> Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship
Keeping my lamplight to myself. (Rather trivial but...)
Linny:
I think I'd ask her what she believes one must do to be saved. In that you agree-confess that Jesus is Lord. If you are a believer in Jesus as Lord, why must you agree with other church teachings? Ask her for the scripture that says one must believe in hell to be saved. Obviously there is none so what in the world is she so worried about you for? If you are a believer in Jesus as Lord, why must you agree with other church teachings?
I stick to this and repeat that you have no interest in debating the other things at this time. You're saved even by her standards so why is this such an issue for her?
G. Driggs:
--- Quote from: Astrapho on November 30, 2009, 01:24:07 AM ---
--- Quote from: Linny ---"I have no interest in debating you. I appreciate that you are concerned about me but you can trust that I am right where God wants me to be. I am a student and not a teacher at this time."
--- End quote ---
Ahh yes, I told her a lot of times that I don't want to debate. But she is one of those hellers who sincerely does not want people to go to hell and therefore must preach to them until they accept, so she insists on talking to me (I managed to drag it till tomorrow). And she's one of my closest friends. So I don't really know what to do. Should I tell her the gospel (at the risk of turning teacher though I'm certainly not qualified)? Or should I tell her exactly what I quoted above (keeping my lamplight to myself)?
In the meantime, time to roll up my sleeves and pray to be able to do more good works... :x
--- End quote ---
I think Linny gave you good advice (as did everyone saying the same thing), and by saying what she told you to say, you would actually be shining your lamplight by avoiding a debate. Your lamplight is not what you say, it is what you do. I did not fully realize this until you started this thread, so I must thank you for that. Now these Scriptures makes a lot more sense to me.
Psa 119:105 NUN: Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
Pro 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life;
Pro 6:24 to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman (Babylon?).
Jesus is that light, He is our example on how to live, how to walk righteously in world of darkness, and people will notice what you do more than what you say, and quite possibly persecute you for the way you live through Christ. I think once a person begins living right by God, and repenting, then they will begin to talk right.
Joh 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
Luk 1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
So let your lamplight shine and let them taste your salt by what you do, no need to hide it.
Mat 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and to be trodden underfoot by men.
Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the grain-measure, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Luk 11:33 No one, when he has lighted a lamp, puts it in a secret place, or under a grain-measure, but on a lampstand, so that they who come in may see the light.
Luk 11:34 The light of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is sound, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
Luk 11:35 Therefore take heed that the light in you is not darkness.
Luk 11:36 Therefore if your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the shining of a lamp enlightens you.
1Jn 1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Ray really knew what he was talking about when he said salt and light do not make noise.
You told your friend that you dont want to debate, so let your lamplight shine by not debating whether she likes it or not. Your lamplight through Christ IS your good works and not just what you say.
Sincerely hope this helps and encourages you, because you have helped me understand some things by your questions.
Peace, G.Driggs
cjwood:
--- Quote from: Astrapho on November 30, 2009, 01:24:07 AM ---
(It would be made so much easier if she would visit bible-truths.com, but she flatly refuses to go to "any other website that's contrary to my pastor's teachings". :()[/u]
--- End quote ---
hi astrapho,
i highlighted the statement above, which your good friend has said to you, because it pretty much says it all. she is blinded by the teachings of her pastor, rather than desiring to know the teachings of her Saviour. bottom line is that she cannot force you to discuss or debate anything! don't let her intimidate you because she continues to try to force her beliefs on you. stand strong in the faith which God the Father has given to you. He will not leave you. EVER!
claudia
Astrapho:
@Linny: She's a Oneness Pentecostal. You know, must be baptized in water, and "speak in tongues" to be saved. I haven't done the baptizing part, so she's been pressing me all year. Made up lots of excuses...
@G. Driggs: Wow! That is great stuff. I didn't really give it much thought before you pointed them out, I think I understand it better now as well. The part that stuck out the most:
--- Quote ---Mat 5:15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the grain-measure, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
--- End quote ---
That's a world of pressure off my back. The better choice seems clear, I've decided to just not debate, and if possible, call off the little talk, because really, I'm not interested in her teachings. I pray and hope that her friendship is true and that we'll remain friends after this... (Her whole life revolves around her church. D: )
@Claudia: Yep, you got it, she intimidates me. D; But I guess I'll have nothing to fear if I just refuse to debate or anything. :9
Thanks everyone! I hope I'm not annoying anyone by asking so many little questions... :-[ But as always, very valuable advice.
Ninny:
Oh my gosh! Astrapho! The way your learn is by asking questions! Everyone has given you good words..and yes debating is not where it's at with your friend! You know you have our prayers..You don't need to debate! You just stand in what God has done for you! ;)
Kathy :-*
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version