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Motivation to be involved in church

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mharrell08:
FYI: http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,13551.0.html

After looking at this email, and other comments from my time here on the forum, it seems that fear is the greater motivation to be involved in church. When I first read Ray's papers and responses from detractors, it seemed that hate for one's fellow man was the primary motivator to follow the church's doctrines.

But it seems that more and more people are just going with the majority view in fear of what would await them after death. Almost as if, to believe in hell and free will is 'playing it safe' because of the unknown after one's demise. Of course when I say unknown, that is from their perspective.

Has anyone else noticed or thought on this?



Marques

Craig:
That is most of my family.  They hope I'm right but fear taking a chance.

Craig

Rene:

--- Quote from: mharrell08 on October 14, 2011, 09:14:11 AM ---FYI: http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,13551.0.html

But it seems that more and more people are just going with the majority view in fear of what would await them after death. Almost as if, to believe in hell and free will is 'playing it safe' because of the unknown after one's demise.


--- End quote ---

Of course they are motivated by fear.  That evil doctrine of eternal torment in a place called "hell," is a scary thing. :o  I understand why they would be fearful, those who believe this, or think that hell is a possibility!

I thank our Creator every day for blessing me with the spiritual truths I have learned.  We are free from such fear. :)

René

JohnMichael:
That would definitely be what keeps the "deceived" going to church. They fear what will happen if they make the vengeful, petulant, vindictive god of Christendom angry. If only the Light of Truth would be revealed to them, that their fears could be destroyed, and they would have peace! All in God's timing though.

(MKJV)
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has to do with punishment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

2 Tim 1:7
For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The "deceivers," on the other hand, I would say are motivated out of lust for power, pride, and greed.

In Him,
John

Samson:

--- Quote from: mharrell08 on October 14, 2011, 09:14:11 AM ---FYI: http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,13551.0.html

After looking at this email, and other comments from my time here on the forum, it seems that fear is the greater motivation to be involved in church. When I first read Ray's papers and responses from detractors, it seemed that hate for one's fellow man was the primary motivator to follow the church's doctrines.

But it seems that more and more people are just going with the majority view in fear of what would await them after death. Almost as if, to believe in hell and free will is 'playing it safe' because of the unknown after one's demise. Of course when I say unknown, that is from their perspective.

Has anyone else noticed or thought on this?



Marques

--- End quote ---



Hi Marques,

I recall having a fear of Annihilation(Endless Death State) as the result of leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses. On an intellectual level, I could see some inconsistencies with some of their beliefs prior to fully disengaging myself from them, but the " playing it safe " concept that you mention in your last paragraph was a critical motivating factor towards staying within that System as long as I did.

Between 2000-2004, I developed the concept that they were in error in some ways, but I didn't know of anything better, at least in the Denomination sense. I had the mindset during those years that no Church System was without error, but I didn't know where else to go. The passage at Deuteronomy. 18: 19-22 had a liberating and calming affect in Me. There are other Scriptures that helped Me to move forward and never look back, but if I had to choose one particular passage of greatest influence, it was the above.

Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Deu 18:20  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Deu 18:21  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.  (DO NOT BE AFRAID OF HIM).

This intense fear of a Church System immediately left Me, what a relief, but I didn't know what to do or where to go. I pretty much knew that the Mainline Orthodox Church Systems didn't have the answer and believed that there error was even greater, except that most of them didn't have the intense Legalism of the Watchtower System.

I believe that an Idol of the Heart where an individual considers themselves better than others and too "good" to receive some type of Endless Punishment is a prime motivating factor. The concept that it's going to happen to someone else and not Me, because I'm more special and superior than others is part of the spiritual blindness that they still possess and until they start to look inwardly at themselves for who and what they are, a Sinner, not worthy of anything through there own force of Will, the scales that lead to spiritual blindness won't be removed. Instead of the emphasis being: WHAT I DO OR DID, it needs to shift to: WHAT GOD WILL DO, DOES OR DID. God has to replace THE I in ones thinking before the process of spiritual progress becomes evident. Just My take regarding your thread.

Kind Regards, Samson.

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