Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Hi back Brother Derek,

Just an update on my son. He really did go through the ringer and came back in some ways stronger than I would. Even as I was apologizing for them he would say to me things like, “What is a Christian but one who needs to prove himself under fire?” and things like that. It made me realize that I, as loving a parent as I thought I was, probably set about defending him too much by not allowing him to fight his own battle and learn his own insights of a tested faith.

Why not? Even Paul was able to encourage and strengthen many by reminding faithful ones that they must “enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations”—not just tribulations from outside but within a so-called brotherhood. (Acts 14:22)

So while I was embarrassed by being in a religion so ready to enforce such stupidity, I respected his conscience to return and fight to expose the truth to such ones. I have since learned to hope and pray they will eventually get it, since if we are to forgive and pray for our enemies, should we not do all the more so for brothers who persecute us in ignorance?

But it was this matter that broke my faith in the structure finally—which I say again: How can a committee of men take away the status of a man who vowed before his God and made good that vow by water baptism? Indeed, if what God binds together in marriage cannot be put apart by men, how is it this new JW disfellowshipping statement can one greater than that—to put apart one’s relationship with God? I am appalled at such licence. The NGO violation along with everything else pales in comparison to this blatant disregard to something as sacred as baptism, and I believe that Jehovah and his Son will not treat it lightly. It is an outright lie.

:heartbeat:

sw

Yes Vickster, I am impressed by your astute discovery. Theo Philus might have been one or many collectively. Indeed, a further scholarly blunder! Thankfully not of terribly evil consequence ... at least in my now more liberated opinion. :read:

:heartbeat:sw

Hi sw,

I think it is perfectly fine to defend who is being abused. If you just watch and let people abuse the oppresed what kind of faith are we practicing? Jesus says to carry each others' burden. When you are defending oppresed, you are just showing your compassion. It is only Christian thing to do. That's how oppresed get strength and courage to go though predicaments and difficulties.

hitomi

Not to rain on your parade, Hitomi but the one being abused has to first want our help. And sometimes the one being abused knows better the reasons for enduring and the issues surrounding the abuse that we do. There were those who questioned why Jesus' Father didn't come to his rescue in the end. If there is no permission for abuse, there is nothing to endure.

Love,

sw

Oh come on, sw, you sound so cold hearted, most times abused don't know how to get help or even feel guilty for asking. Why do you wait to be asked giving support. I don't understand your logic. It sounds just excuse to me. Granted, if abused says he or she doed not need or want help you should stop.

hitomi

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)

Further to this, Isaiah 48v12 has Jehovah speaking and He says, "Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called:I am he;I am the first and I am the last.". Nobody would deny that this was the One who is Almighty, so what do we read about that same One who is the 'first and the last' in Revelation 2v8 - "..... These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again." - I wonder who that might be?