Need Help - Best Way To Witness To Someone?

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

Hey Everyone,

I really, really need your advice here. I've always had problems sharing my faith in my few short years as a Christian, so I've kinda hit a wall in a certain situation recently.

Here's the situation:
I'm currently in contact with an old friend/boyfriend of mine. We met and dated like 6 years ago, then ended up friends since. It's all long distance, by the way, he lives in England. We're really great friends, but haven't been in communication much in the past couple years due to circumstances beyond our control. Which is where the problem starts...

I'm almost the complete opposite of who I was when I met him (Thank the Lord). I wasn't a Christian in any sense back then, and my morals, goals, beliefs, behaviour, was very different. Within the last year has been the most dramatic changes. I may still be the same in some ways, like my sense of humor or compassion or whatever..but my views on life and how I am convicted about certain things are so completely forign to him.

He's not really Christian. He's done the church thing before, although I don't know what extent. Back when we dated he was more new-age, like myself. I'm a very conservative Christian now. You know, typical TSDA on some things. Dont wear make-up or revealing clothing anymore, no jewelry, trying to phase out a lot of secular entertainment, biblical views on homosexuality, sex, sin, and such. I want to be able to talk about God at least 50% of the time now. *lol* I'm working on raising that to a future 100%. My goals are a lot more God-focussed, and I don't really fit in with the standard group my age. (Or any age anymore)

The Problem:
How does one actually go about witnessing to an old friend in a situation like that? Right now, when we chat, I'm mainly my "old self", just more reserved on certain topics. I don't know how to break the boundry. He expects and knows me a certain way, and I'm worried about sort of..scaring him off or shocking him if I come on too strong with it? Like, I can't just say "Yeah..so..I've changed now. I no longer do/believe: ....." ,can I? If someone had done that to me when I wasn't converted I'd have ran from them, thinking they were insane. Not an overly productive witnessing technique.

I've tried sending hints towards things. Like mentioning the Sabbath or the Harry Potter movies (my reason for not watching them, when he brought it up)..but I don't really get a responce. I don't blame him, either, cause it's not the person who knows in the slightest.

I know he has some faith, and he's always been open to a lot..which is why I feel God wants me to try, but I'm at a complete loss how. I prayed, and thought of asking here.

I'm also worried about the effect it could have on myself if I don't let my true, new self come forward in such an important friendship. Still, coming on too quickly with it seems wrong. I don't know.

It's so much easier to witness to people who didn't know you before, in my experience. Or at least didn't ONLY see the two extremes.

Please, any suggestions welcome!

Sarah

*EDIT*

Forgot to mention. He does know I'm Christian and very much loving it, by the way..and had no problem with that. I haven't totally hidden it, persae. It's jsut 'acting' like a Christian when around him I'm having a problem with.

 

[ChrisCarol]

Tell him why you are a Christian; Jesus and what He did for us all.

Love, Carol

 

[TrustAndObey]

Sarah, I'd just tell him that you got to such a place that was so "down" that you had to look up for your own well-being.

I'd just shoot straight from the hip. There are some guys out there that love that.

Tell him that you really don't want to scare him away but that you have changed a lot and you're not sure he'd like the new you so much.

If he's anything like me he's stubborn and will be determined to love you even more because of it! HAHA

The thing is, if he wants a relationship with you, then it's important for him to know and for you to be able to be yourself. Otherwise it's not really a relationship, right?

 

[honorthesabbath]

Hi Sarah--yep straight from the hip shooting is the best. But always in love and consideration of the other person's feelings. Who knows Sarah--maybe God has placed him back into your life to show him the way.

 

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

Thanks guys. I'll try. It's hard, though. I've wondered too if maybe God wanted me in his life, also..which makes it even more interesting with the full story to this. (Which Lainie already knows. ) I actually prayed for him to come back online, cause I needed the support big time..and he contacted me within 48 hours. It'd be really neat if God set it up to be benefitial both ways!

Oh, and Lainie..That's almost exactly what I was thinking of doing, word for word. Rofl. I was thinking I was being too harsh with it, though! You guys are probably right, though. Just..go for it. I mean, we've always been very truthful with eachother in the past, even about awkward things..

 

[OntheDL]

Hey Sarah, was this the guy who is much older than you?

 

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

Hey Sarah, was this the guy who is much older than you?

Nope. That one was the one who brought me to the SDA church, and Jesus.

This one I've known longer. (He's also only 24. lol)

 

[capnator]

I think we find the prospect of having to "convert" someone daunting. We often feel the need to dumb down the message of the gospel, because quite frankly if we look through the eyes of the flesh we can't see how a strait message of truth could possibly be recieved favourably. You can see this line of reasoning so evident in the way the church often wants to deal with the youth.

We can get caught up thinking, that because we mentioned the word sabbath or Jesus or something in a conversation that we did some great thing, absolutely no words, or actions that come from self will convert someone! We are simply messengers, so definately give a message but make sure it is God's message and not one that is mixed with self. The goal is for people to become disciples of Christ and not disciples of self. It is God through the spirit that works on peoples hearts to change them. We just need to get close to Jesus and wear proudly the robe of his righteousness in front of everyone we meet, open our mouths and speak to his glory... And yes that will seem like foolishness to the world, but to some it will be the words of life!

1Cr 1:18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.