Non-christian friends. What IF your BEST friends in life are non-christians?

[p_rehbein]

Some here seem to have forgotten my 2nd comment on this thread.........

Originally Posted by GreenNnice

The Lord leads. As I've said, I've had a 'best friend' since I was 5 and it's a situation that constantly allows God around them, because I often say to them, 'The Lord leads,' and that my life is after Him. My friends I want in heaven, and, God knows that, I don't think we are to leave friends unless God takes them away, especially when God's used them to help you in life in a lot of different ways, like my 1.5 year older best friend has done in my life, not to mention, his kids and wife are in my life too and have been for many years now.

But, yes, we are to follow the Lord and IF your best friends are taking you off of God's path for your life, having you compromise your values then that is not good. My best friends are good to me, they are a model family of love that I pray daily can see His Love in their lives .

(my comment)
I do agree that it is quite possible that God has placed you in this person's life to "STAND IN THE GAP."

But we do have to be careful to FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS........and not be led back into our former lives........

God bless, and stay true to your calling.....

ONCE AGAIN...........

Jesus did not "hang out" with sinners........Jesus came to earth to preach His Gospel, establish God's Salvation Plan for mankind............He associated with sinners, in that He preached to them............His "best friends" were not unbelievers were they? They can only be described as the disciples...........these are those He "hung out" with.

Yes He came to save the lost, to forgive the sinner, to heal the sick.........BUT HE CAME FOR A PURPOSE! Not, to just "hang out" with a bunch of unbelievers because that was more fun than hanging out with believers..........His purpose was to convert them, to provide them with eternal life, by their belief in Him, and by their turning from their sinful lives.......

Now, if anyone wishes to fellowship with unbelievers, and have unbelievers for their best friends........OK! God bless 'em, it is certainly their right to do so........I am simply pointing out what Scripture says.........and trying to use Jesus to justify "hanging out with your best friend who is an unbeliever" won't work in my opinion.............UNLESS you are sincerely and earnestly witnessing to that "unbelieving best friend" to come to Christ.............How is that so hard to understand?

Anyway.......................

 

[BeanieD]

I also have friends and relatives that are not Christian, and I will never turn my back on them. They are as much in need of God in their lives as anyone and when we turn away just because we are different, how can they come to know the truth. How could we complete the "great comission" if we shut ourselves away. I don't force my faith and beliefs on my friends and family, but they do know where I stand and I pray that one day they will answer the call. At least they will see in us what God is about and if we take that out of their way, what chance do they have. Amen to all who have non christian friends!

Blessings always

 

[GreenNnice]

Some here seem to have forgotten my 2nd comment on this thread.........

Originally Posted by GreenNnice

The Lord leads. As I've said, I've had a 'best friend' since I was 5 and it's a situation that constantly allows God around them, because I often say to them, 'The Lord leads,' and that my life is after Him. My friends I want in heaven, and, God knows that, I don't think we are to leave friends unless God takes them away, especially when God's used them to help you in life in a lot of different ways, like my 1.5 year older best friend has done in my life, not to mention, his kids and wife are in my life too and have been for many years now.

But, yes, we are to follow the Lord and IF your best friends are taking you off of God's path for your life, having you compromise your values then that is not good. My best friends are good to me, they are a model family of love that I pray daily can see His Love in their lives .

(my comment)
I do agree that it is quite possible that God has placed you in this person's life to "STAND IN THE GAP."

But we do have to be careful to FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS........and not be led back into our former lives........

God bless, and stay true to your calling.....

ONCE AGAIN...........

Jesus did not "hang out" with sinners........Jesus came to earth to preach His Gospel, establish God's Salvation Plan for mankind............He associated with sinners, in that He preached to them............His "best friends" were not unbelievers were they? They can only be described as the disciples...........these are those He "hung out" with.

Yes He came to save the lost, to forgive the sinner, to heal the sick.........BUT HE CAME FOR A PURPOSE! Not, to just "hang out" with a bunch of unbelievers because that was more fun than hanging out with believers..........His purpose was to convert them, to provide them with eternal life, by their belief in Him, and by their turning from their sinful lives.......

