Unbelievers Judging You for Life Before Salvation

Messerve · Jul 17, 2019

So this hasn't happened to me personally, since I was saved when I was a child...

However, I work for a Christian family who hires a mixture of people - saved and unsaved. One day I overheard a conversation between two workers about our employers' lives before they were Christians. The one guy knew them years ago before they were saved and was telling this younger employee about how they used to go out drinking and partying and breaking the law in subtle ways. The younger employee listened to this with satisfaction - obviously it convinced him that our employers were no different than anyone else in the world because they used to live that way. That "Christian" was just a title they gave themselves when they entered the professional world and gave that lifestyle up.

It was frustrating to me to listen to, because I believe that this family truly did meet Jesus (at least some of them) and they are different now because that was real. It wasn't just to look like respectable people for the sake of money...

How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?

topher694 · Jul 17, 2019

By continually demonstrating Godly character and integrity. By making the negative things others say about you not match what they see in you. It takes time to see true fruit.

Messerve · Jul 17, 2019

topher694 said:
By continually demonstrating Godly character and integrity. By making the negative things others say about you not match what they see in you. It takes time to see true fruit.

Yet, no Christian is perfect. If the secular world is watching us just waiting for us to mess up, they'll probably catch us if they wait and watch long enough... For some, it almost seems like that's all it takes to be convinced Christianity is a joke.

bèlla · Jul 17, 2019

They would have been better off building a staff of people who weren’t aware of their previous lifestyle. The gossip creates an unhealthy environment for everyone involved.

Unless the Lord tells you to respond be silent. He may have a different way to address the situation.

~Zao~ · Jul 17, 2019

We’re told not to judge before the time.

mama2one · Jul 17, 2019

delete as not my story to tell

Messerve · Jul 17, 2019

LaBèlla said:
They would have been better off building a staff of people who weren’t aware of their previous lifestyle. The gossip creates an unhealthy environment for everyone involved.

Unless the Lord tells you to respond be silent. He may have a different way to address the situation.

It's a small town where everyone knows everyone, and the owners are fairly well known since they've created a successful business there (and lived there for years before the business began).

I was taught that gossip is like poison, but I never saw it firsthand until this workplace. It really does kill and destroy...

It just feels unfair and I know I can't say anything useful, but I also don't like to see someone's testimony ignored just because of who they used to be.

~Zao~ · Jul 17, 2019

een differently than who you know you are. Even on a small scale. It feels a lot like betray[/INDENT]

Messerve said:
It's a small town where everyone knows everyone, and the owners are fairly well known since they've created a successful business there (and lived there for years before the business began).

I was taught that gossip is like poison, but I never saw it firsthand until this workplace. It really does kill and destroy...

It just feels unfair and I know I can't say anything useful, but I also don't like to see someone's testimony ignored just because of who they used to be.

From where did you learn that gospel was like poison?

bèlla · Jul 17, 2019

Pray and ask the Lord to vindicate them and bring the others to repentance. But ask yourself what the Lord is teaching you through this experience too.

~Zao~ · Jul 17, 2019

Like take off one piece of jewelry?

bèlla · Jul 17, 2019

The issue isn’t their faith. Its their wealth. This is the only area they can attack. That’s how jealousy and envy works.

topher694 · Jul 17, 2019

Messerve said:
Yet, no Christian is perfect. If the secular world is watching us just waiting for us to mess up, they'll probably catch us if they wait and watch long enough... For some, it almost seems like that's all it takes to be convinced Christianity is a joke.

But those are the best times to demonstrate it. Demonstrating Godly character is not about never messing up, it's about how you handle it when you do. Taking responsibility. Making things right. Not giving up. Not hiding it. And, having grace for others when they mess up.

~Zao~ · Jul 17, 2019

That’s the thing about judging others before the time that was appointed to judge is that it could result in loss of rewards.

~Zao~ · Jul 17, 2019

oh ok, misread thread title. It’s unbelievers not believers.

SkyWriting · Jul 17, 2019

Messerve said:
So this hasn't happened to me personally, since I was saved when I was a child...

However, I work for a Christian family who hires a mixture of people - saved and unsaved. One day I overheard a conversation between two workers about our employers' lives before they were Christians. The one guy knew them years ago before they were saved and was telling this younger employee about how they used to go out drinking and partying and breaking the law in subtle ways. The younger employee listened to this with satisfaction - obviously it convinced him that our employers were no different than anyone else in the world because they used to live that way. That "Christian" was just a title they gave themselves when they entered the professional world and gave that lifestyle up.

It was frustrating to me to listen to, because I believe that this family truly did meet Jesus (at least some of them) and they are different now because that was real. It wasn't just to look like respectable people for the sake of money...

How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?

You should be amazing so that they beg you for your secrets to life and happiness.
You are working on yourself, right?

GodLovesCats · Jul 17, 2019

LoreneDD said:
We’re told not to judge before the time.

We know that, but unbelievers don't. What if someone judges you?

GodLovesCats · Jul 17, 2019

LoreneDD said:
From where did you learn that Gospel was like poison?

The word is gosSIP. And yes, gossip is like poison.

Mel333 · Jul 17, 2019

Messerve said:
So this hasn't happened to me personally, since I was saved when I was a child...

However, I work for a Christian family who hires a mixture of people - saved and unsaved. One day I overheard a conversation between two workers about our employers' lives before they were Christians. The one guy knew them years ago before they were saved and was telling this younger employee about how they used to go out drinking and partying and breaking the law in subtle ways. The younger employee listened to this with satisfaction - obviously it convinced him that our employers were no different than anyone else in the world because they used to live that way. That "Christian" was just a title they gave themselves when they entered the professional world and gave that lifestyle up.

It was frustrating to me to listen to, because I believe that this family truly did meet Jesus (at least some of them) and they are different now because that was real. It wasn't just to look like respectable people for the sake of money...

How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?

Sometimes you don't need to respond to them. If they have a question answer, but you cannot convince unbelievers with words rather witness Christ with your character and behaviour by not returning evil with evil. Your testimony is important yes. But if it isn't received then move on.

We cannot control people's judgements either. They can think what they want and move on with your relationship with Christ and witness to someone else if they don't accept you. It's not up to us to convince or change others.

Halbhh · Jul 18, 2019

Messerve said:
So this hasn't happened to me personally, since I was saved when I was a child...

However, I work for a Christian family who hires a mixture of people - saved and unsaved. One day I overheard a conversation between two workers about our employers' lives before they were Christians. The one guy knew them years ago before they were saved and was telling this younger employee about how they used to go out drinking and partying and breaking the law in subtle ways. The younger employee listened to this with satisfaction - obviously it convinced him that our employers were no different than anyone else in the world because they used to live that way. That "Christian" was just a title they gave themselves when they entered the professional world and gave that lifestyle up.

It was frustrating to me to listen to, because I believe that this family truly did meet Jesus (at least some of them) and they are different now because that was real. It wasn't just to look like respectable people for the sake of money...

How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?

You can't force someone to hear.

But you can definitely tell them the truth regardless.

Christ said that the gospel message is like a seed, that can sprout later, when the sower does not know: Mark chapter 4 is very good reading.

In Mark chapter 4 you learn about the only saving message -- the actual word of God, the gospel.

Stabat Mater dolorosa · Jul 18, 2019

OSAS, oy vey....

Unbelievers Judging You for Life Before Salvation

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