Christian Vs. NonChristian

[VCman]

should the focus of the Church be to strengthen the current believers, or focus on outreach. I know it needs to be both, but which is more important to you folks? If a Christian person is sick, and a NonChristian is sick, and you can only bring one person dinner, who would you bring it to, and why? James 1:27 pops into my mind, talking about caring for the orphans and widows, but I dont know...care only for the widows and orphans in the Church? Basically, who would/should you bring dinner to, a sick Christian or a sick unbeliever? Verses would be ideal. What do you think?

-VC

 

[grateful heart]

I would say bring a Non Christians as Christians are apart of the flock but the Non Christians isnt and doing this would be a great witness to them, being a sick Christian is better than a prosperuos heathen

 

[Willo]

The churches focus, I believe should be on the equipping and training of the saints, to get out there and bring in the lost.

 

[StPaul]

should the focus of the Church be to strengthen the current believers, or focus on outreach. I know it needs to be both, but which is more important to you folks? If a Christian person is sick, and a NonChristian is sick, and you can only bring one person dinner, who would you bring it to, and why? James 1:27 pops into my mind, talking about caring for the orphans and widows, but I dont know...care only for the widows and orphans in the Church? Basically, who would/should you bring dinner to, a sick Christian or a sick unbeliever? Verses would be ideal. What do you think?

-VC

I would bring a Non-Christian in to eat at my table, and send the sick christian a "to-go" box .

God Bless

 

[Biarien]

My experience was one where I was led to Christ by a man, then essentially abandoned after I decided the church he went to didn't suit me. Not that I resent it, but it has given me insight into the fact that building people up in faith needs to be as much a part of our Christian life as spreading the Gospel. What's more, the ways in which we build each other up not only equip each person to be witnesses of Christ -- it actually is a witness in and of itself.

As for the question, I like StPaul's answer. But ideally, I'd simply invite both and cook for them, forgoing dinner myself.

 

[Llauralin]

Most sick people don't really want to be invited out to dinner...

I think it would depend on the circumstances, but in most cases the non-Christian.

 

[Desolate Owl]

I'd be inclined to go with the nonChristian, although maybe I should give the believer preference.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. - Galatians 6:10 (ESV)

 

[rejectreality]

We should focus on outreach. Look at Luke 15:7. [BIBLE]I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. [/BIBLE] (NIV) Hence I believe that we should invite the non-christian to eat with us that we might share the gospel with them. The hungry christian will be provided with what they need by God.
God bless

 

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings,

Would I invite a friend to dinner or someone I didn't know? Well circumstances would dictate what I would do. If an unbeliever came to church and showed themselves friendly or at least amenable to friendship, I might try to get acquainted and perhaps invite them for dinner. Would I go out on the street and find a person or go door to door and find an unbeliever? I doubt it, especially in this day and age. We are to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. We are not to be foolish and we are not to ignore those in need, but we are to lean not unto our own understanding. In all ways we are to acknowledge God and He shall direct our paths.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

 

[Amongst the Flock]

we need to share the gospel with non-blievers but also we need to help the Christians that are on the fence where they aren't in but they aren't out. thus the devil has made them complacent and ineffective and they are trying to be obedient to the light and the dark.

Peace.

 

[Oblio]

Christ makes no distinction on who we should minister to for we are to see Him in everyone:

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
(Matthew 25:34-40 KJVA)

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

I'm going to part from everyone and say that the church's first job is to edify itself. There's no point in inviting pagans to a sick and dying church... if they'll even want to come. No, we must first lead by example. The church is in a disgusting state right now, with heresies being taught to unbelievers by this royal priesthood, all in the name of evangelism. We need to stop being "seeker-friendly" and become the salt of the earth once more. "...if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men" (Matt. 5:13). God will add to our number, we need not fret about that.

I'm also going to agree with Oblio.

 

[£amb]

That's a very tough question. My first thought was for the non-christian. Yes, I could be a witness to him/her. Then my second was for the christian. How could I be a better witness to a non-believer when I haven't matured enough to witness.

 

[~*ZEE*~]

A Church should edify themselves by serving God and edifying the non-believers. (this stems from the understanding that we can only grow and achieve maturity, and thus happiness, by fulfilling God's purpose for our lives).

The 'lost' are therefore the priority, but the church is strengthened by its united purpose and each individuals' spiritual gain. They go hand in hand.

Key Verse for my choice:
Mark 2
16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

 

[Spiritualyalive]

I would say bring a Non Christians as Christians are apart of the flock but the Non Christians isnt and doing this would be a great witness to them, being a sick Christian is better than a prosperuos heathen

Even worse than this is believing you are a Christian when you arn't becuase you got a differant gospel and another jesus, yet board rules bann anyone from saying the truth that you are not a Chrisitan. In essance leting you be damned to hell forever because of board rules.

 

[God Child]

a spiraling process of edification-evangelism, not one more than the other nothing like that...

 

[hebrew33]

I believe the Holy Spirit should be part of your decision making. Everything should be done with God as our guide. Shouldn’t we be asking Him.