Now, if anyone wishes to fellowship with unbelievers, and have unbelievers for their best friends........OK! God bless 'em, it is certainly their right to do so........I am simply pointing out what Scripture says.........and trying to use Jesus to justify "hanging out with your best friend who is an unbeliever" won't work in my opinion.............UNLESS you are sincerely and earnestly witnessing to that "unbelieving best friend" to come to Christ.............How is that so hard to understand?

Anyway.......................

True. The Lord leads, pblankrehbein, bro. IF you are not producing fruit in your relationship with non-Christian friends, then, that's God calling you to leave them. If not, IF you occassionally get to say things of Him to them, maybe, even pray when the wife is barren, like I did, that she could have kids, and, within the next week, I hear she's pregnant, then, that's something of a miraculous SIGN that God is USING you in that non-Chrisitan best friend's life. Be full-on to serve Him and He knows the plans for your life, He knows what we are to do, He will never leave us nor forsake us, and, IF the time is ever right, He will give a sign, situation, whatever, that a situation with non-chrisitan friends is to change, and, it might be a painful sign But, the Lord leads, indeed, and He will provide the way for you, whatever way you, I, we, they, are to go.

 

[p_rehbein]

What's nice is that AT LEAST you remember that I said: God may have well intended for you to be there........to STAND IN THE GAP..........everything else I discussed was in general, and in reference to what Scriptures say......I'm glad someone understood.

Thanks, and God bless

THIS IS COOL:
True. The Lord leads, pblankrehbein, bro. IF you are not producing fruit in your relationship with non-Christian friends, then, that's God calling you to leave them. If not, IF you occassionally get to say things of Him to them, maybe, even pray when the wife is barren, like I did, that she could have kids, and, within the next week, I hear she's pregnant, then, that's something of a miraculous SIGN that God is USING you in that non-Chrisitan best friend's life. Be full-on to serve Him and He knows the plans for your life, He knows what we are to do, He will never leave us nor forsake us, and, IF the time is ever right, He will give a sign, situation, whatever, that a situation with non-chrisitan friends is to change, and, it might be a painful sign But, the Lord leads, indeed, and He will provide the way for you, whatever way you, I, we, they, are to go.

NO WORRIES WITH THIS STATEMENT.......

God bless

 

[hootowl]

Hi Green

Sorry did not mean to derail you so to speak. Can Christians and none Christians be friends. Well you got some straight answers from me.

As for the poem I thought this forum needed it. Your known by your deeds and kindness of heart and the way you deal with others. There is no Christian I have met yet who have the full rights to this. None Christians have time to do this the Christians are too busy telling God how good they are and trying to curry favour by condemning others and writing praises. Instead of doing this maybe they should be out helping.

The poem was to show the world of hypocrisy is still alive and kicking.

Of course None Christian and Christian can be friends same as people of mixed blood can marry. If people are insecure enough in their faith to even ask this question maybe they should not be in it

Hoot Owl

 

[GreenNnice]

Hi Green

Sorry did not mean to derail you so to speak. Can Christians and none Christians be friends. Well you got some straight answers from me.

As for the poem I thought this forum needed it. Your known by your deeds and kindness of heart and the way you deal with others. There is no Christian I have met yet who have the full rights to this. None Christians have time to do this the Christians are too busy telling God how good they are and trying to curry favour by condemning others and writing praises. Instead of doing this maybe they should be out helping.

The poem was to show the world of hypocrisy is still alive and kicking.

Of course None Christian and Christian can be friends same as people of mixed blood can marry. If people are insecure enough in their faith to even ask this question maybe they should not be in it

Hoot Owl

No worries, blessing, hootingowl

The Lord leads
-----------------------------
I understand, friends, that it's tougher for some than others to have non-Christian friends, I mean, my best friend drinks beer and, for some, that would really phase them, but, not me, because I DON'T DRINK .

