One of the most heart-breaking things in life is having loved ones, and friends who will not listen to God’s word. They do not even want to talk about it. So, what is a Christian to do? Many cry and worry trying to find something that might cause a loved one to show some interest in heavenly things. This tragic happening is not a new thing; in fact, it happened to one of the apostles.
The apostle Paul wrote the following, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:1 – 3). Paul truly felt pain for their lack of understanding. Imagine this dedicated solider of the Lord was aware of what his brethren believed, and he knew they were mistaken. What could he do? In his actions is the key to helping Christians today understand how to deal with this problem.
Paul continued to live the Christian life. He made sure he lived close to God and even stopped to check his faithfulness from time to time. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?
So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:24 – 27). Paul did not want to be a stumbling block to those he was trying to reach. This is a key point in dealing with the problem at hand.
A Christian will never influence or convert another to Christ if they themselves are not striving for perfection. This is a continual work.
The Christian cannot give those they are trying to win a reason to point a finger and say, “If that’s the way Christians act, then I do not want to be a Christian”. Christians must show the spirit of Christ wherever they are: with friends, with family, with coworkers, with everybody. Just as Christ was willing to sacrifice Himself for others so must each Christian be willing to sacrifice. Those who try and live like the world and then wonder why they cannot influence others for God must look within themselves and see their true nature. Either they are following God or Satan. They must make the choice.
To live closer to God a person must become a student of the word.
Not go to class and sit and listen, but a student who studies the subjects and knows what the teacher is talking about and is able to add to the class.
It also takes personal study with Bible dictionaries and commentaries. It takes reading good periodicals and books that will help the person grow and think. Every Christian is supposed to grow (2 Peter 3:18).
The very thought of how to cope with not being able to reach loved ones with the gospel shows growth in the one who is asking the question.
They are beginning to see the “big picture”. Being a Christian is much more than just attending services, it is being concerned about the lost, willing, and looking for ways to show others the Way.