When to give up on someone?

[Raccoon1010]

We are not called to push our beliefs on others and I wonder sometimes why agnostics or atheists come on this site at all unless it is to cause unrest.

I think a lot depends on what they want to talk about, are they genuine in the questions they ask. It can't be a one size fits all and we must use some discernment.

With some you get that bad 'vibe' right from the off and I find it better to steer clear of troublemakers.

If it was in a real life situation such as in church, a person wouldn't need to approach somebody they weren't comfortable about without support.

Yes I also am very relaxed so that I have no real need to push my beliefs on someone else. I provide them sometimes and if they like what they hear than I am happy. If not then I move on. At least that's what I try to do.

 

[farouk]

I agree. The spirit should be guiding us.

@devin553344 The regular habit of prayer and Scripture reading will make is more open to the leading of the Spirit, we trust....

 

[BarneyFife]

This is in response to a thread I was watching where the agnostic or atheist clearly wasn't interested in Christianity and was attacking people.

The question: Do you try to convert someone who is clearly not interested, is getting frustrated and attacking you?

I grew up in a church that would not engage with that person under those circumstances and would say that we're not helping them but hurting their future prospects.

Also this applies to missionary work on or off the internet.

Debate...

The church of your childhood was right. There are actually too many people the Spirit is working on to waste our labors on people who are not under conviction. I have a friend who teaches young people how to canvas door-to-door as missionary/colporteurs (literature evangelists), and he tells them not to pray that the people they meet will have open hearts, but that God would lead them only to people He's already been impressing and heart-softening. It probably sounds like simply saying the same thing, only backwards, but he says since he was taught to pray that way his success has been doubled. I think it just shows God that you're really thinking about what you're doing and giving Him all the glory (which we humans don't handle to ourselves very well).

:)

 

[ScottA]

This is in response to a thread I was watching where the agnostic or atheist clearly wasn't interested in Christianity and was attacking people.

The question: Do you try to convert someone who is clearly not interested, is getting frustrated and attacking you?

I grew up in a church that would not engage with that person under those circumstances and would say that we're not helping them but hurting their future prospects.

Also this applies to missionary work on or off the internet.

Debate...

--> Revelation 22:11

 

[amigo de christo]

Yes I also am very relaxed so that I have no real need to push my beliefs on someone else. I provide them sometimes and if they like what they hear than I am happy. If not then I move on. At least that's what I try to do.

Though paul constantly went to synagogues and continously exhorted all to believe in Christ , was he forcing his beliefs ,
OR out of love was he doing all to win souls .
Let me give us a quick reminder , which i think might encourage us all ,
THEREFORE knowning the TERROR of GOD we persaude men . See paul knew
the only hope for mankind was Christ , thus he preached Christ .
We need to get reminded about that . On the day of the LORD many will wail ,
Let us do all to ensure we did our part to win souls .
For i have not shunned to warn and to declare all the counsel of GOD , thus i am free of the blood of all men .
Remember , paul said that in acts . SO let us pray to GOD to use us to do just that .
Keep praying the LORD send laborers into the harvest . Let our hearts desire life for the peoples , thus
let us remind the folks , ONLY JESUS saves , now repent and believe .
And continue in prayer unto GOD to be used of GOD to win souls . And watch what happens .
Now march on my friend . And let the glorious Lord be praised .

 

[marks]

So then, by telling the Truth unconditionally, you do so without any investment on their conversion. After all, it's for God's glory, not our own.
If we are conditional about it, we end up waiting for some glorious return for our investment, and the debate carries on, and on...

Good point!

Much love!

 

[Pearl]

Yes I also am very relaxed so that I have no real need to push my beliefs on someone else. I provide them sometimes and if they like what they hear than I am happy. If not then I move on. At least that's what I try to do.

yes each person is different and some will want to know and some won't.

 

[marks]

We speak as humans the language of the bible and when inspired the language God provides. You have a good point though. Let's not take credit for winning over a convert. But that doesn't mean we sit idly by. We must use the Holy Spirit to guide us to help win over coverts. We should be Gods helpers.

When I became convinced of the accuracy of the Bible, I didn't need someone to tell me the Gospel, I already knew it from when I was 3 years old in Sunday School. And 7 years old in Release Time Christian Education.

Much love!

 

[lforrest]

The church of your childhood was right. There are actually too many people the Spirit is working on to waste our labors on people who are not under conviction. I have a friend who teaches young people how to canvas door-to-door as missionary/colporteurs (literature evangelists), and he tells them not to pray that the people they meet will have open hearts, but that God would lead them only to people He's already been impressing and heart-softening. It probably sounds like simply saying the same thing, only backwards, but he says since he was taught to pray that way his success has been doubled. I think it just shows God that you're really thinking about what you're doing and giving Him all the glory (which we humans don't handle to ourselves very well).

:)

Is this what 1 John 5:16-17 teaches?

 

[Angelina]

A lady came into our church one day thinking she was coming into a car-boot sale. She had no idea that she was coming to a church meeting as we were all using the back door. After the meeting we all went to somebody's house for a barbecue and the lady - Tricia - was asked to come to. During that afternoon a lot of people spoke to her and made her welcome and I arranged to meet her the following week for a coffee. She asked me if it was true what she'd heard that to be a christian you have to give your life to Jesus. I eventually got the privilege, with my husband, of baptising her.

There is definitely a season for everything and everyone under the sun. My belief is that God has his timing for those who are about to become Children of God. Sometimes seeds have already been sown or watered and sometimes it's their first real encounter with God. I remember a guy coming off the street and walking into our night service. I was the music leader at the time and saw him coming in. He sat down on one of the pews before the service and I was able to sit next to him, welcoming him to our service. He seemed a little rugged, covered in tatoos and a little agitated.

