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For years I have heard that if believers of Christ (the saved, the redeemed, the elect) don't tell the lost about Jesus and salvation through him, that we/they will be punished.
For hundreds/thousands of years missionaries and preachers have spread the gospel by mouth and on foot. Then came the printed word. Then came telegraphs, telephones, radio, television, dvd's and the internet. This is 2021. I don't think there's anyone in the entire world that hasn't heard of Jesus in some way, shape or form.
I'm worried about my neighbor. She's old and a (non-practicing)Catholic. I tried telling her about Jesus and she replied, "I'm Catholic". She's a very stubborn woman who, once she gets an idea in her head, she can't be persuaded otherwise.
We can warn people but we can't make them believe. Why do I feel so uneasy?
I just feel led to add. If you feel uneasy, pray, listen to the HOLY Spirit let GOD ALMIGHTY lead you. Trust GOD's WORD will not return void. Maybe show her the scripture John 16:26-27,28, John 16:23-24, if you find she is ready Matthew 23:9.
You tried with your neighbor. She is responsible. If she was raised Catholic she knows of Jesus and His work on the cross for us. She knows that she needs salvation from sin. Even tough she is not "practicing" does not mean she does not have a Christian belief in Jesus. That may be why she said, "I am Catholic". My suggestion is to try to have pleasant conversation with her and tell of what God is doing in your life: answered prayer, guidance from Scripture, overcoming a particular sinful habit, gratitude to God for providing your daily bread. These things can sow her the desirability to seek a closer relationship with God and open doors for other discussions. Whenever I am talking with Catholics and a topic comes up on religion, I try to steer the conversation to the gospel message as having been effective in my life and that I would never go back to not believing in Jesus, but instead, I want to know Him more and learn from His Spirit through the Scriptures. A Catholic really cannot argue with that, and hearing it plants seeds in their heart to begin to yearn for Jesus more than they presently do and step out of their complacency.
Even though it seems hard to believe, according to stats only 50% of the world uses the internet and only 65% have access to it. I live in the US and people assume everyone is connected here, but that's not the case even here. Many rural areas where you can't even get a cell signal either. Many who didn't grow up with it aren't interested in using it. There's even groups in the US that intentionally live without power and without TV. And this is much more so in other countries. Consider North Sentinel Island, where there are people living there who have zero contact with the outside world.
If you've heard of Ray Comfort he does lots of street evangelism in urban areas like Los Angeles and even there, a % of the people don't know who Jesus is. Sounds hard to believe, but you may have to see it for yourself.
So, with these considerations, I do not believe everyone knows who Jesus is. I would say even of those who have heard something about Him, I would estimate that most may have distorted or inaccurate info.
I have heard missionaries say that it is far easier to tell people about Jesus in other regions, like in Africa, in comparison to developed nations that have misinformation already planted. But that doesn't mean we should give up. I personally think showing you care is step one, and if they are interested in you a door might open where they are willing to hear your views. Also, people in need seem to be more open as well, such as homeless. They need God where as others who are more established often assume they don't. There is a lot of information online with memes and it seems like memes, video clips, music, books, and arts seem to be the most influential in my opinion. So, I think spreading the gospel is still a valid pursuit and may take different forms depending on the audience.
For hundreds/thousands of years missionaries and preachers have spread the gospel by mouth and on foot. Then came the printed word. Then came telegraphs, telephones, radio, television, dvd's and the internet. This is 2021. I don't think there's anyone in the entire world that hasn't heard of Jesus in some way, shape or form.
I'm worried about my neighbor. She's old and a (non-practicing)Catholic. I tried telling her about Jesus and she replied, "I'm Catholic". She's a very stubborn woman who, once she gets an idea in her head, she can't be persuaded otherwise.
We can warn people but we can't make them believe. Why do I feel so uneasy?
Hopefully these help.
You tried with your neighbor. She is responsible. If she was raised Catholic she knows of Jesus and His work on the cross for us. She knows that she needs salvation from sin. Even tough she is not "practicing" does not mean she does not have a Christian belief in Jesus. That may be why she said, "I am Catholic". My suggestion is to try to have pleasant conversation with her and tell of what God is doing in your life: answered prayer, guidance from Scripture, overcoming a particular sinful habit, gratitude to God for providing your daily bread. These things can sow her the desirability to seek a closer relationship with God and open doors for other discussions. Whenever I am talking with Catholics and a topic comes up on religion, I try to steer the conversation to the gospel message as having been effective in my life and that I would never go back to not believing in Jesus, but instead, I want to know Him more and learn from His Spirit through the Scriptures. A Catholic really cannot argue with that, and hearing it plants seeds in their heart to begin to yearn for Jesus more than they presently do and step out of their complacency.
Even though it seems hard to believe, according to stats only 50% of the world uses the internet and only 65% have access to it. I live in the US and people assume everyone is connected here, but that's not the case even here. Many rural areas where you can't even get a cell signal either. Many who didn't grow up with it aren't interested in using it. There's even groups in the US that intentionally live without power and without TV. And this is much more so in other countries. Consider North Sentinel Island, where there are people living there who have zero contact with the outside world.
If you've heard of Ray Comfort he does lots of street evangelism in urban areas like Los Angeles and even there, a % of the people don't know who Jesus is. Sounds hard to believe, but you may have to see it for yourself.
So, with these considerations, I do not believe everyone knows who Jesus is. I would say even of those who have heard something about Him, I would estimate that most may have distorted or inaccurate info.
I have heard missionaries say that it is far easier to tell people about Jesus in other regions, like in Africa, in comparison to developed nations that have misinformation already planted. But that doesn't mean we should give up. I personally think showing you care is step one, and if they are interested in you a door might open where they are willing to hear your views. Also, people in need seem to be more open as well, such as homeless. They need God where as others who are more established often assume they don't. There is a lot of information online with memes and it seems like memes, video clips, music, books, and arts seem to be the most influential in my opinion. So, I think spreading the gospel is still a valid pursuit and may take different forms depending on the audience.
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