Witness with love?

[Blazin Bones]

Often, while I see Christians witnessing, the christians do not show the love of the Lord they serve. Why is it that we put aside our Christian characteristics and witness for results. Please discuss.

 

[Elijah message]

Often, while I see Christians witnessing, the christians do not show the love of the Lord they serve. Why is it that we put aside our Christian characteristics and witness for results. Please discuss.

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Do you have a test for how one shows love? Or what love is? Just wondering, and in all sincerity?

---Elijah

 

[Blazin Bones]

Not really. I guess I'm not looking for those who witness with tough love, because that can be misleading. I will edit that.

 

[Elijah message]

Not really. I guess I'm not looking for those who witness with tough love, because that can be misleading. I will edit that.

******
Hi again, 'i' guess that I am dense :fadein .. but again, what are you saying??

---Elijah

 

[Blazin Bones]

When you share the message of Christ, which approach do you take. Would you like an explanation of each catagory?

 

[Elijah message]

When you share the message of Christ, which approach do you take. Would you like an explanation of each catagory?

*********
Nevermind.

 

[Nikki]

The way my friends mom witnesses is by screaming "You're going to hell! You're going to hell!!!!".

: People like that crack me up because they sound ridiculous. THAT is NO WAY to witness. You need kindness, love, an ear that will listen to arguments, and patience.

 

[Blazin Bones]

I agree Nikki.

Elijah

Do you have a test for how one shows love? Or what love is? Just wondering, and in all sincerity?

Elijah, since I'm not looking for a debate, although that's asking a lot, base your answer on what you feel is an appropriate definition of love.

 

[evanman]

A person should never witness for results.

We are commanded to preach the gospel and make disciples (NOT converts).

 

[Blazin Bones]

A person should never witness for results.

We are commanded to preach the gospel and make disciples (NOT converts).

Good point, they have to here the message, whether the except it is up to them, unless you support predestination. 8-)

 

[Elijah message]

My question was an sincere one about the thread poster's definition of love. Being 'reared' when needed, I finally understood that True Love was a principle, without it always needing emotion or excitment. Heb. 12:6 & verse 8.

My attention is always drawn to the cross as Christ was dieing, to see what true love displays? Christ 'felt' the sins of the whole world, He died of a broken heart,(?) and His 'feelings & emotions' were that of being forsaken of His Heavenly Father. Matt. 27:46. This Love is what true 'working faith' developes!

---Elijah

 

[Blazin Bones]

Elijah, I think that's the best place to start when you think about Love. Nothing says love more than that old rugged cross.

 

[Guest]

:D Love is the best course of action to take.
The bible tells us to warn the lost. Do we warn our next door
neihbor when they sin in front of us? Most of us don't say a word
yet the bible says that we should. Now however it can get you killed
in the times we are living in today. I believe that we are in the final
generation. I also believe the true christians are losing all their free-
doms. Inter-faithism is growing stronger and it's a liberal thing.
If you believe like me,that Jesus Christ is the only way to God,and that
the bible should be taken literally except where it says otherwise,then
you will be hated by all men,and the whole world.
I admire true christian men like Paul,John The Baptist and Most important
Our own Lord Jesus Christ. Now some people might think that calling some
people a brood of vipers is harsh. I don't at all,when it comes to those who
reject God or distort the truth. I'm not saying that we should make it a habit either. Being rough and tough and hard to bluff means staying strong
in prayer and in the word of God no matter what the word slaps in your
face. We should not hide our talents in the dirt. Jesus wants the lost.
How bad does he want them? He wants them very much because the holy
Father is not willing that any should perish. Yes,we should be gentle,and
be bold as a lion. We are on the internet right now,with the chance to help
who knows how many people,but if we lose that freedom one day,then we
will regret it if we don't make it count for something now while we still can.
The world laughs at those saints who are considered wimpy.
God has called each of us to something,and we are all told to spread the
gospel to all the world. If the world can convince us that we are bad,then
we lose. We are losing our freedoms from the way I see it,and it won't be
much longer before we hear more distressing news.
When Jesus was baptised by John and God said," This is My beloved son
in whom I am well pleased" Jesus didn't reply by saying, Aw' shucks.
We live ina world full of terrible language,people cursing everyday,and
pornography every where,and cheap dress codes,and disrespect and kids
beating up teachers,and parents,and visa-versa,you name it,it's all getting
worse now. Sugar coating the word will not work today.
How can we ever shine if the world keeps blowing the light out of us.
We have to be strong and fight. Who is willing to die for the truth?
Do we tell our neihbors next door about Jesus Christ?
If we can't even do that,should we be afraid to tell the lost on the internet?
I don't know many christians today that tell others about Jesus Christ.
They are afraid of a confrontation now. I can see why in todays world.
But what do you all think is best to do?

