How can I get my girlfriend or boyfriend to convert to Christianity? Does the Bible say anything about how to convert a boyfriend or girlfriend to the faith? Should I break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend if they reject Jesus Christ?
Converting a Boyfriend or Girlfriend to Christianity
According to the Bible, you can never convert anyone by your own power, but the Holy Spirit can work through you to reach a lost person. The Bible teaches that it is God who calls everyone:
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44
If a boyfriend or girlfriend is “forced” or “coerced” to convert to Christianity, then no true conversion has taken place. Instead, the Bible says we must be born again:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3
A true conversion involves repentance of the heart/mind. Repentance means a “change” in mind. A person must turn from sin to Christ, and place their faith and trust in Him.
No one else can do this for them. You aren’t a Christian because you attend a church or have a membership. You aren’t a Christian because you are in the choir. You aren’t a Christian merely because your parents were Christians. I can’t force you to choose Christ, your boyfriend/girlfriend can’t make you choose Christ–you must choose for yourself!
If you want the water of life, you can come and drink freely. Christ died so that you may have life:
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 4:10
Sharing the Gospel
Even though you can never coerce or force someone to accept Christ as their savior, you can do a good job of representing Christ to your loved ones. Let them know how Christ has changed your life. Let them know of the love and peace you have in your heart.
Furthermore, be such a great example that your boyfriend or girlfriend can’t help but notice. In fact, Peter instructs wives to be so pleasant in conversation that they may even help influence their husbands to be receptive to God’s calling:
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Peter 3:1
Lastly, you can help to encourage faith in Christ by teaching the Bible. Reading the Bible regularly is one of the simplest ways to build faith:
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17
Is It a Sin to Date a Non-Christian?
Yes, the purpose of dating is to establish a relationship that can potentially lead to marriage. Remember that the Bible has strict warnings of being “yoked together” with someone who is not of the faith, and this is especially true of marraige.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
“Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly” (Deuteronomy 7:4).
It is a sin for a Christian to enter into a marriage with an unbeliever. If your boyfriend or girlfriend refuses to accept Christ, the relationships should end. That may sound harsh, but the hard truth is that it may end much messier later on, anyway. Many preachers can sit and tell you of the messy divorces they’ve witnessed because a person thought they could convert someone to Christianity after marriage.
Are you saved from your sins? Have you placed your faith and trust in Christ? If not, I urge you to do so today.