eyes that will not see

I can find no scripture help in my dilemma, so hoping someone wiser can guide me. How does one show examples of God's love and Jesus's sacrifice to those who are without any sense of God's reality? I have many family members and people close to me who have zero concept of any sort of a 'higher power'. When I am being the me that God has his hand on, they either roll their eyes or cast their eyes down. I can't even broach the subject of a wonderful blessing I've received nor share the joy with these people I care so deeply for. They believe only in science, nothing spiritual. I pray for them constantly, and try hard to just 'be myself' around them. I'd love the opportunity to tell them what they are missing, but those ears are stopped up and I am not a confident 'preacher'. Any suggestions??

Well, if they believe in science, then appeal to their God-given "consciences".

The word "conscience" literally means "with (con) knowledge (science)", and the Apostle Paul said that people's consciences either accuse or excuse them or their behavior.

Romans chapter 2

[14] For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
[15] Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another)

If their consciences convict them of their sin and the wages of the same (death), then Christ's sacrificial atonement on their behalves will make sense to them.

For what it may be worth...

Read this webpage:

http://mywebsite.us/Truth.html

If you think that it may "appeal to their senses" and get them to thinking, pass it on to them.

I agree with @Live4Him3 that they need for something to challenge their science-based belief system - and get them to thinking about why they believe what they believe...

Do they believe in evolution?

Hello BeAlamp, i see the same thing, some people believe but some (MOST) do not, no matter what you say or try to explain. jesus said in matt 22:14 "Many are called but few are chosen" also “Therefore, I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:65). the father has to call them first, else their time has not come. Also some people are aware bur for different reasons, refuse the call . See the parable of the sower starting in Matt. 13:3. So to try is excellent but if they do not listen they were not yet called, this is how i see it.

Peace, Joy in Christ Jesus and may GOD bless you always!

JF

1 Peter 3:1 KJV
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

Jesus himself only stands at the door and knocks, until and unless the door is open. As you may have noticed, trying to force God into a conversation doesn't work well.

If you really want people (including your loved ones) to learn to love and learn from God, then lead by example. Read and Pray yourself (and perhaps most importantly BY yourself) away from others. Get ALONE with God (Do commandment #1) until he shows you how to do commandment #2 (letting your light shine to others).

Don't let your desire to love others take precedence over the more important duty of intensely loving God.

What you do in secret (alone with God) shall pay off openly... But leave that second part in GOD'S hands until He is ready to manifest it. He knows how and when to bring it out.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

1 Corinthians 7-4-8a

No. I had the same dilemma. My dad was a dyed in the wool atheist. He refused to let the name "Jesus" be said in his home. I was in the military and rarely got to visit. When I did, sparks flew. I learned to shut up and let God work.

The last time I saw dad, he could not have been friendlier or more helpful. He died not long after. Was he saved? Probably not. He may have repented on his deathbed. I was not able to be there. My sister did get saved, many years before dad's passing. I spent hours witnessing to her and her husband one night. They were open and receptive. My mother was a believer of sorts. I don't know how deep it went. My two brothers are also atheists.

Lord Jesus warned us that our enemies would from our own household (Matthew 10:36). Once we have given them the gospel (if we can get that far), it's between them and God. There is also the problem of familiarity. Jesus was not welcome in His own town for that reason.

In this situation, praying is the answer. God can soften hard hearts, open blind eyes and unblock deaf ears. Cast the care of your situation on Him.

I understand. God isn’t someone or something you can put under a microscope, analyze, test, and reproduce. That’s often a problem for scientific-minded people, but the irony is that science was founded by people who believed deeply in God or a god. Many of the founders of scientific discoveries, methods, and principles were/are theists.

It isn’t an unreasonable request to ask God to prove it. Jesus often proved Himsef with miracles, some wanted proof via wisdom, others wanted proof via signs. The main purpose of the miracles was to essentially prove it because people often don’t randomly have faith in things they can’t test.

John 10:38
38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24
22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The problem the scientifically-minded often encounter is that they think they can make God prove Himself. They don’t understand that God sees the intention of people and requires something antithetical to the natural order of human logic: faith.

God requires their faith before He’ll show Himself; people want proof before they have faith: that’s the stumbling block.

God wants their humility first. God wants their genuine desire to seek Him first then He’ll answer.

Hebrews 11:6
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I hope this gives you a clue as to how to reach them a bit more effectively.

@BeALamp a few more thoughts on your OP, if I may.

And when they see they can’t make God put on a show for them they ultimately conclude God must not be real. As a result, they end all further pursuit of God. Give it time they may eventually become curious as they learn more about science.

There are many scientific discoveries that prove intelligent design.

