Hi Everyone,
My mom died in August of this year, after a 3 year battle with lung cancer. During this time, I tried to witness to family members, specifically, my dad. He never went to church when we were kids, but started to after my mom was diagnosed. My parents and I are of different denominations, which I will not mention here, not wanting to start some kind of denominational war or anything.
Anyway, like I said, I tried to witness while she was sick and during all of her hospitalizations and surgeries, and was blown off as not knowing what I was talking about, blah blah. So I figured ok, my dad's heart isn't open to the Lord yet. So patiently, I waited, still witnessed, waiting for the day when my dad's heart opened.
Well, last month, I was talking to him, and he told me about a few things he wasn't going to do anymore so he could see my mom again. Cutting people down, swearing, those types of things. I thought great, I will be seeing a side of him I've never seen before.
Then I thought, wait a minute, the things he wants to change about himself are great, I'm glad, however, he still isn't developing a relationship with the Lord. He is doing part of what needs to be done for that relationship, but he doesn't understand he needs that personal relationship too.
That is a huge part of being a christian that he is missing. He is breaking his neck trying to follow the rules of the church he goes to, and he's missing the best part of being a christian, the fellowship with Jesus as his Savior.
How do I explain this to him without him shutting me out? What would be the best way to do this? He can be a very stubborn man, and once his brain gets on one track of thinking, it is very difficult to get him to switch tracks or even look at the other side of the issue. He is adament that if he follows these rules, that's what christianity is. I want him to be able to experience the whole sphere of walking with the Lord in his heart. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
In Christ, livinglife.
My mom died in August of this year, after a 3 year battle with lung cancer. During this time, I tried to witness to family members, specifically, my dad. He never went to church when we were kids, but started to after my mom was diagnosed. My parents and I are of different denominations, which I will not mention here, not wanting to start some kind of denominational war or anything.
Anyway, like I said, I tried to witness while she was sick and during all of her hospitalizations and surgeries, and was blown off as not knowing what I was talking about, blah blah. So I figured ok, my dad's heart isn't open to the Lord yet. So patiently, I waited, still witnessed, waiting for the day when my dad's heart opened.
Well, last month, I was talking to him, and he told me about a few things he wasn't going to do anymore so he could see my mom again. Cutting people down, swearing, those types of things. I thought great, I will be seeing a side of him I've never seen before.
Then I thought, wait a minute, the things he wants to change about himself are great, I'm glad, however, he still isn't developing a relationship with the Lord. He is doing part of what needs to be done for that relationship, but he doesn't understand he needs that personal relationship too.
That is a huge part of being a christian that he is missing. He is breaking his neck trying to follow the rules of the church he goes to, and he's missing the best part of being a christian, the fellowship with Jesus as his Savior.
How do I explain this to him without him shutting me out? What would be the best way to do this? He can be a very stubborn man, and once his brain gets on one track of thinking, it is very difficult to get him to switch tracks or even look at the other side of the issue. He is adament that if he follows these rules, that's what christianity is. I want him to be able to experience the whole sphere of walking with the Lord in his heart. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
In Christ, livinglife.
