> General Discussions
Persecutions
mharrell08:
--- Quote from: aqr on June 15, 2009, 12:00:17 PM ---Hi meee,
One counsel i can give you, do not ask for persecution, it will find you and really turn up the heat in GOD'S TIME. While you can, learn, rest, and be prepared to give an answer for your faith when asked.
george. :)
--- End quote ---
Well said George...also Mee, try not to look for ways to show or prove your faith. The Lord knows exactly how much faith you have because He gave it to you...He'll increase as He determines your readiness.
Like George said, rest, study, keep the faith...and be prepared as fiery trials are always right around the corner.
Marques
Roy Martin:
Meee, I certainly agree with George and Marques. The scriptures I quoted weren't to encourage you to bring persecutions on yourself by going about looking for a fight.
Don't feel alone when people you thought were so Godly don't come inquiring.
Its almost daily that I get to tell someone about what I have learned here, and still learning, but mostly of how I've grown in Christ now that I know the truth. Funny thing is most people I share with will say, well that makes sense, or, Ive always wondered about that, or I never thought about it like that.
I won't let myself get into debate, but I sure don't have a problem telling anyone about the true and real God, of what I know.
Peace
Roy
meee:
OK guys, I see.
Roy, I don't want to ever debate either, I'd never ever win. I remember Ray Smith saying, "don't go there " That has stuck with me.
How,when ,where, what comes about though ,I'll trust Holy Spirit to take it and run with it.
I appreciate the replies guys.
hugs,meee
Samson:
--- Quote from: meee on June 15, 2009, 10:50:44 AM --- I'm re-reading #3 LOF papers.
I'm just wondering if we are to suffer persecution for our faith and we are, then shouldn't we tell all, what we're believing?
I've left Babylon, but haven't told them I've left. My hubby is still in Babylon, and hasn't once said, if anyone even bothers to ask where his wife and grandson are. I'm pretty much a home body and don't belong to clubs or a Bible study group anymore . I haven't asked Elmer if anyone ask where I am either,sooo~~~. I know some that have many followers of our Lord, for friends, but since leaving Babylon haven't told their friends what they believe, so they are persecuted either for their belief.
Ray wrote:I can tell you on the authority of Jesus Christ, God’s Word, and the Apostle Paul, that unless you are SUFFERING real PERSECUTION, you are NOT a follower of Jesus Christ nor are you living godly in Christ Jesus! pg 31
Now, I have suffered after telling my sister some things, but are we to tell the church we last attended , why we are not attending anymore and tell any friend we might have that believes on the LORD?
I guess my main question is, shouldn't we be telling all? Not keeping it hid until, maybe we're asked, then tell?
Thanks for listening, hugs,meee
--- End quote ---
Hello Mee,
I thought this excerpt from Winning Souls for Jesus from Ray might help, I copied and pasted this for you.
See below in Blue.
"Ye are the salt of the earth… Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:1,14,16).
Salt does not make any noise, and light does not argue Scriptures. Neither salt nor light makes any sound whatsoever. Maybe there is a lesson in there.
Too many people learn a few truths of God and think that they are ready to take on the world. They usually start by trying to embarrass their Pastor with their new-gained knowledge. Usually they fall flat on their face on the very first try. It’s all about motivation. If your motivation is carnal, God will not back you. Yes, I know, all of you are saying: "But my motivation is to show them God’s truths." Yes, sure, I understand, but THEY DON’T WANT TO HEAR GOD’S TRUTHS, and you already know this, so what is your point? Leave them alone and let them taste your salt and see your light and admire your good works, and perchance they will even praise God for your new-found humility,
You will never argue anyone into accepting the truths of God’s Word. As salesmen are often taught: "You might win the argument, but loose the sale," so don’t argue. And this: "He who is persuaded against his will; is of the same opinion still."
I receive a lot of emails from people who beg me to come to their rescue because they are about to have a second session with their pastor or friend, but have failed miserably on the first go-round. Now they want me to give them the ammunition they need to do a slam-dunk on their second attempt to embarrass their pastor or friend. Give it up—that attitude is wrong. Such a carnal exhibition of prideful flesh is akin to someone looking for a street fight merely because he has just acquired a black belt in karate.
HOW TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH
I personally know a man who has his little wife working two jobs to support their family so that he can study the Scriptures and enter into doctrinal debates with other Christians at the local Caf� as a perpetual hobby. Notice the admonition of the Apostle Peter:
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation [Gk: ‘conduct’] honest [Gk: ‘honorable’] among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may BY YOUR GOOD WORKS, [Not your clever Bible arguments], which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (I Pet. 2:11-12).
Your good works and righteous character will pay dividends to others eventually—if not in this life, then in the Judgment.
Sorry Mee, the above was supposed to be in blue, instead it's in black, my comment is in
blue instead, below is the paragraph that I thought stood out and believe me, if anyone on this Forum loves to tell
others about Judgement in Righteousness, Chastisement is temporary, All Mankind is eventually going to be saved, Jesus really is the Savior of the World; 1John.4:14, 1Tim. 4:10; 2:3-6; Isaiah. 26:9; Matt. 25:46; etc,etc. I'm a
former JW and enjoyed telling others about the Bible, but as the paragraph I'm emphasizing below shows, if they
don't want to hear it, you won't convince them anyway and Spiritual Darkness can't comprehend Spiritual Light,
until God removes the darkness, first.
But my motivation is to show them God’s truths." Yes, sure, I understand, but THEY DON’T WANT TO HEAR GOD’S TRUTHS, and you already know this, so what is your point? Leave them alone and let them taste your salt and see your light and admire your good works, and perchance they will even praise God for your new-found humility,
The above paragraph from the excerpt of that Sub-heading from Ray stood out for me.
Hope this helps, Samson.
P.S. Sorry for the color confusion.
Roy Martin:
let them taste your salt and see your light and admire your good works, and perchance they will even praise God for your new-found humility. Good words Sampson.
It never seizes to amaze me how one minute I think I'm right about something and the next minute someone here puts out something that makes me grow in truth and wisdom, and my carnal thinking slowly bites the dust, loving every minute of it every time it happens, and it happens all the time.
Who says eating humble pie isn't good, especially with whip cream and pecans.
Peace
Roy
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