I have a friend who....

[justsavedvince]

I have a roommate who is orthodox christian. He doesn't go for the NIV because he says it's different from King James version as far as meaning. He's very in favor of traditionalism in church. He thinks that pastors from other churches focus more on themselves than on the Word and likes orthodox because they involve the Word and prayer with people in the seats. He doesn't see how someone who does good things can go to hell like Ghandi, or a gay christian.

I told him that people who are truly followers of christ will show fruit of the spirit and want to follow Him and stop doing sinful things (homosexuality). He himself is not gay, but he does not produce much fruit. I'm worried about his salvation and want to reach out to him, which i just tried doing. I read scriptures to him because i wanted the Holy Spirit to speak to him and not me, but i felt like i talked to much... because he was talking and wasn't really up for reading the bible that much all i could do was ask God to speak through me.

I recommended he visit gotquestions, but he doesn't trust the internet with his spirituality. I told him if you have the Holy Spirit living in you, then you'll have discernment on what's true. He identifies as Christian, as do many people, even gay people, and i did too even before i was truly saved. So he thinks that if you identify as Christian, whether you're gay or a drug addict (which he is) that you have a "chance" of going to heaven. Whereas i know for certain I'm going to heaven. Christ changed my life and it's evident. I want to convey these things to him and i told him to pray and ask God to reveal the truth to him if he is believing the wrong thing.

I told him to read the bible. He tends to not pray, but if something bad was supposed to happen and did not happen, he knows it's because God took care of him... which is good. But the bible says pray continually. He says that when Jesus says "i am the way the truth and the life" that people interpret it different ways and it can mean that if you do good things like He did, then you will go to heaven. I tried to tell him it's not about good works, but more than that. I tried my best and asked God to give me the right words to say, i just don't know if it did anything. I hope i didn't make things worse by having that conversation, cuz it felt more argumenative than it did flowing in the Spirit. We weren't yelling but we were both trying to be right. And he said we all have an answer to everything because we both "know" what is right.

I told him to lean on scripture but not your own understanding. I am going to continue to pray for him, but what else can i do? I want him to read the Scriptures that relate exactly to these manners. If i asked him if he was sure he was gunna go to heaven when he died, he would probably say i don't know... whereas someone who is really a Christian knows his salvation is secure if he's truly living for Him. What can i do?

ps i know i didn't quote the scripture word for word because i don't know it by heart and don't remember where it is. Maybe i could get help with that too?

He said it was a good conversation and he'd like to continue it tonight when he gets home. I hope God will use some of you all to help me out, you'll be helping out my friend too. Thanks

 

[Cody]

We are saved by faith and not works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."

When we are saved we will do good works.

Luke 6:43 "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a currupt tree bring forth good fruit"

In Phillippians 4:6 God commands us to pray.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God."

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

(KJV)

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Re: I have a friend who.....

Vince, you need to pray for discernment as to what to say and when to say it. God has been using me for years in group meetings and I've learned to recognize when he is putting words in my mouth. Learning this is a process, though, and you can expect to make mistakes along the way. "Practice makes perfect". You'll learn how to recognize God's voice in your heart.

You also need to take your will out of the picture and surrender yourself to God's plan for your friend. He's got the whole program plotted out. Just learn to follow his lead instead of taking charge yourself. Taking charge yourself will leave you frustrated and confused. God is highly skilled at drawing people to himself. He has to be; he drew us, didn't he?

God bless you my friend. Keep growing!

SLE

 

[lion's torch]

I'm in the same situation with one of my best friends. Secularly, we flow well together. But when conversation of spiritually brinks, he tends to shine away sometimes and other times he blatantly contradicts everything I know that is true. I still in this situation. It is so hard to tear down the walls of tradition and religion that has been, for years, instilled in the minds of people. Sometimes I am silent, somewhere in Proverbs it says *indirect quote- Don't argue with foolish men.
Then I continuously pray this scripture:
Romans 12:2- "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

I really don't like the spirit of tradition-it brings mental bondage. If we wouldn't conform to the traditions of this world, and renew our mind in Christ, then the Holy Spirit will endow you to discern the perfect, acceptable will of God.

Thanks for your help.

 

[maciek]

Only Jesus can save

No one can convert any one only can bring Jesus to others through life, words and examples. So we shall become instrument of His salvation.

 

[abigya]

Dear justsavedvince
As I was reading, I was appreciating your effort to win your friends soul.

