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Dear All,

Jesus never gives up on us beleivers.  I have experienced it umpteen number of times in my life.  But my question is will He do so with those who tarry or keep shifting or keeps moving towards and away.

I come across many times, where i have presented Jesus to people and they dont say no.  But they do not seem to have accepted Him and continue to live the same.  I am put in circumstances where I have to present gospel afresh (in different manner, clearly everytime!)again and again.  Though I dont show it, it irks (and amazes) me, why Jesus would continually want them to come into the flock!!

So my question is how long should one keep presenting gospel to one person?  In other words, How long will Jesus wait?  Will he ever give up on a non-beleiver?

p.s Moderator - Please place this topic in a relevant section as you may see it
RKJ

Sometimes God may give up on an individual. He did on Pharoah when He hardened His heart against the Israelites. That is for Him to decide though and not us. We are to plant the seed and if it doesn't grow we then must plant another seed again and again. We must be careful though that we do not become overbearing about it. Let the word of God work whenever and whereever it may. We witness over and over again to individuals as the opportunity permits without being too pushy about it.

That true.  We tend to become overbearing.

For instance, A roman catholic family wanted to know Christ and we presented it to them.  In spite of interest (real or not) shown by them it took two years and more for them to come out and get baptised after really accepting Jesus Christ.  During that time, there was a temptation to just let go.   But good that we did not.  Now the family is rejoicing in Christ!!

One of my friends, has accepted Jesus Christ (orally).  But walking with him for four years really is not encouraging.  I had to remind him of the salvation that he has received.  I do not plan every visit or premeditate the presentation, but this happens everytime we meet.  it continues,....  This is where i get stuck.  Am i being overbearing? or is it that satan keeps throwing away the seeds?  or is this bad ground (is he being elusive), is Jesus REALLY interested in this guy that He repeatedly knocks?  Even when I stop, he keeps coming back

In the first case, our perseverence was rewarded.  In the second case, do I ought to persevere or is it just me being persistent?

I hope others have experienced similar situations.

Brother, as I said we are never to give up in our efforts, patiently perservering

Mat 10:14  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.


That is when you are given a direct "I don't want to hear it". Then we must step back. This is what I meant about not being overbearing about our witnessing. We cannot push it down their throats. We planted the seed in that case and will just need to allow our own lives to be our witness in such a case.

Guess that sums it up.  When a non beleiver keeps coming back, let him.  Jesus will give us enough grace to persevere and give hope.

Thank You!

God holds you responsible only for "delivering the message".  It is not your job to see to it that those to whom you present the Good News are saved.  That's between them and God.  You are the "planter" and the Spirit is the "waterer".  Repeated "preaching" could actually drive people away from the Lord.

Yes! I totally agree.  I was mentioning about those who keep coming back, or who you are around and they come up with problems they face.  Being a Christian I have to point them to Jesus.  And all the time they seem to go the other way!  At times I have resorted to 'secular' solutions - though they are so much woven with biblical principles, I just dont mention the name Jesus.

The point is they are there, they keep bringing back the 'good news topic'.  I keep presenting.  With this group I dont voluntarily present delivering message.  There dilly dallying can be unnerving sometimes.  They dont plainly reject it.  It is like they are toying with the idea.. :o

My believe is that God never give up on anybody, no matter what, and for a very good reason; but first let me ask you this, that God knows who is going to be saved and who's not? I think I can answer for all of you "YES" He knows, do you think that He will give up in the people that He knows are not going to be saved? NO, See, all of us will have the Holy Spirit talking to us for as long as we live, we will not have any excuses for the day of Judgement.

I am new in th forum, I don't know how to use  the features yet ???

Hi 4Jesus, Welcome to Christians Unite.  You can check the "Questions, help, suggestions, and bug reports" section there is a thread there with some information on the forum functions and if you still have questions please feel free to ask.

I hope you enjoy being here.

4Jesus, welcome to Christians Unite, there are many wonderful Christians here, we would be happy to help you with the features. I look forward to more of your posts.

4Jesus, God knows the end from the begining, He is omniscient. We however are not, we were given a command by Jesus to preach the gopel to all people.

While I cannot tell you God gives up or not, I can definitely tell you He gave each one of us a  job. That is to preach the good news to all, and to pray for all men.carry

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Some people may have had the gospel preached to them hundreds of times, by many different peoplem and not come to Jesus, and then one day he may suddenly accept Jesus as his Savior. There are also those who inspite of knowing that Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God, the Only Way for salvation, may never come to accept the Lord, as far as we would know. We can never tell if the person truely repents at the very last moment and receives Jesus.

God is a very patient God. But He does have His timelines, He is a God of order, and we know He loves all His creation, but He will not forever strive with mankind.

Ge 6:3 ¶ And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

I belive God wants us all but understand that some hearts need to be hardened. How else will the Revelation come to pass?

