12-15-2009, 03:42 AM
This is from Willa,
Never thought before that we are so far from God that Love has to be a command.
...........So, is it the thing to do to get yourself out and leave everyone you love behind - to save yourself and sacrifice your whole family to the error of the WT? We know how this religion treats people - would it be prudent for a family man to turn heel to those he's been directed by God to protect and care for, knowing they will be 'directed' to not even speak to him about spiritual matters? How then are seeds of truth to be planted with them? How do we know that the Lord hasn't moved our brethren to be patient while he works on their loved ones hearts and minds? To me that really is suffering for Christ's name!
The fact of the matter is that we don't know how our brethren still in have chosen to handle the predicament they've found themselves in. I would rather trust that they too are being guided by God's spirit to say the right thing at the right time for it. Yes, I think they are really under a trial of faith, and a tested faith is a refined faith through perseverance.
Jesus had the authority to speak with God's 'tone', in perfection - you're not Jesus. You're a brother just like all the other brothers - with faults. Faith in Jesus covers your sins just like he covers all believers' sins - or don't you believe that? Or did he die just for those who now believe as you do, so differently than you formerly believed?
There's a good reason we're admonished over and over to not judge one another - because we don't know what's going on in others' hearts - we don't know how much they think about how to word things so they're not dismissed as 'apostate'. We don't know how often they bring attention back to God's Word and away from WT words - we just don't know! I believe they're doing what they can do with what they have to work with, and why should I believe otherwise? How do we know that they've not actually been 'planted' there by God in order to lead others out? How do we know that God is not working directly through them to accomplish His will for them? You can't do anything if you're not on the 'inside'. I can't imagine Jesus wants them to abandon their families to the wtbts. To stay and work conscientiously towards the truth of Christ, however it can be seeded, and wherever it can be revealed, takes more guts and willpower than I'll ever have. I was alone as a Witness and I left alone without much fanfare. If my daughter and granddaughters had ever joined the WT, I have no doubt that, knowing what I now know, I would be there with them, trying my best to get them out. Would you tell me that's wrong? How did you come to learn it was not 'the truth'? Did someone walk up to you and literally blast you with the news? Did you accept it at once, or did you painfully come to your own conclusions step-by-step? Was it an instant revelation, or a progression of learning fact vs. fiction? It was difficult for us all, some more than others, or have you forgotten?
I have a profound love and respect for these folks because it takes REAL love and dedication to go against the established 'rules' to do what you know is right. Their first instinct might be to run away as fast as they can, taking the easy way out for only themselves. But they've obviously taken more than themselves into consideration because saving only yourself is selfish- not a word I would use to describe any of these brethren who've found themselves in that unenviable position. To assign them the fault and blame for what's happened to them is wrong. Throwing ultimatums at them from one narrow point of view is wrong. Judging them as not loving Jesus enough is wrong. Accusing them of not loving truth is wrong. There are many facets to this controversy, but by none of them we are allowed to judge another's conscience towards God and Christ Jesus. Not one person here, or there, owes any of us justification for their actions in this regard, and yet justification is demanded of them time and time again. :readthis:
Just one 'little' thing Jesus asks us to do - a commandment directly from him - "love one another".
How did that turn into such a huge request? He actually had to make it a command - a necessity!
Why do we think we need to put limits and conditions on our love for others who also love God and His Son? Isn't that one thing we couldn't stand about the wtbts?
And yet we can't break free from it and really learn to love through thick and thin - God-like love, Christ-like love, pure, encouraging, enlightening and uplifting.
We know it when we feel it, so why is it difficult to 'pay it forward'? We're a weak and pathetic bunch I tell ya... we need saving - from each other and ourselves!
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
If either of you feels anyone here has caused you discomfort because of their actions or inactions (which we don't know unless we're mind-readers, and we're not), then please forgive them and leave them in God's capable hands, knowing He's able to work things out for the best for them. Help them however you can, especially by praying for them and their families. Lift up without putting down. Let them know they're being sincerely prayed for and they're loved and not forgotten - such encouragement can make a world of difference, you know - on all sides, giving and receiving.:grouphug:
:peace:
Never thought before that we are so far from God that Love has to be a command.
