How would I go about explaining to her our way of life, and why we believe it? Also, is there any way I can encourage her to get more interested in this way of life? I am praying about this but would like your advice as well.

There's a girl in my school that I really like. She's a good person, has good morals, many friends, is involved in many school activities and holds high standards for herself. The only problem is she isn't Christian like me.


Answer:

Striving to explain what we believe to others who don't have the same convictions can be a challenge. A key is the person’s sincere desire to know and understand. The apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

The operative principle in the verse is the motivation of the person asking. We should be ready to give an answer of the hope (conviction, belief) that is in us—assuming the person has a sincere desire to know. If this friend of yours has such a desire, then strive to explain what you believe in a manner that makes sense to her—but accurately reflects God's Word. A recent edition of Youth United has an excellent article, "Explain Your Beliefs Without Losing Friends," that addresses how to do this.

Ultimately, God is the one who does the calling of people. That is a decision that rests with Him alone. We cannot, with our best efforts, "convince" someone of God's truth or way of life without God choosing to call that person. Christ said in John 6:44, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."

It would be premature for you to assume that just by hearing about it, she would become interested "in this way of life." More than anything, it should be noted that when romantic interest gets involved in "convincing" someone about God's truth or Church attendance, the motivation to respond is clouded and often is based upon emotional involvement rather than a sincere response to God's calling.

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