I Have this Friend…Who Doesn’t Believe In God Or Trust The Bible | I Have This Friend, Part 3

I have this friend…, pt 3
I have this friend who doesn’t believe in God or trust the Bible

“I have this friend who doesn’t believe in God or trust the Bible.”

Barna Research: Atheism has grown from 11% in 2003 to 21% in 2018. 6% of American adults have a biblical worldview.

Subjective Truth

What does my friend think, feel, or believe?

Truth is subjective and relative

Objections:

There can’t be just one truth religion or way to God

How could a good God allow suffering?

The Bible feels like a straightjacket

How can a loving God send people to hell?

Isn’t the Bible a myth? You can’t take it literally!

Romans 1:18-20

.…who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart;”

What does the Bible have to say…

John 18:37-38

I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens tomy voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?

”Truth is not subjective, it’s a subject—more specifically, it’s a person!

John 14:6

“I am the way, the truth, and the life”.

John 8:31

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Trust in God’s Word is directly related to faith in the existence of God

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

1 Corinthians 15:16-20

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins….19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

How do I have meaningful conversations with this friend…

1. Ask open-ended questions

2. Honor them as a person who thinks differently than you

1 Corinthians 5:12

For what have I to do with judging outsiders?

John 13:35

They will know we are Christians by our love

3. Be ready to give a defense for your faith

1 Peter 3:15

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

4. Avoid heated debates

What is one prayer that I can consistently pray for them…

2 Cor. 4:4

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

“Lord, just as you opened the eyes of the blind when you walked this earth, would you be sogracious to open the spiritual eyes of my friend to see you, to believe in you, and most importantly, to follow you.

”What next step do I need to take…

1. Know the Bible

2. Invest in your friend’s life

3. Share Your Story

4. Pray as if it depends on God (because it does!)