Tag: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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What Christians Should and Should Not Do

Michele Kearns

I got to thinking about what Christians should do and not do after reading a post on Pastor Mike Says which was re-blogged on Sherline’s Whatchu Thinkin’ Blog.

The post is written by an Atheist (who use to be a Christian) wondering why people, including his family, do not come begging and pleading that he convert back to Christianity since they are convince he is going to spend eternity in hell.   After all if Christians really believed someone is spending eternity in hell, they would try harder at evangelizing.

My Thoughts

I have a lot of thoughts after reading the post about why Christians don’t resort to begging and pleading in order to convert people.  Here is what I believe Christians should and should not do.

What Christians Should NOT Do

Christians should not resort to begging, pleading, or dragging an unbeliever to church.  Why not?

Forceful tactics only strengthen the unbeliever’s resolve.

Begging, pleading, and dragging are a sign of “in your face evangelism” which rarely works.

I also see “in your face evangelism” as a sign of spiritual immaturity.

What Christians Should Do

Lead by example.  Live a life that makes others want to know how to have joy and peace in their life.

Pray for unbelievers.   By praying for them you are turning the unbeliever over to God and trust Him to handle the situation.  You are demonstrating your faith and trust in God.

Show them love and respect even though they do not have the same beliefs.  After all they were created in God’s image also.

Be open to witnessing to them should they come to you with questions.

Final Thoughts

I had a hard time writing “What Christians Should Do” because I found it difficult to put my “Peaceful Easy Feeling” (Eagles) into words.

So I will let Paul have the final say on how Christians should deal with unbelievers.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

 it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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The Most Brilliant Words For…

Michele Kearns

helping yourself or someone else through grief.

These instructions came during a pastor’s message at a memorial service for a young person.

As part of his message, the pastor told those left standing in suicide’s wake how to treat themselves and each other as they grieve.  In fact, this verse is probably more appropriate for funerals than weddings, since there was a lot of “family feuding” going on in the church when the Apostle Paul wrote it.  I now see his brilliant words from a different perspective.

Can you see how this verse applies to helping someone through their grief journey?  I hope so and I pray this will be your mantra.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 4 – 8 (NIV)