So after a series of text mesages today, a door to presenting God's Holy Word and His plan for this person's life was busted wide open for me and so I'm (cautiously) trying to present God's plan of love to my friend in such a way that he will respond to it. This friend uses the 10 commandments as his basis for argument and can't grasp the concept that if you are genuine in your request for forgiveness that you will be forgiven (doesn't understand how a murderer or rapist for example could go to Heaven). PLEASE pray that God will use me as His vessel to reach out to this friend and present a strong message of God's love to him and that the friend will make a decision for Christ. The head knowledge is there.... he NEEDS Jesus - like everyone else does.
You should approach it in a way that this asking of forgiveness can not be a hallow request. It has to really be meant, and changes in his life made. 1 Tim 1:8-11 BUT, the most important one would be- 1 Cor. 6:9-11 The most important part of that is, is we once were....they no longer practice those things, because they came to the knowledge of God and Jesus and have turned their lives around, and put on the new personality and ask for forgiveness. They no longer practice murder, etc. And they are truly sorry for what they have done in the past.
Thank you !! It's hard to witness to someone (or answer difficult questions thrown at me) via texting so I'm putting it into writing and will follow it up with a phone call. Pray he hears the words God puts on my heart to share and that it makes sense
Ephesians 4:28 New International Version (NIV) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Praying that God give you the words to penetrate your friend's heart. Remember that regardless of what he/she says or does, you're planting seeds they will mull over.
You're someone shining a flashlight in a darkened room. Plenty have their eyes closed and cannot see it, but the eyes of one or two have been opened and they respond to the light. Really, you don't have to worry about being 'strong' or 'convincing', because no one has ever been convinced into salvation. God alone makes us alive, opens our eyes, and only then can we see. What matters is the light, not the one holding the flashlight, because those with opened eyes will most definitely see it. Not one of his people will be lost. Praise the Lord that you're willing to shine his light.
Brenda, how about trying this tack with your friend. He is right that the ten commandments are the standard. One lie makes you a liar and how can liars get into heaven? They can't. That's where his conscience is telling him the truth. He needs someone to pay the price for his sin. This is what Jesus did. He knows that he has sinned. He knows that he can't get into heaven as a sinner. That is step one : to recognize that you can't do it on your own - that you have need for a savior. Step Two would be to accept the Savior paying the price for his sins. Have you tried the "traffic ticket - fine paid by someone else" analogy? ...praying for you.... Honey V