Telling family that you're a Christian

[Mirjam]

Hello,

I have a question for people who became Christian later in their lives and told family and friends.
I would like to know how they reacted. Where they positive or negative ?

So far I told one friend, but she is a Christian, so she was very positive.
Thank you.

 

[redfox]

Hey mirjam.

I don't know how old you are and whether this applies to you, but i became a Christian at boarding school. Some of my friends thought it was great and showed real interests and became Christians also... Others didn't really care. However, I did get teased and bullied a bit for it but as people grew up and realised my faith was transforming me, they respected me:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."<SUP>[b]</SUP> 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

My family were amazing and love me the same. My mum is now a Christian and my dad and sister are not, but we all love each other very much as individuals and although there is some tension about us going to church and getting stuck into fellowship (me and my mum) nothing has changed.

I hope that is helpful... and I hope that as you start telling people they are fascinated and encouraging. Pray to God about it he will tell you how to share it.

Love Jack

 

[Property Of God]

I think it depends on how your parents really are, but let me tell you one thing, since when our parents agreed on anything anyway?
They just love saying NO to everything!

But they usually always come around in the end, and telling your parents your Christian is MUCH better than telling them other things!!

Just show them you're determined and that they should support you, pray for them to come around too.

God bless you.

 

[Mirjam]

Yes, you're right, it's not bad news to tell

But also because I would like to get baptised in the future. I was wondering how my friends and family would react to that.

 

[WithUsAlways]

I to would love to be baptised in the future.
I think my parents already know that I am Christian (just not a baptised one)
I just slowly started to let them know by going to church and listening to Christian music and me preaching to them about things after a while they got the idea.
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I still haven’t said to them that I am a Christian but if they ask me I won’t deny it.
Let me know how you get on with telling your friends and family.
God Bless

 

[Br. Bear]

Hi Mirjam,

I was just looking at baptism the other day. From Luke 3:3....talking about John, ....preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins...and then....on to verse 4,5&6...
Luke 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luke 3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

I would like you to think about these words, Mirjam.

There are several other scriptures relating to baptism, and no doubt, many posts here at Talk Jesus where you will gain a bit of insight.

But I would like you to consider that first verse above,

preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins

Keep this close.

Now, regarding other folks.... well, a major part of coming to the Father through Jesus Christ, is being able to walk past people and what they think, and what you think they may think. After coming to Jesus, you can turn to the people and tell them what The Lord thinks! And, of course, never should we be heartless towards others. It does matter what people think, but in Jesus, you are no longer bound by other's opinions.

You can see why they think like that, and in shining the light of the gospel of the kingdom of God in Jesus Christ the Lord, you can help them understand truth.

Usually the reaction of telling non-christians that you became a Christian is like telling them you have the plague! So, don't be surprised if you get unpleasant reactions. Just rejoice in your newfound freedom...and pray for the foks who don't understand.
I know that I, for one, am really happy for you and that doesn't really say it right..... I think it is excellent ..... there is nothing better, and there is no better news on earth...or in Heaven, than when someone becomes a Christian.

I have heard so many funny stories about peoples reactions when a new-born Christian tells them. I used to laugh at Christians, but now I see the funny side of peoples reactions.
One friend used to do a LOT of drugs and when he became a Christian, he was so excited and was telling everyone...they all thought he must have been on some pretty strange stuff and he just couldn't convince them it was true! It wasn't long though before they realised something very powerful had happened when they saw the miraculous change in his life and then they were panicing, hoping they wouldn't catch it too!

It has it's funny moments, but then we must get back to the truth about it, and start praying for our friends and family who are still in darkness...and long for them to be set free just as we were....and still, by God's beautiful grace and love in Jesus Christ the Lord, we still are.

So, Mirjam...
I encourage you to get baptised, sooner rather than later, and if folks act strangely towards you when you inform them you are a Christian....don't worry about it!

May you always be led in peace and be surrounded in goodness and mercy and grace, in Jesus name...><>

Bless you

Br.Bear

ps... The best way to tell people that you are a Christian is by living as one, through all the seasons of your life, trusting the Lord and bearing His fruit in righteousness and joy, thanksgiving and praise to the glory of God the Father in Jesus Christ the Lord.

