how to tell an unbeliever about god
A quick call to my son, who is a pastor of young adults (and is himself a young adult), unearthed a helpful tip for explaining who Jesus is to the younger generation (and, I suspect, all generations). The unbeliever came to faith in Christ and today they have a fine Christian family.” Yes, God is often gracious in … - Anna. The qualifier question that you just learned is the first step in engaging with an unbeliever about their God-questions. “If you truly love him, your concern for his soul should outweigh your hopes for marriage.” The Holy Spirit has created a hunger for God in the hearts of multitudes. It’s been said, “Before you talk to people about God, talk to God about people.” That’s sound advice. Donate Now. Conversations about Jesus can easily morph into controversies about peripheral issues. I’m going to show you how to avoid arguments in next week’s article. But a lot of them just don’t believe me. But we need to be precise at this point, so that we do not attempt to protect a clear commandment (you cannot marry an unbeliever; see 1 Cor. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas,and then to the Twelve. Even the simple realities that surround His birth, life, and death, indicate that Jesus was no ordinary person. Christians know there is so much more to Jesus than what’s found on the Internet, but how do we explain Jesus in a way that is simple enough to be clear, yet scripturally rich enough to be compelling? God is its ultimate author and source, though indeed he used human authors to communicate that message. They are all doing the will of Allah. These can be a good starting point … Of course in those days they were idol worshipers. Debates on creation versus evolution, questions like, “How can a good God allow evil and suffering?” and political, moral, and ethical issues do have their place. The Bible makes the claim that it is the unvarnished Word of God, that it is the truth of God, that it comes from him. What Does it Mean to Pray through the Blood of Jesus? Even if your prayer is a silent plea for God to give you the right words, ask for His help. There’s a difference between objective proof and the persuasion or conviction that follows. There was a time when I was not a believer, and then God made me one by the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Always be on the lookout for opportunities to share the gospel casually, like when having a cup of coffee with a friend. Some lack the social awareness necessary to grasp that explaining who Jesus is is best received when shared as a dialogue rather than a monologue. Trilogy Christian Publishing was born from a desire on the part of the leadership of the Trinity Broadcasting Network and Attorney/Agent Thomas J. Winters, who has represented over 40 New York Times Bestsellers to help Christian authors achieve the effective release and promotion of their message in written form. The Holy Spirit gives us insight about what to share with unbelievers, and how to share it. It’s been said, “Before you talk to people about God, talk to God about people.” That’s sound advice. Today the unbeliever is usually secular. We explain Jesus in the same way we accept Jesus: with humility and love, with grace and truth. In the New Testament, the Greek word apistou is translated “unbeliever.” Its adjective form literally means “not faithful,” and it describes someone lacking in Christian faith. We move from there in linear fashion. Yet the last thing people would want is a book telling them they are in desperate need of repentance and of a changed life and of bowing in humility before Christ. How to Explain Jesus to a Non-Believer 1. This softer position says I do not know because … It’s great to hear that you’ve recently become a Christian, I join with the angels in heaven in partying! The first five suggestions discuss how to share Jesus; the last five discuss what to share about Jesus. This question focuses on the fact that ultimately an unbeliever will have to say that he cannot know anything for certain— which, of course, is a “certain” or “absolute” statement. During the course of our conversation I asked how much she knows about Jesus. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, … Hard core atheism, the belief that there is no God (anti-theism), is difficult to defend, so the new softer, friendlier atheism defines itself as “we would believe in God if there was enough evidence”. Donna is mom to three funny, Jesus loving young adult kids who frequently sit on her kitchen counter, just to chat. The Christian belief system is a worldview—the way we think about and respond to life. I even want to tell strangers. Tell him you will settle for nothing less than being married “in the Lord.” Confess your disobedience to God and the sin of misleading him. It was a verse about hell—the place we don’t want to think about because of what it means. That its a big deal because God is a big part of your life and you don't want him coming between you and God. Two Reasons Why Christians Don't Tell Others. 7:39) with an extra-biblical rule (you cannot date an unbeliever). Before I try to answer that question directly, let me make a distinction that is important at the outset. