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 Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:20 pm
As Christians, I'm sure we've been bashed or made fun of because of what we believe in. But, do we know how to counter?
Just the other day, a guy who happens to be a santist and has been on my case since gr 9 confronted me. And already knowing his intentions (and his friends intentions - to which kinda surrounded me) I didn't want to talk to him, but he started anyway and he asked, "Give me one good reason why I should believe in this Jesus of yours"
So I replied, "He loved you enough to die for you"
And then he started gettin into ligistics about how Jesus died thousands of years ago and how would he even know him let alone die for him, and then he preceeded to say "Now, if someone took a bullet for me, thats a saviour"
Not knowing exactly what else to say to him, I left the conversation, and later came up with a response. "Would you be eternally greatful to a man who took a bullet for you? Then how about three nails, a sevear beating, and then died for your sake?"
As Christians, we expect people to try to throw us off track as Ryan (this guy who confronted me) tried to do. But we often don't know what to say at the time.
So I ask, has this happened to you? Did you know what to say at the time? Did what you said work, or did the person just keep pressing on you? What would you have done in my situation?
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Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:47 pm
I have been in that situation many times. Often times, I walk away from it. Or I give the best answer I can... in the past my own family confronted me. Or I'd say something they wouldn't like, and they'd press for answers. I have answered similarly to how you thought you would. It's just that sometimes, we get scared, nervous.
... At times it is better to walk away though. Especially when someone is threatening you.
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Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:18 pm
Did the diciples back down when they were confronted? Should we really? I'm not saying we should go and physically fight, and slam the gospel in their face, but should we honestly, really back down?
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Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:51 pm
We're not called to engage in no win situations like the one you describe. That kid wasn't going to be converted, he was just trying to shake your faith. You didn't back down, you simply refused to engage in something that could only escalate and damage your witness.
There are times to tenaciously argue a point, even knowing you will not change someone's mind. Conversely there are times when being dogmatic only damages your witness.
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Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:54 pm
... I agree. There's a difference in planting seeds, and nurturing thorns.
For that kid to turn his back on his faith, like he did, and see that he can so easily shake you, means he can beat any one of us down, or that he will try.
Jesus turned the other cheek, because He knew their hearts were hardened, and that nothing He said would matter. It is God's battle. We are just messengers.
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Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:34 pm
He doesn't shake me in my faith, but he tests my self restraint. I know he wants me to get riled up enough to fight. He knows he can get me angry, I have a bit of an anger issue. I can go blank if I'm angry enough, and not neccessarly be able to fully control myself. Its rare that I get to that point, but it has happened. Thankfully not infront of him. If he saw that he'd either be in a hospital, I'd be infornt of a judge or he'd think he'd be able to beat me down in my faith.
Thankfully, God is gettin me through the anger, I'm gettin better at controlling it, but it sometimes gets hte better of me.
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Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:56 am
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:32 pm
very well said to him! i almost feel bad for people like that... who think they have points to make by denying God.They'll deny it sooner or later (hopefully before they die) i know people just like that... really gets on my nerves-.-'
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:41 pm
Obviously I do too. Don't let it get to you. They just don't know that what they're doing is slowly killing them. if they knew what we did, they'd be on their knees beggin for forgiveness. When someone comes up to you like that, and does that, I suggest sayin a silent prayer for them. It does two things, 1) "love thy enemy" its making sure your not hating them and trying to bring them closer to you
2) it keeps you calm in a confrontation. That way you don't blow and give them the chance to say "thats not very Christian of you" as you've probably heard MANY times before
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:53 am
yeah, i had an issue like that the other day, but it really helped to remember "pray for those who persecute you". from Matthew 3:...the verse number escapes me at the moment sweatdrop
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:42 pm
Yeah. Thanks for that. Great reminder.
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:03 pm
Yep. listen to the song "Love them like Jesus" by Casting crowns. puts you into prespective. God loves even the satanists, soooooo even tho they're annoying, we can't hate them.
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:44 am
Cool. Maybe I'll look that up.
And you're right. God loves even satanists. It is hard to love people at times.
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