Anyway, I am just using a simple example and the Lord, indeed, leads, we are to understand that IF His Spirit is leading our life what friends we have, what job we have, what life we have, really, is ALL His doing and keeping and we should just keep going forward, boldly, not denying Him when opportunity arises, as I get more chance with my best friend now to show Him and family signs of Christ than if I had Christian best friends.

I simply pray we all find the Lord in everything we do and TRUST in Him , for every thing and every doing of our life.

 

[hootowl]

Hi Green

No I should be sorry, I had no business doing what I did. Sometimes I put my typing fingers into gear before my brain.
I did not realise I was actually derailing you so I apologize.

I actually put the poem into the forum because I wanted to make the point that people seem to think that just worshiping and going to church makes them good and holy and walk past a real need without seeing it. Using a cross and a prayer so to speak.

Take the time to talk to an old person sitting alone does not matter what their religion may be. Rescue a starving kitten find it a home or a safe place.
Stand up and fight for someone you see being abused.

That is worth more than a year of praise or going to church. Those good deeds remain in peoples hearts and lifts their soul.

And remember that kitten or old person or abused child may be the God that is walking in your path. Hey he may even come to you as a none believer. How would you feel if you turned God away because he was not sharing your beliefs. He is not going to tell you he is God is he?

Would you honestly wish to leave him there alone.

If they knew it was really God Christians would be there fawning, but your not supposed to know that is how you show your true selves what you really are. God is not looking for honeyed words he is looking for a good heart.

Talk and praise to my way of thinking is not really anything, talk is cheap. You have to prove yourselves and it makes me sad to see some of you doing the opposite of this time and time again.

You asked the question " can a Christian and none Christian be friends" Well if your presence in a persons life lifts their soul and gives them some pleasure does it matter what denomination that person is ?

To me that has more impact on lifting your God. You do not have to preach to them it puts people off side.

Having discussions with a none believer about maybe hobbies or whatever, play a game of tennis with them invite them to tea make them welcome. That is more uplifting because you have brought them a ray of joy. That would have more impact than a vase of flowers on an alter.

So yes you can be friends with who you wish. You yourself do not have to walk in their path but can show by your deeds and your manner that although you are friends their are some things that are against your guidelines to do.

So please think about things and what the bible is really telling you. And not take too much notice of what is surrounding the golden words written there. Remember the gold among the dross.

Again I will apologize for any offense given.

Hoot Owl

 

[p_rehbein]

From Greenie....... "Anyway, I am just using a simple example and the Lord, indeed, leads, we are to understand that IF His Spirit is leading our life what friends we have, what job we have, what life we have, really, is ALL His doing and keeping and we should just keep going forward, boldly, not denying Him when opportunity arises, as I get more chance with my best friend now to show Him and family signs of Christ than if I had Christian best friends.

and this would mean that if the Holy Spirit says: "get out, get away........" you do that..........and you would not be wrong............or if the Holy Spirit says: "stand firm with this person....." you do that and you would not be wrong.......

YES?

Ok, unfortunately, it seems that my "main point" here has been misunderstood a lot........... My main point was to show what Scripture said about this......AND to show that while Jesus certainly CAME to provide salvation to the lost, He surrounded Himself with His disciples, and other believers.........Associate with sinners? Of course, in order to Preach His Gospel, He had to associate with sinners.........duh! (that's for me, not y'all, just saying) But His best friends were those who believed in Him........(ok, in my opinion anyway.......)

Shoot, another comment that will be misunderstood............(this is me, red faced and tip toing away........)

 

[homwardbound]

Hi Green

No I should be sorry, I had no business doing what I did. Sometimes I put my typing fingers into gear before my brain.
I did not realise I was actually derailing you so I apologize.

I actually put the poem into the forum because I wanted to make the point that people seem to think that just worshiping and going to church makes them good and holy and walk past a real need without seeing it. Using a cross and a prayer so to speak.

