Christians I need your help. How does this go?

Great discussion here... A Christian is considered someone who is a follower of Christ. Knowing what I know about Christ, I don't think He would've tried to push Himself on anyone who didn't want to accept Him, do you? So I don't think Christians shouldn't do that either. "When you try to convert someone and they say no, does this change your status with Jesus?" No - it is not the Christian's job to "convert" others; it is only their responsibility to tell others about Him, according to the Bible. When someone says "no" to God, Christianity, etc., Christians need not take it personally! The person who says "no" is rejecting the message, not the person who is sharing it with them. I think that is why Christians start pushing the message on people who turn it down, because they feel they are being rejected. (And this is where my friend Sarah has to get rude - lol!) Christianity isn't a religion; it is a relationship with God. Some people want that relationship. Some people don't. "Do you think He will be upset that you made a soul turn away?" If you mean, do you think God would be upset by a Christian sharing His message with others, then no. That is what He instructs in Scripture. However, I think He is upset with Christians who cause others to turn away by their bad behavior, such as pushing on people after they've said "no." A coworker of mine will tell you she does not believe in God because she knows too many hypocrite Christians. That's really sad that Christians have caused people to turn away rather than turn to God. (I don't think God is happy about that.) Christians should live a life that others want and not one that others run from. It is interesting that you said, "I'm not a Christian and never can be." Do you mean that you could never become a Christian or is it because you have no desire to become one? Or do you think that God would never accept you? Just curious. Again, excellent discussion. Thanks for the thought-provoker! There are some very good responses here, so I certainly hope you find the answers you are looking for!

There is a parable Jesus told about a sower who went out to sow his seed. The seed fell on three different types of soil. The seed is the Word of God. The different types of soil are the people who hear the Word of God. In this parable, that's found in Matthew 13, Jesus explains why the Word of God will not grow and develop in some people. Therefore, I'm sure Jesus won't be upset with the individual who is trying to spread the Good News but can't convince some. Sometimes here on myLot when it appears as though a Christian is trying to convert a nonbeliever, the Christian knows they're wasting their time with some, but there might be others that will be persuaded. Also, if the nonbeliever is posting things that are not true, it's necessary for the Christian to challenge the nonbeliever. I suppose you've heard that saying, never say never. There have been those who were so against Christianity and the Bible that they set out to prove to others that it's a hoax only to be converted to the faith. Unfortunately there are also those who were once Christian and depart from the faith. I feel most sorry for them.

There is a warning in Ezekiel 3:17-19 "Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surly die'; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you have warned the wicked, and he does not turn form his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself." And in Matthew 10:13-15 "And if the house is worthy, let your greeting of peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your greeting of peace return to you. And whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city." AS you can see from those verses, a duty has been put on believers. Also, we want others to experience the joy we have in Christ and to receive the gift of eternal life with God that was purchased for us through the blood of Christ. Our status with Jesus will not diminish. How could it? We are doing his will. There may be some Christians who see this as a raffle tickets sale. The more tickets you sell the greater chance of winning the big prize. Most, though, care about the other person's eternal life and that's why it's hard for them to accept, "No," as an answer.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun (Eccl. 3:!). You don't try to convert someone because you can't with just your human endeavor. I believe a Christian should share the good news (witnessing) and live by examples, then pray for that particular person. Trying to convert someone in an annoying manner will just let that person avoid them.

Belief boils down to a question of world outlook.Nobody has a right to force his views upon others.My Mum who is 91 and my deceased father are convinced Christians.They frequently persuade me to convert to Christianity,even though I am a dutiful son,but I put my foot down,I am an out and out atheist.

i rejected my religion years ago. i don't have a religion now. i have nothing against god, but i have my own perceptions about him. it's his self proclaimed righteous fans that i hate. god gave us wisdom to know and follow the truth, so i'm using that wisdom to make my own research about what or who is our god. i don't need somebody to give me lesson about it. let me do the researching. so if your friend still pisses you off, tell them to stop shoving something up someone's bums. we have the right to choose.

to be converted and born again is a personal choice. No one can be pushed into this. I believe christians should talk politely and witness to others. The can share the joy and personal experience that have had in their life knowing Jesus but they cannot make another make the same decision. It has to be done in their own time when they feel it is right for them and when they feel they are ready.

Hi sarahruthbeth, Since there are nearly 40,000 denominations within the Christian church, I'm sure you could get all sorts of answers but you are right in saying that many won't take no for an answer. I don't think any Christian need worry about Jesus being upset with them for not converting someone to their particular faith. Anyone who thinks otherwise haven't really studied the teachings as found in the gospels. I just wish that everyone could see how ridiculous it is to think that one little group has it all right, and everyone else is wrong. The best way to learn would be to look at how Jesus himself taught. Blessings.

