[Steel]

Originally Posted by Ohio

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

Oneness among the siants is always a good thing my brother.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Witness Lee was presented to the LC members as a consummate "Minister of the Age."..."

No such designation in scripture.

And if the "...LC members..." did there due diligence regarding their searching the scriptures they would have know this.

Also... Hopefully being born again of the Spirit, and therefore having the Spirit in them to turn to so that the Spirit could reveal the reality of the situation... They would not have had to depend on what others presented Witness Lee as.

Originally Posted by Ohio

For years the workers and elders protected him and his sons' unrighteous activities.

Fallen humans do fallen human things.

Read scripture... It says so very clearly.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Any member who voiced concerns was marginalized, and later expelled.

"...marginalized and expelled..." from what?

Every born again believer in Christ is... Well... IN... CHRIST... Eternally.

And corporately... The entire church is... IN... Christ.

And Christ doesn't marginalize or expell any believer.

So, again... Marginalized and expelled from what?

Originally Posted by Ohio

In many cases, their reputations were smeared before the church.

Praise the Lord.

Are you not familiar with this scripture verses...

Matthew 5:11... "Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you, and while speaking lies, say every evil thing against you because of Me."

Or do you just choose to not believe it.

And don't you know that scripture tells us that a believer must suffer even as the Lord suffered... And that we learn (grow with the growth of God) in and through our sufferings?

Surely you know this.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Are not church leaders held to higher standards?

Those who are put in positions of leadership by the Lord are held to the requirements of their given position.

The standard that they are held to is the same standard all believers are held to... That standard being Christ Jesus.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Do they not have the responsibility to protect the church of God?

In Christ, yes.

Not in their natural humanity.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Do not church leaders have the responsibility to vet out contrived rumors received from headquarters before publishing them as "truth?"

Elders of a local church should always carefully consider anything being applied to the duties of their position.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Yes, God does allow many things to be exposed in the Recovery.

In chapter 6 of the book titled with his name, Isaiah tells us that he found that out.

God is like shining light... And when He comes in, His shining spontaneously exposes the true condition of what it is shining on.

Originally Posted by Ohio

He has also used this forum to shine a spotlight on LSM rulers' abuses.

He certainly could... But then scripture tells us that God can take even that which was meant for evil and bring about good.

Try not to be boastful in your fallen humanity my brother.

Originally Posted by Ohio

In my case, for 30+ years I did "look forward" just as you suggested, ignoring all the "negative opposition" I had heard.

Wonderful.

But I didn't say or suggest anyone ignore anything... Did I.

Originally Posted by Ohio

But LC leaders are skillful in exploiting that virtue in you, and me, and others.

Scripture tells us that Satan is a cunning, crafty enemy.

One whom only the Lord is able to be victorious over.

Which is why we should always be found in the Lord at all times.

Originally Posted by Ohio

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.

Which I certainly subscribe to... And have said this on these threads.

Originally Posted by Ohio

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!

The Lord gives each of us a measure of grace according to His need.

Don't be downcast by what has past... Be uplifted by what must come.

Originally Posted by Ohio

I have often said that perhaps my biggest failure was "trusting the brothers too much."

My brother... You are in Christ... His victory is your victory... You are only a failure when you fail to see and enter into this reality... And yet... Even then... It is the life that is in you... His life... That ensures your victory.

And that life cannot be defeated.

Originally Posted by Ohio

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."

Yes...

Look at Joseph... His beginning was awful... But his end was wonderful.

It's not how we begin our race my brother... It's how we finish our race.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Unfortunately, many LC elders only believe they need to "give an account" to LSM.

Each one is responsible for themselves.

Be responsible for yourself before the Lord.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Be careful how you trust the brothers in Austin!

I try my brother... And by God's mercy, I have brothers I can fellowship with about all matters as the Lord leads.

Originally Posted by Ohio

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

Amen... Now what is important is how you apply this reality... Will you do so in and for the Lord?

Originally Posted by Ohio

Here may I protest, being an older brother in the Lord, and speaking from the wisdom of scriptures?

I try to listen to all that a person is telling me.

Originally Posted by Ohio

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)

Absolutely.

Originally Posted by Ohio

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.

Witness Lee has been dead for over 20 years. He can speak nothing. Dead people cannot speak.

He is no threat to me.

And as long as I continously seek the Lord, and hold to what scripture tells me, and follow the leading of the Spirit, I'll be walking in the light of God and have fellowship with Him and other believers.

When it comes to his ministry... I am fine with what brother Lee has presented.

As a human... I didn't know him, so I have nothing to say about the brother.

Let the dead bury the dead.

Originally Posted by Ohio

3 John 9 warned us of those like Diotrephes who "loved to be first among the brothers."

For sure... So did Jesus.

But we all have natural ambition my brother... Towards one thing or another, and to one degree or another.

And so, yes... Always keep watch.

Originally Posted by Ohio

If I have seen many children of God over the years damaged by this ministry, should I not warn others to be careful?

Absolutely... But do so in life... By abiding in and speaking out of your regenerated spirit.

Not in death, by speaking in and out of the offended feelings of your fallen natural man.

Originally Posted by Ohio

And once you know better, are you not also responsible?

My brother... Don't think to know what I know.