______________________________________________________________
For everyone......
PLEASE NOTE:
While sometimes it can be funny to see other folks reactions, we must never forget our brothers and sisters in countries where they are very severely mistreated when it is discovered that they have become Christians. PLEASE seek ways to help and pray for them.
Bless you

 

[Mirjam]

Thank you for your reactions.

Br. Bear I will read more about baptism on TJ.
Yes, you're right it shouldn't matter to me how people react when I tell them I'm a Christian. I do have to read more and memorize facts, because they will immediatly start a discussion with me.

 

[Br. Bear]

Hi Mirjam,

can I suggest this?

don't stress about learning (memorising) the juicy bits of Scripture so as to tell folks. Just tell them how much you love Jesus, and let yourself glow for Him. People will see you have something they want and will want to know how to get it!

It's like this... A person has been set free from a prison. They are really, really happy about it and want to tell their friends & family. Would they understand if the one who was set free, shared with them how wonderful they felt to be set free, or would it be better to first memorise all the relavent laws and by-laws and tell them all about how they were once bound but now are free, by explaining about the laws and reciting legal jargon to them?

or, if you saw a magnificent sunset or sunrise, with a rainbow, birds and beautiful colours, and wanted to tell me all about it, would you first go to a science book and learn all the scientific terms and then use them to explain the wonderful sight to me? Or would you share with me just how inexpressably wonderful it was? Which way would I be more likely to want to hear, and which way would express best what it meant to you?

YOU WILL speak scripture in their tongue...in the language they understand, when you speak from the wellspring of your love for Jesus, the fountain of Life in you. Just let it flow.
You will be blessed as you speak. Even you will be ministered to as you minister the love of God in Christ Jesus the Lord to others.

Now, don't misread me. Yes..study the Scriptures....and while you have breath, keep studying them....they are precious and the best thing in this world by far. BUT, don't wait til you know all the 'right' ones before telling others about the love that is in you. If you wait till you know the 'right' words to say, you will not be expressing the burning love of God , but merely reciting to deaf ears.

As the Lord leads you on, He will fill you with Scripture, and you will have 'missions' to speak out Scripture. For now, your heart has been lit by the power of the living God in Christ Jesus the Lord , so go and share your warmth and new found life...in Jesus name.

Bless you, Mirjam...>

 

[Mirjam]

Thank you Br. Bear.

Yesterday I contacted a pastor by e-mail. It so happened that there was a church-service today and she invited me for it.
I went there and afterwards we had a talk about everything that was on my mind. Like you said I just told her what was in my heart, that I just HAD to follow the path I'm on right now and that I know in my heart that it's the right choice.

She also explained me about baptism. She said baptisms are done during Sunday-service. So that's great. I'm planning to get baptised in the near future. I'm now busy finding the church were I belong.

 

[WithUsAlways]

Well done you and Good luck for the future.
your story is very inspiring to me. thank you for sharing it with us.
God be with you sister.

 

[Mirjam]

Today I went to the Baptist Church and I really liked it a lot ! I also had a talk with the pastor afterwards. It felt good being there.
I will go there the coming Sundays and the pastor said he would contact me then about me being baptised
I'm really happy I found a church where I feel at home.

 

[redfox]

Thank you God!

That's really exciting mirjam. I hope that as you carry on going there God blesses you and you are able to grow in your faith and in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus I pray that you can encourage and teach mirjam as she sets out on her walk with you. I pray that you can support her and guide her. Thank you for working a miracle in transforming her life. I pray that you can be glorified in her as she seeks to know you more! AMEN

God Bless you mirjam thank you for sharing that!

 

[mounty]

I come from a very long line of devote catholics

I was saved a few years back and i was so scared of telling my family, i mean i was shaking at the very thought of it.

It took several failed attempts for the message to sink in to my parents and to this day my Mother will not even speak about it, in her eyes i am and always will be a member of the Catholic church my Father however sees the change within me but does not speak about it out of respect for my Mother i think.

There is no easy way, just tell the truth and face what comes after, my sisters and brothers were much more relaxed which really helped alot. Im in a very well all ,Catholic area so alot of people do not know and those that do, look at me as an outcast. it doesent bother me much though, my love for Christ is greater than any concern i have for being accepted.

Let Jesus speak for you and all will be well .

God Bless and Much Love

 

[Br. Bear]

I too am happy for you Mirjam,

let your love shine brightly that all may see that you are in love with the Prince of Peace, and He will honour you with His abounding joy.

I am so happy for you!

Bless you...><>

Br. Bear