The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

I thank the Lord much that we can fellowship with one another in "the Household of God" in as many ways as possible, such as the internet.

My intentions for sharing are always for encouragement in the spiritual growth category - through neighborly love by "the word of truth" and never to contend with another's beliefs or to be persuasive concerning the acceptance of mine.

Seated With Christ (Eph 2:6)
NetChaplain <><

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NetChaplain

The Christian life is not our living a life like Christ, or our trying to be Christ-like, nor is it Christ giving us the power to live a life like His; but it is Christ Himself living His own life through us; 'no longer I, but Christ.'" -MJS

Hi NetChaplain! I have a lot I think I could learn from you:)



I find this so hard and difficult...I know you are right.. that the best way we can witness to others is by leading a good life and that we can never force our believes on others... but it's just so frustrating... it's like I want them to wake up and see the truth but there is just no way for me to do that (only by living the best through Jesus Christ can they see Jesus's work in my life and by praying to God to open their spiritual eyes)... but again, it is so frustrating and sometimes I get mad and instead of showing them Christ's love.. I backslide and it gets me know where and I definitely don't witness anything positive to the people that I want to come to love and understand God the way I have when I get angry at them not understanding... err, so frustrated with myself.

NetChaplain might not be online that often... anyone else have some advice on how to handle this problem... needing self-control and getting angry instead of showing God's love when you really want other people to accept the truth and they don't?

Just curious and looking for some help! I'll keep praying about it but I just thought some online encouragement would be helpful too!

Thanks!

kristen

Kristen

it really comes down to why we evangelize .... do we get angry and frustrated because we feel we have failed? ... etc.etc.etc....

the point is that we sometimes have our eyes set firmly on ourselves, what we want, what we feel, what we should be able to make happen ....

When Jesus was asked to summarize all the commandments of God .... this is how He did it

Mark 12:29-31 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Context (NET)

so our eyes and heart should first of all be towards God .... this is where the part about how we live comes in - and be very sure that those who are not Christian watch how Christians live !!!!

the second part is that we should love our neighbor i.e. anyone with whom we come into contact ... which means we will do for them whatever is in our power to do ... whether it is to give them time (eg go and have a cup of coffee), or perhaps cook a casserole when they are sick, or for the men take interest in their hobby, or help them with a flat tyre ...

any acts of love, concern, interest and help

then and only then can we share the gospel with them ... because then they might actually listen

But of course, all of these things begin with prayer ..... ardent, faithful, constant prayer - ask God to open your eyes so that you see their lostness, and to give you a compassionate heart so that you will not stop lifting them up to the Father of all mercies, in loving and passionate prayer.

this is how I see it

Dinah

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