My sister, God rest her soul, and my cousin, a pastor, and myself, all Christians witness in different ways. My sister told people they would go to Hell if this and that. My cousin just friendly like sits and talks to you about how happy he feels all the time even when things are bad, and I have my own way of witnessing. There are many types of people, and God has many different types of Christians who can witness to some who can't understand another. In other words, my sister offended some, others stopped to think. My cousin gets on some's nerves. Others love listening to him. And so on and so forth. Also, you are not to pound on someone but be a light and live in a way that they will see you are different.

I have many friends who are Christians. I have always had many Christian friends. I have casual contact with many more Christians in my apartment complex and in my community. Some are evangelistic. Some are very pushy about trying to recruit me. I avoid those persons. I must be good at it because they usually give up and stop the recruitment. I think that they mean well. They think that they have the truth and they are trying to share it. But some do get pushy. Interestingly, I find that those who are the pushiest about trying to convert others often have the biggest problems.

Hey , you don't have to be a Christian to be a good person, there are some people who are religious and call themselves a Christian but they sure don't act that way. No matter who you are or which religion you're part of, we just need to be a good person. I am a Christian and I would never ask someone to convert because it's their life, not mine. My teacher who was very religious tried to convert my atheist friend. That's a bit over the top and my friends who are from all religious backgrounds or no religious background, they are still good friends of mine with morals just like mine. I don't get why some Christians can't take a no for an answer.

Well you know me if someone said no to me I would take it as a no and not be upset. If my husband grand mother was told no she would freak out. Be like your going to hell you won't be saved if your not a Christian then your not welcome and if you want to be welcomed by god or whomever you need to be a born again Christian you are saved by god when you feel or something like that. I'm not a born again Christian so I don't know how all that things work. If someone tells me I'm going to hell because I don't believe in the same thing I just tell them we are all going to hell we have all done something I'm sure of it that god would disapprove of.

I do not understand why your friend should feel this way. You have right to decide what religion you want to join or not join. I think she need to learn to be tolerance.

Yes for me, you cannot hurry it. I know you have your own belief and same as mine. Time will come to yourself where you will be open to what is for you and what is right for you. That is "the calling""from within. Its all up to you, the best thing is that whatever your religion is, you still believe in God and you have your own faith and grace.

No. Jesus doesn't stop loving someone just because they don't see the truth. He doesn't give up on people. We don't convert people. God does. He gives us the ability to show people the truth of things. He works through us. Some people take more convincing. Just because someone says no now doesn't mean they'll say no later. It's all in time. Also I don't think God calls on us to "convert people". I think he wants us to lead by example and let people make up their own minds. As a Christian we must follow the teachings of Christ. Show love to everyone even our enemies. This is what Jesus did. He didn't say join me or die, or if you don't join me you're evil and are going to burn forever. He took care of everyone. And seeing what a wonderful person he was people just starting following him.

no, we do not loose 'status' with Jesus. Hopefully, those who approach others with the gospel do so out of genuine concern over their immortal soul. Unfortunately, most do not approach others with this purity. Chiristians are not perfect, and sometimes it becomes a matter of pride to say that they have 'converted' someone. When in fact, God is displeased with this attitude, as it is His Holy Spirit that draws men to Him. We are only the clay in His hands, formed into a useful vessel. I'm curious my friend, why can you never believe as a Christian? Is it a matter of conscience?

I don't believe anyone could has the right to try and convert anyone. Second. Me not being religious, I don't get the whole thing. I hate it when anyone tries to talk to me about religion and tries to get me to become what they are. They do not have the right to do that. I believe what I want to believe. It's like those Jehovah Witnesses when they come ringing your door bell. Trying to convert you to their beliefs. Stay away. And if I were religious, I would believe in jesus no matter what. But I'm not. I do believe he existed, that he was real. But there were no miracles.

Since Council Vatican II, which has been the last celebrated, Christians were encouraged to be open mind to other religions and beliefs, also to understanding and togetherness with them. We Christians need to read the conclusions of that Council. I myself have to confess that I have read only a few of them. Shortly, we shouldn't be upset if we get a no as response.

I am not sure why they do it to be honest. When I went to church I had a problem with believing most of the people in because they were 'Sunday christians' and eventually I found a religion that suited me. However, I have a lot of family who are christian and jehovah's witnesses. I asked why they seem to get upset when I say no to being converted into an, as they put it, "true" christian. My grandmother who has been going door to door for years said and I quote, "It is God's will for them to convert the non-believers into believers since God will only allow those who believe in him everlasting life." So they (the Jehovah's Witnesses in my family) get upset when they can't convert us because they want us to live forever with them. My Aunt who is a christian pastor says it does not change their status with Jesus in the sense he will not love them anymore, but that perhaps they are not fully receiving his message since when they preached it we turned away. I could never be a christian personally, but that is just my opinion and belief.

I won't repat the many good responses out there but I will say this about christians that do the pushing. Their heart may be in the right place but it is your choice. A christian is one that wants to be more like Jesus. We christians are not perfect. We should never claim to be either because we are saved by grace not by our works.