What do you think?

Barnabas · 04-25-2020, 09:20 AM

I have spent most of my life in the LC. Around 1978 a dear brother left us and sent a letter to explain. We were told by the leading brothers that this was a great offense to the body of Christ and we were advised not to read the letter. Some years passed and this brother came to a meeting and sat next to me. He gave me a warm greeting but I purposely ignored him. Afterwards my conscience was bothered so I spoke to the leading elder about it. He told me not to be bothered because this brother had offended the body of Christ, and needed to repent. However, I still felt the need to confess this sin to my brother so I began to pray, asking God to enable me an opportunity. A few years later God answered my prayer and we were face to face. We had lunch together and I asked him to forgive me of that sin. From that time our fellowship has been restored and I consider him one of my spiritual companions.

Throughout this time, about twenty years, he has brought up doctrinal differences. Because I considered these differences non essential to the common faith and of little concern to my relationship with the Lord and this brother, I paid little attention to them. But in the past two years he has placed great importance on them and is now admonishing me to embrace his views and most important, to renounce and leave the LC. When I was a young believer, out of zeal for what I heard and believed to be true of the LC, insisted that all should leave the denominations and free groups, and meet as the LC. The Lord dealt with that sectarian behavior years ago and now my only desire with Christians is to have fellowship.

Now I promised my dear brother that I would pray in detail about his demands, so after reading his long emails and praying daily for about a week, I was at a loss as to how to respond. Last night I told my wife it has been heavy on my heart and I did not know how to answer him. Then early this morning a simple response came alive in my heart. I will consider carefully if this is pleasing to the Lord before I write back to him and I would like to know what you dear saints have to say.

04-25-2020, 09:20 AM	#1
Barnabas Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 32	What do you think? I have spent most of my life in the LC. Around 1978 a dear brother left us and sent a letter to explain. We were told by the leading brothers that this was a great offense to the body of Christ and we were advised not to read the letter. Some years passed and this brother came to a meeting and sat next to me. He gave me a warm greeting but I purposely ignored him. Afterwards my conscience was bothered so I spoke to the leading elder about it. He told me not to be bothered because this brother had offended the body of Christ, and needed to repent. However, I still felt the need to confess this sin to my brother so I began to pray, asking God to enable me an opportunity. A few years later God answered my prayer and we were face to face. We had lunch together and I asked him to forgive me of that sin. From that time our fellowship has been restored and I consider him one of my spiritual companions. Throughout this time, about twenty years, he has brought up doctrinal differences. Because I considered these differences non essential to the common faith and of little concern to my relationship with the Lord and this brother, I paid little attention to them. But in the past two years he has placed great importance on them and is now admonishing me to embrace his views and most important, to renounce and leave the LC. When I was a young believer, out of zeal for what I heard and believed to be true of the LC, insisted that all should leave the denominations and free groups, and meet as the LC. The Lord dealt with that sectarian behavior years ago and now my only desire with Christians is to have fellowship. Now I promised my dear brother that I would pray in detail about his demands, so after reading his long emails and praying daily for about a week, I was at a loss as to how to respond. Last night I told my wife it has been heavy on my heart and I did not know how to answer him. Then early this morning a simple response came alive in my heart. I will consider carefully if this is pleasing to the Lord before I write back to him and I would like to know what you dear saints have to say.