witnessing to friends

[Kara]

I was saved 5 years ago. This past year I realized how important it was to witness to other people, especially the ones you love. I like to leave tracks everywhere I go, because I am shy about approaching people. Recently, I gave my close friend tracks (chick tracks to be exact). I didnt find out till last week that she thinks my hobby of passing out tracks to be annoying and "b/c I dont think people need to be reminded about religion...u either are or arent religious." I explained to her that the tracks weren't about religion, that they were a plan of salvation. A way to have everlasting life by accepting that Jesus died on the cross for you. And that you could die any day and it would be too late. I was very gentle about this. Apparently she doesnt want to talk to me anymore. And if that isn't bad enough another friend of mine came to me for help and I felt that the gospel was the only way to bring his life out of ruins. He rejected that as well, making me feel really rejected too. I know God is happy for me to be doing his work, but should I feel bad? You loose the ones closest to you because they are too willingly ignorant to hear the truth. My two closest friends aren't my friends anymore. They really need the Lord.

-Kara

 

[MissAbbyIFBaptist]

Kara, sometimes we lose our friends for our faith. But I'm glad God gives a new set of friends. But even then, when we have a Christian church family, we still are burdened for our old friends. I cry and pray over my brother and those I attend school with because I know they are lost and I want them to be in Heaven with me. My brother is emberrised to go out in public with me because of me passing out tracks to every person I meet. I've had friends not want to be my friends anymore because they're afraid because of their association to me they'll be disliked too.
It's part of the territory I guess. Friends will forsake us,and the Bible says we'll suffer persecution. I don't really know WHAT you can do about it. Pray for them. That they will get saved, and just be there when they need you. Don't be unforgiving to them. {I don' think you are, but I've met some people that were that way} If they need your help do your best to be there for them, and keep them in prayer. I'm sorry this had to happen to you. It's always hard to lose a friend, no matter what the reason. I'll hope you'll find many friends here on the BB, and it's great to have you here!
~Abby

 

[Rick Sr.]

Kara: You are doing the right thing! Remember the old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink"? This applys to our Christain life also. When they are in front of GOD on judgement day, they cannot tell him that they never heard the Gospel. You have planted the seeds. Remeber the Parable of the seed sower? The Gospel will not always fall on the good ground. What you can do is PRAY for them and live a Christain example in front of them. These people are not offended by you, they are offended by the TRUTH. GOD still loves them and you should too. Pray for them to hear this message from someone elseand that GOD will give them another chance. May the Lord Bless you for all your work.
With All Christ's Love,
Rick

 

[ByGrace3]

Kara, keep in mind that your friends aren't rejecting YOU, they are rejecting GOD. The Gospel will offend and it will separate people. There are three people involved in witnessing: you, the Holy Spirit, and the other person. You each have a job. Yours is to sow the seed, which you've done. The Holy Spirit's is to convict and convince of the Truth. And the other person's is either to accept or reject the Truth. You have done your job, and you now have to step back and let the other two people do theirs. Keep praying for your friends, and witness to them whenever the door is open for you to do so, but don't believe the lie that they are rejecting you.

Susan

 

[Kara]

Wow! I didn't think I'd have so many replies so fast. First of all thanks for caring. It definately helps to have some reassurance. So thank you for that. I agree what you are saying. I know I have atleast planted the seeds and I know that's all I can do now besides being a good Chrisitan example. Thank you so much for your advice and your comfort. It makes me want to stay strong. God Bless,

Kara

 

[Ben W]

Gidday Kara,

One important thing to bear in mind is that if people cannot accept you for who you are, including your faith, are they truly your friends. Hopefully they will come to see your friendship as valuable, but people go through different things like this, and maybe even are unable to respond in a mature way to a friend having a Religious enlightening.

One piece of advice that I would suggest, is to make good friends at your church or fellowship. Yet try as hard as you can to stay in touch with your friends that do not know the Lord. Most Christians five years plus down the track lose most of their unsaved friends.

God bless you for having a go at witnessing. You have the answers that these people need. And they will one day come to a point where they recognise that.

God Bless, Ben W

 

[John Wells]

Kara,

Fight the good fight!

See: http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000277

From the Newsboys' "Shine:"

Shine! Make them wonder what you've got. Make them wish that they were not . . . on the outside looking for it!

In Christ,
John

 

[Susan WNY]

Originally posted by Ben W:
[QB] Most Christians five years plus down the track lose most of their unsaved friends.

Kara, I am finding this to be sad but true. I have recently returned to Christ after 18 years of rejecting him. I invited my best friend to church, and she went with me. However, she is rejecting the Gospel (can't get her mind around the idea that she is condemned, etc.). Despite our best efforts, it is putting a strain on our friendship. But, I am hanging in there & praying about it, which is the only advice I can give to you.

God bless,

Susan

--edited for typos--guess I'd better get to bed!

 

[mozier]

Kara,

I am saddened to read of your friend's rejecting of the Lord. We can only that they will come around, or else their rejection will be played during their judgment and be held up to them for all eternity.

Very, very sad

mozier