why you believe?

[Dave M]

I think we should all have a good idea in our head of why we believe in Christ, but can we communicate it to the unbeliever?? I am not good at this and am looking to get better at it.

I recently had a very friendly conversation with a neighbor who is a atheist. His number one reason for no faith,, he said something along the lines of " there are thousands of religions in the world, they can not all be wrong, I just refuse to believe that"

He also had a thought that religions tries to make you feel guilty, I thought for sure once I told him Jesus takes all the guilt away from those who believe, I had him, he did seem surprised by the answer,so maybe the seed is planted.

I tried to explain my born again experience, did not seem to have much impact

I tried to explain the relationship to Jesus and that is what it is really about not these "religions" that practice mans traditions over the word........ dont think it had much impact

I tried to explain that the bible is the final authority on all spiritual matters, not man made religions.......not much impact

then I messaged him about the one thing I thought of later and thought this would have some impact, the one thing that separates Christians from all other religions is we are saved by grace, and all other religions are saved by works. We believe we could never be good enough to earn our way to heaven, and that Jesus did that for us by dying on the cross. where as all the other religions believe you have to be good enough to work your way to heaven........no impact is my thought to his reaction.

I do notice when talking about faith to almost anyone even believers they seem to want to cut short the conversation,


would love to here peoples thoughts on spreading the gospel, different ways that you try to reach others, any criticism in what I shared is welcomed, trying to become a better communicator, in order to share the gospel more.

 

[Curtis]

One man plants, another man waters, but only God gives the increase. It is always more fun to reap than it is to plant or sow.

One of the greatest preaching methods I have found in my life is this......

2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Since we can not force people to read the Bible or listen to our words, but they are reading our lives as a living epistle known and read by ALL men! The Word of God being manifest in our mortal flesh to where people can see Jesus in us!

 

[Sue D.]

A person's daily life is sometimes the first Bible they ever 'read'. We share as we are able to - we learn as we Do share -- and we Continue to share. God blesses our efforts.

 

[DanielCrow]

I have never understood this part about Christianity.

I do not have many Muslim or Hindu friends, but many discussions later, I have not talked to many who have shared their personal experiences with me. They have all had their fare share of experiences, as have I, but it only comes up much later in the discussion.

Is there a reason why Christians prefer to start discussions with their own personal experiences?

My experience is my own, and although I have no problem sharing with other people, I would not think it would be very convincing to explain it to someone who has never experienced it. It does not seem like the best approach to begin with.

 

[Sue D.]

In some belief systems - there is no personal belief experience To share.

It depends on the individual set of circumstances of getting together with other people. Some circumstances Won't present an opportunity for 'witnessing'. In getting an education -- you're there getting a degree. In a biology class -- at some point a comment Could be made about how wonderfully God has made our body. That might start a conversation or be ignored.

And, sometimes it Is better to wait until some sort of a relationship has been developed. Relationship based evangelism. No need to 'hit someone over the head with Bible' -- that will probably turn another person Off.

A non-believer won't Have a personal experience To share. A born-again believer Can share how they came to Christ. Maybe regarding your life Before and your life Since salvation.

And a person Should know what they believe and Why.

 

[BlessedBeyondBelief]

Almost every religion, God supposedly "reveals" himself to a person who then becomes some sort of prophet and creates a religion on what God wants.

Christianity, God reveals Himself to many different people throughout the scriptures (and dead sea scrolls -since atheists don't respect the bible), and to over a million people at once on Mt. Sinai.

The one true God doesn't use just one man for His work. He wants a relationship with all of us and He doesn't hide fact.

 

[Sue D.]

There Is John 14:6 -- Jesus Christ is telling everyone that "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me." Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1-3

Yes, God did use a variety of Godly men - chosen by Himself -- through the Holy Spirit -- to get His Word to all of us -- and all of God's Word is now in the form of a book / the Bible.

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls was definitely a 'God thing'.

 

[Andyindauk]

I think we should all have a good idea in our head of why we believe in Christ, but can we communicate it to the unbeliever?? I am not good at this and am looking to get better at it.

I recently had a very friendly conversation with a neighbor who is a atheist. His number one reason for no faith,, he said something along the lines of " there are thousands of religions in the world, they can not all be wrong, I just refuse to believe that"

He also had a thought that religions tries to make you feel guilty, I thought for sure once I told him Jesus takes all the guilt away from those who believe, I had him, he did seem surprised by the answer,so maybe the seed is planted.

I tried to explain my born again experience, did not seem to have much impact

I tried to explain the relationship to Jesus and that is what it is really about not these "religions" that practice mans traditions over the word........ dont think it had much impact

I tried to explain that the bible is the final authority on all spiritual matters, not man made religions.......not much impact

then I messaged him about the one thing I thought of later and thought this would have some impact, the one thing that separates Christians from all other religions is we are saved by grace, and all other religions are saved by works. We believe we could never be good enough to earn our way to heaven, and that Jesus did that for us by dying on the cross. where as all the other religions believe you have to be good enough to work your way to heaven........no impact is my thought to his reaction.

