Who is worthy to associate with christians and possibly hear about Jesus?

[Chris]

I have often when mentioning attempts to talk to people in an effort to befriend and hopefully share my faith to weird spiritual people, Muslims etc. Many on these forums say stay stay away and drop in bible verses about not associating.

Who is worthy of the message of Jesus salvation? Who can we tell?

who is worthy of our friendship?

Is it just visitors to our churches?

 

[Jake]

It depends, but if they aren't receptive then we shouldn't throw pearls to swine. I think it's more of a how we are the Church in the world, we can find opportunities to manifest Christ to them and then share the good news. The Spirit leads us into it. imo

 

[handy]

hmmm....well, if we look to the Lord for His example let's see, who to associate with...

Prostitutes. White collar thieves (tax collectors). People who have socially unacceptable diseases, sinners...

I'm reading through a book right now called "The Jesus You Can't Ignore" by John MacArthur. It speaks of how Jesus associated with sinners and yet His very harshest words were for the sanctimonious religious leaders.

There is such a difference between how we are to relate to those outside of the church and how to relate to those within the church.

For those who claim Christ, for those who would characterize as being part of the Body...we are to hold each other to the highest of standards, in love, but not compromising, not allowing each other to be worldly, to truly judge each other by our fruit.

For the unbelievers, especially if they are humbly struggling with their sin, or ignorant of the truth, we are to be ambassador's of Christ's love, of His gospel of forgiveness, and of the new, abundant life that can be found in Christ.

We don't "evangelize" by simply inviting the lost to church, we "evangelize" by truly loving the lost with the love Christ had for them. And, that's kind of hard to do if we refuse to stray out of our "churchy" comfort-zone.

 

[Jake]

hmmm....well, if we look to the Lord for His example let's see, who to associate with...

Prostitutes. White collar thieves (tax collectors). People who have socially unacceptable diseases, sinners...

I'm reading through a book right now called "The Jesus You Can't Ignore" by John MacArthur. It speaks of how Jesus associated with sinners and yet His very harshest words were for the sanctimonious religious leaders.

There is such a difference between how we are to relate to those outside of the church and how to relate to those within the church.

For those who claim Christ, for those who would characterize as being part of the Body...we are to hold each other to the highest of standards, in love, but not compromising, not allowing each other to be worldly, to truly judge each other by our fruit.

For the unbelievers, especially if they are humbly struggling with their sin, or ignorant of the truth, we are to be ambassador's of Christ's love, of His gospel of forgiveness, and of the new, abundant life that can be found in Christ.

We don't "evangelize" by simply inviting the lost to church, we "evangelize" by truly loving the lost with the love Christ had for them. And, that's kind of hard to do if we refuse to stray out of our "churchy" comfort-zone.

I'm 17 and not allowed to hang out with those kind. ha but do agree with you handy. In public school, where I attend, there are way more non-believers than believers, so I associate with them more and that is why i always remember not to throw pearls to swine, I know who is receptive and who is not.

True about the comfort-zone with other believers and I pray against that for myself, I can see where so many christians have become stuck in their "own" and can't see anything else. It seems those are the ones who turn people off.

 

[Chris]

hmmm....well, if we look to the Lord for His example let's see, who to associate with...

Prostitutes. White collar thieves (tax collectors). People who have socially unacceptable diseases, sinners...

I'm reading through a book right now called "The Jesus You Can't Ignore" by John MacArthur. It speaks of how Jesus associated with sinners and yet His very harshest words were for the sanctimonious religious leaders.

There is such a difference between how we are to relate to those outside of the church and how to relate to those within the church.

For those who claim Christ, for those who would characterize as being part of the Body...we are to hold each other to the highest of standards, in love, but not compromising, not allowing each other to be worldly, to truly judge each other by our fruit.

For the unbelievers, especially if they are humbly struggling with their sin, or ignorant of the truth, we are to be ambassador's of Christ's love, of His gospel of forgiveness, and of the new, abundant life that can be found in Christ.

We don't "evangelize" by simply inviting the lost to church, we "evangelize" by truly loving the lost with the love Christ had for them. And, that's kind of hard to do if we refuse to stray out of our "churchy" comfort-zone.

:yes

Exactly the right answer!

the only thing different between me and anyone else in the world is Grace, and God loves all of his creation and people. I am no better than anyone, it is only by jesus gift of grace I am a christian. I just accepted a free gift!

