Not sure how to respond to this

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AndreM73 said:
(2/2) Now, after having given him the text as a document, I asked him to read it over and tell me what he took away from it. This was his first response: “I absolutely love what you said how we’re united with Jesus like it’s a wedding…We are the bride, He is the bridegroom…He washes us clean, and we are His servant.” I told him that he seemed to be missing the point I was trying to make, and asked him to reread the text and tell me what it contained as he understood it. We then briefly discussed the warning that I gave him in point five, at which point he told me that he had just gone to Confession.

Afterwards I asked him to read it again and tell me what all he took away from it. This was his reply:** “I’m already living eternal life with God. I am dead to my old ways of the flesh, and I am living in the new excitement of the Holy Spirit! I can be confident in my salvation. (smiley face)”**

I ask for and heartily welcome your thoughts and criticisms of my reply as well as thoughts on those of my friend. Thank you.
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My comments -

Based on your post and his reply - is that you were too wordy with him and gave him more information than he could digest. Thus his reply (which I bolded above).
While I do not wish to insult our evangelical protestant brothers, there is a tendency among them to speak in what I call “bumper sticker” statements. This is especially true of newer converts. It is often a way of avoiding the deeper conversation - and that is what his reply looks like - an attempt to avoid the deeper conversation. It’s like saying “don’t rain on my parade”.

If you wish to continue the conversation with your friend, it is necessary to stick with one thing, discuss it and then build out from there.
Accusing him of being in mortal sin will do no good. In fact, in my opinion it will do more harm.
Ask him questions that will allow him to share his view of faith with you. See what is good in his beliefs - don’t just look for error. Look into Scripture together. Pray together. Then - as part of the conversation - talk about Church teachings on various things. My guess is that he will have wrong notions about at least some of the teachings.
So - instead of lecturing him and accusing him of being in mortal sin (things that will push him away) ask him questions and then genuinely listen to his answers.

In such things I am reminded that Jesus ate with and associated with sinners. I wonder if he walked in, sat down and started accusing them…or did he engage them in conversation and then - when they were ready - teach them.

We cannot push people toward God, or the Church, we can only draw them.

Just my thoughts.

Peace
James
 
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