OH NO!!! I'm in trouble!!! She wants to talk about it tomorrow. D: D: Oh no!!!! I blurted something about telling her that "I know what Revelation means and it's not about the end of the world"... AHHH!!!! Oh no oh no oh no!!!! I know I'm not going back to her church either way but I can't help panicking. She says she wants to tell me something "incredible about the rapture". She says she wants me to go to her church next Sunday. I told her, "No, I don't believe what your church believes anymore."
I can't help but feel that she'll pin me down tomorrow. How am I going to explain why I don't believe in hell? How am I going to explain why Aionios doesn't mean everlasting? How am I going to explain why free will doesn't exist?
I know I'm just being paranoid and that it's up to God to decide if she'll understand or not... But I'm still scared for some reason.
(Edit: Oh, and did I mention that her PASTOR will be involved?)
Sorry for necroing this thread, but I couldn't stand the pressure.
Hi Astrapho, I could be wrong about this but I dont think it is very important you need to prove anything to anyone, especially if you are not prepared. It might be best to tell them (like you did) you simply do not believe what they do any more and just leave it at that for now. I have been struggling with this lately also, so just so you know we are (possibly) in the same boat.
Here is an excerpt from 'Winning Souls for Jesus?-Two Billion Strong and Counting…?' @
http://bible-truths.com/souls.htmCertainly we should all follow Peter’s admonition to:
"…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [reverence]" (I Pet. 3:15).
But God has not called all to be teachers:
"Not all are apostles. Not all are prophets. Not all are teachers" (I Cor. 12:29, Concordant Literal N.T.).
LIGHT AND SALT DON’T ARGUE OR MAKE NOISE
"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 Café 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.
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I probably needed this more than anyone right now, but I hope it helps you and relieve a little pressure. Salt and light makes no noise.
Maybe whats most important right now is that you "come out of her", study and learn these truths and live them.
Peace, G.Driggs