Have you found yourself stressed lately about salvation for loved ones? Many times as believers we want our loved ones to become Born Again and accept Jesus as Savior. We understand what is at stake, and what could happen, so we have an urgency to tell them the Gospel and the truth. I have learned through trial and error that the "urgency" only confuses them and scares them away. If you try and plant certain seeds, they are not ready to be sown in good soil. The thief will come and snatch away what was given to them. (Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. -Mark 4:15).
We understand in scripture that people that do not know Jesus have a veil over their eyes. (But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. -2 Corinthians 3:14). ( They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. - Isaiah 44:18). We have to remember that the Holy Spirit is the only one that can draw people to the Lord. ( "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." -John 6:44). So when we are able to fully grasp this then what are we to do? If we cannot give urgency because the unsaved have a veil over their eyes and cannot understand the truth of the gospel, then what option does that leave us? The answer is simple: Prayer!! The real way to battle is to get down on our hands and knees and intercede for the lost. (To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." - Acts 26:18).
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We must have patience in the Lord and understand that it is HIS timing. (The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. -2 Peter 3:9). We need to understand that prayer has no shelf life. When we pray from the heart and intercede on behalf of someone, that God hears our prayers immediately and that orders are given, and angels move on our behalf.
If we are praying scripture (which is Gods Word) then angels move on our behalf because we are speaking Gods Word out into existence over that person and situation. Those prayers keep going and going and will continue on for generation to generation. How do you think you came to know Jesus? It was through the prayer of someone interceding on behalf of you. Have you forgotten that you too, were once lost and blinded by the truth? We need to stay humble and patient with our lost loved ones.
Instead of shoving scripture down their throat we need to have our actions speak louder than words. Do NOT hold grudges!!! Forgive at ALL cost!!! Give Love at ALL times!!! We are to be like Jesus when he was here on earth. Our lifestyles should show that we follow Christ and that we are ambassadors for him!!
My husband and I are currently in this situation and have been for quite some time now. We are continually lifting up loved ones that are not saved. In the past we have tried in "our flesh" to help them see that they need Jesus, but nothing seemed to change. We finally understood that the real battle is in prayer and that things happen when we pray for others! We may never see the fruits of our prayers, or live to see if our prayers got answered, but we need to remain standing strong on his word and have faith!!! The Lord wants your loved ones saved, more than you do!! The Lord created that person and knows what will speak to them. He knows how they think, and how to reach them. This is where we are to truly trust the Lord and understand that he knows best!!!
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I know that God is moved by the amount of faith that we have in him and how serious we take it. We are to take God at his word and show it back to him. There have been times to where I have printed out the bible verse: (Acts 16:31- They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.") I have printed this verse out on a piece of paper and literally put it on the ground and stood on this scripture and confessed it out loud. In my heart, I know that this pleased God because this showed that I was taking him at HIS WORD! I literally stand on that verse for my loved ones and for the lost. I have family members that are not saved and I have friends that are not saved. I will continue to pray and intercede for the lost, and if God wishes to use me as a vessel to share my testimony then I am going to be obedient and share what Jesus has done in my life! I do not regret my past, because Jesus has been able to use everything that the enemy meant for harm, and make good for the glory of HIS name!! Every time the Lord blesses our family, I will share it with others and bring glory to HIS name!! It has always been about Jesus, and it will always BE about Jesus!!! As Joshua says: But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!! -Joshua 24:15
So I want to encourage you that you are not alone!! Do not get frustrated!! Understand that we serve a God that IS love, and has mercy for his children and creation. God loves that family member more than you could understand. God loves that family member so much that he sent his ONLY son to come and die for the sins of his people. ( That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:15-16)
Jesus is our shepherd and we are his sheep, he cares and loves us all. In the Bible we see what Jesus does with the lost sheep. ( "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?" -Matthew 18:12) We all know the story of the Prodigal Son and how the Father accepts us with open arms when we return to him. This blog post should give you encouragement to stay in the fight/battle. It should encourage you to get on your hands and knees and do real battle for your loved ones!!! Know that you are not alone, we are doing the exact same thing!!! Praise be to Jesus!!!
