They're Not Christian

[Youssarian]

There are friends of mine who I know are not Christians, and they know I am Christian. I've discussed the faith with them at some time in the past and they were, obviously, unreceptive (up to this point). They were at best neutral about it. I actually find it somewhat awkward to chat with them on the Internet (I don't get to seem them in IRL) because there's often this feeling of, "Whoa, they don't believe in God." When I do chat with them there is that weird feeling at first but after a little while it passes and I feel comfortable engaging in deeper conversation with them.

Or other times, I'll hear of someone doing something in the news and while they're discussing this cool thing the person did I'll think to myself, "But is the person a Christian?" If there's no obvious mentions of faith then I find myself not quite as excited as everyone else may be.

This is sort of a bother for me. I think it's reasonable to wonder if someone has accepted Jesus, but on the other hand it shouldn't make things awkward or unnecessarily sobering. Does anyone else ever experience this? Does anyone have advice on what to do concerning this?

[IMINXTC]

There will always be that friction, I reckon - that sense of separation and awkwardness. Regardless of how successful I might or might not be in witnessing to unbelievers, I'll at least make a point of identifying my faith and wait for further opportunities.

Your website is wonderful, by the way. The Lord will bless and use it, no doubt.

[lovex]

I used to struggle so badly with this. I found myself not wanting to go around others that didn't believe in Christ because I knew there would be awkwardness and a clear separation between me and them.
Then, Jesus revealed to me that If I truly call myself a "Christian", where is my love for those who do not know Christ? How am I too reveal to them what God has done in my life when I won't even associate with them? God saw me, the unworthy sinner that I was, and for some reason, He chose me. I am called to share the Gospel with others, I am called to care about the souls of those who do know Christ and who do not know Christ.
One question that I ask myself all the time when there is that temptation to judge or to avoid the awkwardness is... "What makes me think that God loves them any less than He loves me?". Hope this helped...