| Author | Message | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 7395 Registered: 9-2006  |
If a tree falls in the forest, is there any sound? Well…nobody knows if they haven’t been there to hear the tree fall. Well…that old question may not be scientifically correct but it does say something. I have long been of the opinion that obscurity is my worst enemy as a writer providing I put something out that’s worth putting out. If I write a book and no one reads it, then I might as well have not written it except for maybe the general knowledge of what I can get out of it. No knowledge is useless, but it doesn’t help anyone else if not communicated in some fashion. If I say nothing , will anyone hear me? I think we can answer that as a no. It has been my experience that when I say nothing silence answers back. If a former discovers truth and exits Adventism, but says nothing, will he draw fire? Now there’s an interesting bit for you, the word drawing fire comes form the idea that one must make himself known for the purpose of discovering where the enemy is hiding. To draw the enemy out so one can discover his numbers and his strength. What is known as the great commission is to go into all the world and preach the gospel in every nook and cranny of the earth. If we do that, we are going to draw fire. Proclamation! Draws fire. We may not be the most likable people in the world, but if we say anything, whether we are likeable or not, we are going to end up drawing fire. Sometimes I just want to sit in isolation, I don’t want to be the one that draws fire, for the one who draws fire is the one at greatest risk. Just because every word we say is not correct or our theology is not perfect is no sign that we are not preaching the gospel, and just because we draw fire is no sign we are ineffective. I’ve heard it said that people will see the gospel by your lifestyle, that is very well and good, but Jesus didn’t say go out and live so people could see the gospel, he said go preach it. A platoon was in the jungles of Vietnam when the platoon leader said, “Watkins, go out there and see if anybody is there.” To which Watkins said, “But Sarge, if I draw fire they may kill me.” The sergeant looked at him and said, “If you don’t they may kill us all.” On this forum we are going to draw fire, it’s just how it is, the question is, are we will to do that so that others may live? River | ||
| Gregkleinig Registered user Username: Gregkleinig Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-2010 |
"just because every word we say is not correct or our theology is not perfect is no sign that we are not preaching the gospel, and just because we draw fire is no sign we are ineffective." Amen. And we should extend that same grace to those still in Adventism. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1999 Registered: 7-2007 |
Greg; I believe that River was saying that we should preach the gospel "so that others may live." By saying that we should go even though "our theology is not perfect," he didn't mean the basic gospel. The basic gospel is to believe on Jesus as your Lord and Savior. An Adventist who is believing Ellen White cannot do that, because she teaches that part of it is up to us! If someone is only trusting Jesus to do part of it, or most of it, or in some cases a person believes that Jesus "makes up the difference," then that person isn't saved. Those people - in fact ALL the people in the various religions - need to hear the gospel! People may argue about Armenianism or Calvinism, which, even though they are both lies BTW; aren't the basic gospel. A person can have all their theology wrong, but have Jesus right; and be saved. (By having Jesus right, I mean know that He's God from eternity, that He died for ALL our sins - past, present and future, that God raised Him from the dead, and accept Him as Lord and Savior.) (Message edited by Asurprise on July 22, 2011) | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 7404 Registered: 9-2006 |
Thank you for clarifying that Asurprise. The main thrust of my post was to encourage formers with friends and family still steeped in Adventism to keep going, keep preaching the Gospel and not give up even though it looks as if, when you pray, there is no change. With God all things are possible, so keep believing and have faith. Yes, you are going to draw fire, and many times you will wonder if you said or did the right thing, more especially when you do draw fire. They may be very upset when you try to talk to them, but God uses everything and wastes nothing and your efforts will not be wasted, even if you didn't do it expertly. River | ||
| Starlabs Registered user Username: Starlabs Post Number: 10 Registered: 5-2011 |
Thanks for that post, River. Yeah, I do believe that we who now actually know the gospel ought to be sharing with our family and friends. I mean, I know how happy I am by having the assurance of salvation and I want that same thing for the people I love. But River as you said we are told to preach it as well. The one thing that bothers me and I've heard it said also that people will see the gospel by our lifestyles but I have to respectably disagree with those people. I mean to the world I might look like a good person because I'm not a thief or a murder and yes I'm kind to people but a New Ager or an atheist can look that way too. The gospel is so much more than how I, a rotten sinner, lives my life. It is sharing the good news of our Lord and Creator and how He came and died for us to give us the free gift of salvation without any work on my part. So yes, once we have a life saving message that has been shared with us, I for one want to share it with those who are caught up in deception and need that all saving grace. |
