What are the dangers of correcting an unbeliever, and does it really bring them into the family of God by doing this? Did Jesus Ever Condemn A Unbeliever? Lastly, what does the Bible say about how we are to approach an unbeliever?
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>>What are the dangers of correcting an unbeliever, and does it really bring them into the family of God by doing this?
None, except we do it in a fleshly way. We are to correct anyone and everyone doing wrong, according to the leading of the Spirit. Evil wins (for a short season), due to the righteous doing nothing (the silent majority).
Nothing we do brings people to Christ. God brings people to Christ; none can come without the Father drawing them to Jesus. God's preferred method, his ordained method, is to work through us, but it is him through us.
>>Did Jesus Ever Condemn A Unbeliever?
The world is condemned already, so yes, God has condemned unbelievers.
>>Lastly, what does the Bible say about how we are to approach an unbeliever?
We approach them exactly as God leads us to, when and how He leads us.
Winter, I know you're hurting. I would be among the first to tell you that I don't think depression or being bi-polar or having PTSD are demon illnesses. I am not bi-polar but I do have the other two diagnoses. I also know the things that people say ... the things that really hurt. I am not saying my problems are anywhere near what yours are or that my experiences in life have been anywhere nearly as difficult as yours. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and people do care. You might like some of the info at the link at the end of this post. I haven't read through all of it ... all of the Bible studies or testimonies but I liked the answers they gave for some of the terrible things that are said to people who are suffering from depression. I hope it helps you the way it helped me. The Things People Say
Amanda, I read the link you posted about “things people say” Thanks for posting it, I believe it can be helpful to those that are suffering from certain accusations, all I can say now is “I will pray for more revelation on the subject” I do care!
I used to have a “T” shirt that read on the back; “What you think of me is none of my business” I know people will say things, that if pondered, could cause one to withdraw and get us upset, but I have learned to just ignore them and just maybe someday they will see what a jerk they have been. The reason I know? I’ve been there. Lol
Joe
Joe, maybe God just did give you more revelation ... by leading you to read the link. :)
I love the link Amanda! Thank you:)
I believe when, or if we try to correct an unbeliever, we run the risk of turning them against ourselves and possibly God. When I look at scripture, I see Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Preaching condemnation only drives people further away; Rom 2:14, says that it is the goodness of God that leadeth men to repentance.
I have talked to people that, at first didn’t want to talk about the Lord, because they have been told they were going to hell if they didn’t repent or get saved. I don’t remember exactly what I said then, but he was more than happy to talk with me and took my card and said he would call me sometime.
I used to have a little card that said ”we come to bring light to them that set in darkness and in the shadow of death” I won’t go into the whole story here, but I got a call late one night from a lady asking questions about what the card meant……………. I asked her where she got the card, she said it fell out of her fiancés shirt pocket when she picked it up to wash. She was somewhere in Indiana I think, I live in Ks. She said he was in Ks. earlier, working in construction and I evidently gave him the card. I could tell a lot of stories about leading men to the Lord out on the job, in the field, hospitals etc. Just by letting your light so shine that they can see that we are different than the rest of the world. And they will ask the reason why.
We don’t go out to witness; we are a witness wherever we go. When men are cast down and hurting, they want to know why you are so happy or joyful.
The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Joe
Joe, how incredible that testimony is. I would have been blown away as I'm sure you was. It's humbling when the Lord uses us like that.
Joe, I have to agree that we are not to preach condemnation. We are to preach repentance. As Jesus did (Matthew 4:17). People need to see their sin and they need to see Jesus for who He really is and that they can have peace with God.
I have a similar story to tell as yours. I had a few poems published in Decision, Billy Graham's magazine, and I got a few letters from people who had read my poems. The letters came from Georgia and Florida and I lived in Ohio. One person just wanted to know if I was related to her -- we had the same last name. Nevertheless ... I agree with Tammy, yours is an incredible testimony.
Romans 10 KJV:
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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