Bro Ron: That
video [How To Deal With
Rejection] you did for a sister in Christ was so much like my own situation
(at some points I even thought it could have been my own letters I've written
to you), and I just cried from the depths of my heart as I listened. I
wish I could comfort that sister, too. I know EXACTLY what she is feeling
and going through, and I have thought, w/regards to my own
situation, it was what you were saying with regards to it being
something within the other folks, but I just kept thinking, well, maybe I'm
doing something wrong, or I'm not handling telling others about
these truths, correctly. Your words to her were very comforting
and helpful, even strengthening. I praise the Lord for your love towards
the other saints, dear bro. The Lord knows I appreciate you and the work of faith and labor of
love you have for his body as well as the love for lost souls.
This
morning I came across an article on Suffering by Keith Blades
that may be helpful to the sister in Christ to whom you were addressing the
questions on rejection; of course, it's up to you if you think it should
be shared w/her or not. I pray that I would learn about these
sufferings and come to the place, as our Apostle Paul did, where I am able to
rejoice in these sufferings for Christ sake, to really understand that this is
what it is about; that I would learn to not complain about it, but have an
understanding of this doctrine and learn how to handle these sufferings in a
godly manner that is glorifying to the Lord.
Dear Sister:
There
are saints who are suffering in their closest relationships for Christ’s
sake. You are suffering for who you are
in Christ, which is part of the suffering we can expect to experience with and
for Christ. We will all experience those
things.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
I have lost a number of friends
and contact with family members just because I have been faithful to the doctrine
committed to the apostle Paul – the grace gospel, the mystery of Christ.
Acts 20:24
But none of these
things move me,
neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with
joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel
of the grace of God.
Colossians
4:3
Withal praying also for
us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of
Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
But
do you know what Paul says?
2 Timothy
1:12
For the which cause I
also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I
have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have
committed unto him against that day.
Know
that all of this suffering that you are going through because of who you are in
Christ and because you are a Pauline grace believer, is fruit that is abounding
to your account!
Philippians
4:17
Not because I desire a
gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
You
have committed it to the Lord Jesus because you are suffering with him…and for him. Although it is
difficult now and it seems like it will never end, one day soon you will get it
all back at the judgment seat of Christ.
1
Corinthians 3:11-14
For other foundation
can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ [according to the revelation
of the mystery]. Now if any man build upon this
foundation [Pauline doctrine] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work
of what sort it is. If any man's
work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
You
will rule and reign as a joint-heir with him if you stay faithful to this
doctrine the rest of your life.
Romans
8:17
And if children, then
heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we
suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rejection is part of this
suffering. Our desire is to have our
family members be a part of it and be zealous about these things, and yet
[quite often] they are not. They are
apathetic and maybe even hostile towards it in some cases. It may be your spouse, parents, sibling or
dear friends. There are saints who have
lost husbands and wives because they believe the doctrine, but their spouses are
into religion, a denominational system, and they reject the Pauline grace
message and the mystery.
Saints who experience this rejection
may be far in distance from each other, but not in heart. Sisters and brothers in the Lord, grace
believers, who are going through similar situations, can offer encouragement to
each other.
1
Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves
together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
2
Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
You may think that you’re doing
something wrong or that you’re not telling others about these truths
correctly. No, it is not you. It is that people desire darkness rather than
light.
John 3:19
And this is the
condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Be careful that you deliver Pauline
doctrine in meekness.
2 Timothy
2:25
In meekness instructing
those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them
repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
But no matter how gracious you are
in presenting the truth, when some people’s hearts are convicted they will
become hostile towards you [as the messenger].
They might accuse you of thinking that you’re God and that you know
everything, but don’t be discouraged.
1 Samuel
8:7b
…for they have not
rejected thee, but they have rejected me,
1 Samuel
15:23
For rebellion is
as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
I want you to be encouraged,
uplifted and edified. I am edified and
encouraged by the questions of the saints because I love to minister in that
way. Let’s grow together and help each
other to get a full reward at the judgment seat of Christ which is soon to
come.
Romans
8:18
For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.
2
Corinthians 4:17
For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Hopefully this helps!
†††
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No comments:
Post a Comment