How to deal with family members who have still not accepted Jesus as their saviour

By Sodwana Bay

Being the only saved member of your family can be hard. I have counselled and discipled many church members who have had struggles dealing with parents who have not yet accepted Jesus as their saviour and lord. Through the many times that people with unsaved family members have come to me for advice, I have never been one to get ahead of myself and tell them what they should do. As a minister and a leader in our congregation, my only responsibility is to tell my spiritual family what the Bible says. And I’ve heard people say, “But doesn’t the Bible tell me not to be yoked with unbelievers?” That’s when I realized that many sons and daughters of unsaved parents already know what the Bible says, but they just aren’t hearing it right. Here are some things that the Bible does NOT say about how we are to treat and respond to unsaved parents and family members. They are saved just because you’re saved Acts 16:31 declares “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household,” but this is in a cultural context where the values of the family are always accepted as the values of every individual in the household. Today, this is no longer the case. Many individuals place higher weight on individual values over family values, and to counter that, every one must hear the gospel. While it is more likely that your family will hear the gospel and then be saved, it will never happen unless they hear and believe the gospel. And here’s news flash: you have the gospel that they so desperately need and you can give it to them. Their being unsaved gives you a reason to disobey them The Bible doesn’t say, “Children obey your Christian parents” or “Honor your believing father and mother.” Ephesians 6:1-2 make it clear: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.” Whether your parents are Christian or not, we are called to obey them. In fact, acting in disobedience toward parents just because they are non-believers could very well be a legitimate reason for them to never turn to Christ in faith. They are worse sinners than you The Bible makes it clear in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” You aren’t less of a sinner than your non-believing parents, but you do have God’s forgiving grace that has cleansed you of all unrighteousness. Originally posted 2016-03-02 10:58:59.


Live creatively, friends.

By Sodwana Bay

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Galatians 6:2 MSG Originally posted 2016-02-24 18:07:17.


Steady on their feet… ~ Isaiah 26:4 MSG

By Sodwana Bay

At that time, this song will be sung in the country of Judah: We have a strong city, Salvation City, built and fortified with salvation. Throw wide the gates so good and true people can enter. People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on GOD and keep at it because in the LORD GOD you have a sure thing. Those who lived high and mighty he knocked off their high horse. He used the city built on the hill as fill for the marshes. All the exploited and outcast peoples build their lives on the reclaimed land. Isaiah 26:4 MSG Originally posted 2015-12-31 07:15:38.


Blessed are you, GOD of Israel,

By Sodwana Bay

David blessed GOD in full view of the entire congregation: Blessed are you, GOD of Israel, our father from of old and forever. To you, O GOD, belong the greatness and the might, the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor; Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth; the kingdom all yours! You’ve raised yourself high over all. Riches and glory come from you, you’re ruler over all; You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand to build up and strengthen all. And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name. 1 Chronicles 29:13 MSG Originally posted 2015-11-25 18:19:36.


What Are The Signs Of The End Times? | FaithHub

By Sodwana Bay

What Are The Signs Of The End Times? He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! – Revelation 22:20 Matthew 24:5-8 gives us some important clues for discerning the approach of the end times: “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disasters-these are signs of the end times. In this passage, though, we are given a warning: we are not to be deceived, because these events are only the beginning of birth pains; the end is still to come. Read more at http://faithhub.net/signs-of-end-times-question/#Ycb0ZUXibgVQj2Yd.99 Source: What Are The Signs Of The End Times? | FaithHub Originally posted 2015-10-28 06:03:59.