In the cafeteria today at lunch at work, one of the young employees answered another young guys snotty question about his knowledge of Jesus.....the young man answered with, "F Jesus" & all the young guys (save one) laughed & snickered. now here is the question......what would you do in that situation?
I hope
would lean over and say politely, "Excuse me, but you're talking about my Lord and Saviour.
Please show respect."
That may give you the opportunity to share your faith or it may get you an earful of abuse.
At the worst, you will have given some comfort to the guy who didn't laugh.
About 30 years ago a guy was working out at the gym I frequented. He was undoubtedly the biggest and most muscular guy there.
I had never spoken to him before. He was taking the Lord's Name in vain over and over again. I don't recall the exact words I used but I had said that I found his words offensive because he was speaking of my Lord and Savior.
He could have easily have thrown verbal bombs at me and slammed me physically. But he meekly said he was sorry.
Most of the time I make no reaction to that. A few times I have taken advantage of their words to throw them back in their faces. For example, when someone exclaims, "my god!" I have said, in a sharp, accusative voice, "YEAH, WHAT ABOUT YOUR GOD!?" This seems to discombobulate one's think tank.
I now believe that the actions of those who were disrespectful to our Lord were acts of stupidity (they are young & foolish & spoiling for a fight) ....So I prayed for them this morning & will continue to pray for them to come to Jesus. "Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing"
It is given as a verse --Luke 23:34, but is probably not in the original. I know it seems to parallel Acts 7:60, and an authentic mindset --but is a contentious variable.
I will have time to contemplate and pray on this Rippon.....perhaps God will give me a chance to approach this kid and lead him to Christ. I hope so.... please pray for him in any event.
First, I see posts in this section that are just unbiblical. They are judging people who are not even in the church. We are specifically told by Paul not to do this. 1 Cor 5:9-13.
Second, I'd rather talk to unsaved heathen who are cold towards God than false believers who think they are saved but teach a false works gospel, any day of the week.
Don't worry about his crass words. I wouldn't say anything at all to be honest. But there will come a time when they are in need and you can politely ask if you can pray for them and then if there is a physical need you can supply, then can you show how you are different than their "friends" who typically desert people at exactly those times. Thus can you be like Rahab who let the spies down another way, saving their lives and demonstrate the internal truth to the external truth you have been speaking to them. This is what attaining a good testimony in James 2 and Hebrews 11 is all about.
This isn't an argument, it is an insult.
I would agree with Martin and ask the kid to step away from the crowd and tell him about who Christ is.
We are commanded to warn those of the wrath to come.
This is one of the reasons we are where we are as a nation or culture today - we as God's people don't speak up because we are afraid (or ashamed?) We don't like our comfortable existence to be disturbed and rather function as "secret disciples".
You'll never win anyone like that.
God will give us the boldness - if you ask for it.
Suppose Earth,Wind and Fire was the only witness that is available for that young man who cursed God?
Would you like to look him in the eye at the Great Judgement as he says, "why didn't you speak up that day?"
brog,
I have witnessed enough actions in men to know when someone is acting like a fool. When someone is looking for a foolish confrontation and you oblige him, then you have just entered into foolishness with him.
Wait and find a time when the person isn't in performance mode and doesn't feel a need to show off his foolishness. At that time you can graciously ask him about his worldview and kindly dialogue.
Jumping in while he is acting the fool will just result in you getting beaten up and tossed to the curb. Why would you add to the foolishness?
As to his fate...that is between him and God. If God chose not to redeem and adopt the man, neither you nor I am responsible for his damnation. He damned himself and God acted according to his just decision.
I'm not sure there's much left to be said.
A statement like that has "reprobate" all over it.
Short of a Holy Ghost intervention ala Paul, anything you might say would be pearls before pigs.
Matthew 5 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
I never ran into anyone who hates Jesus Christ.
I ran into plenty who hate their idea of Jesus Christ.
He could have had bad encounter with holy rollers,
he could be angry with God,
he could be athiest or even fishing for believers because he needs one.
Act in kindness and with lots of mercy.
Every time we sin we are telling Jesus the same thing.
Praise the Lord. Basically every one should understand that we are not to combat with flesh and blood. We have to fight with spirits. Moreover the guys who abuse are induced by the satanic spirits. When ever we get an opportunity to confront them, we have to bind the spirits that induce them and speak, they will become amiable and accept Christ. Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against fleshandblood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I sure would not remain silent. Kind of cowardly. If someone said that about your mother would you handle it or get on an internet forum and ask what to do? I would assume you love Jesus more than you love your mother.