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The Price You Pay for Truth

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YellowStone:
Hi CIY,

Your post really got me thinking, so much so that I held off this response fopr several hours. Oh sure, I fully understand that what I am about to say maybe exactly what you meant; however the Scriptures that you quote were used often during my church days and I feel that they may mean different things to different folk. Which is why I am posting my take on them. :) There is no attack on you at all.


Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

This verse was always confusing to me, for did not Christ come to save the world and not judge? (Jhn 12:47) Why then the need of the sword, was it to maim, hurt or kill his children. I do not believe so; the sword is for humanity as shears are to a fruit tree. Christ will shape his people, ridding them of carnal inclanations, prideful thoughts, hate, anger and lust, thus pruning his people. This of course can happen in any number of ways.

 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Once again, if one looks at this at face value, one might think that there should be no peace between loved family members; that there should be no love at all. But, this is not what is being said. Rather, as one becomes shaped according to His good will, a variance will occur that may be counter productive to the status quo. What should one do? Well walking away from Christ is failure just as walking away from loved ones, leaving them to defend for themselves. The division in thought and belief is NOT for our punishment, but for our growth. How can one learn the fruits of the Spirit if one does not endure? Christ endured to the death, giving his life for those who did not even recognize him. His people must be wiiling to do the same, and any division should be seen for exactly what it is. :)

 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

This follows pretty much from the following verse. Yet, what are we instructed to do with our foes/enemies? We are to love them and never stop praying for them. (Mat 5:44) Is this not unconditional love, a fruit of the spirit?

 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Ah, and this is a tricky one. Man has a somewhat tainted view of love. Love has many facets which has been brought out in Joes thread on love. What Christ is saying, is that one cannot love ones family and Christ at the same level. Personally, I have only been able to truly love my family since Christ has opened my heart and soul to him. I Love my family VERY much, but NOT instead of Christ, but BECAUSE of Christ. There is a huge difference!! :)

 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
 
This was another tough one for me; how was I going to take up my cross and follow Christ? What would I need to do, sell or my stuff? Dress in sack cloth? Memorize the bible and study day and night? Make a cross and drag it behind me? :) Nope, none of the above. What was Christ signafying by dragging his cross? Well to me, it was to signify the struggle it is to trust God with ones life, by letting go of everything and trusting God completely. My cross is a metaphor for my carnal nature that seeks always to drag me down. I cannot escape my nature or the world, yet I must bare it on my shoulders but keep it away from my thoughts and my love for God. This requires perseverance, faith, trust and a lot of prayer. One cannot do this on ones own.

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Of course this verse might mean that if one loses ones life for Christ, one will find the real life; however, I believe the greater message is not about how one dies, but rather about how one lives.
an without God has only a perception of life. Let's eat and drink for tomorrow we die" Isa 22:13 Many are beginning to clone themselves for use in the future, no trust there. No hope either. :)

One must let go of this life and trust God in everything. This means letting go of past beliefs and traditions. Only then can one begin to live the real life and the peace and fulfillment that this life brings. Psalm 23 is a perfect reminder of this.

Well this is how I see it. Comments welcome. :)

Love in Christ,
Darren

Deborah-Leigh:

Hello GregR

I too went to Bible Colledge and without the Truth to compair, I too went around with my eyes wide open SHUT! :D Only His Spirit can bring understanding and until such time, I too went through thinking I knew if not all, well, most of it having not a clue!

They are truly blind leading the blind! Nothing helps blindness except HIS healing Spirit.

I believe these two scriptures show an interesting characteristic of God when seen to witness one to another.

Rom 10 :17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If you continue reading on from Rom 10:17 you will see that even though Israel heard, they did not obey...

1 Cor 1: 21...it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Faith and belief are the same thing and those who believe not in lip service with hearts far from God but those who believe and OBEY, are those who are in receipt of the Grace of God opening their eyes and not only their ears to hear sounds without meaning and precepts upon precepts without understanding.

I too have been in the hearing but not seeing Church deceptions. I really believed I knew what I knew was the whole truth and nothing but the truth and then God helped me!

Peace be to you

Arcturus :)

bambam:
My husband found my post here and took it to my pastor.  I went to meet them and my pastor says that I have gotten into false doctrine.  I believe he saw in me the lack of desire to admit that I have gotten into false doctrine.  I felt horrible sitting there feeling in my heart that my pastor is wrong.  I think my husband is thinking that pastor would be able to convince me I am wrong.  I am not trying to prove anything to anyone!  I just do not want to live a lie.  However, living a lie may be the only thing that keeps my home and family unified.  

I have to leave the forum.  I am just not strong enough.  I am just going to read my Bible and pray for the answers.  My husband and I are "leaders" in the church.  A position I knew I would be in someday when I married my husband.  But now, I do not want to be in this position, but my husband thrives on his church ministries.  They give him joy and happiness.  If I do not "give up" this "false doctrine", my pastor cannot allow me OR my husband to be in leadership.  We can still be members, but not leaders.  I understand that because he does not teach and my church does not believe what I do.  

The catch is my husband.  I love him dearly, and never wanted to hurt him.  He can have his ministries-but in my heart I know the truth.  Even if I am not strong enough to stick by it (which makes me sad and angry at the same time.), my heart cannot run away from it.  

I just feel, though, that if I have to come before the pastor and "recant", (no matter how nice he is, and sweet and loving, this is what he has in essence asked me to do) then I will not be able to deny the truth.  

It will destroy my husband and maybe my home.  I don't want that but I do not want to lie either.  My heart aches.  But I have to move on and care for my family.  We began our schooling at home today and it has been extremely difficult to keep my head in the game.  

It is with sadness and regret that I leave, but it is for the best right now.  My husband's trust in me depends upon it.  Thank you for your consolation and counsel!!  I will miss it here!   :(  

Still held in God's hands,
Beth

YellowStone:
Beth, my heart and prayers go out to you.

Please never try to second guess God. :) He knows you better than you yourself. He will not test you knowing you will fail; rather that you will learn. That he has planned this is clear, even though what it is may not be. Hang in their dear sister, be supportinve and loving of your husband. Who knows what may come out of this.

Trust in God with all your heart :)

Love,
Darren

Deborah-Leigh:
Hello Beth

My husband and I were also both in Church leadership. The Pastor split us up as we used to attend Leadership Meetings together as a UNITED couple and we were too much to handle. In order to gain the upper hand, I was kept in the Pastors meetings and my husband was placed in another group run by the Pastors sidekick. This was all done to divide and rule us. The strategy failed. I still and neither would my husband, bow. We began to get the tacit support from the membership and this really threatened the Pastor. So we were demoted out of leadership! What a PROMOTION!

Shortly after, I posted a thread here on the Forum that I think carries some of the pain I was feeling at the time called I am Struck! It was a real shock and there was no weaning off of Babylon. I was CUT OUT.
What a BLESSING.

I believe what you are doing to stay in peace with your spouse is what the Lord would also approve. HE knows your heart. I do not think it was by accident that your post became available to the Pastor and your dear husband! You are being dragged and being dragged is painful.

Please keep reading Ray Smith. He is your teacher from the Lord not some deceived, arrogant, hypocrite who would have a marriage put at risk rather than loose one of his leaders or members!

Did your husband read the thread here or only the post you posted, I wonder......

Peace be with you

Arcturus :)

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