Does It Really Matter? I Think So!

Just sitting here sipping some green tea and thinking about what a silly, selfish ass I have been. Hmmm Why are you not surprised?
Had an older friend in So. Ca. who recently passed away; a good (as much as we humans can manage that), decent, kind, compassionate, and moral person. So, what's the problem?
I never really spoke to her about faith. She said she was Christian, and seemed to live it, and so I never pursued it. Now I will never know.
None of my business, you say? Wrong.
She was my friend. She was a part of my life. It was my responsibility to share Jesus with her, to open a dialogue with her, make sure that her spirit spends eternity with God, not separated from him. Not a popular concept these days, but right now, I really don't care.
It is careless and thoughtless of me not to do as God commanded with anyone I come across, but there is NO excuse for me not to have done this with someone I called a good friend. No excuse.
Tonight, I have a North Carlina friend lying in the ER there and things are not looking good. Another "good" person who professes Christianity, and so another one with whom I have not taken the time to ascertain what that means to them. 
While I like to keep an open mind and heart, I believe as the old song says, "You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything."
Although I respect the rights of others to make their own choices, part of my choice in being a Christian is accepting the great commision of Christ; telling others about Him and His word. 
In talking with another friend recently, I found that what he calls his "mainstream" church does not have missionaries or altar calls, although there is apparently a lot of tradition, pageantry, and "fellowship". Nope, not judging or criticizing. It just made me more aware that the label "Christian" is not one size fits all. He does not believe in a lieteral Hell (embraces a lot of Rob Bell thoughts apparently), and does not believe the Bible to be the literal or infallible Word of God. Shock does not begin to describe my reaction. The fact that he told me he knows of several pastors of congregations who agree with this really saddened me. On what do these people base their faith? I don't understand it.
He went on to say that essentially it doesn't matter what one believes as long as they are a good, decent person, treat others well, and live a good life. Apparently whether one is Buddhist, Hindu, or whatever is of no consequence, because a good and loving God will welcome all to Heaven...his view, not mine.
How can one claim to be a follower of Christ (who said, "I am the way the truth and the light and no man comes to the Father, except by me") really believe that? Seriously! 
He says because he believes in God and Jesus he is a Christian. News flash! That devil, in whom you also don't believe, believes in Jesus too. He talked intimately with him. It's in that book you don't accept.
Unfortunately I was so shocked and upset that I know I did not present my case well at all. Possibly it is not my calling to do so, but merely to pray for the enlightenment of such people.
Does that sound wimpy? Or just arrogant? I am sure that he found what I said to be the latter, and I regret that. It was statements and attitude borne out of love and genuine concern for the immortal spirits (I used to say soul, but know better now) of him, his church friends, and the pastors he spoke of.
Side note: I believe we are spirit (God is a spirit, and we are created in his image, right?); we have a soul (heart and mind); and we live in this temporary flesh called a body.
These witnessing thing is something I must truly give more thought to...and invest much, much more prayer into.
 It is much easier to share Jesus with someone who says up front that they don't believe in God or Jesus, than with those who say that they do...but they just don't believe in this or that or whatever...esp. those who cannot or will not accept the Bible. There are enough translations of it nowadays that there should be something which strikes a chord with anyone/everyone. It is not just a good book of nice stories and fables. It is the inspired Word of God, and I never realized how much that meant to me until challenged on it.
Yes, I need prayer too!
Please pray for my patience, insight, and wisdom in dealing with people so that I may do so with the pure and genuine love of Christ in my heart...and with no other agenda than the benefit of the person with whom I am speaking.
Fanatic, you say? Ok. Call me what you will. So be it.  I can stand that more than knowing I missed another opportunity to share the Word and Love of God with someone else. These are things that I will have to give account of someday. God help me.