I do notice when talking about faith to almost anyone even believers they seem to want to cut short the conversation,


would love to here peoples thoughts on spreading the gospel, different ways that you try to reach others, any criticism in what I shared is welcomed, trying to become a better communicator, in order to share the gospel more.

Hi Dave,

You'll have heard before that Christianity does not profess to be a religion. Judaism similarly claims to be not a religion but a race. Some say Christianity is a faith rather than a religion but IMO It's more than that. The faith bit is is our end of the deal, we believe and we accept, but that just the beginning. Christianity is a personal, deep and mutual love and relationship with God and his Son Jesus, assisted by his Holy Spirit. Unlike any other religion, there's no rule book, just a mutual love between God and me, for each other.

I now have working inside me and beside me, the creator God who loves and adores me along with His Son and the Holy Spirit. He loves me and promises me that He will work and protect my best interests.

The hard bit is that first step. All we can do is be a signpost or a witness, and as with all witnesses, it's up to the listener to decide to accept, reject or ignore. A more powerful witness than all the wonderful words is your life and walk with God.

Hope that helps.

 

[Sue D.]

If I could at a tid-bit -- we Do have a 'rule'book -- it's God's Word to us. And, yes, God Does want a relationship with us and it is through Jesus Christ -- we are given the Prison Epistles -- guidelines -- which -- when followed -- we Can live a very satisfying, Christ-like life. God's Word will be in our heart and we will have the Desire to please Him in all we do.

Not only the Epistles but the entire New Testament.

 

[Butch5]

I have never understood this part about Christianity.

I do not have many Muslim or Hindu friends, but many discussions later, I have not talked to many who have shared their personal experiences with me. They have all had their fare share of experiences, as have I, but it only comes up much later in the discussion.

Is there a reason why Christians prefer to start discussions with their own personal experiences?

My experience is my own, and although I have no problem sharing with other people, I would not think it would be very convincing to explain it to someone who has never experienced it. It does not seem like the best approach to begin with.

You hit the nail on the head. It's "Your" experience, not theirs. I can tell people that I audibly heard a voice speak my name, and probably saved my life, when no one was there, but it's subjective. It's proof positive to me, but not to them. If I want to prove the Bible to someone, I go to prophecy and show where God said something and years or decades later it came to be.

 

[Sue D.]

It's called 'sharing your testimony' with other people. How you came to Christ. Sharing Scripture with them.

And sharing prophesy fulfilled Has brought people to belief.

The objective Should be the other person coming to saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. And God blessing the person who shares with the person. It can strengthen our own faith.

 

[KingJ]

I think we should all have a good idea in our head of why we believe in Christ, but can we communicate it to the unbeliever?? I am not good at this and am looking to get better at it.

I recently had a very friendly conversation with a neighbor who is a atheist. His number one reason for no faith,, he said something along the lines of " there are thousands of religions in the world, they can not all be wrong, I just refuse to believe that"

He also had a thought that religions tries to make you feel guilty, I thought for sure once I told him Jesus takes all the guilt away from those who believe, I had him, he did seem surprised by the answer,so maybe the seed is planted.

I tried to explain my born again experience, did not seem to have much impact

I tried to explain the relationship to Jesus and that is what it is really about not these "religions" that practice mans traditions over the word........ dont think it had much impact

I tried to explain that the bible is the final authority on all spiritual matters, not man made religions.......not much impact

then I messaged him about the one thing I thought of later and thought this would have some impact, the one thing that separates Christians from all other religions is we are saved by grace, and all other religions are saved by works. We believe we could never be good enough to earn our way to heaven, and that Jesus did that for us by dying on the cross. where as all the other religions believe you have to be good enough to work your way to heaven........no impact is my thought to his reaction.

I do notice when talking about faith to almost anyone even believers they seem to want to cut short the conversation,

would love to here peoples thoughts on spreading the gospel, different ways that you try to reach others, any criticism in what I shared is welcomed, trying to become a better communicator, in order to share the gospel more.

Dave there are two matters that every Christian needs to grasp with full clarity.

1. God converts people to Christianity

Peter was the most devout disciple. The only one to walk on water. Yet Peter needed a revelation of Jesus from above Matt 16:16-17. Paul clarifies this fact in 1 Cor 12:3 where he says ''nobody can call Jesus Lord, except by the Holy Spirit''.

2. We are God's ambassadors and He needs us

Because of free will, God '''has to''' use us. If God visited earth and spoke of Himself, free will would be non existent. Free will exists only because the people on the fence are able to be on the fence. People can choose to be good today and wicked tomorrow. A Christian keeps their mortal and wicked body. They come across with Jesus / God, but not as a light that they cannot look at. No unsaved person needs to take off their shoes when in the presence of a Christian. We don't need to speak to the unsaved via a burning bush.

