Why Evangelize?

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ClemtheCatholic

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I really need help and inspiration with this!! :o

I know Jesus told us to evangelize. But could people please help me out by adding reason and quotes to this fact? I have a good friend who is non-Christian but still a really nice guy who I think really does enjoy life in a good way. I need to know why his ignorance of the Truth is not enough to save him and why I as a Catholic am obliged to tell him that “his satisfactory life is not sufficient”. Haha, hope this makes sense!! 😉

God Bless and Thanks soooo Much!!
ClemtheCatholic
 
ClemtheCatholic said:
I really need help and inspiration with this!! :o

I know Jesus told us to evangelize. But could people please help me out by adding reason and quotes to this fact? I have a good friend who is non-Christian but still a really nice guy who I think really does enjoy life in a good way. I need to know why his ignorance of the Truth is not enough to save him and why I as a Catholic am obliged to tell him that “his satisfactory life is not sufficient”. Haha, hope this makes sense!! 😉

God Bless and Thanks soooo Much!!
ClemtheCatholic
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Because ignorance is not a Sacrament. There are so many good things that your friend is missing out on - Mass on Sundays, the feeling of coming out of the Confessional after a good Confession, and even just the honest anticipation of Heaven, and the comfort of knowing that God is with him even in difficult times.

Life as a good practicing Catholic has a zest and wonderfulness that cannot be duplicated.

Plus, think of the years of Purgatory that your friend will not have to endure for his venial sins, if he becomes Catholic during this lifetime, instead of depending on his ignorance and his good deeds to get him into Heaven.

The other thing is, we really don’t know what is going on in someone else’s life. What if he needs to go to Confession? How can you know? You see on the surface someone who is innocent as the driven snow, but what if he has a secret that he has not chosen to share with you? Maybe something that happened a long time ago? Would you want to take the risk of someone you love ending up not in Heaven, simply because you assumed he was innocent when in reality it turned out that he was not? What if he is in need of God’s forgiveness, and you are the means by which he will ultimately receive it?

I’m not saying you should hit him over the head with all of that - I would introduce the idea by talking about my own experiences, and encourage him to come to Mass with me, rather than do anything that might seem aggressive or off-putting - after all, you want to attract him; not repel him.
 
jmcrae said:
Because ignorance is not a Sacrament. There are so many good things that your friend is missing out on - Mass on Sundays, the feeling of coming out of the Confessional after a good Confession, and even just the honest anticipation of Heaven, and the comfort of knowing that God is with him even in difficult times.

Life as a good practicing Catholic has a zest and wonderfulness that cannot be duplicated.

Plus, think of the years of Purgatory that your friend will not have to endure for his venial sins, if he becomes Catholic during this lifetime, instead of depending on his ignorance and his good deeds to get him into Heaven.

The other thing is, we really don’t know what is going on in someone else’s life. What if he needs to go to Confession? How can you know? You see on the surface someone who is innocent as the driven snow, but what if he has a secret that he has not chosen to share with you? Maybe something that happened a long time ago? Would you want to take the risk of someone you love ending up not in Heaven, simply because you assumed he was innocent when in reality it turned out that he was not? What if he is in need of God’s forgiveness, and you are the means by which he will ultimately receive it?

I’m not saying you should hit him over the head with all of that - I would introduce the idea by talking about my own experiences, and encourage him to come to Mass with me, rather than do anything that might seem aggressive or off-putting - after all, you want to attract him; not repel him.
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So even if you’re ignorant will you almost certainly spend a good while in Purgatory? What about the (I’m assuming some are there) Mortal Sins on my friend’s soul?

He is open but I think his main obstacle is simply: “What is the need for God?” “I am content. Perhaps a God exists and no offence to Him but it just all seems so pointless to me.” “If there is a God out there that is so wonderful, surely I can continue on happily as I am and still be fine in the next life?” If you get my meaning?

Ultimately, do we evangelize people like my friend simply to save them from time in Purgatory and because there is (is there?) a small risk of them going to Hell? I’m pretty sure my friend is not being stubborn or trying to block out God. I think he’s just looking for “reason” and “reasons”… As you can see, it may take a while for me to get all the facts sorted and made sense of! 😉
 
ClemtheCatholic said:
So even if you’re ignorant will you almost certainly spend a good while in Purgatory?
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And that’s if your ignorance is invincible (ie: there was no possible way on earth for you to know any better) - the light beating given to the servant who didn’t know any better, in the parable.