 

[WIP]

Who is worthy?
Everyone! We are not to differentiate or judge this question. Ours is to share the gospel with everyone.

I was listening to a pastor once talk about a survey he conducted in California. Now it is no secret that CA is about as liberal as you can get. His survey showed that over 70% of the population is open to hearing the gospel. That doesn't mean they are all ready and waiting for conversion but they are not closed either. If 70% of Californians are open, it would seem there are areas where that number is even higher. We must be careful about deciding who is or is not open. It's not our decision to make.

 

[Mike]

2 Cor 6
" <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-28897">14</sup> Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-28898">15</sup> What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"

I agree with what you implied and with Dora's response & scripture, but I think there is a difference. Jesus dwelt among sinners who were not necessarily "rejecting" the God of Abraham and outwardly worshiping a god who rejected our God. They were just lost.

The scripture I quoted seems to speak more to the time we spend casually with them. If the purpose of time spent with Muslims or people following another faith is specifically to share the hope of Christ, I believe that's praiseworthy. But if it is to try to form a common-bond or mutual understanding, I have to ask what Paul asked: What do we have in common with them? We have things of this life in common, but spiritually, we are separated.

I don't believe anyone is saying not to go out into the world and share the Gospel. I think they're saying not to take it lightly or do it for the purpose of joining hands in solidarity.

 

[rzr]

:yes

Exactly the right answer!

the only thing different between me and anyone else in the world is Grace, and God loves all of his creation and people. I am no better than anyone, it is only by jesus gift of grace I am a christian. I just accepted a free gift!

 

[Jake]

2 Cor 6
" <SUP id=en-NIV1984-28897 class=versenum>14</SUP> Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? <SUP id=en-NIV1984-28898 class=versenum>15</SUP> What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"

I agree with what you implied and with Dora's response & scripture, but I think there is a difference. Jesus dwelt among sinners who were not necessarily "rejecting" the God of Abraham and outwardly worshiping a god who rejected our God. They were just lost.

The scripture I quoted seems to speak more to the time we spend casually with them. If the purpose of time spent with Muslims or people following another faith is specifically to share the hope of Christ, I believe that's praiseworthy. But if it is to try to form a common-bond or mutual understanding, I have to ask what Paul asked: What do we have in common with them? We have things of this life in common, but spiritually, we are separated.

I don't believe anyone is saying not to go out into the world and share the Gospel. I think they're saying not to take it lightly or do it for the purpose of joining hands in solidarity.

 

[Exorcist]

I have often when mentioning attempts to talk to people in an effort to befriend and hopefully share my faith to weird spiritual people, Muslims etc. Many on these forums say stay stay away and drop in bible verses about not associating.

Who is worthy of the message of Jesus salvation? Who can we tell?

who is worthy of our friendship?

Is it just visitors to our churches?

Are you worthy of being called a Christian? None of us are worthy.

Tell me what makes you worthy of being associated with Christ?

 

[Chris]

Are you worthy of being called a Christian? None of us are worthy.

Tell me what makes you worthy of being associated with Christ?

Turning your back on elitist Christians and standing with fellow forgiven sinners in recognition of Christs love of all mankind, in willingness to spread the gospel.

My pet hate- snooty elitist Christians who think their poo don't stink since they became a christian, and wont associate with anyone who isn't like themselves.

None of us are worthy all we can offer is what Christ desires our honest love and following.

It is not the sinner we need to avoid, it is the one who doesn't want that yucky person in our churches who discourages evangelism with them.

 

[WIP]

To associate with someone doesn't have to mean that we endorse their behavior or beliefs. Christ demonstrated that we can and should associate with non-believers and in fact those are the ones we should probably seek out as it is the lost that need to be found. What we have to avoid is assimilation.

Everyone needs to hear the gospel. Believers and non-believers alike.

 

[Elijah674]

2 Cor 6
" <SUP id=en-NIV1984-28897 class=versenum>14</SUP> Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? <SUP id=en-NIV1984-28898 class=versenum>15</SUP> What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"

I agree with what you implied and with Dora's response & scripture, but I think there is a difference. Jesus dwelt among sinners who were not necessarily "rejecting" the God of Abraham and outwardly worshiping a god who rejected our God. They were just lost.

The scripture I quoted seems to speak more to the time we spend casually with them. If the purpose of time spent with Muslims or people following another faith is specifically to share the hope of Christ, I believe that's praiseworthy. But if it is to try to form a common-bond or mutual understanding, I have to ask what Paul asked: What do we have in common with them? We have things of this life in common, but spiritually, we are separated.