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. So in the end, 1 Corinthians 2:14 is not about an unbeliever’s inability to understand the things of God, but about the incapacity of reason and emotions to understand the things of God on their own. Fix that problem! They have a sense that, “I really have thought and done some very bad things.” Now our culture tries to minimize that in people. Home » Ask a Bible Teacher » Answering An Unbeliever’s Questions. For me, in the final analysis, our doctrine of Scripture is drawn from the teaching of Jesus and from our understanding of who he is. How Many Times Is Love Mentioned in the Bible? I’d love to hear about it” is a great way to start. If we can on the basis of general reliability come to the conclusion that Jesus Christ did the things that history claims he did, it would indicate that Jesus is more than an ordinary human being and that his testimony would be compelling. She’s the author of Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting, God, Taming Your Family Zoo and the Get Healthy Bible study series. In Christ all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). Taken from Now, That's a Good Question! 08/29/2018 Tell your friends. It is never God’s will for you to sin! Answer: A “believer” is a child of God, born again by faith in Jesus Christ (see Acts 2:44); and an “unbeliever” is someone who does not believe in Jesus. My husband was watching a debate on youtube about God’s existence and he said that in this video it was mentioned that in the old testament (specifically in the book of Deuteronomy) there used to be … “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). Wherever I go around the world, I find ample proof that just the opposite is true. Romans 3:23 puts it this way: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” There’s a reason the phrase “nobody’s perfect” has been repeated for decades; everyone knows it’s true! Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? That’s 36 months to spread His message. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Calvin claimed that there is a tremendous bias and prejudice built into the human heart that only the influence of God the Holy Spirit can overcome. When it comes to the relationship between you and a … The Messiah would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), 3. The Holy Spirit also illuminates the mind of unbelievers so they are able to grasp the reality of Christ. If your listener still isn't convinced, ask them this important question: where does mankind's idea of “goodness” come from? On the basis of that, we come to an idea. Argue that God is the only satisfactory source of morality. Used by permission of Tyndale. in all its fullness to as many people as possible. And, he may be brought into the fold of Christ. For all of us, listening is as important as talking. The same tests that we would apply to Herodotus or Suetonius or any other ancient historian would … The following seven principles are the very basics of the plan of salvation: God loves the whole world and wants to have a personal … But I think this is a critical issue upon which so much of the Christian faith depends. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Colossians 1:19). Tell your friend what your Christianity means to you. and don't think any muslim is your friend. Don't discriminate … This also explains why the church is filled with hypocrites. If the goal is to explain Jesus, then talk about Jesus—and leave peripheral issues for later discussion. The Ligonier Ministries site requires Javascript, but you’ve got Javascript disabled. The Next 500 Years: 2017 National Conference, Alive: How the Resurrection of Christ Changes Everything, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the …, Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes …, Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists, Naming Ligonier the Beneficiary of a Bank or Investment Account, Gifts That Provide Income and Tax Benefits. That was a mistake, but once I finally started praying, God responded. 7 Ways to Give Your Kids Life to the Full, 10 Things We Got Right in 50 Years of Marriage, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2021, Crosswalk.com. But when we say, “Our first task to to convert people, and after that, the process of discipleship begins,” we neglect a vital and critical element of the evangelistic process. Get a live response from one of our well-trained agents when you ask Ligonier. We don’t want that book to be the truth. If the book is basically reliable, it doesn’t have to be inerrent or infallible; it gives us a basically reliable portrait of Jesus of Nazareth and what he taught. I’ve recently become a totally faithful Christian. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him (Colossians 1:15-16). Our sin created a debt we owe to God, and our sin created a gap we experience with God. Recently, I asked my hairdresser about her spiritual background. Importantly, Jesus affirmed Peter’s answer. Q. A Savior requires at least two parties: one (or more) people who need to be saved and one person who saves. Nevertheless, let’s say the unbeliever is coming to you, a Christian, looking for help to overcome or work through his problems. One of the greatest misconceptions of the centuries is the idea so prevalent among Christians that men and women do not want to know God. Your repentance and faith could, by God’s mysterious grace, be the vehicle God uses to bring him to himself. When we share Jesus, it’s easy to do all the talking. He made me “strong in the Lord” to say what needed to be said, and renewed my confidence that God does indeed hear and answer our prayers for help (1 John 5:14-15). And how did Jesus save us? But his death did something else, too—it saved us from separation with God now, and also in the life to come. The mission, passion and purpose of Ligonier Ministries is to proclaim the holiness of God Do you have a question about the Bible or theology? Answering An Unbeliever’s Questions. Jesus pointedly asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. I’m sure