 

[Gary]

Blueeyeliner said it best. As an ex-atheist myself, I encountered many Christians like I see now... wimps who would not stand up for what they believed. Very few do.

Evanman is also correct. We need to stand up for truth and the Gospel. We do not convert people; God does that. The concept that we witness "for results" is incorrect (I believe). We do not count the number of people we "convert".

When atheists like Quath come here are spend hours and hours giving Christians a hard time, why should we put up with it? Tell him the truth and then move on. http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopi ... 800#101800

Look at the wishy-washy response to subjects like abortion. Very few Christians on these boards take a bold (and correct) position. Why? What are they scared of? They worry more about offending the atheist who post here than about the issue.... abortion is murder. Very simple.
http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=10967

We expose people like reznwrek for plagiarism.... but do nothing about it. Why? Then we wonder why our children can't tell right from wrong! http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopi ... 514#112514

We debate homosexuality and take a liberal view of "Christians" who can't see the error. Why?

We allow a clearly defined cult (Oneness Pentecostal) to continue to post here and promote their cult. Why? Henry does a good job of exposing their errors.

We witness by continually seeking the truth and continually showing that Jesus and The Word are our standard. That is why I enjoy Bibleberean's posts.

 

[Blazin Bones]

I like the realness you two, eyeliner and bee, bring to this topic. It is far to often the norm, and not the exception, to lower our standards to be loving and kind. I don't think this is the correct approach, either. If you can reason with them, and help them see where they err, than by all means be gentle. Unfortunately we can't always do that, and so it does become necessary to present the Message with an urgent, and possibly harsh love.

 

[Guest]

:wink: I don't know about harsh,but bold is a better word to me.
At times we must be bold and not sugar coat the word of God.
We live in a crazy and extemely dangerous world now. I hope we
can at least be more bold and honest on the internet since it's not
always possible in public now. We could even possibly be accused of
hate crimes soon. A christian can be bold as a lion,gentle as a dove
and wise as a serpent. We can be the salt of the world.
One day soon,we may very well need an under-ground church?
Lets pray for each other and do our very best for the Lord.
It's not always easy to do,but getting a prayer chain started and
talking about things amongst ourselves does help us.
We each have a different style,though granted some of us may need
more polishing than others. I know I do sometimes. The love is there
or we would all be a bunch of chickens and not even try.
May God bless the zeal that everyone here has,and may he give is
more courage and ability to do what he wants us to do,in Jesus's sweet
and holy name,amen.

 

[Elijah message]

Good post!

It seems what we could use is CLEAR spoken Truth? Not clearly understood posts per/say. Because that, perhaps is why some are here?
To learn.

Postings are a persons works. And the 'debates' are mans stuff mostly.
Gods Word's are seen in Clearly spoken Truths and are learnable if one is sincere, and will [believe them]. If one has the complete picture for a starting point! Such as, what does 'Everlasting Gospel' mean? Rev. 14:6. Or 2 Tim. 3:16's Word of ALL SCRIPTURE?

Well, in CLEARITY, it means that the Gospel is ETERNAL. With [NO] starting point! So, why waste ones time in discussing when Christ came into existance?? No Christ in eternity, means there can be NO ETERNAL GOSPEL! Seems simple to me??? So in clear words, CHRIST HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMMORTAL!! The opposite stuff needs to be junked!

And ALL SCRIPTURE for learing 'Doctrine'? This was ETERNAL TOO! :fadein:

---Elijah

 

[Blazin Bones]

Very great posts. Blue I esspecially like the transition from harsh to indeed boldness. I think that is a much better term.