I don't believe anyone is saying not to go out into the world and share the Gospel. I think they're saying not to take it lightly or do it for the purpose of joining hands in solidarity.

Excellent 'Biblical' advice. Public school for a young girl or boy finds satan's 'yoking' way more advanced than home school or small Christian schools.

And what Christian parent would want to take the 'gamble?' And besides this, think of Eve even before sin going to the devils ground? She sure did 'learn' something.

--Elijah

 

[xounstaer]

i cried.. ty for showing a side i allready knew handy..

i wanted to open a thread with a title or so like "bridging gaps"

but let me take a strive here a lill bit different then anything you would accept of a believer in christ.
----
who says you got the right believe for being a salvated christian, betraying all morals and values of 'real life'. now surely we all got a conscience. i'd say a man who suffers his whole life thx to his conscience and believes in right and truth with that. is more worthy te enter the doors of heaven then a catholic' for the most simple choose, to show.

why? do you really believe that by proclaiming for thousands of years that jesus is the sacrifice who was murderred, sentenced to death and hang on a pole for your sin; as martyr, or crusified. and do you believe by believing such of another man dying for your sin, is to be called rightious??

you know me a bit, i can do the nice course and say you are all busy so good, especially here.

like i just said after reading handy's post i teared. specially if got an extra book. however it may be known just by reading the bible and believing all word that became flesh. that our lord could really be made out for anything...

and you may be believe in a murderrer choosen by '1' god.
before believing in the message of jesus.

now you dont.. but many do..
of course, neh.
(just hope i dont loose all i type here due to connection)

but ask me to be god.. you may believe in christ and ask forgiveness as much as you want. but you will be judged by your own treu' truth.

and if i was god.......

but let me get to a chase here

i've allready eveluated with a nurse here my drugusage of yesterday
i try to stay clean but the people i am among with, dont make that easy....
i drink i smoke weed, and now yesterday i had a fall back into crack.
6/7 years ago when i got insane i allmost worked as a 'gigalo' for having sex with old man, btw then people are real nice. ofcourse i dont mean the ones who pay!
if u ask me being in such a twisted position to sell your body.

please :help them (where ever you can and it is needed requested or wanted otr posssible)

now still i am not perfect. but try finding a man on this earth with the sturdy and concreet faith i have. and others would have to throw away half the bible and betray the truths in it, or just not mention them. and cut me out to make me think i am wrong or a liar.

it's nice this issue is adressed here so i get a bit more back to the topictitle.

"who is worthy to associate with christians and possibly hear about Jesus?"

who is worthy to associate with christians? the answer would be any non-christian.
since otherwise it would be christians interactin amongst each other.

and possibly hear about jesus. now there you got me doing some mental selfdiscussion.

hear about jesus? or is the 'real one' besides jesus not meant to be heard of?
did u get me?
i'll go paranoid maybe.

but the answer would be anyone who hasnt heard of jesus yet.
to the rest, i'd like to say; do my job. coz for me doing it is a bit disrealistic with/among the people i am.(i cant remember the last time i lied)(ow i do, no mom i didnt steal that mars, bam bam..).

so to christains on this site a better question i think would be:
who is able enough in faith and believe, etc to associate with the returnal(wind blows heavy here)of our lord/my lord besides me.

or to associate with what all can come to look with it?

i am not sure but so far is been a a few fingers on maybe two hands.

it's a question to me too, since basicly i dont YET have anything else to say.
and discussing jesus is the same as discussing me. specially if take the whole picture and realate and associate everything, including duplicate names or so..

I'll shut it.

stein xxxooo

 

[Chris]

i cried.. ty for showing a side i allready knew handy..

i wanted to open a thread with a title or so like "bridging gaps"

but let me take a strive here a lill bit different then anything you would accept of a believer in christ.
----
who says you got the right believe for being a salvated christian, betraying all morals and values of 'real life'. now surely we all got a conscience. i'd say a man who suffers his whole life thx to his conscience and believes in right and truth with that. is more worthy te enter the doors of heaven then a catholic' for the most simple choose, to show.

why? do you really believe that by proclaiming for thousands of years that jesus is the sacrifice who was murderred, sentenced to death and hang on a pole for your sin; as martyr, or crusified. and do you believe by believing such of another man dying for your sin, is to be called rightious??

