What do people think of Christ based on talking to you?

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   dianetrotterposted 10 years ago

   What do people think of Christ based on talking to you?
   
   Do you show  the fruits of the spirit?  Do you condemn the lost souls to help.  Do you fulfill the Great Commision?  How do you talk to people who are not Christians.

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   Jeff Porterposted 10 years ago

   Excellent question!
      People need to understand that they, as Christians, may be the only bible some people ever read.   I know that's a cliche', but, it is the truth.
     Make no mistake, if people know you're a Christian (or you claim to be), they are watching you.   You can be a stumbling block to people that you may never know.
      You may also be someone who plants a seed with someone that you may never know.
   
      I hope when someone sees me, they see Christ in me.    I am imperfect, and I am a sinner, but, I want to be a mirror that reflects what my savior did for me.   I want to be a compass that points, always, to him.
     As a sinner, I understand that I will fail in many ways, and that my flaws will be in full view from time to time.   But, I try to always be mindful and truly consider the results of my actions, and if my actions line up with who I say I am.

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      dianetrotterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Amen Jeff!

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   CraftytotheCoreposted 10 years ago

   
   
   Nothing pleases me more than the opportunity to witness to someone.  When I was hospitalized in December with paralysis, my hospital room mate was very set against my beliefs.
   
   While I couldn't move my right side, I could at least speak.  After spending two days with me she was released home.  She was re-admitted after falling and purposely asked to be placed in my room.  By the end of the 8 days I was there, she was open to what I had to say. 
   
   I told her about Isaiah 46:4.  It was the verse that came to mind that applied to my situation most at that moment.

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      dianetrotterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Amen Crafty!

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   Etherealenigmaposted 10 years ago

   Actually, I don't know. I guess they see Him sometimes, perhaps more than I think or realize, but then again, I also know that there are times when they can't see him, because too much of my flesh is in the way. That is the struggle of this walk, and you can only do your best with God's help.
   I think that they see Him more in my gift than in me personally, and I prefer it that way. The gift of healing that I have comes from Him, and I give Him all the glory. When I talk to my clients, sometimes they recognize the gift immediately. I simply tell them at first that my massage style is very different from anything they've probably experienced with massage. (See www.issuesinyourtissuesmassagetherapy.com)
   After I begin releasing their muscles, some say, "You have a gift," and at that moment, I tell them it's God given. I try to use that opportunity to filter God into my educational conversation with them about their bodies, and their muscles; why they are in pain, and things they can do to correct or diminish the problem.
   I also try to display him in my writing with transparency. Am I successful? Not always, but most of my clients are very receptive to what I tell them, and the people that read my blogs and websites seem to like the way God uses me, so I hope that he's visible...even when I'm telling them about the times when I have walked in my flesh. I use myself as an example at times, of what not to do, or attitudes one shouldn't have, or mistakes I've made when I failed to consult Him; and people seem to relate to that honesty very well. (See www.sandramurquhart.com, which is currently under reconstruction; http://anintroductionofsandra.blogspot.com/, which should have links to my other blogs as well) So like I said, I hope I do, but I know that I sin and fall short daily, so I can only move forward on God's strength.

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      dianetrotterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Etherealenigma!  I could use your healing touch right now.  I have 2 bulging discs in lower back and pain the radiates to my sides ;- 24/7.  Sometimes it is mild and sometimes it is excruciating.

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      Deepes Mindposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      May the healing warmth of God touch your back. We claim healing in the mighty name of Jesus

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      Etherealenigmaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Diane,
      You need your muscles released. That is my specialty. If you were in South FL, I could work on you.

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      dianetrotterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Etherealenigma, sometimes it gets so bad I want to take drastic measures.  Don't be surprised if I show up!

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   Deepes Mindposted 10 years ago

   When speaking to non Christians, I try my best to be respectful and tolerant of their beliefs (or lack thereof in the case of atheists). I try to reflect the example of the love that Christ set out during his ministry here on earth.
   
   As far as your original question, a lot of what people think of Christ and God has more to do with preconceived notions of what they've read for themselves rather than seeing the actions of those who Follow him. Some people judge more the actions of the people who follow Christ in opposition to what they've heard or read of Christ's actions rather than what they think of Christ based on the actions of people.

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   Nicholas Fioritoposted 10 years ago

   Although I am not Christian, I believe this is a wonderful question -- I grew up in a small town full of very conservative and fundamentalist Christians.  I was often affronted with their judgmental attitudes and exclusivity -- two characteristics that, as a scholar of religion, I find quite absent from the example of Christ.
   
   I think I would have been much more open to Christianity as a young person if Christians reflected on themselves through the lens of this kind of question, and it warms my heart and makes me quite happy to find that there are Christians who do this.  Thank you.

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      CraftytotheCoreposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Nicholas, bless your heart!  I am a Christian and I find the same to be true.  It makes my heart sick to be confronted by someone who is self-serving and lacks wisdom.  Phillipians 2:3  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition.

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      Deepes Mindposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      It also bothers me to see this behavior. Christianity is supposed to be an all inclusive approach, not an exclusive club

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      Nicholas Fioritoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you both for your kind responses.  Again, they warm my heart.  Wish you the best in all things.

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      Deepes Mindposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      No problem at all

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      dianetrotterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I cringe when I see "Christians" with a pompous, gloating attitude when talking to/about non-Christians.  Those actions cause others to not want to become Christians.

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   Disappearingheadposted 10 years ago

   I used to think that people's salvation in some way depended upon who I was, what I said and did. This was probably due to the church culture I grew up in. I then in recent years came to understand that salvation being dependant upon another person was illogical. I also realised that people in the world are rather more grown up than Christians give them credit for; that is, they see people as individuals and do not consciously refuse to be a believer based upon some crazy nutcase judgemental Christian they once met.
   
   I am who I am, I will not try to mould myself into something I am not or what someone thinks a Christian should be. If the Father has a problem with some aspect of who I am, then its up to him to tell me directly himself.
   
   But to answer the question specifically, I speak to everyone exactly the same way and I have no idea what they think of Christ after talking to me. Only an idiot would form his view of Christ based upon the Christians he spoke to anyway.

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      dianetrotterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Disappearing, I understand what you are saying; however, I am responsible to God and myself  so I'd like for there not to be two idiots in the exchange.  As far as it concerns me, I want to be patient, kind, loving, peaceful, and humble.

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