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Originally Posted by arcura

Wondergirl,
Why not invited Altenweg along on a friendly trek along the road to Emmaus?
I do.
A spiritual walk with Jesus has been a great help for many people.
Like all walks it is done with one step at a time.
The attitude one has during then trek can be of great help.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

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I totally agree, Fred, and have invited her on more than one occasion. Other Christians here, however, have no patience with her, yet Alty is more "Christian-acting" than they are.

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Originally Posted by sndbay

We can pray for those that have been deceived, but they are accountable to thier own choice.

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But we have a responsibility meanwhile to listen and to empathize and to present the Gospel accordingly.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

But we have a responsibility meanwhile to listen and to empathize and to present the Gospel accordingly.

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Yes we live by example in righteousness, and do not judge.

We can offer the truth, but we are then told as it is written, that if they do not listen or refuse to believe, the Word of Truth is a stumblingblock.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.


When each are ready to hear the Word of God, it is to the praise and glory of God.

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Originally Posted by sndbay

We can offer the truth, but we are then told as it is written, that if they do not listen or refuse to believe, the Word of Truth is a stumblingblock.

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But too often the Christian "messenger" is the stumblingblock. Unfortunately, he will blame the non-Christian, when it is his own awful method of delivery.

This is what the parable of the wheat and tares mean. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the Kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. God has put the righteous and the wicked to live alongside one another.
Tares have the same color, shape and fragrance as wheat, but no head of grain forms so tares bare no fruit.
The tares soak up the nutrients and they take up space, but produce nothing in return. They are unidentifiable until harvest time. Be on guard
By knowing God's Word and depending on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to
Life and few find it. Beware of false prophets, they come in sheep's
Clothing but are the same as wolves. A good tree cannot bare bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bare good fruit. So by their fruit you will know them. .
Eat from the Lords table, the bread of Life, His Word that gives, Wisdom,
Knowledge, and Understanding. This is our victory. HALLELUJAH.


Love and Blessings, Maggie 3

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Originally Posted by Maggie 3

So by their fruit you will know them.

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One would hope so, but that's not always the case.

Wondergirl,
Yes, but in most cases their fruit gives us a good picture of who and what they are.
In some cases, however, some can produce what is called a devil's trick. That is the appearance of producing good fruit in order to deceive.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

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Originally Posted by arcura

That is the appearance of producing good fruit in order to deceive.

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Oh, there's no intention to deceive. They are Christians, but very poor at demonstrating that fact. They are more interested in promoting the creed and making others say "I believe" rather than promoting the ethic of love for God and for each other.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Oh, there's no intention to deceive. They are Christians, but very poor at demonstrating that fact. .

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If you believe that then perhaps you have discerned them as being asleep. The Word of God is taken from them. They have let a stranger into their home.

We are told to watch carefully, and as the disciples were told stay awake.

1st Thessalonians 4:13-14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

A Christian knows how they ought to walk to please God, and to be fruitful. They know the commandments that were given by Christ Jesus. Your sanctification as a Christian is known to you.

God did not call us in the mist of cleanness but in the mist of holiness. God has given in the mist of us the Holy Spirit. You are taught of God to love one another.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

But too often the Christian "messenger" is the stumblingblock. Unfortunately, he will blame the non-Christian, when it is his own awful method of delivery.

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Wondergirl this is why we do not use force by what we believe. We can offer spiritual truth by questioning "Do you believe in Christ Jesus?" but if it not wanted then we walk away not to cause defraud to any brother in any matter.

Again when any brother or sister accept God, it is to the glory and praise of the Father in heaven.

All have been called and Christ Jesus is the completeness that is surrounded in that calling. ( One body, One spirit, One hope, One Faith, One Lord, One God and Father of all, through all, and in us all) We see Christ as the height and abundance of God's love infinitely. Christians look for that fulness, and are to walk in that fulness.

