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Question on Sharing UR
PKnowler:
I haven't been around for awhile so "hi" ya'll. How ya been? If I could jump on in there with a question. I thought this would be a good place to ask. I have been thinking about some things and I am perplexed. Do you think that we should share our revelation of Universal Salvation with others? Should we boldly proclaim it? Or keep it to ourselves? Should we only share with Christians so we do not make non-Christians stumble and feel no need for Christ? Or does it even really matter if we share with Christians since they are already saved? At what risk should we acknowledge this hope? The loss of friends?
Do you think sharing this info with non-Christians would make them put off accepting Christ?
I would like to hear what you all have to say.
Thanks!
~Paula
rrammfcitktturjsp:
Paula,
Hi. Good to see you. Okay I am going to address your questions one by one and there may be some Scriptural overlap so please bear with me.
1. "Do you think we should share our revelation of Universal Salvation with others." - Yes for the simple fact of the Great Commission. It exhorts us to go to all ends of the world with the Good News. Now what is the Good News? That would be John 3:16.
2. "Do you think that we should boldly proclaim it? - Do you know where Paul is talking about how he is boldly proclaiming the good news? I am sure it is in one of the epistles but the gist goes something like this, "Therefore brethern exhort[or encourage] one another as long as it is called Today." [AGAIN - I apologize for messing this Scripture up, if I have.] What better way to encourage eachother and others than boldly proclaiming the Good News.
3. "Or should we keep it to ourselves." - Jesus did not keep salvation to himself. It was for all men. There is a Scripture that says - God is not willing that any man should perish but that all men might come to be saved and to know him. No we should not keep it to ourselves. Universal salvation is for everyone. Universal - in the essence of the words demands to be shared with everyone.
4. "Should we only share with Christains so we do not make non-Christains and fell no need for Christ." - All mankind feel a drawing to a higher power in this case God. God has predestined all of us to come to know him. Everything that happens is in his perfect and holy will. The bible says that nothing can thwart the will of God. Yes we need to share with these people. God uses all circumstances and all words to his purpose. We will not be able to discern all his purpose, but he knows.
5. There is a Scripture that says that he comes not in peace but to divide or with a sword. Mothers against Fathers. Parents against children. No matter what happens, all will come together in the end. We are not commanded to understand this fully, we are commanded and exhorted to spread the good News. Ray is an awesome example of spreading the Truth no matter the opposition. He has faced so much trouble from the people that are so entrenched in Babylon, yet he still stands up for the truth. That is what God tells us to do.
So more points to add to this. Remember when Jesus was telling his disciples when they would come into questioning about their faith, he said that the Holy Spirit would prompt them as to what they should say. Jesus does not change and will not change. When we are witnessing the good news we need to let the Holy Spirit prompt us and be careful that we do no let our own emotions and agenda get in the way. If you are going to share the Good News, say a prayer that the words that Jesus wants to be shared with that person, will come out of your mouth and nothing more and nothing less. Nothing can go wrong this way. Sure you may face opposition, but remember the opposition that Jesus faced when he preaching the Good News. He faced death, but in the end to a glorious purpose, and truth triumphed. It looked like the end of the world before the end came.
A song that I reminded of I want to share.
"I'm pressed but not persecuted.
Struck down but not destroyed.
I am blessed beyond the curse
for his promises endure
His joy is gonna be my strength,
Tho sorrows may last for the night
Joy comes in the morning.
I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my pain,
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord."
And what is the joy of Lord? The Good News.
Share and share and share. I read somewhere else in another thread, it is NOT us who bring people to the Father, it is Christ and the Holy Spirit that brings them to the Father. We are merely tools that accomplsih this purpose. And what an honor this is.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Anne C. McGuire
gmik:
Hi Paula, good to hear from ya! Ray has written an article about witnessing that should help you. As much as I like what Anne had to say, boy, thats hard to do.
I am going to be with relatives next week and I am dreading if this should come up. Like if they say, "How's church been?" Uh, I haven't been in 6 months. Then they say "why not" then I say...,...here is where I am stuck! Actually I really don't want to talk about it at all. They are way into Christendom and think we are deranged the way we have hopped around these last 30 years.
The last time I tried to talk to a friend about this they were very polite but didn't want to know anymore. The time before that I shared my excitement w/ a best friend who did not believe one word even w/ all the scripture I presented. The very first time I talked about it after discovering Ray's site it was almost a knock down drag out!
So....Ray's article is a Godsend. It has helped me not feel guilty to not say anything, but also to answer back in love about the hope that I have IF anyone asks me.
Love,
gena
Kat:
Hi Paula,
I'm glad to see you back :)
In regards to your question.
If it is God's will for us to share what we have learned, He will cause a person to ask.
1Pe 3:14 But if you also suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, nor be troubled,
1Pe 3:15 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear;
1Pe 3:16 having a good conscience, that while they speak against you as evildoers they may be shamed, those falsely accusing your good behavior in Christ.
I have spoken of the Truth to family members and a few close friends a little, mainly to tell them I was not going to church anymore.
I don't live close to my extended family, and we've never discussed it since then, because they have never ask anything more.
If they did ask I would be glad to share with them or anyone, but I do not try to explain the Truth or even bring it up to anyone.
That is how I handle it.
It is a solitary journey of studying and learning.
I am so thankful for the forum, this is a wonderful place of fellowship.
This is a resent email to Ray.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2537.0.html ----------------------
Dear Beth:
Don't try to convert anyone. Be the best wife, mother, and friend that anyone could have, and THAT is the best thing that you and everyone else can do (unless you are a man, then, of course, the best husband, etc.,). You will never, ever, ever win someone over by a clever argument with the Scriptures. There are two reason why I do this and you shouldn't: [1] I am being a witness AGAINST all the heretics that attack me and the Truths of God, and [2] my answers to their foolish and unscriptural arguments are a great teaching tool for all those who read our site and who visit our Forum.
But in my private life, I do not try to convert, convince, change, etc., my neighbors and acquaintences. I will tell them the truth about God and the Scriptures, but I do not make a pest of myself. If and when people ask you, give them only as much as then need and are willing to accept. If they desire more, they will come back.
I would suggest you buy a Emphasized Bible by Joseph Rotherham. It is on a par with the Concordant Version, and it is Old and New in one volume, plus you can find it at any large Bible Book Store, and it will probably be considerably less expensive.
Don't study to be a scholar. Just learn what you need to know. Learn it until you know it and believe it, not so that you can win a debate in a room full of theologians. Things like "aion/aionios" will become clear after much study. "Free will" may also take awhile. Some fight it for years before they accept it. I personally immediately accepted it when I saw it and I was delighted to know it, as I was when I learned of the salvation of all. I find it hard to understand why so many hundreds email me and still think that they find Scriptures that contradict the free will/free choice heresy. Anyway, don't become discouraged.
You can certainly accomodate your husband's desire as much as is possible without partaking of his religion with him. I can certainly sit in a church and listen to a minister teach his heresy, without sinning. I would have no reason, however, to do this on a regular basis. Just give it time. "Don't be righteous over much" (Ecc. 7:16). God will direct your path. And who knows whether God will not begin to open your husband's mind in the future.
God be with you,
Ray
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mercy, peace, and love
Kat
rocky:
1Ti 4:10 (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind,
1Ti 4:11 especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching.
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