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The Price You Pay for Truth

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bambam:
I just don't get it!!  The Bible makes more sense to me now than it ever did before, yet my heart struggles to grab hold to what I believe is the truth now.  Why?  Because of my church.  It just doesn't make any sense at all that a church that is completely blinded to the truth would be so giving, loving, caring and unified!  I KNOW the Devil has decieved the nations, and he is really good at what he does.  But it's just this church, you know.  I was reading in Luke 6:22-23
       
       Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall seperate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
          Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy:   for behold, your reward is great in heaven:  for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

I always thought that when Scripture spoke of persecution, and being hated and cast out, and reproached, it was speaking of wicked men.  Men who you knew hated, and cursed people.  But now I am faced with the fact that the ones who do this are the very people that are in my church (or at least some of them).  I am speculating of course.  No one knows about me yet(except the pastor-barely), and boy are they going to be surprised.  But I can't see them hating me.  Praying for me to "get right with God"  or leave the heresy I have been studying, maybe.  But hating?  That's pretty strong language. 

Then again, I have not shared my beliefs, partially because I am afraid of what people will think, and how they will react.  The other reason is because I am not always able to give a decent answer to questions I have been asked by my family members who know about me.

The people in my church do wonderful things for one another.  They pray.  People's lives have been changed.  I just don't get it.  They are blind but good things still come from there.  Is this the way it works.  Is the deception so deep, buried in seemingly wonderful things that there is just no way out for them.  There is too much joy, and fellowship, and love and peace.  At least it seems that way. 

Then I come to this passage in Luke 6 again, in verse 26.

     Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you!  For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

That hit me like a ton of bricks!  All these men that are well spoken of amongst themselves are false prohets or the followers of them.  It's crazy.  It's backwards.  It's upside down. 

But it's even harder to walk away from when everyone else thinks they are right and you are looney!  At least that's what I believe everyone will think of me-that I am looney!

As much as I wish I could leave, at this moment it would break my husband's heart and scar our marriage-I am not ready for that.  Am I supposed to break his heart and scar our marriage?  I Don't have a serious problem with leaving our church.  I mean I would miss the fellowship in a way, but I am an introvert so I like being alone alot.  But my husband.  He is what keeps me here in this place.  Frankly, I hate it because the longer I stay, the more I struggle with my feelings.  I keep thinking, if I could just break away.  But then my mind goes to all of the great and wonderful things that people are and do there.  But it's all not real?  I can believe that, but to share that?  People not only think I am looney, but they get majorly offended, and can't believe I am saying what I am saying.  Again I am speculating based on my husband and pastors responses to me. 

All I ever wanted-all I ever asked for was the truth.  I just wanted the truth.  Is the truth really this hard?  It would seem so!  What do I do?  I really want to know.  I really want to believe!  I want to love God and follow Him, and if I have found the truth, well, it is going to cost a pretty penny.  That value is not money or possesions, but it's people.  People that I cherish.  Is this the cost?  Is it?

a lover of Truth,
Beth         

Kat:
Hi Beth,

Reading through your post, I think you have come to realize what it is you are being lead to do.  I don't think it's suppose to be easy  ;) 
Maybe you are seeing the fellowship in your church, the giving, loving, caring and unified, but is this the work of the spirit or the works of man?
There are a lot of good things in this world, but it all pertains to the flesh and appeal to our vanity and lust.  We can only know God through the Spirit.

John 4:23  But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
v. 24  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

God has given the Elect a much different way to be prepared and learn at this time.  I am confident that God is doing what is best for the Elect, and we really are being separated from the world, literally as well as spiritually.  I think it must be necessary to be separated even from our family (if they are blind and we see, there is a separation) to be worthy of Christ.

