Unbelieving in laws

[Nini]

If this is the wrong place to post please advise. Thanks!


Body of Christ,I need help sorting this out!
Here’s my dilemma or maybe opportunity or both……I’ve never done this before so here goes…..
My in-laws are not followers of Jesus and loath Him at times. My husband and I have tried not to force our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior upon them. As time goes on it gets harder to NOT offend them and honestly I dread being around them. They frequently use God’s name as a curse word and they are very bitter people especially when they drink. For the last 15 years we’ve been able to all keep a safe distance with each other. Living in the same state, but not same town. We would get together for holidays and in the summer some. They are between the ages of 65 and 75. The Gospel has been shared with them and they have no interest, we’ve been told. Truly they just don’t get it or they don’t want to get it. Yesterday they came to the town we live in and went and looked at a house and made a offer. We were shocked to say the least! Come to find out my husbands dad is having health issues ( we aren’t supposed to know…told by his stepmom behind his dads back) and they want to get close to us because they literally have nobody in their life. They’ve pushed everyone away and never invested in anyone’s life. I am absolutely struggling with them moving here! I am fearful and can’t seem to pinpoint why. In general I guess I don’t like the darkness that surrounds them. We don’t have much in common. We don’t watch same movies or shows, read same books etc. I want to glorify God and do His will. But does He want me to be with unbelievers all the time? 2nd Corinthians 6:14-20 has me all confused. Any help or correction would be greatly appreciated. There’s so much more to this …. A long history of stuff (25 years). I know I sound quite selfish, but I have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach and more often than not, when this happens, it turns out that it’s the Holy Spirit cautioning me. It’s caused quite the arguments with my husband already. His dad has so much power over him still and that scares me. I know this is all over the place and may not be permitted on this forum but if someone who’s rooted and grounded in the Word could just tell me if I’m way off base.

 

[canadyjd]

If this is the wrong place to post please advise. Thanks!


Body of Christ,I need help sorting this out!
Here’s my dilemma or maybe opportunity or both……I’ve never done this before so here goes…..
My in-laws are not followers of Jesus and loath Him at times. My husband and I have tried not to force our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior upon them. As time goes on it gets harder to NOT offend them and honestly I dread being around them. They frequently use God’s name as a curse word and they are very bitter people especially when they drink. For the last 15 years we’ve been able to all keep a safe distance with each other. Living in the same state, but not same town. We would get together for holidays and in the summer some. They are between the ages of 65 and 75. The Gospel has been shared with them and they have no interest, we’ve been told. Truly they just don’t get it or they don’t want to get it. Yesterday they came to the town we live in and went and looked at a house and made a offer. We were shocked to say the least! Come to find out my husbands dad is having health issues ( we aren’t supposed to know…told by his stepmom behind his dads back) and they want to get close to us because they literally have nobody in their life. They’ve pushed everyone away and never invested in anyone’s life. I am absolutely struggling with them moving here! I am fearful and can’t seem to pinpoint why. In general I guess I don’t like the darkness that surrounds them. We don’t have much in common. We don’t watch same movies or shows, read same books etc. I want to glorify God and do His will. But does He want me to be with unbelievers all the time? 2nd Corinthians 6:14-20 has me all confused. Any help or correction would be greatly appreciated. There’s so much more to this …. A long history of stuff (25 years). I know I sound quite selfish, but I have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach and more often than not, when this happens, it turns out that it’s the Holy Spirit cautioning me. It’s caused quite the arguments with my husband already. His dad has so much power over him still and that scares me. I know this is all over the place and may not be permitted on this forum but if someone who’s rooted and grounded in the Word could just tell me if I’m way off base.

First, welcome to the BB. I hope you are lifted and comforted.

Not knowing the whole circumstances, I would just caution you to make sure you and your husband are on the same page concerning how to handle the situation. Don’t let it drive a wedge between you.

You can always pray for them without their knowledge, but sometimes people facing serious health issues accept the prayers, even if they don’t believe.

Salvation is a work of God from start to finish, so trust God to strengthen you and your husband and prepare the in laws for His word.

Good luck. May God bless your efforts.

peace to you

 

[SavedByGrace]

You would like them to become fellow believers in Jesus Christ. Great. It is very possible that the Lord is moving them near to where you live, for more contact, and letting the Holy Spirit do His Work of convicting them of their sin and need for Jesus Christ. Sometimes we don't have to say much, or do much, but just let Jesus live through our lives. Keep praying for them, and ask the Lord to open up ways to reach them. Many who have opposed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, have become followers of Him. One great example is Saul of Tarsus, who hated the Lord and tried to destroy the Christians. He was saved and was then known as Paul, who wrote half the New Testament! We serve a Great God, Who does Wonders, far beyond our thoughts. He desires your in-laws salvation, and does love them. 1 Peter 3:1 is a good verse for your situation

"Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives"

 

[just-want-peace]

Ditto ALL above. Keep your eyes on Jesus and be open for unexpected paths to open, and respond accordingly!! Be open, but don’t follow an urge to force confrontation.

 

[Van]

Your opening post indicates you are not "yolked" to your in-laws. Believers are to be "in the world" but not "of the world." You are to love them and therefore witness to them, yet not be corrupted by them or let them to detract from more productive ministry efforts elsewhere.

 

[Nini]

Thanks to you all for your counsel and prayers. God has a plan. He did before this small situation ever came to pass. In the future, is there another group I would post questions of this nature to? Trying to figure out how to navigate throughout this site.
Blessings to you all and thanks again for taking the time to read my post. I will be praying for each of you who responded and I thank God for your faithfulness!

 

[Reformed]

Nini, many Christian couples have faced this exact type of challenge. You are not alone. Have you confided in your church elders or some other Christians in your local church so that they can support you in this? An online message board is a good resource, but it cannot replace the prayers and support of the saints provided by your local church family.

Scripture tells us in Romans 12:14-18:

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Verse 18 is the linchpin of this section of scripture. Do all that is reasonable to be at peace with your in-laws. Honor them as your husband's parents. Be a light to them. You cannot control how they respond to that light. In the end, the conversion of the soul is God's responsibility. All you and your husband can do is remain faithful to God and treat his parents with love and respect. This is just general advice that applies to all Christians in difficult relationships. Again, I point you back to your local church and the support they can give you in Christ.