you know me a bit, i can do the nice course and say you are all busy so good, especially here.

like i just said after reading handy's post i teared. specially if got an extra book. however it may be known just by reading the bible and believing all word that became flesh. that our lord could really be made out for anything...

and you may be believe in a murderrer choosen by '1' god.
before believing in the message of jesus.

now you dont.. but many do..
of course, neh.
(just hope i dont loose all i type here due to connection)

but ask me to be god.. you may believe in christ and ask forgiveness as much as you want. but you will be judged by your own treu' truth.

and if i was god.......

but let me get to a chase here

i've allready eveluated with a nurse here my drugusage of yesterday
i try to stay clean but the people i am among with, dont make that easy....
i drink i smoke weed, and now yesterday i had a fall back into crack.
6/7 years ago when i got insane i allmost worked as a 'gigalo' for having sex with old man, btw then people are real nice. ofcourse i dont mean the ones who pay!
if u ask me being in such a twisted position to sell your body.

please :help them (where ever you can and it is needed requested or wanted otr posssible)

now still i am not perfect. but try finding a man on this earth with the sturdy and concreet faith i have. and others would have to throw away half the bible and betray the truths in it, or just not mention them. and cut me out to make me think i am wrong or a liar.

it's nice this issue is adressed here so i get a bit more back to the topictitle.

"who is worthy to associate with christians and possibly hear about Jesus?"

who is worthy to associate with christians? the answer would be any non-christian.
since otherwise it would be christians interactin amongst each other.

and possibly hear about jesus. now there you got me doing some mental selfdiscussion.

hear about jesus? or is the 'real one' besides jesus not meant to be heard of?
did u get me?
i'll go paranoid maybe.

but the answer would be anyone who hasnt heard of jesus yet.
to the rest, i'd like to say; do my job. coz for me doing it is a bit disrealistic with/among the people i am.(i cant remember the last time i lied)(ow i do, no mom i didnt steal that mars, bam bam..).

so to christains on this site a better question i think would be:
who is able enough in faith and believe, etc to associate with the returnal(wind blows heavy here)of our lord/my lord besides me.

or to associate with what all can come to look with it?

i am not sure but so far is been a a few fingers on maybe two hands.

it's a question to me too, since basicly i dont YET have anything else to say.
and discussing jesus is the same as discussing me. specially if take the whole picture and realate and associate everything, including duplicate names or so..

I'll shut it.

stein xxxooo

What you just wrote is every reason tomorrow I need to share what i know.

 

[xounstaer]

ty chris.
i saw in the end of my post i seemed a bit unclear, but i gues u got the message.

for anyone to spread whatever believe. to do that amongst who allready believe is silly logially. ofcourse studying and so, yes but actually making new believers whateer way can only be done among non-believers.

pretty simple yeah.

but must i answer the question of 'worthy'. i keep quite...
every body selfe should make up a mind about that, and worthy for exactly what?
each should figure out itself.

anyway to take the right course
the perfect path i think would be to do as jesus did...

 

[xounstaer]

ps not what was done to jesus...

even if people say it's the way, you've got your own mind you should make up.
and if you mean a symbolic version or its meant symbolic of the crusification. to carry up your cross. i did. but if i could turn that back i surely would.

and btw to prove what exactly where jeus his words or johns or the words from who witnessed and all. i gues would be a tough discussion, or each own opinion.(if i didnt discuss along:D)

seek the rightiousness that comes from the hart. before you cifer yourself away for somebody else. while you could move a mountain 2...

 

[Chris]

To associate with someone doesn't have to mean that we endorse their behavior or beliefs. Christ demonstrated that we can and should associate with non-believers and in fact those are the ones we should probably seek out as it is the lost that need to be found. What we have to avoid is assimilation.

Everyone needs to hear the gospel. Believers and non-believers alike.

even if you dont get a chance to share the word you can at lease raise the opinion of a christian in someones mind with your non judgmental attitude and kindness. Ok so you never get a chance to tell the gospel directly but you place a seed for another to water.

 

[Chris]

anyway to take the right course
the perfect path i think would be to do as jesus did...

Give the pharisees a hard time and dine with the scum of society. Lol that should get me a few invites to dinner

 

[WIP]

even if you dont get a chance to share the word you can at lease raise the opinion of a christian in someones mind with your non judgmental attitude and kindness. Ok so you never get a chance to tell the gospel directly but you place a seed for another to water.

Agreed.