Mat 10:37  He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
v. 38  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
v. 39  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Just keep studying and praying for God's Spirit to lead you and I will be praying too.

mercy, peace, and love
Kat

dawnnnny:
Hi Beth
I understand your dilemma to a certain degree.  Yet at your last question...Is this the cost?
I can't help but think that the answer is yes, that this may very well be part of the cost. 
I'm very new to all these truths but if we long for truth, we have to be prepared for what the sacrifice for it will be.
But I hold close to the truth that He will also take us through it.
It doesn't mean its going to be easy.  I can see even now, that this is a lonely journey.
I can't imagine that my grown kids would "despise" me for my beliefs, yet that is a possibility isn't it?
Yet I also know that whatever He gives me in this life, no matter how difficult, I know He will be there right beside me.
I read all these posts and I start to reply to so many but I feel so inadequate.  I'm not a whiz kid when it comes to having the right verses, etc.  But I have a heart for people who are hurting.  And that is why I'm leaving my thoughts.
Take is slow, take it one day at a time and always remember that whatever price we pay, He payed so much higher a price.....

javajoe:
Beth

What timing was your post!   I am struggling with those same thoughts about my own church. So much of what they teach is spot on, and people are coming to know the Lord, and lives are being changed.  I never ever heard them teach about hell (and I've been there three years), they emphasize changed lives and "getting excited about Jesus", and I love the worship there.  So, I know what they have is the real deal, but I imagine their basic core beliefs are orthodox.  I was going to to tell them about my "ideas" this morning, but fear gripped me and I was afraid of being kicked out.

Yet, I have never been so excited about God as I am since I studied Ray's teachings and joined this forum.  I love God more than ever, knowing He is big enough to save all of humanity (including my unbelieving wife).  Old grudges I have had against people from work and family members (even an old pastor) have disappeared.  I know I need to tell the elders eventually, but maybe now is not the time. Please pray for me and I'll pray for you.

Love In Christ Jesus,

JavaJoe.

Deborah-Leigh:
Hello Beth

Just a few thoughts maybe you can consider....

You say you may be called  "loony". You can bet on it and I believe that will be the kindest of the battery of false accusations leveled against you if Babylonian membership come to see that you WILL NOT BOW to their erroneous doctrines. Expect then to be called possessed of the devil himself and a backslidden heretic.

Regarding their works. Of course they do works. They even work miracles! Works is not what wins merits with Christ. Obedience by taking persecution in the same way that Jesus was slandered, plotted against and finally executed by Church leaders and followers and it is they who are disobedient, profaining the Word, Nature and Character of God.

As for your husband and marriage. It sounds as though your husband knows how you feel and that he has heard you. That is Godly and wonderful that your husband has considered your feelings.he does not have to be directed by what you say. He does have to hear you though and it seems as if he has done his part.

You are already becoming separate to Babylon. I see there is no need to fear for your marriage to your husband if you continue to love, honour and please him! He knows how you feel. You are being made aware of the Truth. God for His Plan and Purpose is not sharing His Truth with your husband right now.  Perhaps God is going to make your husband become aware of the Truth you see, by showing him that you can bear your cross and keep accompanying him into Babylon in order to keep your marriage vows upheld and your husband as leader of your home. Husbands can lead us ladies into the most difficult circumstances that will test and try our faith and obedience to God's Word.

Perhaps  if your husband  sees your submission to him knowing how you feel and the pain it causes to you but that you honour him regardless without trying to manipulate or teach him, it may be how God is going to reach him? One thing you should be doing is staying faithful to what you know is the Truth and not fighting it out with your husband.

God has written this circumstance for you. His Spirit is best to lead, help and strengthen you for what He has written for you to experience, endure and overcome. You do not need to win the favor of men and as Ray has taught in his latest Bible teaching: BOTTOM LINE: IT IS NOT NECESSARY; WE ARE NOT OBLIGATED; IT IS NOT INCUMBENT UPON US; WE DO NOT need TO PROVE OUR FAITH TO THE SATISFACTION OF THOSE WHO DESPISE THE WORD OF GOD! (Ray's Studies/Audio Downloads  Sept 2,2007 Does All mean all? Rays notes for this study )


Jesus has paid the price in full. It is painful yet promises to be rewarding beyond our wildest imagination to follow Him.

Peace be to you, your husband and marriage.

Arcturus :)

 

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