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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | question about salvation | Phil 4:6 | Wendy | 21484 | ||
Hello all I am new here and have enjoyed lurking in the forums. I also do have a question that I would like to ask …………. Six years ago my best friend gave their life to Christ was baptized and started anew. Then very soon afterwards they went through a hard time and fell away not really interested anymore in developing a deeper relationship with Christ. My friend has tried to make attempts several times to come back to God and gives up shortly thereafter, today my friend will go to church only on Sunday mornings will not read the Bible or pray join any Bible study and really I believe they go only because I go and have asked them to go numerous times with me. My pastor says that he does not believe that they are truly saved (that they just went through the motions) because they have no desire to pray or to read or even go to church. My sunday school teacher tells me that she believes that my friend is just a baby Christian and needs understanding and prayer and anything else to help them. My friend says that they have said the prayer of salvation many times and one of them should have taken, and is at a loss for their lack of desire to get into Gods word. I do not know how to help my friend Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Wendy |
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2 | question about salvation | Phil 4:6 | emmanuel_will_return | 21490 | ||
Wendy, I know very well what you are going through with your friend, because I am experiencing the same thing with one of mine. Stjones is right - your friend's salvation is only known to your friend and God. However, I definitely think that you should not be disheartened - continue to ask your friend to attend church with you. And if you think that your friend is doing the motions out of feelings of obligation (to you, that is), then it would be a good idea for you to sit down and just talk to him/her about what kind of reservations he/she might have about Church or Christianity in general. Talk to your pastor about how you can be most effective as far as communicating the Law and Gospel goes (remember that without the Law, there is no need for Gospel, but don't throw fire and brimstone). Maybe invite your Pastor to your home and your friend can ask any questions he/she wants without feeling the pressure of strangers around. It would also be a good idea for you to emphasize our need as Christians for a community of support - which we recieve from the Church. Remind your friend of the importance of attending both for worshipping and learning purposes. "There is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian." We can't walk the narrow road all alone; we need help, especially in the beginning. Repeating some mantra prayer will not gain us salvation if we are doing nothing else to truly seek Christ. The most important thing is for you to allow God to continue to work through you to reach your friend, so that any questions or problems or obstacles your friend has can be cleared. And remember that ultimately, it is the providence of the Holy Spirit to give faith, so don't be discouraged. God's Will will be done. And if your friend never does come to the faith, take this as a learning experience which will make your faith even stronger than it is now. May God bless you for being such a good friend, Wendy. |
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3 | question about salvation | Phil 4:6 | Wendy | 21899 | ||
you said..... "Repeating some mantra prayer will not gain us salvation if we are doing nothing else to truly seek Christ." My friend is not and that is why I have doubts about them being saved. I do really know that their salvation is between them and the Lord, however the subject comes up from time to time and I want to be able to lead them in the right direction. |
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