He told me that he just got out of jail for murder and he had an argument with his partner so he decided to go for a walk. He passed by our service and felt to come in. I was not intimidated at all with what he was telling me because I knew God had sent him and he was there for a reason. I talked to him about Jesus and the message of the cross during that time but had to get up and begin the worship. He asked me if he could talk with me again before he left so when he was about to leave I met him in the passage and he asked me to pray with him as he wanted to recieve Christ as his Lord and Savior. After we prayed together, I saw the light of Christ in his eyes as he became a child of the most high God. I also discerned the angels in heaven rejoicing. He was so happy when he left. I didn't get to watch him be baptized, that was left for another believer to be blessed with. Glory!

 

[BarneyFife]

Is this what 1 John 5:16-17 teaches?

I'd have to be honest and say I've never really been certain as to whether I understand that passage. It seems to me that it says we should not pray that God would forgive the unpardonable sin in someone else. And I don't know whether it's directly related to what I posted or not. It's an interesting thought, though.

Many atheists have a voluminous, race-ready schtick that makes them hard to read at first sight. I do know from my door-to-door experience that some people will tell you they're atheists when they're actually not, just to see your reaction.

I'm sure we have no shortage of folks among us who believe they know exactly what 1 John 5:16-17 means, and we are now liable to find out who some of them are. - lol

 

[BarneyFife]

There is definitely a season for everything and everyone under the sun. My belief is that God has his timing for those who are about to become Children of God. Sometimes seeds have already been sown or watered and sometimes it's their first real encounter with God. I remember a guy coming off the street and walking into our night service. I was the music leader at the time and saw him coming in. He sat down on one of the pews before the service and I was able to sit next to him, welcoming him to our service. He seemed a little rugged, covered in tatoos and a little agitated.

He told me that he just got out of jail for murder and he had an argument with his partner so he decided to go for a walk. He passed by our service and felt to come in. I was not intimidated at all with what he was telling me because I knew God had sent him and he was there for a reason. I talked to him about Jesus and the message of the cross during that time but had to get up and begin the worship. He asked me if he could talk with me again before he left so when he was about to leave I met him in the passage and he asked me to pray with him as he wanted to recieve Christ as his Lord and Savior. After we prayed together, I saw the light of Christ in his eyes as he became a child of the most high God. I also discerned the angels in heaven rejoicing. He was so happy when he left. I didn't get to watch him be baptized, that was left for another believer to be blessed with. Glory!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

 

[Pearl]

There is definitely a season for everything and everyone under the sun. My belief is that God has his timing for those who are about to become Children of God. Sometimes seeds have already been sown or watered and sometimes it's their first real encounter with God. I remember a guy coming off the street and walking into our night service. I was the music leader at the time and saw him coming in. He sat down on one of the pews before the service and I was able to sit next to him, welcoming him to our service. He seemed a little rugged, covered in tatoos and a little agitated.

He told me that he just got out of jail for murder and he had an argument with his partner so he decided to go for a walk. He passed by our service and felt to come in. I was not intimidated at all with what he was telling me because I knew God had sent him and he was there for a reason. I talked to him about Jesus and the message of the cross during that time but had to get up and begin the worship. He asked me if he could talk with me again before he left so when he was about to leave I met him in the passage and he asked me to pray with him as he wanted to recieve Christ as his Lord and Savior. After we prayed together, I saw the light of Christ in his eyes as he became a child of the most high God. I also discerned the angels in heaven rejoicing. He was so happy when he left. I didn't get to watch him be baptized, that was left for another believer to be blessed with. Glory!

It's a shame you couldn't get to baptise him yourself like Ray and I did with Tricia but God's timing is always spot on. Did you ever hear from him again?

 

[Angelina]

It's a shame you couldn't get to baptise him yourself like Ray and I did with Tricia but God's timing is always spot on. Did you ever hear from him again?

My understanding has always been, that we [believers in Christ] are all part of the same team.

1 Cor:3 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers.

 

[Pearl]

My understanding has always been, that we [believers in Christ] are all part of the same team.

1 Cor:3 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers.

I'm not sure what you are saying here. Of course we are all on the same team. I just asked if you ever saw him again. Not sure what that has to do with teams.

 

[Angelina]

I'm not sure what you are saying here. Of course we are all on the same team. I just asked if you ever saw him again. Not sure what that has to do with teams.

@Pearl, he went to another Church [another body of believers] later on in his walk and was Baptised there..sorry for the confusion. I thought this was clear based on 1 Cor 3:5.

 

[Pearl]

@Pearl, he went to another Church [another body of believers] later on in his walk and was Baptised there..sorry for the confusion. I thought this was clear based on 1 Cor 3:5.

Not really but thank for the clarification.

 

[Angelina]

Sorry @Pearl. Must be the virus speaking. Can get a little cloudy at times...:)

 

[Bob Estey]

This is in response to a thread I was watching where the agnostic or atheist clearly wasn't interested in Christianity and was attacking people.

The question: Do you try to convert someone who is clearly not interested, is getting frustrated and attacking you?

I grew up in a church that would not engage with that person under those circumstances and would say that we're not helping them but hurting their future prospects.

Also this applies to missionary work on or off the internet.

Debate...

There's a verse in the Bible about not giving pearls to swine, or some such thing.

 

[Raccoon1010]

There's a verse in the Bible about not giving pearls to swine, or some such thing.

I would agree and I think that verse says what my beliefs are. Sometimes that applies here on the forums also. Which is why I disengage sometimes.