you could add several more Bible verses to this list to show the difficulty in bringing God’s Word to bear on an unbeliever. Sproul. Keep up the good work brother, and always water the seeds you plant in someone’s heart with prayer, and love. The unbeliever will have no basis to mock Christ, His church, or His people. Trilogy offers its authors access to more than 50 years of … When Peter said, “… if someone asks about your hope as a believer,” he didn’t say, “Be ready to answer with someone else’s hope.” So, back to the number one way to prove God is real. It seems reasonable and humble to admit that we do not know. When we meet a person who has not yet experienced God’s saving grace, we are to have the heart of Jesus and extend a helping hand at their point of need. THEY KNOW. In speaking with people about this, we have to go through the laborious process of showing first of all that the Bible as a collection of historical documents is basically reliable. But we can help non-believers begin to understand who Jesus is when we explain Jesus in ways that makes them say, “Yes, I get that, I’ve felt that, I understand that.”. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3). The Messiah would be pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5), 5. Here is a sampling of what the Bible says about Jesus’ identity: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. God wants us to love others, to be his loving agents on earth. A carpenter by trade, Jesus began his public ministry at the age of 30 and was crucified a mere three years later. Be ready to give your reasons for why God is real. Explain how religion has influenced your life, both for you as a person and for your relationships in the world around you. Patience This is God's world, not ours. But what, exactly, do people need to be saved from? God has made it abundantly plain that it is sin for His children to marry an unbeliever. The same tests that we would apply to Herodotus or Suetonius or any other ancient historian would have to be applied to the biblical records. Connect with Donna and find out about her free online Bible studies at www.donnajones.org or on Instagram @donnaajones. Every person falls short of God’s holy perfection—even religious people. When we aren’t sure how to explain Jesus, a simple question like, “Did you grow up with any religious background? It takes a lifetime to fully understand who Jesus is. When properly paired with the Spirit, the soul, or mind, of a … Or maybe you have landed here and have never learned how and why we need to be saved. Put simply: we needed saving from our sin, and because Jesus paid for our sin through His death and resurrection, He is the Savior. To help you understand how this system works, I want you to put on your evangelism shoes. If they are thirsty, we can give them a cup of water; if they’re hungry, we can feed them (Matthew 25:35-40). How can I convince them that God is the one? The Messiah would be resurrected (Psalm 16:8-11), 4. 10 Prayers to Help You Exchange Anxiety and Fear for Peace. She laughed before admitting, “not much.”. Pentatonix Performs 'Can't Help Falling In Love' A Cappella, The Month of Love - Crosswalk the Devotional - February 14, 6-Year-Old Claire Crosby Ukulele Cover Of 'Can't Help Falling In Love, 4 Ways to Have Godly Expectations in Marriage - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - February 15, 8 Ways to Cultivate a Childlike Faith as an Adult. When explaining Jesus to a non-believer, it’s often helpful to start with commonly accepted facts about Jesus. As followers of Christ, we need to be prepared to share the message of the Gospel. You’ll stay focused so you can share the gospel and see God working in the unbeliever’s life; Here’s the 5 Step System to Answering Unbelievers Objections. So now, out of gratitude and love, we can find … Type the question “Who is Jesus?” into your computer search bar, and you’ll find 622,000,000 results. Hello, Sign in. With only three years of ministry, no access to technology, social media, or even the printing press—Jesus changed the world. Donna Jones: Donna Jones is a national speaker, author and pastor’s wife who is passionate about helping people know and love Jesus. We can help non-believers more readily understand Jesus if we explain Jesus not only in language they understand, but also in terms of their needs. Once he has admitted that the God of the Bible CAN do this, then you are ready to ask question number 2. Then we take can people from the “what I’m missing” to “what I’m … Grasping all of Christ’s glory and greatness won’t happen in one conversation. Christ will take it from there. These people are trained to spend HOURS on prayer and reading their death sentence book. I used to tell people that they are dearly loved by God — “Jesus loves you!” — but if they are not one of the elect, then is it honest or right to tell them this?” So Pastor John, how do you handle the language of God’s love for sinners generally, in light of reformed soteriology? Keep the conversation focused on the tools that following God's son gives you. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time...” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’) (Matthew 1:23). Dear Austin~ First, I’d like to commend you for reaching out to the lost, something that too few born-again Christians are willing to do. There is just one question that should determine if someone should be a Christian: “For if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). They are not just helpless people who are being misrepresented. