Comments on: Are Some People More Lost than Others? http://drjeffadams.com/2009/11/20/are-some-people-more-lost-than-others/ Hi! This is my chance to chat with you about anything that pops into my mind. That means it is usually unedited and unpolished, just like conversations with friends ought to be. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and let's talk! Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff Adams http://drjeffadams.com/2009/11/20/are-some-people-more-lost-than-others/#comment-2281 Jeff Adams Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:58:41 +0000 http://drjeffadams.com/?p=2243#comment-2281 My! Great questions. The majority who come to faith from an Islamic background have experienced a dream or vision. But, in each case God has led them to someone who has provided the scriptural truth necessary to compelte the process. So, I don't think we can eliminate the missionary task. While your questions deserve a much more thoughtful response, I do think we can say that in whatever form, mode or setting, no one comes to faith without the working of the Holy Spirit as you suggest in your final statement. Here would fit 1Corinthians 12:3. My! Great questions. The majority who come to faith from an Islamic background have experienced a dream or vision. But, in each case God has led them to someone who has provided the scriptural truth necessary to compelte the process. So, I don’t think we can eliminate the missionary task. While your questions deserve a much more thoughtful response, I do think we can say that in whatever form, mode or setting, no one comes to faith without the working of the Holy Spirit as you suggest in your final statement. Here would fit 1Corinthians 12:3.

]]> By: Rich Tackkett http://drjeffadams.com/2009/11/20/are-some-people-more-lost-than-others/#comment-2280 Rich Tackkett Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:54:08 +0000 http://drjeffadams.com/?p=2243#comment-2280 How about to whom much is given is much required...??? How about to whom much is given is much required…???

]]> By: Debra http://drjeffadams.com/2009/11/20/are-some-people-more-lost-than-others/#comment-2279 Debra Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:52:56 +0000 http://drjeffadams.com/?p=2243#comment-2279 What do you make of the Muslims who came to Christ after having visions of Jesus in their dreams? Is that proof that God will work in those areas of the world even if a missionary never steps foot on the soil? I'm not saying we shouldn't do missions work, but it seems to me that those stories confirm that God is working even when his people may have dropped the ball. And if God works in their lives through dreams, can we really say that they've never heard of Jesus? I'm just thinking out loud. If someone has heard of Jesus in America, but the Holy Spirit wasn't actively working at that time, did they really hear it? Or is the Holy Spirit always working everytime the name of Jesus is uttered? I honestly don't know! :D What do you make of the Muslims who came to Christ after having visions of Jesus in their dreams? Is that proof that God will work in those areas of the world even if a missionary never steps foot on the soil? I’m not saying we shouldn’t do missions work, but it seems to me that those stories confirm that God is working even when his people may have dropped the ball.

And if God works in their lives through dreams, can we really say that they’ve never heard of Jesus? I’m just thinking out loud.

If someone has heard of Jesus in America, but the Holy Spirit wasn’t actively working at that time, did they really hear it? Or is the Holy Spirit always working everytime the name of Jesus is uttered? I honestly don’t know! :D

]]> By: Brendan http://drjeffadams.com/2009/11/20/are-some-people-more-lost-than-others/#comment-2278 Brendan Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:20:24 +0000 http://drjeffadams.com/?p=2243#comment-2278 "Some are lost while surrounded by ... [the] witness of Christ" - these are people who have had someone break their barrier of language and culture but have consciously (sp?) put off or rejected a decision. "The world's population [that] has no contact with believers" - these may have accepted certain truths about God through creation and their conscience, and may possibly be more willing to accept truth when they've heard it. I guess I don't see it as different degrees of lostness, but in terms of attitude of the heart. The first group has a heart that has rejected the gospel more openly and obviously, while the second group is possibly less hindered by the things of the world and so perhaps more open to the truth about God's nature, his love and his plan for salvation. Our priorities? Certainly to be faithful in where we're called, and even more certainly to seek opportunities within our own sphere of influence as well as in the world at large to teach others about the nature of God, no matter where on the spiritual spectrum they may be. “Some are lost while surrounded by … [the] witness of Christ” – these are people who have had someone break their barrier of language and culture but have consciously (sp?) put off or rejected a decision. “The world’s population [that] has no contact with believers” – these may have accepted certain truths about God through creation and their conscience, and may possibly be more willing to accept truth when they’ve heard it.
I guess I don’t see it as different degrees of lostness, but in terms of attitude of the heart. The first group has a heart that has rejected the gospel more openly and obviously, while the second group is possibly less hindered by the things of the world and so perhaps more open to the truth about God’s nature, his love and his plan for salvation.
Our priorities? Certainly to be faithful in where we’re called, and even more certainly to seek opportunities within our own sphere of influence as well as in the world at large to teach others about the nature of God, no matter where on the spiritual spectrum they may be.

]]> By: amanda http://drjeffadams.com/2009/11/20/are-some-people-more-lost-than-others/#comment-2277 amanda Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:25:29 +0000 http://drjeffadams.com/?p=2243#comment-2277 Having attended church my whole life, but not having a relationship with my Savior until I was 30, I can relate to the 'lost at church' people. Once in my early 20s I even approached an alter, but no one from the church acknowledged my presence. I wanted help. I knew at that point I was desperately lost, but didn't know what I needed or how to ask. I am thankful that God honored my true desire to know Him. He didn't use a person to reach me. But my own experience has made me extremely aware of the lost in our church. I never make assumptions. Having attended church my whole life, but not having a relationship with my Savior until I was 30, I can relate to the ‘lost at church’ people. Once in my early 20s I even approached an alter, but no one from the church acknowledged my presence. I wanted help. I knew at that point I was desperately lost, but didn’t know what I needed or how to ask. I am thankful that God honored my true desire to know Him. He didn’t use a person to reach me. But my own experience has made me extremely aware of the lost in our church. I never make assumptions.

]]> By: Unixrab http://drjeffadams.com/2009/11/20/are-some-people-more-lost-than-others/#comment-2276 Unixrab Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:58:08 +0000 http://drjeffadams.com/?p=2243#comment-2276 The answer is: "No" The answer is: “No”

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