| Author | Message | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 740 Registered: 10-2008 |
What is your greatest fear? When questioning Adventism the fears are enormous. 1.) What if I am deceived? 2.) What if I lose my salvation? 3.) How can I know if I'm really following truth? Fear Factor ... Can scripture deceive you? Can you lose your salvation by reading the Word of God? The Holy Spirit leads those honestly seeking for truth to Truth. And Truth is Jesus Christ (John 14:6) - not dogma, doctrine, or head knowledge. 2 Peter 1-2 talks about being "on guard" against false teachers. But scripture doesn't say to "fear" ... only be on guard. So I challenge those who are lurking, questioning Adventism ... not to fear your questions, rather "test" out your questions (1John 4:1-6). Guard and test, but you need not fear ... People love to take this text out of context ... and it causes those questioning Adventism to fear. But look at the text and the context of the text. 4"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies[a]? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Who can throw you into hell? Is it Satan, man, or God? God is the one that judges ... and it is those who have not planted their feet firmly in Jesus that should be afraid. Where is your fear? Guard, test, through scripture. Seek Jesus and you will find treasure beyond your wildest dreams. The Pearl of Great Price, Jesus, is worth your questioning. He is the treasure worth abandoning all for ... He is the one drawing you to question ... He is the one you really seek ... So, keep questioning, and do not fear ... Go directly to scripture asking for wisdom to know, REALLY know this Jesus - Who is the bread of life. Keri | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 564 Registered: 11-2007 |
My biggest fear was that the spiritual lives of my wife and kids were at stake. Once I had begun to grasp the new covenant, it still was a big hurdle to leave the adventist church as we were taught that they were the remnant. I did not want to condemn my kids to hell by joining a Bible believing church that meets on Sunday. It's a huge decision when one is the spiritual leader of the household. But the point is...the adventist church is not a Bible believing church. There are too many teachings that are directly opposite and contrary to the Word of God. That is why they printed their own version of the Bible. I guess it boils down to making a choice. Trust your spiritual lives, and the spiritual lives of your family, to the everlasting and unchanging Word of God or put your trust in some 150 year old writings that can not hold up to Biblical teachings. Surfy | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1125 Registered: 11-2007  |
This is the bottom line Keri - wonderful post. If I had not been willing to trust the Word of God and the Holy Spirit- when I trusted no one else, I never would have had the courage to test anything. Yes at times the fear would be very strong, but I wanted the truth so badly. It took several years for all to finally become clear, but now the fear is gone and there is peace, joy, and love that I never had in my life before. It's so worth it. There should never be fear in testing. We are commanded to test - so it's an act of obedience - if you want to talk about obeying the commands of God, start there. Sondra | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 1774 Registered: 5-2007  |
My greatest fear? Not that these are fears, they are more like concerns: 1. When teaching from Scripture, my concern is to really understand and teach what God is really saying. Having escape a cult theology, the last thing I want to do is introduce a another false theology that blinds a person to the 'simple gospel message'. 2. My wife's health is such that she depends, to a large extent, on my help. My concern here is that I may reach a point where I am not able. 3. Two out of three of my kids are not living godly lives. Consequently, several of my grandkids are very worldly in the way they live. In all ways, the Lord has always provided, so what have I ever to fear? Fearless Phil |