If his ignorance is “vincible” (meaning, there is a way for him to find things out) then he will be punished with the full punishment due for his sins.
What about the (I’m assuming some are there) Mortal Sins on my friend’s soul?
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If he has ever done anything seriously wrong, while knowing at the time (or being able to know, but deliberately not taking the time to find out) that it was wrong, then obviously he needs to go to Confession, or be baptized. Ignorance cannot apply to things we know or things we are able to know.
He is open but I think his main obstacle is simply: “What is the need for God?” “I am content. Perhaps a God exists and no offence to Him but it just all seems so pointless to me.” “If there is a God out there that is so wonderful, surely I can continue on happily as I am and still be fine in the next life?” If you get my meaning?
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It is true that God loves everyone, but He is not a senile old grampa who gives treats to everyone - He is the Just Judge -HIs love is the love of a Father, who punishes those He loves most with the greatest severity, to protect both His good name and theirs from dishonour.
Ultimately, do we evangelize people like my friend simply to save them from time in Purgatory and because there is (is there?) a small risk of them going to Hell? I’m pretty sure my friend is not being stubborn or trying to block out God. I think he’s just looking for “reason” and “reasons”… As you can see, it may take a while for me to get all the facts sorted and made sense of! 😉
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These things take time. Invite him to pray to God in the morning and in the evening - you can invite him to just say, “Hi, God, I’m here. I had a nice day. Thank you for making a nice world for me to live in.” or, “Hi, God, I’m here. I’m about to get started on my day.”
 
ClemtheCatholic said:
Ultimately, do we evangelize people like my friend simply to save them from time in Purgatory and because there is (is there?) a small risk of them going to Hell? I’m pretty sure my friend is not being stubborn or trying to block out God. I think he’s just looking for “reason” and “reasons”… As you can see, it may take a while for me to get all the facts sorted and made sense of! 😉
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Remember,

Risk = (probability) x (consequence)

Regardless of what the probability of going to hell is, the consequences are so astronomical that it still makes the risk of going to hell enormous (to the point that every action in our life should aimed at getting to heaven). Also, we do not know that few will go to hell and there’s great consensus amoung the Saints that the opposite is true.

It’s actually best to assume that very few will be saved and that we must strive to be Saints in this life to get to heaven (better to be safe then sorry, right?). We therefore also must encourage those around us to also be Saints so that they can have the best chances of entering through the narrow path, as well! (and that starts by helping them to discover the Catholic Church).
 
Mar 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Rom 10:12-17

Jam 5:20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Be careful when you try to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and try to get them to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you look in a mirror and can see obvious sins in your life, personality, attitude, language; then they will see this too and they will just think you are a hypocrite and you will push him farther away from the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Also keep in mind that this isn’t recruitment, don’t try to convince him that any specific religion is the right religion; just simply tell him (That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Rom 10:9-11). Treat him like an intelligent man and tell him that all he needs to know is written in the Holy Bible. Let him seek God out for himself, if he is sincere, it will lead Him to the truth. Don’t bug him, don’t harass him, don’t be overbearing; it will just push him away. God will speak to him through the word of Christ and God will guide him to the right religion. Let God grow the seed of faith in him.
(So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1Cr 3:7)

Don’t try to be a teacher, just encourage him to read the Bible and be a good example of the faith that we have in Jesus Christ.

1Pe 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
 
John 10:10
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

So we are talking about the fullness if life not just what might happen afterward.

And let us evangelize by good example, by well worded questions and by love.
 
As confirmed Catholics, we are to witness to others. Our love for one another will make known that we are Jesus’ disciples(John 13:35). Be patient. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s strength and guidance. And keep your friend in your prayers as well.
 
ClemtheCatholic said:
So even if you’re ignorant will you almost certainly spend a good while in Purgatory? What about the (I’m assuming some are there) Mortal Sins on my friend’s soul?

