How do I get along with my parents, they aren't Christians. My mom thinks she's a Christian but she doesn't put god first, and sometimes I find it so hard to find respect for her. I can also see how she is spoiling some of my siblings, and teaching them to be like her really upsets me, especially knowing that my family isn't growing up around the truth of the gospel. I'm getting of track but my main question is (how do I get along with non Christians.
We often think of approaching people based on who they are or how they act and treating them accordingly. What is important to remember is to treat people based on who WE are. We, as Christians, must treat other people with kindness and love always! That doesn't mean we can't be stern when needed. We treat others as we would want to be treated. Sometimes that requires us to give a lot of grace to others. But this is exactly what Jesus does for us!
To respect someone does not mean agreeing with them or their choices but rather to not scorn them or judge them for who they are or the mistakes they make. Show respect through compassion. Many believe they are Christian because they simply believe in Jesus. Others because they follow God's commandments and live for Him. There may be variations in exactly what a Christian is. But what I challenge you to do is to approach these people as the loving and patient Christian that you are. With love, respect and kindness. Never fight fire with fire. Love, conquers all. Never forget to pray for others..
May God guide you and provide His blessings upon you and your family!
I know how it is. I feel my family could do better to be true Christians and live holy, repentant-of-sin lives. I ask God how I could witness to unbelievers, similar to you. Praying that your family comes to Christ and that unbelievers would also come to Christ.
It was sad to read of your family situation, Braden; it must be so difficult when it's your parents that need the spiritual help & guidance. Your only guide in this matter is the Word of God. You can look at Jesus' Life, both as a young lad right to His appointed time to lay down His Life for us. Even though his earthly parents sometimes misunderstood Him & God's direction for Him, He still had to do what He had to & be a witness to them of His calling ( Luke 2:42-50). His parents were rightly concerned but they had to accept that Jesus was going to put God first always.
Jesus still honoured His parents in spite of their ignorance of His Calling & that is still God's expectation for you to give due honour & respect to yours in spite of what you see in them. God has given them to be your parents & they have given you all due care & provision from your birth, so ask God to help you see them in a different way than what is confronting you. Look past their weaknesses, hypocrisies, maybe carnal ways & see what they could be like if the Cross came before their sinful hearts & they could be changed. Commit your family in much prayer - that will be the earnest prayer that God hears & I'm sure will be answered in His Time.
Spend time reading the Word of God & in prayer, even when your family is looking on. They will see that you're putting God first in your life & they will see (& maybe convicted) by how you present yourself differently to others, your attitudes, your wisdom to handle situations, your devotion to the One Who has given you new life. Sometimes, that's all we can do - you can share the Word often with them, but ultimately it's your life & attitude to them that they will notice & will speak to them. Remember, it is real, genuine, godly Love that people notice - the type of love that many can't comprehend. Be strong young brother & be Christ's fragrance both at home & in the world.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the WASHING OF THE WATER by the WORD
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the WASHING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
As we read our Bibles every day; and spend some time praying to the Lord afterwards: our minds are being cleansed of wrong thinking and temptations.
It's true what they used to say (not so much anymore): garbage in, garbage out. I kicked the cable-tv habit a decade ago. I got tired of tv trying to teach me their low-living doctrines till it made me react. I have not missed it at all.
There are very good Bible Ministry programs on FM Radio. 24 hours a day.
Cable tv preachers can be watched on YouTube, so "LIKE" them so YouTube keeps them on.
There is no reason to be assaulted by the temptations cable tv offers. I watch antenna tv. Costs me NOTHING. $200.00 saved every month. There's news on 5 channels daily, cartoons on 2, three PBS channels, oldies movies, cooking, DIY, cops-cowboys-comedy (clean), medical, mysteries, and more. Depending on where your transmitters are you should pull in 42-58 channels. Spanish programming too!
Kick the habit (cable). With wireless you can still stream. Check it out. :D
Good news is you have more time for Bible Reading and visiting this Comment Community regularly to exchange thoughts and questions. The Prayer Request room always needs people to pray for those who are sick, afraid, have lost someone who died, or stressed from sheltering. I find it very rewarding.
You're so busy you don't have time to be tempted by so many visual temptations. I'm retired and a neighbor and me host Bible Studies in our 50 & up Complex where we live. It's like in here, but with our shut in neighbors. It's nice. Think about it.
To respect someone does not mean agreeing with them or their choices but rather to not scorn them or judge them for who they are or the mistakes they make. Show respect through compassion. Many believe they are Christian because they simply believe in Jesus. Others because they follow God's commandments and live for Him. There may be variations in exactly what a Christian is. But what I challenge you to do is to approach these people as the loving and patient Christian that you are. With love, respect and kindness. Never fight fire with fire. Love, conquers all. Never forget to pray for others..
May God guide you and provide His blessings upon you and your family!
I know how it is. I feel my family could do better to be true Christians and live holy, repentant-of-sin lives. I ask God how I could witness to unbelievers, similar to you. Praying that your family comes to Christ and that unbelievers would also come to Christ.
Jesus still honoured His parents in spite of their ignorance of His Calling & that is still God's expectation for you to give due honour & respect to yours in spite of what you see in them. God has given them to be your parents & they have given you all due care & provision from your birth, so ask God to help you see them in a different way than what is confronting you. Look past their weaknesses, hypocrisies, maybe carnal ways & see what they could be like if the Cross came before their sinful hearts & they could be changed. Commit your family in much prayer - that will be the earnest prayer that God hears & I'm sure will be answered in His Time.
Spend time reading the Word of God & in prayer, even when your family is looking on. They will see that you're putting God first in your life & they will see (& maybe convicted) by how you present yourself differently to others, your attitudes, your wisdom to handle situations, your devotion to the One Who has given you new life. Sometimes, that's all we can do - you can share the Word often with them, but ultimately it's your life & attitude to them that they will notice & will speak to them. Remember, it is real, genuine, godly Love that people notice - the type of love that many can't comprehend. Be strong young brother & be Christ's fragrance both at home & in the world.
Ephesians 5:26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the WASHING OF THE WATER by the WORD
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the WASHING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
As we read our Bibles every day; and spend some time praying to the Lord afterwards: our minds are being cleansed of wrong thinking and temptations.
It's true what they used to say (not so much anymore): garbage in, garbage out. I kicked the cable-tv habit a decade ago. I got tired of tv trying to teach me their low-living doctrines till it made me react. I have not missed it at all.
There are very good Bible Ministry programs on FM Radio. 24 hours a day.
Cable tv preachers can be watched on YouTube, so "LIKE" them so YouTube keeps them on.
There is no reason to be assaulted by the temptations cable tv offers. I watch antenna tv. Costs me NOTHING. $200.00 saved every month. There's news on 5 channels daily, cartoons on 2, three PBS channels, oldies movies, cooking, DIY, cops-cowboys-comedy (clean), medical, mysteries, and more. Depending on where your transmitters are you should pull in 42-58 channels. Spanish programming too!
Kick the habit (cable). With wireless you can still stream. Check it out. :D
Good news is you have more time for Bible Reading and visiting this Comment Community regularly to exchange thoughts and questions. The Prayer Request room always needs people to pray for those who are sick, afraid, have lost someone who died, or stressed from sheltering. I find it very rewarding.
You're so busy you don't have time to be tempted by so many visual temptations. I'm retired and a neighbor and me host Bible Studies in our 50 & up Complex where we live. It's like in here, but with our shut in neighbors. It's nice. Think about it.
Mishael
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