Take the time to talk to an old person sitting alone does not matter what their religion may be. Rescue a starving kitten find it a home or a safe place.
Stand up and fight for someone you see being abused.

That is worth more than a year of praise or going to church. Those good deeds remain in peoples hearts and lifts their soul.

And remember that kitten or old person or abused child may be the God that is walking in your path. Hey he may even come to you as a none believer. How would you feel if you turned God away because he was not sharing your beliefs. He is not going to tell you he is God is he?

Would you honestly wish to leave him there alone.

If they knew it was really God Christians would be there fawning, but your not supposed to know that is how you show your true selves what you really are. God is not looking for honeyed words he is looking for a good heart.

Talk and praise to my way of thinking is not really anything, talk is cheap. You have to prove yourselves and it makes me sad to see some of you doing the opposite of this time and time again.

You asked the question " can a Christian and none Christian be friends" Well if your presence in a persons life lifts their soul and gives them some pleasure does it matter what denomination that person is ?

To me that has more impact on lifting your God. You do not have to preach to them it puts people off side.

Having discussions with a none believer about maybe hobbies or whatever, play a game of tennis with them invite them to tea make them welcome. That is more uplifting because you have brought them a ray of joy. That would have more impact than a vase of flowers on an alter.

So yes you can be friends with who you wish. You yourself do not have to walk in their path but can show by your deeds and your manner that although you are friends their are some things that are against your guidelines to do.

So please think about things and what the bible is really telling you. And not take too much notice of what is surrounding the golden words written there. Remember the gold among the dross.

Again I will apologize for any offense given.

Hoot Owl

[h=3]Matthew 6[/h]New King James Version (NKJV)

[h=3]Do Good to Please God[/h]6 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [SUP]3 [/SUP]But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
[SUP]4 [/SUP]
that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

[h=3]The Model Prayer[/h][SUP]5 [/SUP]“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [SUP]6 [/SUP]But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

And here today we are after the cross so the model prayer is completed in those born again by Father a gift to all that believe Christ, at the cross of death and resurrection. So here after we are forgiven, so we forgive today because we are forgiven. Before the cross we forgave to get forgiven.


[SUP]8 [/SUP]“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.[SUP]9 [/SUP]In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]Give us this day our daily bread.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors. ( after the death and resurrection of Christ on the cross we are forgiven, if one believes, ne receives new life from God as a gift)
[SUP]13 [/SUP]And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one. (delivered via the full cross Gospel, first death to self by death of Christ, then life by resurrected Christ from Father a gift to us that believe)
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

[SUP]14 [/SUP]“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [SUP]15 [/SUP]But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (to see this after the cross is to see it from God's vantage point, where all sin has been dealt with by Son in order to give us new life freely from Father through Son) We forgive and love because we are loved and forgiven by God through the cross of Christ it is finished, and God is just waiting for us t believe God or not.

Thank you to all who are listening with God revealing God's love to all, believer and unbeliever, we are all called to Love all as God does love all.

 

[homwardbound]

From Greenie....... "Anyway, I am just using a simple example and the Lord, indeed, leads, we are to understand that IF His Spirit is leading our life what friends we have, what job we have, what life we have, really, is ALL His doing and keeping and we should just keep going forward, boldly, not denying Him when opportunity arises, as I get more chance with my best friend now to show Him and family signs of Christ than if I had Christian best friends.

and this would mean that if the Holy Spirit says: "get out, get away........" you do that..........and you would not be wrong............or if the Holy Spirit says: "stand firm with this person....." you do that and you would not be wrong.......

YES?

Ok, unfortunately, it seems that my "main point" here has been misunderstood a lot........... My main point was to show what Scripture said about this......AND to show that while Jesus certainly CAME to provide salvation to the lost, He surrounded Himself with His disciples, and other believers.........Associate with sinners? Of course, in order to Preach His Gospel, He had to associate with sinners.........duh! (that's for me, not y'all, just saying) But His best friends were those who believed in Him........(ok, in my opinion anyway.......)

