Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I got that reaction all the time from family and my old friends back in the 'hood after I got saved. That just opened the door wide open for me to share the gospel with all my old friends.
It was much later on, after my dear cousin, whom I grew up with, the self-appointed, soap-box standing, "defender of the faith" apologetic, and self-righteous, all-condemning Pharisee, informed my entire family of my "cult" involvement, that caused us so much pain and hardship. That slammed the door shut to the gospel. So many were robbed of the opportunity to hear the life-changing joy of my salvation."
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Ohio,
Your reference is what I had in mind. When I was playing baseball at Baylor University, Don Looper, and with a slight assist from ole Hope, led several of the players to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Several nominal Christians were revived and gave their life anew to the Lord. Then boom!!! We were labeled and slandered. Some of my new brothers in Christ wanted to know why we were being slandered. I had no idea how to respond without putting down someone else. Many tender in the faith were brought into confusion. One player told me that Don and I were a very positive influence on the entire team so why were we being criticized. Another player, not a believer, who had graduated and came back for graduate studies came up to me and asked why I had gone into the twi-light zone. There was not going to be much of a chance for me to share Christ with him. Do the slanderers bear some responsibility if he does not come to Christ because of the gosip he heard?
For every account a former member can share about some type of abuse or shaming they suffered in the lc, I can probably give at least three that saints in the church in Dallas suffered from some member of the Sabboth patrole, or religious watchdog, or busybody.
But I believe I should let it go. I have sought the Lord for a heart of forgiveness toward those in Christianity and as well as those in the LSM who have dished out abuse, shaming, slander etc. It is important to guard your heart. I strongly suspect that 99% of WL's over the top harsh words toward Christianity was due to wrongs suffered by him and others with whom he was associated. He did suffer some absolutely terrible things in China at the hands of the Japanese because of certain clergymen. But he was wrong to then go after others who were loyal to the Christianity system. Here in the USA, he did endure shameful put downs by proud religious leaders but then I believe there was some bitterness in his heart that the Lord needed to take away.
Of course it is not easy for us to know the hearts and motives of others. But from my own experience with some abusers from Christianity and from the LSM, I can understand how it is that we can overreact and become embittered.
Hope