Psalm 119:7-10 (AMP)
7 I will praise and give thanks to You with uprightness of heart when I learn [by sanctified experiences] Your righteous judgments [Your decisions against and punishments for particular lines of thought and conduct].
8 I will keep Your statutes; O forsake me not utterly.
9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it].
Many Christians tend to get on their unsaved loved ones about their lifestyles. Telling them what they need to do or what theu should not do. I understand the concern for the soul. However what we need to remember is where we came from. Remember there was a time we were in their shoes. We didn't want to hear it. We were blinded by the God of this world ( satan ). In verse 7 you can clearly see that the author states that he will praise and give thanks "WHEN" he learns of God's righteous judgements.
He goes on to say ( in vs 9 ) that a young man cleanses his way ( meaning lives his life according to the Word of God ), by keeping watch and taking heed.
So, in order for this to happen, one must be in the word. Our unsaved loved ones are not in the word like we are. We should remember that not long ago we were once living in fornication, alcoholism, or whatever sin it is we lived in. We were like them. And it took getting into the Word to change us. It didn't happen overnight. We went through a process. We even failed and fell on our butts. Even now we still slip up. So how do we expect someone who is not in the word to desire to live by it? If they do not LOVE the Lord, why would they want to please him or make him happy?
The way to win them over is to first pray. Secondly and just as importantly we must walk the walk. Walk it like you talk it. Live it out before them and we will get results. They know who we once were. They have seen our change. So if we simply live it out for them to see, they will one day invite us to talk to them about Jesus and salvation. They will ask us when the Lord deals with their heart since we are praying for it.
7 I will praise and give thanks to You with uprightness of heart when I learn [by sanctified experiences] Your righteous judgments [Your decisions against and punishments for particular lines of thought and conduct].
8 I will keep Your statutes; O forsake me not utterly.
9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it].
Many Christians tend to get on their unsaved loved ones about their lifestyles. Telling them what they need to do or what theu should not do. I understand the concern for the soul. However what we need to remember is where we came from. Remember there was a time we were in their shoes. We didn't want to hear it. We were blinded by the God of this world ( satan ). In verse 7 you can clearly see that the author states that he will praise and give thanks "WHEN" he learns of God's righteous judgements.
He goes on to say ( in vs 9 ) that a young man cleanses his way ( meaning lives his life according to the Word of God ), by keeping watch and taking heed.
So, in order for this to happen, one must be in the word. Our unsaved loved ones are not in the word like we are. We should remember that not long ago we were once living in fornication, alcoholism, or whatever sin it is we lived in. We were like them. And it took getting into the Word to change us. It didn't happen overnight. We went through a process. We even failed and fell on our butts. Even now we still slip up. So how do we expect someone who is not in the word to desire to live by it? If they do not LOVE the Lord, why would they want to please him or make him happy?
The way to win them over is to first pray. Secondly and just as importantly we must walk the walk. Walk it like you talk it. Live it out before them and we will get results. They know who we once were. They have seen our change. So if we simply live it out for them to see, they will one day invite us to talk to them about Jesus and salvation. They will ask us when the Lord deals with their heart since we are praying for it.