Shoot, another comment that will be misunderstood............(this is me, red faced and tip toing away........)

Do we not all have something to offer in our individual growths, and might be close to topic and might not according to you, me and others. For one reads the topic and hears to write what they write for others to either here their story as well as hoping to hear others with compassion to each of us. For do not each of us have our stories connected to what we have experienced and read, all wanting to know the creator of all?

 

[Apostol2013]

In my life experience I cut off my friends all ties to old living , today all my friends are pastors and strong christian folks to be surrounded by the godly and live positively no backsliders but be a strong force because of Christ

 

[thecreationtutor]

I would certainly hope you at least have a burden for their souls, I don't think they should be your primary friends where you get most of your interaction from people. Friends outside of Christ - to win them to Christ, and be an example to them. If your married, your primary friendship is your wife, family friends and acquaintances. Sure unsaved friends, but I don't get advice or biblical counsel from them. I take their advice with a grain of salt, and filter it.

 

[ji]

It depends as long as we get a chance to share the Gospel and they get attracted to Christ.Otherwise there is a chance for us going away to the world, under their influence and the demons that lead them..
So the situation is maybe,and cut it right off if no matter who the earthly friend is when we fall under their influence to fall more than them yielding to Gospel.It can be sudden or in course of time.
Its ok to have good friends from different backgrounds as far as its not a threat to your/my Faith,because someday seeing you/me they must turn to Christ.That's what it's all about.

 

[chubbena]

Luke16:9And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

BUT.

2cor6:14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Having a friend that’s an unbeliever is different than partaking in there sin.

I'm not sure if Luke 16:9 can be used to justify having non-Christian as one's best friend. In the context, the friend was not defined whether he's a believer or non-believer.
A non-Christian can be our best friend for sure but we cannot be the best friend of a non-Christian. If we are should we have preached the word. If he has listened and repented, very well. If he has not, well your friendship would best be described as a compromise - and most likely it's our faith that's compromised.
What if that best friend is your spouse? Can the two yoke together?

 

[Nancyer]

I think it's called Divine Appointments. God places the people in your life for a reason. And we may never know the reason for some of the people in our lives. I think the only danger in having friends who don't believe is when you feel you can't be yourself, your Christian self, around them. By that I mean they want to see movies you'd rather not, go drinking, use foul language even if you've said it bothers you, etc. But then again, they wouldn't be friends if they did that. And once again, it's all about planting seeds. You never know when that friend may ask a seemingly innocent question or come upon a difficult situation and need what you have in Christ.

 

[Starcrash]

There's clearly a consensus among the Christians on this thread that having non-Christian friends is a good thing... and why not? Jesus spent time with "sinners" and "tax collectors" because he "came for them" rather than for his disciples. And if your priority is to reach the unsaved, then you won't accomplish that if you don't spend any time with them. But do you actually practice this?

I'm an atheist, and my friends and family spend little time with me. They don't discuss matters on which our opinions disagree (such as religion and politics) because they don't care to hear an opposing view -- certainly not for my benefit, as I apparently like to talk with people who disagree with me as I'm doing here. And they would rather hang out with fellow Christians in their free time because people naturally gravitate towards those who agree with them.

I'm skeptical that you guys make time for non-Christians. I see why you wouldn't, for the reason mentioned above. And you also probably don't bother inviting the poor, crippled, lame, and blind instead of your family when you have Thanksgiving dinner or similar large meal. I think that when the bible becomes too inconvenient to follow, it gets ignored and rationalized.

 

[chubbena]

There's clearly a consensus among the Christians on this thread that having non-Christian friends is a good thing... and why not? Jesus spent time with "sinners" and "tax collectors" because he "came for them" rather than for his disciples. And if your priority is to reach the unsaved, then you won't accomplish that if you don't spend any time with them. But do you actually practice this?

