A discussion with an un-believing friend...

[jz4jc]

Okay, this is for further discussion about the "Christians being Persecuted for their Faith" Just tell me, did I do something wrong? Where did I go wrong? Or is just the devil again trying to pull me away from the lord

MY words are in bold My friends are not


ME: Wise Alec
MY FRIEND: i like wise a** better thanks
HKSMRTWRX: I dont.
Boosted EJ 20: has a better ring to it
Boosted EJ 20: thats fine
Boosted EJ 20: i d c
Boosted EJ 20: im telling you... it sounds better my way
HKSMRTWRX: nope. It sounds better the clean way
Boosted EJ 20: oh i forgot, you are trying too hard.. thats right... remember, people never change, you just try to be somone else, thats no better than being fake... but dont expect me to play along
Boosted EJ 20: all of a sudden you decide this is it.. thats all cool
Boosted EJ 20: but it isnt for me, so dont ask/ expect me to play along ok?
HKSMRTWRX: No see thats just the thing, Im not trying that hard. Jesus is there with me helping me along. I could NEVER do it by myself.
Boosted EJ 20: if that little rolls eyes thing was here, it would apply
HKSMRTWRX: All the Lustful thoughts that I had in my head all along, are GONE
Boosted EJ 20: o
Boosted EJ 20: ok
Boosted EJ 20: yep
Boosted EJ 20: neat
HKSMRTWRX: I thought things mark, that you wouldn't imagine
Boosted EJ 20: and?
HKSMRTWRX: Disgusting things
HKSMRTWRX: And they're Gone
Boosted EJ 20: good for you...
HKSMRTWRX: Im not longer in bondage to them
HKSMRTWRX: AND IM SOOOO HAPPY ABOUT IT
Boosted EJ 20: dude, something tells me you really need to relax
Boosted EJ 20: yep
HKSMRTWRX: And this Happyness
HKSMRTWRX: isn't going away
Boosted EJ 20: wow... if thats happiness, i dont want anything to do with it.. yo always trying to correct yourself, biting your toungue, etc... i wouldnt ever call that happiness to me
HKSMRTWRX: Its more like Peace
Boosted EJ 20: but hey
HKSMRTWRX: Because you don't understand it.
Boosted EJ 20: i have only seen proof that life is now, and there is nothing afterward... thats the only thing with proof, so **** it, ill live for now.
Boosted EJ 20: today, tomorrow
Boosted EJ 20: i dont understand what?
Boosted EJ 20: that you arent HEALED? that you just hide everything you said before?
Boosted EJ 20: i see you physically stop yourself?
HKSMRTWRX: Okay mark
HKSMRTWRX: that hurt
HKSMRTWRX: talk to you later
Boosted EJ 20: what kind of peace is that/
Boosted EJ 20: ?
Boosted EJ 20: see, now you read into it....

 

[jz4jc]

Arent you guys reading this? Please I need some advice!

 

[looksgood]

You both have points. The problem is you are both coming from differant worlds. In your friends world there is no God to help him. Pride is something you SHOULD have and anything that feels good IS good.

In your world God IS there to help. Pride in yourself is usless cause you see a greater God. And not all that feels good for the moment is good.

Your friend seems to be thinking your tring to change him. Telling someone the world they know is not good is hard for people to accept. Don't be disheartend though. He doesn't know what it is like so he thinks you are lieing to yourself. All you can do is show that it is not a lie. Live what God has told you to. Don't try to force him to believe. Just give him reasons to believe. Sometimes telling someone that something is wrong isn't enough. It's always "says who?!" And untill they meet Him it is kinda pointless to tell them not to do some things. You can tell them why YOU don't do those things.

You know your friend better than me. Just think about this from his point of view and think of what you would respond to in his place.

 

[WeakButHopeful]

I totally agree with looksgood. I'm only replying with some additional examples in case they will help you (if not, ignore them).

In Acts 17 Paul was eloquent in comparing his audience's "unknown god" to our God. Why did he meet with such little success with those people? I think commentators have said it was because Christianity is not a philosophical discipline, it is a relationship with a Savior. I have had many discussions with people who think the idea of a creator is old-fashioned and unnecessary. But when I try to pin them down on why they think their narrow, selfish world view with no explanation nor interest in how they got here should somehow be looked upon as superior to my religion, they get defensive. Also, if I tell them the positive changes in my life, then they feel I am fooling myself or would have improved anyway. If I were to become a vegan they'd respect me, as if changing your diet makes more sense and takes more discipline than coming into contact with a spiritual movement that is thousands of years old and has included in its membership probably many of the people this planet has considered "great", either from the standpoint of wisdom, courage, inventiveness or charity.
There's an old expression "pushing string". You'll never push a non-believer into believing because there's just too much unreasonable (sic) fear of seeing the world as it really is (which is why Jesus asked the blind man if he wanted to see before he cured him). You have to pull string, you have to attract the non-believer by allowing Jesus to live through you.

 

[jz4jc]

Well said, I will take the advice, thank you!

 

[Rafael]

You can't really talk another into anything, and the pushing string idea was an excellent analogy. Being a witness for God is just letting them see Christ in you. Your life will become a letter to the world, and they shall see your good works and thank God.

1 Peter 2:12 having your behaviour among the nations right, that in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, of the good works having beheld, they may glorify God in a day of inspection.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 3:2 You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read of all men: