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Meeting with a pastor- what would you do
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: Nikoa on November 17, 2008, 01:32:32 PM ---
Sometimes I read on this forum that we shouldn't share what we know and that if it's God's will then He will lead them out. How would he lead them out if it wasn't for someone who spoke the truth?
--- End quote ---
Hi Nikoa,
Sorry but I must have missed all the replies that stated we should not share with others, what I have seen though is the following verse being quoted often when this topic presents itself....
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
We are admonished to be ready when asked! If the Lord is dragging someone to His truths He will open their eyes and ears as well as provide a conduit to provide this wisdom to them, many of us here have had the experience of rejection from those we wish to enlighten, unless the Lord is leading it we become a source of anxiety to those we are attempting to teach.
--- Quote from: Richard D on November 17, 2008, 02:09:11 PM ---
My advise to you my brother is this, when he comes over for dinner ask nonchalantly if he had found the time to read the papers you gave him, if he says yes great see what he thinks about it but if he says no, enjoy your dinner and let it go because its up to God to open ones eyes.
I would say that Richard provided excellent advice here.
Peace,
Joe
--- End quote ---
David:
Whatever happens, I hope your expereince is better than mine was. My Pastor hasn't spoken to me since and refers to me as a son of satan at any given opportunity when talking to poeple that I know.
aqrinc:
Wow Roger,
I think i detected humor in that reply ???.
Nikoa,
I echo Roger, Joe and all the Brethren who counsel you let it be until or unless your pastor reads and asks you
about the truths you provided to him.
Be confident that: He who has begun a good work in your pastor will not fail to complete it.
Phi_1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ:
Rest in The Lord Brother,
george.
indianabob:
Dear Chad, (Nikoa)
This is Indiana Bob and I would like to tease you just a little bit. ::)
This will be friendly and compassionate yet disturbing in a way.
This pastor as many others, is a really nice fellow and you and your wife like him and appreciate him for the work that he is already doing, right?
Then why would you want to ruin his life, drive away his friends and cost him his job that he loves? Why would you or I want to bring hatred and anger into his presently peaceful, fulfilling life? I am sure that your answer will be that you do not wish him any trouble. To the contrary you wish him only joy and success with his responsibilities as pastor of the church you are both attending. Since that is your true motivation and since you have carefully read all the suggestions and personal experiences that others on the forum have offered, please consider prayerfully the drastic action you are about to take.
Only God has the authority to call any person and he does not delegate that authority to any of the "little ones" such as me and you. We were dragged into the understanding of the truth and are finding it quite difficult to live with. However, we respect that God can do as He wills with us and we know that even that respect was a gift from God.
We are learning that we will possibly lose most of our friends and even our relatives due to their lack of understanding. We are with this forum because it is so difficult to find someone to talk with candidly and honestly in our home area or at work etc. With this in mind then please consider what you would be asking your pastor to give up; his whole church. Perhaps 100 families and the relationships that he and his wife and any of their children have built up over the years of his pastorship. I think you will recognize as I do that it would be giving up a lot and would mean finding a new job in another field.
So, as I said at the top, this was going to be disturbing and I imagine that I sound pretty mean spirited at this point so I hope you will forgive me for having been overly direct while trying to drive home my point.
We cannot call others, we cannot determine when others have been called and are ready to learn more, we can only be a light and be an example and be ready when our light becomes attractive to another person in such a manner that they recognize the source of that light and seek a relationship.
When a person is called of God and has an earnest of God's holy spirit we who also have that spirit immediately recognize it. It may be shining dimly at first and would be hard to recognize until a believer has had more experience. It is like being in a foreign country and hearing our native language spoken in a crowd. We can recognize it quite easily.
When the language is that of our Lord Jesus, we sheep pay attention; we know our masters voice. So, I pray that you will be content with the seed that you have planted and patiently wait until God calls the pastor and Jesus works with him at the correct time in his life. Meanwhile enjoy the fellowship as long as you can remain faithful to what God has given you.
Finally, please allow me to welcome you to the family and please feel free to critique my comments here or by private message if I need correction.
Kindly, old Indiana Bob
Linny:
Wow, Indiana Bob, that was truth. If we plant a seed, which you did Chad, and nothing happens, then the ground was not fertile for it. Leave it alone.
Joe is also right, we don't say here that you aren't supposed to share. Only that you share with God's leading. It will be RARE that He leads as there aren't that many called to know these truths.
In my experience, MOST the time I share when asked a question that I cannot answer unless I reveal the truth I know. Only one time have I been called to speak without the question. And then, I simply asked my friend if she had any church doctrine that was bothering her and she quickly replied that going to heaven immediately when there is but one day of judgement, and the rapture bothered her.
Wallah, I had my answer! She WAS ready!
IMO, if you want to keep this relationship, say nothing unless he asks you a question....
Lin
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