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what does God require of us?

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wisdom:
Before I elaborate on my question I would like to give everyone a brief description of me and what I have been going through lately( I apologize if this becomes lengthy but I need to talk to someone and you guys are the only people who can understand what Im going through) I am a 31 year old black male( not that race matters) who grew up in the projects of in Watts, California. I was raised in a single parent household for the majority of my life my father was killed in my neighborhood when I was 12. My mother raised me and my two brothers alone on her own. My mother means the world to me. After the death of my father she never remarried or even had a boyfriend for that matter. She was and is a woman of God and faith( just as her mother is and my fathers mother also) . She tried her best to raise me the right way,kept me going to the baptist church every Sunday as she was brought up. I thank her for that, even though I did take part in certain things that happened in my rough neighborhood ,God brought me out of that. I decided when I was about 25 to rededicate my life to God( seeing that a lot of my peers were going to jail for long periods of time or being killed) it seemed like the most logical thing to do along with constant nagging from my mom. So I decided to take some evangelical classes so I can share the good news around my neighborhood, to close friends and other family members who were not in church. I feared they were in danger of hellfire for the most part so I wanted to be able to intelligently inform them of this teaching and answer any questions they might have. To make a long story shorter I saw contradictions in their teaching and I was discourage until someone pointed me to Ray Smiths website. Instantly after reading the letter to John Hagee( who I was previously a HUGE fan of) I felt a huge weight, sort a speak, lifted from my shoulders. Initially I had planned to just read part of it, I thought I had a couple of minutes to read Rays objections and it turned into several hours. I shed tears of relief and joy and couldn't wait to share the news with my mom and others who I studied the bible with. Sadly, they didn't see what I saw. Even though my mom was overly joyed to see me with a new found hunger for the truth of Gods word and not have an interest for the streets as I did in my youth, she did not( and still does not) agree with Rays teaching even though he backs everything up with scripture, which I was taught was essential in understanding the truth. This is a very difficult situation for me seeing that I can't even help her to see the TRUTHS of Gods word as she tried to help me. I can't worship with her or my grandmothers because I see no reason to attend their church and they refuse to accept the truths found on this website. It hurts me to see them being decieved especially because they love the Lord with all their heart. I know that it is God who has blinded them to his truth but why? Why has he shown them to me and not them? They are more deserving than me! ( I know only God can answer these questions I'm asking out of frustration). My mom is so loving, so kindhearted, so humble, the BEST mom ever. She still stays in the projects, doesn't have a lot of money and tithes regularly. Still no husband she lives alone. I'm not doing so good either so I can't really help her. It hurts me to see that the only thing that brings her comfort in life is believing these lies and false doctrines of the church. So a lot of times when I want to discuss God I change my mind because I feel that I'm taking away the only thing that gives her joy. See my dilemma? That's why my question is what does God require of us who know the truth that has close family members and/or friends who don't. Who are still following the traditions of men and think they have the truth. I get very emotional and discouraged sometimes thinking about this, but I'm very thankful and greatful God has given me you all to talk to in times like this. T appreciate all comments and God bless all! 

judith collier:
Wisdom, others more versed than myself wiil answer soon. All that I want to say is, YOU are a GOOD SON !!!!!
Don't fight your mother on this in my opinion.
Only God can open a lie of the mind. It is very ingrained in your mother.
Love, Judy

arion:
I can't tell you why God does what he does when he does.  Nobody can.  Why would God make Ray endure this cancer and so much suffering when it seems to me that Ray could do a lot more good being healthy, doing more teachings and conferences and being used as a sharp tool in the masters hand.  Why does he suffer so when so many others have such an easy time of it?  The apostle Paul had some insights to this.  You look at other members on this board who have/are enduring incredible trials and it seems to me that what I have to go through is so insignificant. 

I'm reminded of the potter and the clay.  God indeed is soverign and he does as he pleases with us in the manner which he chooses.  He has a master plan and we now know (unlike the members of your family and my family) that the end result in the ages to come will be salvation for all.  First the evil and then the good.  We must taste evil in this life and endure before the good comes.  It's our part and parcel but we know it's for a much greater purpose. 

God has a plan for your family and he is working that out even as we speak.  On issues like this it comes down to having faith in our loving heavenly Father.  He will have you where you need to be when you need to be there and he will do the same for your family members.  Just rest in the Lord and know that he has it all figured out.  I would also suggest backing off on doing much sharing with them at this point.  They don't want to hear it and it will only cause conflict.  The time may come when they ask you of the change in your life and then you are free to share.  I concur with your consternation because you would think that most Christians would be overjoyed to hear of the truths of the eventual salvation of the entire human race (albeit not all in this age) but you find the most resistance with the Christians and not the world.  It took a long time for God to bring me around on this issue but he opens our eyes when he wants to.  A blind man or a blind woman can't see no matter how hard they might want to or how hard you want them to.  They are blind....the blind can't see!!  It's simple but it's also a profound revelation.  God has to open their eyes to his truths in the right timing for them.  It's the only way and it's just the way God does things.

wisdom:
Judy thanks for your comments/compliment. Arion thanks for your input and advice and may God continue to bless both of you!

Joel:
Greetings,
For sure, only God can open blinded eyes to the Truths of his Word.
What does God require of us?
Micah, 6:8
He hath shewed the , O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Matthew, 22: 37-40
Jesus said unto them, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Joel

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