The Friendliness of the World

[christcnection1]

Nearly all my family does not follow the Lord. Likewise, many people around me in the workplace, and elsewhere are not Christian. At times, their lack of Christian charity and joy is revealed. That being said, there seems to be a “form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

I guess my point is, there are a lot of people who seem friendly, caring, and loving, but when it comes to many of the deeper issues, especially of the soul, they do not seem to care. Nearly everything is trivial and worldly. When I try to interject something of significance, people generally change the topic. The conversation seems to be all surface garbage.

My sense is that the form of friendliness and happiness out there is actually very shallow. There is some sincere charity out there with nonbelievers, but a lot of it is simply vanity, show, and disingenuous.

What can be done to break through this kind of shallow joy and friendliness? Am I the only one that sees this, overreacting, or am I missing something?

Sorry, this is a difficult topic to p(name removed by moderator)oint and define, but I think you get the gist.

 

[jprioli]

c-cnection:

Try looking at it this way: everybody has a religion, in the sense that everybody has religious views. Even a claim of agnosticism is a statement of belief.

And (as Jimmy Akin is known to say) every religion has some truth in it. The truth may be small (e.g., agnosticism: God is not entirely knowable in this life. Remember, I am focusing on the truth contained in the religion, not the degree of falseness.)

The truth that is held and put into practice by each person is the common ground that we have with him, and the place that we can look in order to build more commonality.

In short, I am agreeing with you, but I am suggesting that it is more practical, more conducive to evangelism to see the glass as “half full,” instead of seeing it as “half empty.”

Look at Paul as he entered Athens, as told in Acts 17, around v. 22 or so. He must have been horrified, seeing the rampant idolatry and pagan practices. But instead of raging at them, he said, “Men of Athens: I can see that you are very religious. You even have an altar to an ‘Unknown God.’ Well, what you worship in ignorance, I have come here to reveal to you.”

Keep a positive attitude, and don’t wear your heart out on your sleeve. Live the life of a joy-filled Christian, and pick your opportunities, or you will be guy no one wants to talk with, the “pushy Christian.”

But when you see a good opportunity, take it courageously. Speak the truth in love.

Regards,
Joe

 

[christcnection1]

c-cnection:

Try looking at it this way: everybody has a religion, in the sense that everybody has religious views. Even a claim of agnosticism is a statement of belief.

And (as Jimmy Akin is known to say) every religion has some truth in it. The truth may be small (e.g., agnosticism: God is not entirely knowable in this life. Remember, I am focusing on the truth contained in the religion, not the degree of falseness.)

The truth that is held and put into practice by each person is the common ground that we have with him, and the place that we can look in order to build more commonality.

In short, I am agreeing with you, but I am suggesting that it is more practical, more conducive to evangelism to see the glass as “half full,” instead of seeing it as “half empty.”

Look at Paul as he entered Athens, as told in Acts 17, around v. 22 or so. He must have been horrified, seeing the rampant idolatry and pagan practices. But instead of raging at them, he said, “Men of Athens: I can see that you are very religious. You even have an altar to an ‘Unknown God.’ Well, what you worship in ignorance, I have come here to reveal to you.”

Keep a positive attitude, and don’t wear your heart out on your sleeve. Live the life of a joy-filled Christian, and pick your opportunities, or you will be guy no one wants to talk with, the “pushy Christian.”

But when you see a good opportunity, take it courageously. Speak the truth in love.

Regards,
Joe

Thank you Joe. That was a very helpful reminder.

I think part of my anxiety over this is that God is the center of my life and I have a family that does support my views. There is only one member of my large-size family that is happy about my decision to enter a Religious Order. It’s difficult to be so close, and yet so far from loved ones.

However, your message applies to everyone.