Pastor John,
It’s kind of frightening to observe a person’s face and mannerisms when they are overcome with anger and incredulity as the truth exposes their darkness. Christians really expose their hypocrisy when they fly off the handle and reject the truth—any truth—whether it be about the Trinity, the New Birth, Salvation, the sacrifice of Christ, speaking in tongues, etc. Their demeanor changes completely. Their “Christian” appearance of “kindness” and “fellowship” vanish when their sacred cows are challenged, and it turns their faces sour—even bitter. They kick you out of their homes & their churches, giving you the left foot of fellowship, so-to-speak. They really, truly would kill us if they could. And I believe they will, in the future. I can see that now.
They cannot bring themselves to converse with a child of God with an open mind. The LORD’s exhortation through Isaiah to “come, let us reason together” flies out the window with Christians who can only cling to their Bibles with. . . all. . . their
. . . might. It’s more comfortable, I have found, to discuss the things of God with an atheist than with a Christian, especially those who claim to see the Trinity throughout all of the scriptures, when all I can see is a loving Father and a Son who share a holy spirit. “BUT THAT SPIRIT IS A PERSON!!!” a man might proclaim. I am sorry. I am not moved by hysterical Christian tempers, nor their inhospitable treatment of me when I gently try to clarify the truth of the gospel.
Well, I thank the Lord. . . for giving us a lesson in persecution, which we endured well. My friend P— is relieved and refreshed, after reading some tracts, poor thing. She was really crestfallen last night. Bummed out.
It’s a lonely path, I told her. But with God. . . . ! It isn’t all that lonely. Lose a friend or relative here and there, but gain a place in Jesus’ mansion. It’s worth it. It’s worth it.
I have you to thank, Pastor John, for the foundation that the Lord gave me, in your teaching; in your example—— of obedience and “singleness of eye”; and the small measure of articulation He gave me to explain it. Replicating your calm demeanor (and the power of the holy ghost within) helped me to survive what would otherwise have intimidated another child of God. The POWER of GOD is what makes all the difference. . . the demonstration of the SPIRIT; rather than argument. . . or polite Christian scripture discussion. Yeeccch! GIVE ME JESUS!! NIGHT AND DAY!! GIVE ME JESUS! ALL THE WAY!!! HE is ENOUGH!!
I look forward to the refreshment of today’s meeting. I’m sorry so many are sick among you, currently. But at least they’re rejoicing in the truth!
Brother Brad