Although all that seek Him will find Him..........If someone truely wants a relationship with God they will find it.

Still though...........some hearts are hardened :'(

I agree with you rookie, however, don't forget there will be a multitude of tribulation saints.

We cannot even begin fathom God's love, or His love

Still saddens me that some must be lost...............

Gods plan not mine

I fear some in my family are those to be lost................I keep praying for them.

My immediate family, Praise God, are all saved. I do have some nephews that refuse to come to Christ so I understand what you mean. That is we must do  .... pray for them and given the opportunity, witness to them.

Brother, I know and I agree. Also remember the Tribulation saints, that will come to Jesus. It is our seeds we are planting, that the Lord will reap.

Don't be too quick to judge guys.  Remember, we don't know their hearts. 

This is true, but those that have stated outright to me that they belive in the higher power, just not the bible............

I pray they get it figured out soon.

Luk 6:43  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Don't try to get them to buy all the trappings of the Christian religion.  It is Jesus to which you want to lead them.  While you and I realize the Bible is our "guide book"  accepting everything written in there is not required for salvation.  Share with them what Jesus has done in your life.  Perhaps you have friends that can do the same.  After all a "witness" is one who testifies to what he has seen or experienced.

Stop fearing and start believing that your prayers are being heard by God, even before you are done praying.  :)

Specifically my father in law has seen first hand what Jesus has done for his daughter formerly known by them as the devil child.

He has commented frequently how good "I" have been for her to with I have to give all the credit and praise to Christ.

I didn't do it and we all know that.

He is the one that tells me he believes in God but not Christ or the bible.

I have asked how he can believe in God but not his word, and he insists that the whole book written by men and not to be trusted.

He had a bad experience with a church that got into his finances and told him to tithe. He didn't like that at all and has steered clear of God in favor of his higher power.

I tithe because I believe and all I have is by God. It is the least I can do is to obey.

I love the man like a father and we have friendly talks about faith fairly frequently. He is seeking I jus don't know how to present the answers.

I pray silently the whole time we talk that the spirit lead me and speak through me. I pray still that the spirit soften his heart to the word.

I know God hears.  ;D

I know that if it is His will for my father in law to come to Christ.......then he will.

It is God's desire for all to be saved. He will not force anyone though. Church buildings are made of and by men. We should not allow others to come between us and God. We are told to tithe according to our heart not according to what mens doctrines tell us to do.

It is God's desire for all men to come to Christ, however we know that God has given man free will to choose as they may. However that does not mean that because we may not see it or know it that they won't be saved. We don' know people's hearts the way God does. But we have the faith and the ability to pray, withor giving up. Who knows, we might find people in heaven we would never thought would make it, and we might be missing some we were sure would. All we can do is keep loving them, praying for them, and gently leading and teaching them.

I just wanted to add one more thing, I sure am thankful God never gave up on me.
Someone was praying for me.   :D

Well good night y'all bedtime  :)

Amen Sister!

Me too ;D

Good night sister. Sleep well.

Ditto,

Thanks for the encouragement.

Amen! airIam2worship.  We will be surprised to see 'certain people' there.  Ultimately it is God's judgement.  Like pointed out earlier, we will never know man's heart.  To an extent we know by the fruits, but there is a lot hidden from each other, which He only can bring out and throw away for good.

They may accept Jesus tommorrow...or not. We need to pray and love them as they are.    Continue to have discussions and pointing to Jesus.

We do all this...the Spirit is willing but the flesh is not!! and we (I) log on to a forum and ask 'Will Jesus ever give up on a non-beleiver?'! ;)

I fully hope too!  But when man continually eludes or is bipolar to gospel then...?

Is that giving up on them or just leaving them to their own devices??

 :)  I think that there is a line for every person.  I think that the line is different for each person.  I also believe that the line is so far out that there are very few that ever reach it.  The only person that I can think of that might have reached that point is Hitler, maybe.  Even Paul, who once was Saul and killed God's people, had not gone too far to come back to God.  I think that God is so careing and forgiving that it would take a lot for him to give up on anyone.   8) 

Exodus 4:21 And the Lord said to Moses, When you return into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all those miracles and wonders which I have put in your hand; but I will make him stubborn and harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

Exodus 9:12  But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, making it strong and obstinate, and he did not listen to them or heed them, just as the Lord had told Moses.

From all I have read in Scripture, we have hope as long as we draw breath. I agree with talker cat...He died for us, as payment for our sins, once and for all, for every sin...past, present, and future...leaving each of us the hope of salvation, regardless of how heinous our sins might be. And we ALL have the opportunity to repent as long as we are in this physical realm. His death on the cross pretty much made His commitment to us a done deal.

When our hearts are hardened, it becomes more DIFFICULT to accept His gift, but mot impossible. God's desire is that "no one should perish" and that kinda tells me He never gives up on us.

Just my take on His Word.