| Author | Message | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1613 Registered: 7-2007 |
My dad is a former Adventist who never accepted Christianity. I have the feeling that he was raised in the most works oriented brand of SDAism, so he threw out God as well when he left Adventism. I thought I'd copy and paste a letter I wrote to him and my stepmother last night. My dad probably didn't and won't read it and my stepmother would probably "run interference" anyway and never let him read it. (She was in a cult of her own before marrying my dad.) Here it is: Dear Daddy and -----, Happy New Year! During this past year I've learned more about God and the Bible. One thing I've learned is that once a person is saved, they STAY saved! I would never have dreamed such a thing back when I was an Adventist, but there it is in the Bible in plain black and white! * "For by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:8 (the apostle Paul couldn't have said this if believers weren't already saved.) * "your sins are forgiven you" 1st John 2:12 (the apostle John was telling the believers that ALL their sins; past, present and future were forgiven.) * "God has given us eternal life" 1st John 5:11 (the apostle John couldn't have said this if the believers didn't POSSESS eternal life right then - now!) Daddy, I wasn't taught the obvious meaning of these texts when I was an SDA, and I'm sure you weren't either. We also were taught that we had to ask forgiveness for all our past sins and keep striving in order to be saved. The Bible makes it clear that when a person ACCEPTS Jesus as his Lord and Savior, they are SAVED that instant. They don't have to do anything - not go apologize, ask forgiveness, or anything! The apostle Paul told his jailer to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31) Daddy, we've been duped, you and I by a big false church that adds to the gospel making it no gospel at all. NO PART of obtaining salvation is up to us, except our initial accepting of Jesus - which you didn't do as an Adventist because you always thought YOU had to do part of it. If you're wondering how we're supposed to "be good;" that's the Holy Spirit's job, Who indwells us when we accept Christ, but His work doesn't save us. That's accomplished the instant we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Love, Dianne | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 7020 Registered: 9-2006  |
Dianne, my heart goes out to both you and your Dad,and of course also your brother whom I think a lot of. I don't know your Dad of course, but I am always interested in what my children have to say. I'll pray that it touches his heart. River PS. I wish you would have gone ahead and came to Roseburg with Handmaiden, I would like to have talked with you face to face. | ||
| Lifeanew Registered user Username: Lifeanew Post Number: 248 Registered: 10-2007 |
Asurprise, We would have loved to meet you too in Roseburg, so much enjoyed meeting Handmaiden and everyone else. Our prayers are always with you. Happy New Year! Praying for your Dad. Jan & Bob | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 1191 Registered: 12-2007 |
praying | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 8879 Registered: 3-2004  |
Dianne, that is a beautiful letter to your Dad. I pray that God will use it to cause dissonance in him and lead him to search his Bible. Father God, use this letter in only ways you can use it to reach this Dad. Dianne loves her Dad, but you love him more. Thank you awesome God for loving this Dad and bringing him into Your fold. Diana L | ||
| Bb Registered user Username: Bb Post Number: 865 Registered: 7-2004 |
That is a precious letter, Dianne, and a precious prayer Diana. I add my prayers too. | ||
| Psalm107v2 Registered user Username: Psalm107v2 Post Number: 801 Registered: 10-2008  |
Dianne, As a father I can say it is beautiful. your love for him and the clarity of the gospel are evident. I pray it touches him---I know it has touched me Enoch |
