Hard to Say Goodbye

[Roofdad]

There have been many questions asked about me, by my former church family, to my sister. I finally had a discussion with her on Saturday, at length, about doctrine, and about the word of God, in general.
She had heard from ner daughter, my niece, whom I had already talked to about right division, that my beliefs had left Pentecostalism behind. She told me that I was walking on dangerous ground. I assured her that I felt that I was finally on a solid foundation, laid by Christ. She informed me that I could NOT leave parts of the bible that I did not agree with, out of my belief, and that it ALL ties together.
I told her about the Revelation of the Mystery. I told her that Paul did not preach the same message as the other Apostles. She assured me that he most certainly did.
Anyway, it went around and around, with her going inside, and bringing out her Bible and Strong's Concordance, to prove me wrong. I was armed only with the fresh knowledge that I had learned from the study materials that was sent to me.
She got pretty angry with me, when I told her that I could no longer go and sit and listen to the people try to worship in the Kingdom program, with the tongues, and such, citing that the gifts no longer were in operation. She asked me how I explained the moving of the Holy Ghost, and the healings, and the tongues. I said that the only thing Paul said about wonders in this age was "lying wonders". I told her that I felt that those people were deceived.
Needless to say, she told me that she was not deceived, and said only that she trusted that whatever way that God directed me, she had faith that God would keep me, as she knew that I desired to serve God, in my heart.


Sadly, she also said that I came along with my "new" information, too late in the game to change her way of thinking. I told her that now that I knew that one could not lose their salvation, that I wanted even more to serve the Lord, and that I was even MORE thankful to Jesus for what He did for me.

I love my sister dearly, and I hated to have that discussion, but I am grounded in this "walking by faith, and not by sight", and I feel that I have finally been given the key to understanding of the scriptures.

I love my church family, and I love my pastor, but I can not go back to trying to worship the way that I was there. This is a new dispensation, and I agree with what I have learned. But it is hard to say goodbye.

[Christine]

Dear Darryl,

Here is a big hug from all of us, as we KNOW there is a cost to following this message. We have all had to do what you are going thru right now, and YES, it is indeed difficult.

You are now finding a freedom and assurance that you were not sure of before. Isn't that an amazing thing in and of itself? You also have a confidence that is born of taking God at His Word, rightly divided, instead of trying to fit square pegs in round holes. This will only grow stronger as you continue to study, but it WILL remain a difficult thing to watch even some of your friends and family walk away from you due to the stand you are taking. Paul was left standing alone with this message, as all left him at the end. It still remains TRUTH and our hope of cooperating WITH God is to KNOW how He is operating in this present age of GRACE.

You always have a home here with us on GRACETEACHER forum, my friend. I am so proud of you for having the strength of your convictions and I thank the Lord for opening your eyes to SEE the revelation of the MYSTERY. We LIVE for the ones such as yourself, who are of a willing mind to HEAR and to BELIEVE, and you have NO idea how much your SEEING encourages us who minister on a daily basis to those not willing to leave their "comfort zone" of religious rhetoric.

Give your sister some time, and the Holy Spirit will cause her to think over the things you shared with her. We are not responsible for changing her mind, but for sharing the truth. As she sees that these fleshly pursuits produce NO results or peace of mind and heart, she will remember what you have shared. Keep on loving her and trusting God to whet her appetite. Many of US were alot tuffer cookies than your sister is, and if He can reach us, He can reach her.

I KNOW that you are confident of your decision, as it stands out above all else in your post. UNITY at the cost of sound doctrine is really NOT fellowship. It just becomes a social gathering where Gods plan and purpose are being misrepresented, and where good people are being deceived by improper study and information.

There are 131 churches in our small town. NOT ONE preaches right division. People we used to go to church with, and teach and fellowship with now actually avoid us.

He was despised and rejected of men for OUR sake. We may lose a few friends and have our families shaking their heads at us; this is a small price to pay to FINALLY know the truth. He understands our emotional conflicts and you will find GREAT COMFORT in His presence, His Word and in the "simplicity that is IN Christ."

P.S. My mother stopped speaking to me and wouldn't allow my name to be spoken in her presence for over twenty years. Just in the last three years of her life, when she knew she was on her way OUT< did she agree to see me again. She had never met my husband and we hadn't spoken in over twenty years. I was the only child there when she died, and gave her the gospel twice...she said NO. I will forever be grateful to God for giving me the privilege to be there with her when she died and to have such a comfort of knowing that everything was done to provide her with the information she needed to make an informed decision....but I lost all those precious years with my Mom, all because I was a believer and she was not.

We ARE promised suffering. It will be suffering according to the message that we present and stand for. No one will get out of this life without it. We do have the God of all comfort, and I can attest to the FACT, Darryl, that HE is more than enough.

Even if my husband and all my family walked away, I would still follow HIM. I know you would too.

We love you, Darryl. You aren't alone....Huuuuuuugs my dear brother in Christ.

[NewDawn]

I second what Christine said Darryl!

Hugs to you too Bro!!
Diana