Every person has their own understanding of scripture these days. Everyone has different opinions about God, is he made up, a myth or a man who was very unstable in his mind and was confused so he called himself God
When it comes to Jesus Christ being the son of God, Muslims reject this, Jehovah witnesses and many others like Mormons. When I evangelise to these people they all have different views on Jesus, but how about the Church, somewhere you meant to learn about Jesus, God and Holy Spirit. Test every spirit and know that you got to pay attention to preachers and others in the congregation, not everyone is on the same wavelength as you.
What to look out for then. If someone is telling you what you want to hear only and avoid answering questions related to the deity of Christ or answer in a way that isn’t based on scripture, ignore them. Do not take what they say seriously and even correct them if you are in your Bible enough to know what to say. All this is done in love and gentleness and not pride, it’s easy to slip accidentally into false theology but that’s why John writes warning us about the dangers of the way some people talk about God.
1st question
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Being empowered by the Holy Spirit, will allow us to remember scripture and being able to apply it to that situation potentially is something God wants, it’s his will and it’s beautiful when we get to experience that, plus God wants us to live out the scriptures in other words, God wants us to not just be filled with words of God to speak to other people in times where they might be asking hard questions, but to live out your faith so you can answer these from experience, a great person experience is the fact that was abused in a relationship when I was 18 and that caused me to have panic attacks, depression and seizures, yet I got out of that situation but it took me a while to understand how God was working all things out for my good, fast forward to today and a woman who I talk to when I’m working my bookshop shift came to me from her cafe across the street and eventually said I’ve been suffering from seizures and it’s so random and I’m scared. If there’s a God where is he? I can speak from experience wow I even managed to pray for her as she understands I can relate to her. Now please don’t think I’m saying to get into bad situations so you can have a testimony later on, no, but living out the scriptures rest on these two commandments love God and love others, when you love God your love for people increases and allows us to spend time together and who knows maybe you already have a few testimonies already from being around others, but I believe and know from the Bible he’s a relational God, one who was tempted in everyway yet was without sin
Question 2
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Giving time to people is great but when do we draw the line?
When they argue in a way that isn’t fruitful, isn’t helpful for you or them, and or they are being nasty and willingly trying to harm you.
Do not cast your pearls before swine! It says that in Gods word in Matthew, it likewise says in the gospels that if a town doesn’t receive you wipe off the dust from your sandals and move on, sometimes we are too quick to leave a conversation when they ask hard questions, if they are being difficult or maybe mock you at the start, but if the signs are there that they
1. want to listen
2. Have questions
3. Do not show signs of aggression
It’s great reaching out and doing outreach events but when we come across Christian’s do we encourage them, give them time and love them the same? Sometimes we just say that’s amazing okay bye God bless but I have a testimony about two guys who I came across on the street on Friday. They served jail time for aggression and drugs and they came out four days ago. One man called let’s say Tom and the other Leon, they said wow we are changed by God all because I was curious about the chapel at church, I wanted a new start, I didn’t know if this was the answer, but after praying I felt the touch of the Holy Spirit and I let Christ enter my life and I’ve never been the same. Afterwards I prayed for them and they left. Wow beautiful to know and feel connected to people like that spiritually, and it might make them encouraged to share their story with others one day!