Today, like many other days, I had a debate with my college friends about God. Luckily for me, one of my closest christian friends is in the same friendship group as me, so we didn't get completely torn apart.
As much as I love my college friends, they are extremely quick to jump on the bandwagon, and disprove anything that they personally don't believe in.
I would very much like to be able to say 'this is wrong', or 'people should embrace what others believe' or 'they should have respected my opinions'. But I think that would be very hypocritical.
You see, I figured that, if the majority in the debate today where christians including me, listening to two non christians talk about their reasons for why sex is right, why alcohol is fine, and why God is a joke, I would most definitley give them a piece of my mind. Probably similair to the way my friends treat my belief.
So, I am sending this message out there, a question really, to where do we draw the line between respecting our peers, and proclaiming that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Proclaiming God's word is a fight. There's no denying it. It's hard to help people understand where you are coming from, without basically saying 'what you do is wrong' when they ask the question 'so you think I'm going to hell?'. There is going to be conflict.
To go back to my first point, how can I expect people to be respectful of my faith, and to try and understand what its about, and maybe even be willing to come along to church or a friday night meeting to see what its all about for themselves, when I have absolutley no intention to go and try out any other faith, accept what my friends believe is right, nor be willing to 'come along', whatever it may be.
Honesty, I feel a bit stuck. Especially with friends as firey as mine, where these discussions happen pretty much every week. I guess I'll have to find the balance between love and respect, and being a disciple of Jesus, called to share the good news.
What do you think?
Hi Becky!
ReplyDeleteHope you're well and things are going good.
I enjoyed reading this and think its a good point. It's a difficult situation because simply being a Christian is offensive to other people as we're basically saying that it is through faith we are saved, not by works, in Jesus Christ who died on the cross to save our sins and the only way to salvation is through Jesus.
I think the question you're asking is basically how to share your faith with people in an effective way without being 'torn apart' in a debate. I think debates are good and I would definitely try to engage in conversations with people (not only does this give you the opportunity to share the gospel with others and hopefully answer questions, but it can be useful for your own spiritual growth), but remember, sometimes you can win an argument but lose a person so always be sensitive and gentle.
But I think the most important thing is building friendships with non-Christians and just letting Jesus shine through in your life. People will notice the difference and will want to know why your life is different. Do invite people along to things but if they say no, then don't add any pressure, just accept it and maybe invite them again in a few months.
Be prayerful as well. Pray for your friends and for opportunities to talk to them.
Mark x
This is a very good point Becky! SEE I told you had interesting thoughts :D
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Mark, I remember reading something once and it said "loving the other person is always more important than winning the argument." Simple enough statement but very easily forgotten.
Ooo I'm gonna enjoy these blogs Beck :) I can tell!
From your number one fan!
Chesky xxxxx
Thanks you guys :D
ReplyDeleteAll very true Mark, you're right that the most effective way in sharing the gospel is to be loving and sensitive. Thankyou for all of your advice :D! Missing you, can't wait to see you all christmas!
And Thankyou Chesk! :) Your enjoyment from these is the most important to me
Yeh, very effective statement, it also says in the bible something similair; 'you can never argue someone into the kingdom of heaven' i think it is.
Thanks so much for both of your comments!
xxxx
This is a great blog!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could write as good as this :(
But anyway, I just wanna repeat what the other guys have said. Their points are certainly true. Only the other week did my friends in my Chemistry class ask me about my faith but I always try and be the person that we see little of these days.
Yes, Jesus proclaimed that He was the Messiah but ultimately, He was a friend to the lonely, a healer to the sick, a shoulder to cry on and a shepherd to the lost. As we are made in His image, this, I believe, is what salt and light in Matthew is meant to signify; being a friend to the lonely, a shoulder to cry on and ear for people to talk to, allowing God to be the shepherd to tose we bring before Him.
Remember, there's only so much we can do too! God has called us to do our bit, but only God can do His bit to. It's definitely not about winning the argument, it's about being consistent and a big ball of Jesus' love, glowing with his light in the world of darkness.
Anyway, if I rant anymore it'll be my own blog lol.
Maybe I should start one of these as a New Year thing? :P
God bless guys
Emma
xxx :)
Thanks Emma! I can only say I completely agree and thankyou for reading! :)
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