 man and 1 woman and despite all the wars, genocides, murders, deaths, famines, diseases, there are now over 4 billion of us. Unlikely? For man to do himself is very unlikely, but once again, nothing is impossible for God.

[Floatingaxe]

Well to begin with you cant expect someone else to share yoru beliefs when they havn't shared your life experiences. I dont accept the Bible as the word of God only because there is no logical and scientific proof. Many parts of the Bible are not true, even many christians admit to that. For example 2 of any species is not anough for a species to propogate properly and survive. There are many examples of this in the Bible. Adam and Eve and after the flood are the two that are comign to mind right now. There is no geologic evidence of a world wide flood either.

May I ask how everyone here accepts some stories of the Bible, but not others, since some aren't true?

What do you do as an encore?

[Jesus Admirer]

I once wrote a booklet about Jesus Christ and salvation., and then started passing copies of the booklet out to people. I suppose 99 out of a hundred might have just thrown their copy into the trash. But I never get discouraged about those who don't repond to the Gospel Message. (I rejoice over the one who does respond, and doesn't trash the Gospel Message!)

It's about the one who repents and receives Jesus. Every angel in Heaven rejoices over one repented sinner. It's our duty to preach the Gospel, but it's each individual's choice whether they receive it or not. S

Edited February 13, 2007 by Jesus Admirer

[JustinM]

Can someone help me answer this question?

Are there verses in the Bible that deny free will?

This is what one poster wrote and is using this verse to justify his/her behavior.

Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Rom 9:14

[Floatingaxe]

No.

[JustinM]

Hello everyone,

I looked in the doctrinal forums regarding free will and I found the answer to my question. Thank you all. There's nothing new under the sun and that goes well with this forum, free will, predestination have all been extensively discussed here, I just needed to do a little research. God Bless you all!