...........So, is it the thing to do to get yourself out and leave everyone you love behind - to save yourself and sacrifice your whole family to the error of the WT? We know how this religion treats people - would it be prudent for a family man to turn heel to those he's been directed by God to protect and care for, knowing they will be 'directed' to not even speak to him about spiritual matters? How then are seeds of truth to be planted with them? How do we know that the Lord hasn't moved our brethren to be patient while he works on their loved ones hearts and minds? To me that really is suffering for Christ's name!
The fact of the matter is that we don't know how our brethren still in have chosen to handle the predicament they've found themselves in. I would rather trust that they too are being guided by God's spirit to say the right thing at the right time for it. Yes, I think they are really under a trial of faith, and a tested faith is a refined faith through perseverance.
Jesus had the authority to speak with God's 'tone', in perfection - you're not Jesus. You're a brother just like all the other brothers - with faults. Faith in Jesus covers your sins just like he covers all believers' sins - or don't you believe that? Or did he die just for those who now believe as you do, so differently than you formerly believed?
There's a good reason we're admonished over and over to not judge one another - because we don't know what's going on in others' hearts - we don't know how much they think about how to word things so they're not dismissed as 'apostate'. We don't know how often they bring attention back to God's Word and away from WT words - we just don't know! I believe they're doing what they can do with what they have to work with, and why should I believe otherwise? How do we know that they've not actually been 'planted' there by God in order to lead others out? How do we know that God is not working directly through them to accomplish His will for them? You can't do anything if you're not on the 'inside'. I can't imagine Jesus wants them to abandon their families to the wtbts. To stay and work conscientiously towards the truth of Christ, however it can be seeded, and wherever it can be revealed, takes more guts and willpower than I'll ever have. I was alone as a Witness and I left alone without much fanfare. If my daughter and granddaughters had ever joined the WT, I have no doubt that, knowing what I now know, I would be there with them, trying my best to get them out. Would you tell me that's wrong? How did you come to learn it was not 'the truth'? Did someone walk up to you and literally blast you with the news? Did you accept it at once, or did you painfully come to your own conclusions step-by-step? Was it an instant revelation, or a progression of learning fact vs. fiction? It was difficult for us all, some more than others, or have you forgotten?
I have a profound love and respect for these folks because it takes REAL love and dedication to go against the established 'rules' to do what you know is right. Their first instinct might be to run away as fast as they can, taking the easy way out for only themselves. But they've obviously taken more than themselves into consideration because saving only yourself is selfish- not a word I would use to describe any of these brethren who've found themselves in that unenviable position. To assign them the fault and blame for what's happened to them is wrong. Throwing ultimatums at them from one narrow point of view is wrong. Judging them as not loving Jesus enough is wrong. Accusing them of not loving truth is wrong. There are many facets to this controversy, but by none of them we are allowed to judge another's conscience towards God and Christ Jesus. Not one person here, or there, owes any of us justification for their actions in this regard, and yet justification is demanded of them time and time again. :readthis:
Just one 'little' thing Jesus asks us to do - a commandment directly from him - "love one another".
How did that turn into such a huge request? He actually had to make it a command - a necessity!
Why do we think we need to put limits and conditions on our love for others who also love God and His Son? Isn't that one thing we couldn't stand about the wtbts?
And yet we can't break free from it and really learn to love through thick and thin - God-like love, Christ-like love, pure, encouraging, enlightening and uplifting.
We know it when we feel it, so why is it difficult to 'pay it forward'? We're a weak and pathetic bunch I tell ya... we need saving - from each other and ourselves!
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
If either of you feels anyone here has caused you discomfort because of their actions or inactions (which we don't know unless we're mind-readers, and we're not), then please forgive them and leave them in God's capable hands, knowing He's able to work things out for the best for them. Help them however you can, especially by praying for them and their families. Lift up without putting down. Let them know they're being sincerely prayed for and they're loved and not forgotten - such encouragement can make a world of difference, you know - on all sides, giving and receiving.:grouphug:
:peace: