[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Steel

Should believers in these local churches not have been aware of this way of the fallen old man and been prepared for it by seeking the Lord regarding it?
Scripture tells us to always be watchful...

Brother Steel, thanks for responding. So far we are in agreement with what you have written, so I will limit responses to your questions.

Witness Lee was presented to the LC members as a consummate "Minister of the Age." For years the workers and elders protected him and his sons' unrighteous activities. Any member who voiced concerns was marginalized, and later expelled. In many cases, their reputations were smeared before the church. Are not church leaders held to higher standards? Do they not have the responsibility to protect the church of God? Do not church leaders have the responsibility to vet out contrived rumors received from headquarters before publishing them as "truth?"

I know some things about various things that have been experienced by believers who fellowship in local churches. But I wasn't a witness to what things took place in the '70s-'90s... As God did not place me in the LSM associated local church until 2003.

What then are you suggesting ... That I look back... And in doing so ignore looking forward?
Maybe God allows what He allows for the purpose of exposing what/who we are looking at.

Yes, God does allow many things to be exposed in the Recovery. He has also used this forum to shine a spotlight on LSM rulers' abuses. In my case, for 30+ years I did "look forward" just as you suggested, ignoring all the "negative opposition" I had heard. But LC leaders are skillful in exploiting that virtue in you, and me, and others. Paul, however, challenged us to "prove all things" and hang on to the good, (Rom 12.2, I Thess 5.21) and not to trust men blindly.

And perhaps therein was your error, and the error of many others who suffered, and continue to suffer from the things that took place. Scripture tells us that only God is good.

So why think that humanity is good. We are called to love our neighbors... Not trust them. We are called to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus... Not believe in them.

Great points, brother. You obviously have some words of wisdom which I did not possess in those days. In fact, no one in the LC's spoke like that!

I have often said that perhaps my biggest failure was "trusting the brothers too much." Hebrews 13.17 was often used in those early days, "Obey the ones leading you and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will give an account."

Unfortunately, many LC elders only believe they need to "give an account" to LSM. Be careful how you trust the brothers in Austin!

John 16:13... "But when He, the Spirit of reality, comes, He will guide you into all the reality; for He will not speak from Himself, but what He hears He will speak; and He will declare to you the things that are coming."

Do you have this Spirit of reality? Do you not believe this truth that scripture reveals?

I do have this Spirit of reality and believe these truths.

My brother... According to scripture... The best things any brother or sister in Christ can do for another brother or sister in Christ... Is to turn to the Lord in their regenerated Spirit and take Christ as their center/source of their life, living, and being.

I don't need you to give me the knowledge you believe you have acquired from past experiences...

I need you to give me the Christ you have gained from past experiences of your abiding and expressing Him.

Here may I protest, being an older brother in the Lord, and speaking from the wisdom of scriptures? Paul told Timothy that, "All scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." The scripture does not just instruct us to "seek His face, behold His glory, and dwell in His house," it also provides much admonition. (I Cor 10.11)

For example, Acts 20.30 warns us of those like Witness Lee who "speak perverted things and draw the disciples after them." Perhaps you ignored that warning I spoke in a previous post. 3 John 9 warned us of those like Diotrephes who "loved to be first among the brothers."

If I have seen many children of God over the years damaged by this ministry, should I not warn others to be careful? And once you know better, are you not also responsible?