Why is it easier to witness to pagan man vs. moral man? Give some personal examples. BIB 534-1 -3-2

Matthew 23:5-7, "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi." Exodus 28:33, "And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about"

So I would expect that the bigger the phylacteries (leather boxes) that contain Scriptures and the longer the hem the more devote the wearer thought he was. Keeping the letter of the Law and appearance was of the utmost importance. However, Jesus had this to say about appearances in Matthew 23:27-28, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

In my opinion, it is easier to witness to the pagan then these having a high opinion of his/ her morality. Many of the pagans today fit nicely into the category of the New Agers and bounce from one guru to another. I've tried to witness to a few friends in the New Age without much luck but at least they'll listen. Sadly many consider born again Christians to be judgmental which some actually are.

Often a New Age friend will talk about the horrific things done in the name of Jesus. The Catholic Church has been an aid to Satan in turning many away from Christianity. I try to explain that there is a vast difference between Catholic doctrine and the evangelicals who hold to the Bible.

I tried to witness to a close friend who had a short time to live but he would only repeat that he was a good person. I asked a family friend shortly before he died the really important question, “If you were to die tonight where you would spend eternity.” He smugly said “Heaven, I already wrote the check."

I've tried to talk to Catholic family friends about Jesus saying "It is finished" and that adding works is not necessary to their salvation. What I've been told is that faith in Jesus grants salvation to the Catholic, however, keeping that salvation is conditional and repeated masses, etc. are necessary to assure that salvation is kept. Futher, I was told by another Catholic friend that of course you pray to Mary because what better way to reach Jesus that through His mother. In my experience, life-long Catholics are set in their beliefs so I'll pray for them and let God sort it out.