I my self came from orthodox back ground some of my family are still following orthodox Christianity.
They will tell you they believe Christ came to save us but mainly they practice the old testament laws…like don’t touch this don’t eat that and all.
They don’t believe what we call circumcision in heart (see Romans 4&5), that’s why your friend is drug addicted but he believe he can be righteous by doing good did. but the righteousness of God is to those who have faith only in Christ.

You can also read Romans 3

Romans 3:22-27
22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.

Some thing I also want to advise is, some times our actions speak louder,try to be very sensitive when ever he is around you. The way you handle things in your life,the way you talk, the way you treat people……………..
The peace and joy we have in our heart always attract the unbelievers, some times we don’t even have to testify.He will question him self how come he is always so calm and at peace?

(There is a wonderfull [sticky] post here in the same room (bible chat) by brother Chad titiled Christian or Catholic,since they have similarity its worth reading it)

May God pour out his Grace, wisdom and understanding to you, In Jesus name.
abigya

 

[like_jesus]

We think we Know God

The problems with anything orthodox is conservative, and like most orthodox christians I know they think they know God too much, they can actually predict His next move, and they have their degrees in theology and stuff like that. Anyway, the secret of it all is in the revelation of the Spirit to us.
Isa. 55:8
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

I say with this in mind we can never know God just like that, it would take all eternity to know Him, but we should do something with the little we know
so it can grow and bear fruit in our lives and in the life of others.

 

[kenwyn]

Hi Justsavedvince

It sounds like you are doing great.

Keep talking about Jesus. You don't have to feel responsible for correcting your room mate's understanding on which is the best Bible to read, the merits of traditional churches or the best way to pray.

You say that Christ has changed your life and that is evident. Fantastic! That's an amazing story to share. I am sure that the change is evident to your room mate.

It is far easier to keep the conversation peaceful and friendly if you talk about the good things you have found in Jesus rather than concentrate on arguing your case.

Avoid telling your friend what he should do. Instead concentrate on talking about why you do what you do.

Be careful about getting into arguments. Most evangelists can look back on times when they have won the argument but lost the soul.

I am not saying that you should go soft on the truth, just keep first things first. If you can bring your room mate to a place where he has a real encounter with Jesus, the rest will follow on much more easily.

 

[justsavedvince]

Thank you everybody for your posts. I appreciate the time and thought and prayers put into this situation. God is using you all as vessels to help me grow to help the body of Christ become stronger. God bless you all. And thank you Lord.

 

[Spreadtheword]

If I break one of the commandments,will I go to hell for that?I know it's a stupid question but I'm still learing about these stuff.

 

[justsavedvince]

Thanks for asking! No question is stupid when you're trying to understand the Word of God. We all have questions and the more you ask and seek, the more God will show you and the closer of a relationship you can have with Jesus Christ. If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, then He has forgiven you for all sins (past, present, and future). This however does not give us a permit to sin because He has forgiven us. If you truly love Christ and want to strengthen your relationship with Him, you'll know that obeying His commands (which includes avoiding sin as best as you can) will improve the relationship. You will still have the sinful nature and desire to sin at some points, but now you may have experienced Christ in your life and know that He better than anything this world has to offer. I recommend you read the book of 1 John. It's only 5 chapters but speaks alot about Jesus forgiving our sins and also laying out how we as Christians should live our lives for Christ and not of this world. I had a mentor teach me this stuff today actually so I'm glad to be able to tell you about it. God is good. Read His word and pray about it. Everyone has broken commandments, and everyone is hellbound for sinning even once, UNLESS one accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, believes He died for our sins and lived a sinless (perfect) life, and rose again 3 days later. He offers everyone this gift of salvation, it's a decision of whether one wants to accept the gift and commit their life to Christ and turn away from living for themselves. I hope this helps and pray that God will speak to you on this matter. And keep asking questions. That's one big reason why this forum was created. Also, there is a link somewhere on this talkjesus website to a place called Gotquestions. Gotquestions is a question/answer ministry/datebase that has thousands of questions and answers pertaining to the Bible, Christianity, life, religions, and much that you will find helpful. And if you don't see the question that you're looking for, you can "Ask a Question" through the Gotquestions site, they ask for your email address, you ask a question, and they email you back between 2-7 days or so. It's been very useful to me and i'm confident it can be for you too. Check it out and keep searching! God bless you.

 

[steve1979]

righteousness does not come from the commandments

galatians ch 3 verse 21 says if righteousness comes from the law (commandments) then christ died for no purpose. paraphrasing. the law shows us our sinful nature thus driving us near to his grace and mercy. the law does not save, only by grace through faith ephesians ch 2:8. but grace is not a licsense to sin romans ch 6:1