Hi Alex,
You ask a valid question, why do I try to change peoples minds ? Answer, I don’t, remember these are good friends of mine, they have a deep belief in God !
What I have done was nothing more than put the truth in front of them, the rest is up to God not me or even them but of God, would you agree with that statement ?
I know Christ said don’t cast your pearls before swine’s before He commissioned the apostles to go out and preach the kingdom of God to all the nations.
What constitutes a swine in God’s judgement ? How does one preach the kingdom of God to all the nations and exclude the swine’s in the process? Except they hear the word of God how can they believe and if no one is sent how can they hear, no wonder scripture says how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the kingdom of God.
There are some who say why try! Why bother its just a waste of time , but I for one am thankful Christ didn’t say why try, why bother.
Hi Rick,
I would not agree with your statement. It sounds like the works of the flesh to me.
Peter says be ready to give an answer to those who ASK you for the reason of your hope.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
You can do what peter admonishes and still put the truth infront of your friends without ever speaking a word.
Ray was a light shinning in the darkness, he was a teacher ordained by God. He didn't go anywhere, to anyone, but rather men saw the light and they were drawn to it. Many hated the light but a few were drawn in closer. Even in preaching ray didn't go find people to preach to but rather God brought them to him through His divine plan.
Matthew 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
If you are walking in the spirit and not after the flesh then your actions will shine a light everywhere you go and people will see that light. We are a city on a hill with its bright light shinning into the darkness. That cannot be hid! Your Father in heaven will be glorified when men see your good works--That is the light! If they come to you after this then you will know that God has brought them and given you exactly what He wants you to say to them.
Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
As the old saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." In this case, if you are Christ's then you will bear good fruit and no one will be able to deny that even if they hate you.
1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Obedience is key!
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Through this there can be no doubt that the spirit of God resides in you and that you speak the truth in Christ.
God bless,
Alex
P.S. A mind convinced against its will is of the same opinion still