Witnessing to family

[1John2:15-17]

This may sound dumb to some, but I'm truly lost on this one.

I've been estranged from my parents for over 2 years, and my 3 siblings for varying amounts of time, mainly because I choose to separate myself as best as possible from worldly things and follow Jesus Christ.

When I was baptized (immersed in an IFB church) 2 years ago, my parents felt slighted that my "sprinkling" as an infant was not enough. When I tried to explain the differences (gently), I was told I was wrong. Over the past 5 years my relationship with my parents has deteriorated to where we haven't "spoken" for over 2 years now. As I have tried to explain things to them (based on the Bible), I get total resistance.

In recent weeks my heart has been heavy over my lost family. I have recently tried (again) to witness to them with basics (do you know where you will go when you die, are you saved, etc.), and have been met with replies of "you've gone off the deep end," "I'm not interested," and "I'm saved because of my church, my good works and because I'm a good person."

Is there a time when one exhausts attempts to witness to lost family and "shake the dust off his feet" and move on (but still continue to pray for them)?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom....I'm all ears.

[1Timothy115]

This may sound dumb to some, but I'm truly lost on this one.

I've been estranged from my parents for over 2 years, and my 3 siblings for varying amounts of time, mainly because I choose to separate myself as best as possible from worldly things and follow Jesus Christ.

When I was baptized (immersed in an IFB church) 2 years ago, my parents felt slighted that my "sprinkling" as an infant was not enough. When I tried to explain the differences (gently), I was told I was wrong. Over the past 5 years my relationship with my parents has deteriorated to where we haven't "spoken" for over 2 years now. As I have tried to explain things to them (based on the Bible), I get total resistance.

In recent weeks my heart has been heavy over my lost family. I have recently tried (again) to witness to them with basics (do you know where you will go when you die, are you saved, etc.), and have been met with replies of "you've gone off the deep end," "I'm not interested," and "I'm saved because of my church, my good works and because I'm a good person."

Is there a time when one exhausts attempts to witness to lost family and "shake the dust off his feet" and move on (but still continue to pray for them)?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom....I'm all ears.

My wife is a member of the Roman Church so, I do understand. Continue to pray and don't make them mad. Here a little there a little, as often as you have an opportunity to show forth the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ but...think on this verse I just memorized last week for doctrines here at OB.

2 Tim. 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentence to the acknowledging of the truth;

[OLD fashioned preacher]

My in laws hated my guts for 15 yrs, tolerated me for another 10. They blamed me for making a "religeous fanatic" of their daughter, threw us both out of the house once and my f-i-l shook his fist in my wife's face once.

Continue praying and seeking the occasional times when they "set themselves up" (like the time my fil mocked my wife w/, "you afraid if you don't go to church you'll go to Hell?" she replied "no Daddy, I can't go to Hell", he asked "why not?" so she told him -- he went ballistic).

4 yrs ago (on her death bed) my mil allowed my wife to witness to her (she didn't get saved), a yr ago my fil got saved @ 82 -- he died Mon @ 83. It's been 31 yrs since we got married.

[John81]

It's much the same with my family. I keep them in my prayers but unless a door opens, especially one they open themselves, I don't talk "religion" with them. It came to a point where they were just hardening their hearts more and more and would attack as soon as I said anything even remotely "religious". Best to back off, pray and await any good openings to say the right thing, but not to push for such.

It's very sad and so difficult.

[irishman]

This may sound dumb to some, but I'm truly lost on this one.

I've been estranged from my parents for over 2 years, and my 3 siblings for varying amounts of time, mainly because I choose to separate myself as best as possible from worldly things and follow Jesus Christ.

When I was baptized (immersed in an IFB church) 2 years ago, my parents felt slighted that my "sprinkling" as an infant was not enough. When I tried to explain the differences (gently), I was told I was wrong. Over the past 5 years my relationship with my parents has deteriorated to where we haven't "spoken" for over 2 years now. As I have tried to explain things to them (based on the Bible), I get total resistance.

In recent weeks my heart has been heavy over my lost family. I have recently tried (again) to witness to them with basics (do you know where you will go when you die, are you saved, etc.), and have been met with replies of "you've gone off the deep end," "I'm not interested," and "I'm saved because of my church, my good works and because I'm a good person."

Is there a time when one exhausts attempts to witness to lost family and "shake the dust off his feet" and move on (but still continue to pray for them)?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom....I'm all ears.

Hi Cubfan, I am Irishman. I have had a similar experience as you have. I prayed for 15 years to see my mother saved, and the Lord did sweetly save her. My parents wanted me to marry the girl down the street; they resented my wife, and openly mocked me when they came over to our house; to them, it was her fault that I got saved, and quit drinking with my dad, etc. It hurt, yes, but I did not have to prove anything to them, I had only to answer to Jesus. As time went on, I withdrew from them, and eventually my mother wrote me and said that I needed to give up this "religious stuff", or lose my family. I sat down and bawled when I read it. I wrote her back and told her that I do not want to lose my family, and that I love them, but I am not going to forsake Christ. I told her its too late, I'm hooked, and the next move is up to her. I told her that i could live without her if I had to, but I did not want to at all. She had also warned me not to be a "fanantic" like my aunt was, (that's what I told her it was too late for). I told her that I wanted to get as close to the Lord as I could. There were a lot of trials along the way, and a ton of witnessing (She was Catholic, and told me that of all the religions I could have chosen, I had to be Baptist!) They did not like Baptists.) I had (over the following years) witnessed to her from every angle imaginable, but she could not quite grasp it, she kept saying "I'm all right, don't worry about me".

Anyway, my advice is don't quit praying. Our God is a wonderful God, and He wants her saved too! He will save her in due time, in answer to your prayer. Believe that; prayer is the very best thing you can do for her, along with the subtle witnessing, and a pure testimony. Pray diligently, every chance you get, and watch the Lord work in her life. That is the best advice I can give you.

[1John2:15-17]

Thanks for the input/wisdom to those who have replied.

At least with my parents and my sister, we are about as far apart as family can be.

However, I will heed the wisdom of continued prayer of course.

[jose_abeliever]

This is happening to me also. I just back off and pray. (its been awhile since i prayed for them, if i really love them, id pray for them. Thanks to God becuase my dad and mom are saved)