He is open but I think his main obstacle is simply: “What is the need for God?” “I am content. Perhaps a God exists and no offence to Him but it just all seems so pointless to me.” “If there is a God out there that is so wonderful, surely I can continue on happily as I am and still be fine in the next life?” If you get my meaning?

Ultimately, do we evangelize people like my friend simply to save them from time in Purgatory and because there is (is there?) a small risk of them going to Hell? I’m pretty sure my friend is not being stubborn or trying to block out God. I think he’s just looking for “reason” and “reasons”… As you can see, it may take a while for me to get all the facts sorted and made sense of! 😉
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Ignorance does not exactly mean that someone is still able to be saved. Invincible ignorance does. What we mean by invincible ignorance (at its most basic) is someone who never had an opportunity to hear anything about God cannot be held responsible for not being religious.

This is not the same as willful ignorance, in which a person hears about God, learns about God, and then decides, consciously, to not be religious.

The thing is, it doesn;t sound like your friend knows what you mean by who God is. For example, God is not a being to be counted among other beings; God is the sheer act of being. God is not someone who loves others, God is love. God is the reason that there is something, rather than nothing. What this means is that, when we get to the point of saying, “Yes, God exists,” it does not follow that God can be reasonably ignored. God created the universe out of a sheer act of love and gave us everything, and we, in love, owe him everything in return.

Have a look at this video and encourage your friend to watch it, too: youtube.com/watch?v=XnVVCShtt-4
 
=ClemtheCatholic;10213769]I really need help and inspiration with this!! :o
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I know Jesus told us to evangelize. But could people please help me out by adding reason and quotes to this fact? I have a good friend who is non-Christian but still a really nice guy who I think really does enjoy life in a good way. I need to know why his ignorance of the Truth is not enough to save him and why I as a Catholic am obliged to tell him that “his satisfactory life is not sufficient”. Haha, hope this makes sense!! 😉
Click to expand...
God Bless and Thanks soooo Much!!
ClemtheCatholic
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may I suggest my friend that you take a few minutes and READ 1st. Cor chapter 12… it’s a short chapter and will answer your question
🙂
This site will make it easy for you to do so:)

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/r/rsv/

Then if you stll have questions please let us know,

God Bless,
pat/PJM
 
Apostles Prayer. Jesus to Mamma Carmella on 22 April, 1969, Milan.

Merciful Jesus, we trust in Thee.

Come to the aid of our weakness and our incapacity.

Grant that we may be able to make Thee known and loved by all men and that, confident in the immensity of Thy love, we may be able to combat the evil which is in us and in all the world for Thy glory and our salvation. Amen.

Consecration:

'O Jesus, Good Jesus, Whose Infinite Love has created and ransomed the world and wishes to save it, receive me in the number of those who wish to work for the triumph of Your Reign of Love on earth.

To this end, receive the complete offering of myself by which I place myself in Your service.

I will spread the image of Your Divine Face beseeching You to reanimate in all souls the features of Your Divine Countenance.

O Jesus, perform miracles of conversions, and call the Apostles of the new era, the new Apostles, to this great task.

Pour out on the whole world a torrent of Your Merciful Love which, engulfing and destroying evil, will renew the Earth, and may hearts be filled with charity, restore in the light of the Sun, the practice of the Gospel.

Amen.
 
ClemtheCatholic said:
I really need help and inspiration with this!! :o

I know Jesus told us to evangelize. But could people please help me out by adding reason and quotes to this fact? I have a good friend who is non-Christian but still a really nice guy who I think really does enjoy life in a good way. I need to know why his ignorance of the Truth is not enough to save him and why I as a Catholic am obliged to tell him that “his satisfactory life is not sufficient”. Haha, hope this makes sense!! 😉

God Bless and Thanks soooo Much!!
ClemtheCatholic
Click to expand...
Someone once said that noone can give what they don’t have.

What makes you desire your faith? You are the one that needs to answer that. Otherwise people read thru us and they know when we are genuine or just talking. You have to make it your own answer to them. Start thinking about it for yourself and do some reading, self reflection, and serious thinking. Good books help, and your parish may have a small library.

Most of all, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance every day.

Just a thought.
 
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