I'm an atheist, and my friends and family spend little time with me. They don't discuss matters on which our opinions disagree (such as religion and politics) because they don't care to hear an opposing view -- certainly not for my benefit, as I apparently like to talk with people who disagree with me as I'm doing here. And they would rather hang out with fellow Christians in their free time because people naturally gravitate towards those who agree with them.

I'm skeptical that you guys make time for non-Christians. I see why you wouldn't, for the reason mentioned above. And you also probably don't bother inviting the poor, crippled, lame, and blind instead of your family when you have Thanksgiving dinner or similar large meal. I think that when the bible becomes too inconvenient to follow, it gets ignored and rationalized.

You might want to re-read the subject of this thread: What IF your BEST friends in life are non-Christians? Spending time with whoever to preach the gospel is quite different from making friends, even best friends.

 

[homwardbound]

There's clearly a consensus among the Christians on this thread that having non-Christian friends is a good thing... and why not? Jesus spent time with "sinners" and "tax collectors" because he "came for them" rather than for his disciples. And if your priority is to reach the unsaved, then you won't accomplish that if you don't spend any time with them. But do you actually practice this?

I'm an atheist, and my friends and family spend little time with me. They don't discuss matters on which our opinions disagree (such as religion and politics) because they don't care to hear an opposing view -- certainly not for my benefit, as I apparently like to talk with people who disagree with me as I'm doing here. And they would rather hang out with fellow Christians in their free time because people naturally gravitate towards those who agree with them.

I'm skeptical that you guys make time for non-Christians. I see why you wouldn't, for the reason mentioned above. And you also probably don't bother inviting the poor, crippled, lame, and blind instead of your family when you have Thanksgiving dinner or similar large meal. I think that when the bible becomes too inconvenient to follow, it gets ignored and rationalized.

No matter what starcrash, GODJUSTLOVEYOU personally/ And nothing man can do or not do to change God's amazing love to us all through Son Christ. His Mercy goes on forever in loving all the same or how else can anyone claim love without loving all the same, leaving each of us the free choice to beleive God or not in God's Mercy to all or not

[h=3]Luke 6:32-39[/h]Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

[SUP]32 [/SUP]For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. [SUP]33 [/SUP]And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. [SUP]34 [/SUP]And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. [SUP]35 [/SUP]But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. [SUP]36 [/SUP]Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. [SUP]37 [/SUP]Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: [SUP]38 [/SUP]give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
[SUP]39 [/SUP]And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

 

[Starcrash]

You might want to re-read the subject of this thread: What IF your BEST friends in life are non-Christians? Spending time with whoever to preach the gospel is quite different from making friends, even best friends.

You make a good point -- the original post was about best friends. As I read through the comments, though, I forgot the original point because most of them became about having non-Christian friends in general. It's not so far off-topic as to be irrelevant.

I would think that if your best friend was a non-Christian, then you've already decided the question... clearly you agree that being "yoked" with a non-Christian was not to your detriment enough to avoid building that relationship to the point where that you became best friends. So perhaps the question about whether to build a relationship is the more important one, even if it isn't specifically what this thread was made for.

 

[Starcrash]

No matter what starcrash, GODJUSTLOVEYOU personally/ And nothing man can do or not do to change God's amazing love to us all through Son Christ. His Mercy goes on forever in loving all the same or how else can anyone claim love without loving all the same, leaving each of us the free choice to beleive God or not in God's Mercy to all or not

Luke 6:32-39

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

[SUP]32 [/SUP]For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. [SUP]33 [/SUP]And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. [SUP]34 [/SUP]And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. [SUP]35 [/SUP]But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. [SUP]36 [/SUP]Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. [SUP]37 [/SUP]Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: [SUP]38 [/SUP]give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
[SUP]39 [/SUP]And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

If a Muslim quoted a passage from the Qur'an, how would you deal with that material? What would you think of the Muslim that he assumes you care to hear it or thinks you will make use of it?

I don't have anything specifically against the bible, but if you want to back up your claim about God's love or mercy, then quoting the bible will not have a useful effect on an atheist. There's absolutely no reason for me to take it seriously.