| Author | Message | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1590 Registered: 7-2007 |
For a long time now, I've been talking to my relatives to try to get them to "see." I realize that the Holy Spirit is the only One in the end Who can reach them, but He often uses us. My brother's pride has gotten in the way: "I TEACH the Bible!" he's said. (He preaches the sermon once a month at the SDA church he goes to.) And the rest have various excuses. One of my sisters who I frequently email is the queen of excuse making. If I "paint her into a corner" she simply won't respond to the email and she won't talk on the telephone about what I have to say concerning Adventism not being Christianity. (She lives a long ways away. She moved two thirds across the U.S. to marry her conservative SDA husband. I suspect THAT is the reason she won't "get it.") Here's the latest in my many emails to her. This time arguing against her EGW worldview about WHAT the "mark of the beast" is: quote: Dear -----, There IS a power that's both political and religious that wants to take over the world. It's not just a bunch of hoodlums who spray paint "Islam will dominate the world" in public places such as here: (scroll down to see my own comment) http://www.jihadwatch.org/2009/12/british-war-memorial-defaced-with-islam-will-dominate-the-world.html Organizations such as CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) - something like that - are working extremely hard in the United States to bring this country under Sharia law. And Islam would fit perfectly the "mark of the beast." Are you ready, should you be faced with the prospect of starving, to refuse rather than say the short two sentences that declare alligence to Islam? Or whatever else the "mark of the beast" should turn out to be? More importantly, are you covered by the blood of the Lamb? Or do you have some of your own works/strivings in your hand? Ellen White said that a person is saved by the grace of God and their own diligent effort. The E.G. White Estate in the internet is an excellent place to find what EG White wrote. Or you can look in the Great Controversy; chapter 24 (In the Holy of Holies) - just a few paragraphs into the chapter. Look and see for yourself. You have the Great Controversy. I'll copy and paste EGW's words here: quote: "Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil." Love, Dianne What troubles/successes have the rest of you had? I can kind of "see" where they're coming from. I was so certain because of the line up of "proof texts" which I didn't know were taken out of context; that the SDA church was the one true church. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12097 Registered: 12-2003  |
Dianne, I understand. There's nothing so frustrating. A related frustration is those who are "formers" but have deep resistance to trusting the Bible and to entrusting themselves to the Lord Jesus. I dear friend reminded me just over the weekend that I have to remember that while God will speak through us, it's not our job to convince them. In fact, we may not realize any "breakthrough". We have to trust God to work on them and to do in His time what is necessary to strip away the veil of unbelief and the deception of deep fear. Colleen | ||
| Rossbondreturns Registered user Username: Rossbondreturns Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2009  |
The most difficult thing for me to do is wait. I went at it so hard back in 2004 when I truly found Christ that I alienated my mother entirely. It is only very recently that she visited and went to church at Trinity with me on Sunday. When they had to leave early to head to LAX for their flight, Mum whispered to me: "Ross...I think this is the perfect place for you to continue your spiritual walk. I just wish they worshipped on the right day." This was a huge step for her and Gary my step dad asked if there was a way to see the end of the message. (I told him how to). My sister, Dad Mom and Gary all read the Proclamations I give them and keep them also. Each of them has read my article. Sometimes the best way to talk to family is to plant a seed and then let God do the talking for you. |
