Embedded Files
Perhaps you came to Christ out of a very different religious background.
When the New Testament was written the vast majority of people turning to faith in Christ did so out of a very different religion and worldview.
The Gentiles (all non-Jews) worshipped many gods. They bowed to carved idols. They believed that they could influence the favor of a particular god by doing certain things. But those gods did not do much for moral character. Many of the Greek pagan temples involved cult prostitution as an act of worship. Becoming a Christian meant dramatic changes.
Even for those coming out of a Jewish background, Christianity was very different in many ways. No longer did one need to offer sacrifices for sin. Christ’s death was sufficient. No longer was one to be aloof from Gentiles due to possible ritual “contamination.” And it was no longer necessary to follow the kosher laws for food (Acts 10).
What do you do?
Pray! The power of the Holy Spirit is the only power that can convict and convince anyone of their need for Christ (Matthew 16:17; John 16:8). And He is also the one who gives us power (ability) to be Christ’s witnesses. Here is Paul’s heart concerning his fellow Jews,
...the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. (Romans 10:1)
Make no mistake that this is first of all a spiritual battle and God must open their eyes:
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Paul wrote of his Jewish kinsmen,
...the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself…. (Romans 10:1-3, NLT)
Live a life that reflects the fruits of the Spirit, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Many who are “religious” know that life is more than just enjoying the pleasures and power of this life. They long for these qualities in their life and to live in a world where these are a reality. This is attractive to them. The difference, however, is that Christians do these out of gratitude for what God has already done and out of love for others, not to gain salvation or enlightenment. Christ provided salvation for us because there is no way we can earn it. He reached down; all other religions are man trying to reaching up by human effort.
Share the gospel chronologically. When you read the four gospels you see Jesus unfolding the truth over a three year period. Even on His last night He told his disciples, “I have many more things to share with you, but you cannot bear them now…” (John 16:12). And when Paul preached to the Greek philosophers on Mars Hill (Acts 17) he started with what they agreed on and what they were familiar with. Then he moved to the parts that would be hardest for them to accept given their background.
Start with Jesus. What did He do (miracles, healing)? How did he treat people? What was His character (sinless, compassionate)? What did He teach about how to live? Who is He (the Son of God, Creator, Judge, Savior)? How is He different? What must I do?
Go to the Cross. Why would a “holy man” have to die? (Not karma). How was God’s justice satisfied? How did He die? That is, notice how He forgave even those nailing Him to the cross. If we could save ourselves by effort then the Cross would not have happened. If the worst that would happen to us is “bad karma” and reincarnation then such a sacrifice would be unnecessary.
The following is from another FAQ, but it applies here too:
Proverbs says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a hard word stirs up anger.” (Prov. 15:1) So first of all, determine to always speak humbly and in gentleness. This can be especially hard with family. You know each other so well!
I Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Preparing an answer can involve thinking through your own personal story of how you came to Christ and some of the process that led you to it. What questions or struggles did you face? It’s possible they have had similar questions. What led you to Christ as the answer? What is different now?
Make sure you reaffirm your love all along the way. Notice the two words, gentleness and respect. Being argumentative or unkind would push people away from Christ. You are an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19-20) not a warrior or salesman for Christ. Ambassadors must be very patient in helping bring two sides together, in this case family and Christ.
As Paul said when he shared his story, “whether a short time or long” his prayer was for their salvation (Act. 26:29).
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse