For those of you who watch just to find out what’s for sale… this might not be for you. I am posting a question (I have my own thoughts as to the correct answer) that comes up quite frequently in witnessing.
“I just want to have fun before I become a Christian.”
What does this mean? Does this person already know what it means to be a Christian? If so, then he/she has sat under biblical teaching and understood what was being said… is he/she now accountable? What happens if he/she is in an accident? Has he/she actually made a decision?
I see that he/she is not converted, that he/she has not made a ‘decision’ for Christ, but doesn’t he/she already have the knowledge? Isn’t he/she now making a decision to not follow?
What if there is ‘no later’??
I will chime in. There is a huge misnomer that you can’t have fun if you are a Christian. I believe that you can have fun and live a Christian life. What my family considers fun may not be what another family considers fun, nor might the activities that my husband and I pursue individually be considered fun by another. For example (and I am sure that someone will be angry that I singled out a particular event, but I could list hundreds of examples and I am sure Kristi has a word limit…) attending a ball game with my kids and risking sitting next to a group of folks yelling expletives and drinking beer is not our kind of fun while an afternoon of creek wading and exploring, pond fishing, or eating an ice cream treat at Dairy Queen is.
Will someone who has not publicly professed their faith in God go to Hell? Will someone who acknowledges Christ with their dying breath and not lead a Christian life for others to see, not make it in to Heaven? We will have to debate that at a time when I don’t feel under the gun to hammer out a response…
Witnessing, I definitely have an opinion there… While witnessing and providing a biblical foundation for your argument for Christianity probably won’t garner many points with someone who has ‘already made up their mind’… Quite possibly they know what Christianity entails and they are not prepared to depart from their worldliness? While we are all accountable with part of our responsibility as a Christian being to witness and lead others to Christ, I am not sure that we will be ‘dinged’, for lack of a better word, for failing to convert another person even though we have tried our darndest. I believe that free will plays a huge role in the decision making process of some folks who may just want to wait ‘one more day and have a little fun…’ Lots of these folks are the folks who have issues following rules and just simply don’t like the idea of being told what to do… That is where you, my friend, let your God light shine and let your life be an example so that others might become curious and want the same. Then game on… you share the ‘secret of your success’…
There is that old adage… “You can lead a horse to water”…. yadda, yadda, yadda… I suppose when witnessing you have a limitless supply of water in your trough… right???
SNoe- I agree with you for sure on the ‘fun’ paragraph- most definitely. You’re right, the question was not debating the thief on the cross situation.
I agree with the thoughts in paragraph 3 as well… I am just not sure that my question was clear..
If I have heard the gospel, If I have understood the gospel completely, If I have participated in worship- both corporately and individually If I have not chosen to repent be baptized follow Jesus as Lord of my life, and I make the statement: ” I just wanna have fun before I become a Christian.”
This statement implies understanding of the gospel- it signifies an understanding that the life must change. This statement also implies that the speaker plans on ‘becoming a Christian’ yes? So, if both of these true, am I accountable before God?
Am I saying that He is worthy… but not yet?
Hello blueberry hill family farm folks. First off I just like to say that I love the idea of you guys posting Christian material on your website. What a great way to share the gospel. Also love the fact that you post questions related to Christianity so that visitors can respond to them as well if they choose.
The statement said, “I just want to have fun before I become a Christian.” Then was followed by the question “What does this mean?” obviously anyone making this statement would know what becoming a Christian entails. For example becoming a Christian would mean recognizing that you are a sinner, repenting followed by baptisim, and willing to turn away from that sinful lifestyle whatever that lifestyle may be. In the statement of I just want to have fun….. could only mean that the person’s definition of fun could only be a sinful fun. By this person’s statement it makes me think of them choosing the oppisite of what Moses chose as we see in Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Is this person accountable for their decision? Absolutely yes. Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Romans 14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
The next question was “What happens if he/she is in an accident? Has he/she actually made a decision?” Assuming that you meant the person has died in an accident while in the mindset of I just wanna have fun before I become a Christian, has he/she made a decision? yes. unfortunately a bad decision. Romans 3:23 says for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. So, without repentance a person dies in their sin.
The next question was, “I see that he/she is not converted, that he/she has not made a ‘decision’ for Christ, but doesn’t he/she already have the knowledge?” Revelation 3:16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Isn’t he/she now making a decision to not follow? Yes.
What if there is ‘no later’?? Very good question. 2 Corinthians 6:2
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
May God bless each and every one who read this,
Love in Christ, Jesus
Donald Hale/ House of Prayer Ministries Bedford ky
Exactly my thoughts!