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:8-9). The ones who sit down and complain and say, "I'm peaceful. So, every unbeliever knows not only that there is something missing, but also they have a sense of guilt. Someone may be thinking, “But I know of cases where a believer married an unbeliever and everything has turned out fine. Explaining who Jesus is is not a “one size fits all” proposition. The essential message of the gospel is Christ’s death and resurrection. Copyright © 1996 by R.C. God sits at the heart of eternity. Only 1,095 days to transform His generation, and every generation to come. But God is still speaking to the heart. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (“Christ” means Messiah) fulfilled over 300 prophecies written about the Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures. How Do I Explain Who Jesus Is to a Non-Believer? Pray for wisdom. Article Images Copyright ©. I want you … And don't tell me you didn't know. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is more than a prophet, a good teacher, or the founder of Christianity. That last statement might cause a few biblically-minded Christians to stumble. Proverbs 11:30 … Let’s not forget that Jesus came to our rescue when we were lost. By Jack Kelley Saturday April 4th, 2015 About 2 Minutes to Read. Some non-believers are familiar with the basic facts about Jesus, while other non-believers know virtually nothing. On numerous occasions Jesus predicted his death and his resurrection. For some, nerves drive us to jabber on, rather than allow silence that is sometimes necessary to process information about Jesus. Who is Jesus? Sometimes when you’re talking with an unbeliever, your conversation can become heated, and you find yourself in a debate. There was a particular verse He used to convince me that Christianity was the truth and the right kind of life for me (John 14:6). The Messiah would be the descendant of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). And how do we explain Jesus to our non-believing friends and family, co-workers and acquaintances? You can do this by: Telling them you are praying for situations in their life. What God has spoken he has spoken, and his Word is sufficient. That’s well over half a billion answers! Pray for Wisdom. What we share about Jesus will depend on whom we are talking with and the accuracy of what they already know. That’s the best hope you have to share. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), 2. How to prove God's existence to an unbeliever Inemesit Udodiong . Calvin distinguished between what he called the undicia—those objective evidences for the trustworthiness of Scripture—and what he called the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit, which is necessary to cause us to surrender to the evidence and acknowledge that it is the Word of God. Evolution may account for certain behaviors that are beneficial to the species, but it fails to address many moral judgments that appear to be universal. John Calvin argued that the Bible carries both persuasion and conviction in terms of its internal testimony—the marks of truth that could be found just by an examination of the book itself—as well as external evidences that would corroborate that substantial evidence to give solid proof for its being the Word of God. After all, how will we discern what to share about Jesus unless we listen as least as much as we talk? But these issues usually move conversation away from Jesus rather than toward Jesus. Jesus was more than a man; more than the founder of Christianity, more than a prophet, more than a teacher, more than a moral example. I want to tell my friends and family about how great God is. I would move first to a study of the person of Jesus and then ask the question, what did Jesus teach about Scripture? Most of the atheists you will meet are in reality agnostics (no-knowledge). In speaking with people about this, we have to go through the laborious process of showing first of all that the Bible as a collection of historical documents is basically reliable. What Does Scripture Say about How to Handle White Privilege? Minimize discussions about his medical condition or other topics … We keep time; we have watches and calendars and clocks and so on. Telling people about Jesus is a big topic. What I’m saying is this: That while sharing Jesus with an unbeliever is best initiated by your actions and attitude, at some point you need to let him/her know why you are who you are—that Jesus is your LORD and Savior and he wants to be theirs, too. How Does Biblical Sabbath Apply in Today's 24-7 World? Question #2: How do you know anything for certain? Ask engaging questions (generally avoid “yes” or “no” questions) to get him to open up to discuss his fears, past spiritual experiences, and questions about salvation and the gospel. Spiritual Growth and Christian Living Resources, 10 Christian Hymns That Need to Be Put to Rest. Question: "What exactly is an unbeliever?" Cart Others are excited to share Jesus, and enthusiasm about the conversation can cause us to dominate the conversation. Your gift enables our worldwide outreach. All rights reserved. Before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to Joseph with these words: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Scriptures teaches that all people fall short of God’s holy perfection. Here are just five of the prophecies Jesus fulfilled: 1. Here are three reasons why we should practice discipleship with un… Each of the four gospels includes extensive details about the resurrection. All of the sermons in the book of Acts focus on the resurrection. Tell,him about your concerns with you being a Christians and him not being.
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