|
|
Post by eternalmatters on Jan 26, 2009 11:47:29 GMT -5
Why wouldn't you tell everyone, everywhere the gospel of their salvation?
|
|
|
|
Post by faithplusnothing on Jan 26, 2009 13:08:20 GMT -5
I heard someone say that if you know somebody that's lost and you don't tell they the gospel, that you were basically telling them to go to h*ll. That really struck me. I am torn on this. I want everybody to know the gospel but I am so awkward in telling people. I have no trouble using the internet to share it but to witness in person to family and friends, I am just paralyzed with fear and dread. I just can't explain it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Faith on Jan 26, 2009 16:38:12 GMT -5
I heard someone say that if you know somebody that's lost and you don't tell they the gospel, that you were basically telling them to go to h*ll. That really struck me. I am torn on this. I want everybody to know the gospel but I am so awkward in telling people. I have no trouble using the internet to share it but to witness in person to family and friends, I am just paralyzed with fear and dread. I just can't explain it. I believe that is a normal reaction. I've struggled with it for some time. At the beginning, it didn't dawn on me that people weren't saved, I just thought they were wrong. Then, one day, like a ton of bricks, I just realized - If they are wrong, then they probably aren't saved. It was overwhelming. It's hard to talk to people that you know and love when you have a fear that they won't accept the message. It is even more difficult to share the gospel with those who are incorrectly defining salvation. It's hard to risk getting the people that you care about mad at you because they will usually take this quite personally as an attack on their faith - regardless of how misplaced that faith is. I'm working on it slowly. I'm like you. I'm much better on the internet with people that I don't already know. lol. I'm trying to get past that, and learn how to talk to the people that I already know probably aren't saved without causing a huge "offense" to them. Sadly, many times, it can't be avoided. But fortunately, we have some friends who have accepted the message of Grace and have been saved. That's the upside that you can't compare anything to - knowing with certainty that some of the people that you care about are now part of the same body of Christ. Now, if I can just keep reminding myself of that wonderful "upside" then perhaps I'll do better with my witnessing!  |
|
|
|
Post by eternalmatters on Jan 26, 2009 19:02:20 GMT -5
This is where the Way of the Master course came in SOOOO handy for me. I never attended their "Bootcamps"...but I know people who have and really...I think it's so awesome to be with other believers and jumping right in, because you see the importance and really, really care...you believe this is real! I listen to Ray Comfort now...and just wish he would understand the dispensations and that you do not tell people to "repent of sin". OH...if he would "get it"...there would be such a shift among a huge band of evangelists out there! I tried talking with Todd Friel (Way of the Master radio show)...no go. I tried talking to Ray thru myspace, but he's too inundated with messages. I've been talking with my WOTM buddies,but they double talk the "repent of sin" issue. They claim to know it's a fruit, not a step in salvation...but listen to the one2one's and you hear them telling people it's a step in salvation. Anyway...I was truly blessed to be among those learning to go out and street witness. I have the practice and the tools to do it and not be frightened, and now I have the right gospel message! Praise God!  |
|
|
|
Post by thepep on Jan 27, 2009 23:11:01 GMT -5
a humble heart and a burden for the lost and the love of Christ that constraineth me will do it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ambassador on Mar 20, 2009 22:03:27 GMT -5
You know, all believers have a little reservation when witnessing. I do. We're human, we're imperfect sinners--this flaw reminds us we are just as much a sinner as the lost person to whom we witness! But, let us remember what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:11 KJV, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...." We know what's out there for the unbeliever, so this thought of their eternal destiny should COMPEL us to tell them the Gospel of Grace. The "love of Christ constaineth us" (2 Corintians 5:14). |
|
|
|
Post by thepep on Apr 2, 2009 9:26:07 GMT -5
Talking w/people daily helps and I also like to keep a pack of tracks in my purse for an "ice breaker" It's so fun.
I know I continually make a fool of myself, but I'd rather be a fool for Christ, than a fool for the world.
|
|
