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But what about mom and dad
- Thread starter Salty
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I would tell them that it is not for us to know where their parents went and from what we see in Scripture, hell is not a place to "hang out" together. Hell isn't a fun place to be and there was a reason that Christ died so we wouldn't have to go there. I'd see how they responded to that and then move on.
I would let that person read Matt. 10:37, Luke 14:26, Luke 9:62, and Phil. 3:13. It shows that loving Jesus and following Jesus means letting go of everything and everyone else.
This happened all the time in Japan, since they worshipped the dead. Often I would talk to a Japanese who prayed to their dead parents, and would wonder if their parents were in Hell.
My answer? Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man wanted someone to go to his brothers and warn them so that they too did not go to Hell. So I would tell such a Japanese that if their parents were in Hell (I would never actually say that they were), their parents would want them to be saved so that they did not go there.
This would be completely unconvincing to a Japanese.
Not to mention that two of the passages mentioned were all to believer, not lost people: Matt. 10:37 to the 12 (believers except for Judas) being sent out on evangelism; Phil. 3:13 to a church of believers.
The other two passages (Luke 14:26 and 9:62) are debatable as to context whether they are about eternal salvation.
It's a dodge. It's like "...but what about all of the pygmies on Bongo Bongo who have never heard of Jesus".
I would just explain to them that each of us will be judged on our own sins and that their parents will be judged justly by God, if they repent and receive Christ, they will be saved, and if not, and they die in their sin, God will judge them according to His law and His righteousness.
I would then share with them the analogy of an airplane passenger who, in an emergency, is instructed to put his own oxygen mask on first, because he cannot help those around him if he is unconscious.
I use that analogy to point out to them that, if they're really that concerned about their parents, then the best thing would be to repent and receive Christ, be born again, and then go to their parents and present the Gospel to them, telling them about the loving God who just saved their children from their sin and who now extends that same forgiveness to the parents.
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I might tell the person of the rich man in torment begging for Lazarus to witness to his 5 brothers so they wouldn't meet the same fate. Surely if the person's parents were in hell they wouldn't their child to meet them there.
What if they were told:
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor 15:22
and
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor 15:22
and
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10
Sounds good - except in post # 3 I clarified the OP by saying both parents were deceased.
You sound like an Arminian. How long do you think these people have been alive? So they suddenly become reborn because what, the kid told them to read scripture and read it to them? Its the HS 's job to regenerate.
My point is that you cannot browbeat someone into salvation.....that is the work of God and you are along for the ride.
Earth said:
In that case, I would say that mom and dad have made their choice, that God will deal with them justly, and that you're still here and have time to repent, so let's deal with you.
First I would give the gospel Ray Comfort style, then I would show him the following scripture, then explain to him that eternity is a long time to be wrong or gamble with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLdI-t5IPPg
Luk_14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
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Jesus said,
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So yes you can know and tell people that person went to Hell, this should especially preached at Funerals.
Not sure how I got mixed up in that, since I'm neither.
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