You may be able to get a foot-in-the-door by talking about Quantum Physics and how observing a particle changes its behavior. You can reference the double-slit experiment and say it’s proof of intelligent design. They might argue at first, but just put the “bug in their ear”, let them think about it for a while, and when it’s their idea they may ultimately agree that science proves God or intelligent design.

There are a lot of religions competing for the hearts and minds of people. Be sure to inform them God is Jesus Christ so they know which direction to go.

@BeALamp:

@Runningman made a good point about logic and faith.

'logic' is a form of reasoning

'faith' is a form of reasoning

And, while logic works well for many things in the physical realm, faith must be applied to things in the spiritual realm.

The mindset of people like those you are talking about is such that they want to utilize logic to answer every question and solve every quandary. They think that 'logic' is the only form of reasoning there is - because, that is what modern science teaches them to believe.

They have to be shown that there actually are other forms of reasoning - and that, faith is the form of reasoning they must utilize when attempting to answer every spiritual question and solve every spiritual quandry.

And, the key to the "challenge" that they must face - is - a question and/or quandary that will force them to realize and accept that 'logic' [alone] cannot answer/solve it.

They must be able - and willing - to look outside of their 'logic' safety zone to answer/solve the dilemma of the challenge.

Indeed!

That’s true. I prayed for someone who disliked Christianity so much he literally attacked me for it. Guess what? He started going to church. I talked to him later and he said he agreed with they said to him there. That’s a good start.

"The solution to the depth and scope of this 'dilemma' rest within one's own 'spiritual maturity'...believe it!
I Am not programed to do the learning for others...I Am committed to sharing what I have learned over the past
two plus decades through my spiritual journey...by the Grace of God...... My 'Higher Power'!
'The answers to all things are found THROUGH the INSPIRATION of the teachings of Jesus Christ!
Within these links and many others, I hope you come to learn and test yourself and hopefully you will share
what you have learned. I Am close by!"

https://christianchat.com/threads/i-saw-the-light.182858/post-3846298
https://christianchat.com/threads/i-saw-the-light.182858/post-3846303
https://christianchat.com/threads/i-saw-the-light.182858/post-3912695

Isaiah 45:22 + Revelation 3:20

Ask them if their mother loves them. If they say 'Yes', then ask them to prove it scientifically.

Seriously, pray for them, that their eyes would be opened. Just keep being yourself and treating them as you would treat Jesus. You can't control their response, but the Lord will guide and reward you.

The most effective "witness" Christians have of God and His love for mankind is how Christians live their lives and how they treat others. By living a Christ like life, a Christian can show the world the evidence of Gods love, by "loving others." Remember that we are told to "love our enemies."

One can be an "example" of Gods love just by loving.......

FYI: Scriptures

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:37-39 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Read More...)

1 John 4:16 - And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Ephesians 3:17-19 - That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Read More...)

I was in the same boat when I first started my walk with the Lord. My mom told me I could join in family gatherings if I "didn't talk about that God stuff". I told her I would not bring it up, but if someone else wanted to discuss God I was going to speak up. She was okay with that. And, of course, God took care of the rest and inevitably there would be a God discussion almost every time we got together.

Two of my sisters were open to God and one of them still actively studies her Bible, prays, goes to church (although since covid, she likes watching online more than going to church) ... the other one is nominal and did not stick with the daily study of Scripture and prayer, and she does not attend church. But I believe she is saved.

Another sister would discuss God and Scripture with me but I never really knew if she truly believed. She passed away about 5 years ago.

Another sister did not want to hear about God; she married a man who claims to be an atheist. If/when I see them or we talk on the phone, we usually end up talking about God. My sister says "if God wants me to know, He'll talk to me Himself". Her husband and I have discussions about God but he ends up denying truth and sticking to his firmly held atheistic beliefs.

As others have mentioned, we do not have to make our family members believe, we only have to speak God's Word to others. As workers together with God, our job is to plant/water and it is God Who brings increase. If we believe our job is to get others to believe, we may end up getting emotional (angry or bitter) when others reject God's Word. Just remember, they are not rejecting you ... they are rejecting God.

1 Corinthians 3:

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
.

They live moral lives and are honest people, but from a sense of 'it's the correct behavior in society' , not because of any sense of spirituality.

If they're scientifically minded you might try to find some books about the scientific evidence for God; there are some good ones out there. One that stands out to me is Lee Strobel's The Case For A Creator. It smashes a lot of the accepted theories of science. In particular it demonstrates that a lot of the ideas that "scientists" believe as fact are based on deliberate fabrications.

No matter how moral a person is they can never meet God's standard. You might look up scripture verses that point out that all are sinners and need salvation.

Jesus said a prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his own relatives. Don't be surprised if they don't accept your faith. Just keep praying, maybe He'll reach them by some other means.