A Christian leads the unsaved to the water. We need to take our ambassadorial duty seriously. God is 100% in favor of free will and as such He needs us to help Him.

You are doing your part with your atheist friend. Just don't be overbearing. A season and time for everything. Be a wise sewer. Don't dump too much on someone, they wont take it all in.

 

[Sue D.]

Actually , it's the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross that does the saving. It's the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sin / need Of salvation. The belief takes place in our heart and confession with our mouth. We thank Him For our salvation. And the Holy Spirit immediately comes in to indwell us. And the Holy Spirit stays within us until we are safely with Jesus Christ for ever. As

God Has given us His gift Of salvation which is made possible Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

God doesn't Need anything. Not even us.

Peter was one of the 12 disciples / followers of Jesus Christ. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus Christ, he Could walk on that water , when he took his eyes Off of Jesus , he started to go falter.

A Christian / born-again believer Can lead another person To Christ to be saved. Only God knows who will or will not accept His gift of salvation. We are told to share the Gospel of salvation with whomever will listen.

God would that All would be saved ie 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, but knows that not everyone will. And He alone knows who will and who won't. We have been given the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19-20 "God therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them ........ all of God's Word to follow. "

Free will / freedom of choice. Using our God-given common sense. We use it all the time.

Share with others as the circumstances present the opportunity. Take a positive stand For God's Word when ever we can. Godly / Biblical ethics / morality.

 

[Sue D.]

And we Do need to know What we believe and Why we believe it.

 

[KingJ]

God doesn't Need anything. Not even us.

You have not meditated on the concept of free will and its necessity for a God who wants to be ''good''.

 

[KingJ]

Actually , it's the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross that does the saving. It's the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sin / need Of salvation. The belief takes place in our heart and confession with our mouth. We thank Him For our salvation. And the Holy Spirit immediately comes in to indwell us. And the Holy Spirit stays within us until we are safely with Jesus Christ for ever. As

God Has given us His gift Of salvation which is made possible Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

God doesn't Need anything. Not even us.

Peter was one of the 12 disciples / followers of Jesus Christ. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus Christ, he Could walk on that water , when he took his eyes Off of Jesus , he started to go falter.

A Christian / born-again believer Can lead another person To Christ to be saved. Only God knows who will or will not accept His gift of salvation. We are told to share the Gospel of salvation with whomever will listen.

God would that All would be saved ie 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, but knows that not everyone will. And He alone knows who will and who won't. We have been given the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19-20 "God therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them ........ all of God's Word to follow. "

Free will / freedom of choice. Using our God-given common sense. We use it all the time.

Share with others as the circumstances present the opportunity. Take a positive stand For God's Word when ever we can. Godly / Biblical ethics / morality.

Sue, faith in Christ is given from above Rom 12:3, Matt 16:16-17, 1 Cor 12:3.

Without it, ''our'' confession of faith from our mouth is completely meaningless. Be careful not to get the cart before the horse.

The Holy Spirit convicts all. It is not because of His ''special'' conviction that we are saved. It sounds like you are alluding to that.

 

[Sue D.]

I'm alluding to what Scripture teaches. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit is what draws a person to Christ / salvation. And That is either accepted or rejected by the individual. I didn't accept the 1st time -- it took a while - a year or so before I Did accept Him

And Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.

The belief takes place in our heart. Romans 10: 9 - 10

 

[KingJ]

I'm alluding to what Scripture teaches. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit is what draws a person to Christ / salvation.

Would you mind posting scripture. Everyone has the knowledge of good and evil Gen 3:22. IE Everyone has conviction of evil. It is not something the Holy Spirit needs to do.

And Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. The belief takes place in our heart. Romans 10: 9 - 10

There is a lot more scripture to consider with this. The belief in Christ is able to take place in our heart because it is God given. A factual event. No amount of self determination or brain washing can cause a true belief in Jesus.

Then, that scripture mentions ''confession with our mouth''. We need to add a verse like Matt 7:22-23 for context '' 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.''

 

[Sue D.]

@ KingJ --actually no one needs to add Anything to that verse -- Romans 10:9-10 stands very nicely on it's own.

No one's salvation is based on prophesying in His name Or having caste out demons or done wonderful works in the Name of Christ. People will have been doing all those things in the name Of Good Works. Because Ephesians 2: 8-9 tells us 'not of works lest any one should boast'.

No one was ever meant To have the knowledge of both good and evil. The Only reason we do have that knowledge is because Adam and Eve sinned. They disobeyed the only rule that God gave them.

Having the knowledge of both good and evil does Not mean that people have conviction Of evil. Far from it. One of the jobs Of the Holy Spirit is that Of convicting a person Of their sinfulness.


God does Not 'want to be good'. God Is God Almighty -- He Is Holy.

I see no need for myself to meditate on that particular aspect as you suggested in post #15. There are various things that we don't agree on.