~in Christ

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Originally Posted by Maggie 3

So by their fruit you will know them. .
Eat from the Lords table, the bread of Life, His Word that gives, Wisdom,
Knowledge, and Understanding. This is our victory. HALLELUJAH.

Love and Blessings, Maggie 3

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Exactly the Lord's table, the Bread of Life, the word made flesh, HIS WORD.

Christ spoke only those things which His Father gave Him, and as Christians we deny ourselves to follow Him in HIS Word, we should speak the Words He has given us to eat.

John 12:48-49-50 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

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Originally Posted by sndbay

Wondergirl this is why we do not use force by what we believe. We can offer spiritual truth by questioning "Do you believe in Christ Jesus?" but if it not wanted then we walk away not to cause defraud to any brother in any matter.

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That will not work as a question to a non-Christian. It's a threat, not a loving question. There are better ways to introduce Christ into someone's life.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

That will not work as a question to a non-Christian. It's a threat, not a loving question. There are better ways to introduce Christ into someone's life.

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If you presumably question why they do not believe then yes it becomes a threat. I trust most would just react to the question with a, no I don't believe or yes I do believe. If you were really introducing Christ, then you would get an answer of who is Christ Jesus.

The threat is always in having to answer to the choice one makes. That is what I would example about not forcing any belief.

One can walk away showing respectfully that they will not defraud or count themself at a better level or esteem, then their brother. Not judging..

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Originally Posted by sndbay

If you presumably question why they do not believe then yes it becomes a threat. I trust most would just react to the question with a, no I don't believe or yes I do believe. If you were really introducing Christ, then you would get an answer of who is Christ Jesus.

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I wouldn't even question in the beginning. That would be the threat and a big turn-off. I would begin without even a hint of "do you believe." You have no idea how threatening that is.

Donna, a fine Christian woman, invited newcomers to town to go with her to a social group meeting of various ages of women who babysat during church services. Nothing was mentioned about God or religion or church rites and rituals. Donna provided transportation if needed and accompanied the women to the meetings and introduced them to others. At the meeting, the Christian women talked about their babysitting schedules and the things they did to keep the children in their care occupied for at least an hour. Coffee and desserts were served. More often than not, after a few such meetings, the newbies joined the babysitting group and eventually the congregation. THAT'S how to do mission work!

Now, tell me WHY it worked so well.

Wondergirl,
You have make a very good point with that.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Now, tell me WHY it worked so well.

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The method is known well in retail sales. It is called relationship marketing. Net working a friend of a friend of a friend is another such example.

Off thread on this discussion, but I think there is another discussion or thread related to how some churches promote their religion.

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Originally Posted by sndbay

The method is known well in retail sales. It is called relationship marketing. Net working a friend of a friend of a friend is another such example.

off thread on this discussion, but I think there is another discussion or thread related to how some churches promote their religion.

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But the best way is to beat the unchurched over the head with "I believe" and "do you believe"?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

But the best way is to beat the unchurched over the head with "I believe" and "do you believe"?

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I believe in the Holy Spirit, and the one body and one spirit relationship that is within. My relationship is with Christ Jesus who dwells within, and I don't buy into following other friends and what they follow. I follow Christ Jesus, and not the flesh, but the spirit.
(Romans 8)

One does not have to ask people whether they believe in Christ Jesus because you know by the love they show towards other if they too walk having the spirit of our Lord. You can tell by the words that they speak, who they follow.

I don't believe this relationship can sold, nor can it be bought.

May you be all you were created to be.

~in Christ

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Originally Posted by sndbay

One does not have to ask people whether they believe in Christ Jesus because you know by the love they show towards other if they too walk having the spirit of our Lord.

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I have many friends who show love to others even more wonderfully and cheerfully than Christians I know, yet they are not Christian. I don't believe jumping up and down claiming to be a Christian and demanding that others turn from their sins and become Christian is walking the walk. Too many of those non-Christians easily walk in more Christian ways than the so-called Christians do.

God knows the heart.