As a saved christian, what do you do when

[Oregongrown]

someone persistently tells you that you are not saved or you would see the bible "their" way. I am talking about a person that is constantly rude and abusive to others in their so-called "witness". IMO they themselves, thing they are the sole authority on the Bible and almost seem to have a God complex. I know this is all "how denise sees it" and none of you even know if I am a true believer. I was so hurt and frustrated I wanted to kick their, nevermind, but, instead, I picked up my little God's Promises book and looked up what to do when Im angry. The verses "took the sword" right out of my hand(famous line from Ben Hur) But I have to deal with this person every day. Any helpful input to stay in the Lord's will, keep doing what He wants me to do, love the person. Not make a voodoo doll and start stickin pins in it, ooooooochee ouchieeeeeeeeee

They are of a faith called "Word of Faith" btw, and I know little about this. They know scripture, but accuse me constantly of not being saved when I don't agree with them.

Love in Christ and hope all are having a blessed day, as well as Christmas season

[HisLeast]

I'm actually at the end of my rope on this one too.
How can one be sure of salvation when nobody has a straight answer on what salvation is, and some are determined to add conditions to whatever answer you've settled on?

[brakelite]

You are not on your own. Jesus suffered the same thing. None of his brothers or sisters believed him. It too k the disciples some time. And as for the Pharisees, they thought He had a devil. Jesus said if people think this of the Master, should the servant be any less doubted?
So don't worry. It hurts, yes, but it is not our work to convince people that we are Christians, but to simply testify to what great things God has done for us. Let God do the convincing.
Brakelite.

[Dani H]

People with religious spirits will always be judgmental of those who do not believe as they do.

What can you do except show them grace and mercy? To their own Lord they stand and fall, as do you.

[Oregongrown]

I would love to know where that verse is on "being less doubted"? I looke for it but so far, no luck. God bless and I soooooooooo want to thank you, your sister in Christ, denise

You are not on your own. Jesus suffered the same thing. None of his brothers or sisters believed him. It too k the disciples some time. And as for the Pharisees, they thought He had a devil. Jesus said if people think this of the Master, should the servant be any less doubted?
So don't worry. It hurts, yes, but it is not our work to convince people that we are Christians, but to simply testify to what great things God has done for us. Let God do the convincing.
Brakelite.

[Vhayes]

Hi Denise -

What I have found in my personal experience is those types of people are very, very insecure in their OWN salvation. They have been told by someone, somewhere that there are a whole lot of rules and regs that MUST be kept to keep on saved - and they are fearful that they are not keeping to the total list. It's the old game kids play.

Johnny gets a cookie out of the cookie jar. His sister Kate sees him and reaches for one. Johnny jerks the jar away and as Kate kicks him in the shins, he drops the cookie jar and it shatters.

"Dad - look at what Kate did - SHE broke the cookie jar"

In other words, if Johnny deflects the blame or points out some wrong-doing onto another, the chances are no one will see Johnny's wrong-doing. Of course, this could be no further from the truth - God not only sees the actions, He also sees the motivations; but some lessons are hard to learn...

I usually think of these verses and they help in this situation - to keep me humble and at peace:
Luke 18

10-Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11-The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12I- fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13-And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14-I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Hope that helps a bit...
V

[Vhayes]

I'm actually at the end of my rope on this one too.
How can one be sure of salvation when nobody has a straight answer on what salvation is, and some are determined to add conditions to whatever answer you've settled on?

Hi HisLeast -

I hope this helps a little:
I John 5

7 - For there are three that testify:
8 - the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
9 - If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.
10 - The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.
11 - And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 - He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 - These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

[ServantofTruth]

Both in real life and even on this site - sometimes i feel so close to people and then BAM - they tell me the same thing. Your church is OK BUT you need to do this extra to be sure to be saved and FULLY acceptable to us/ God.

It hurts most when it's people you consider friends and have shared more deeply with.

I've found - you have to realise they have weaknesses. People so strong on their bible, still have blind spots, because we're all trained by churches/ denominations and whether we like it or not, repeat their positions.

I've fought again my Anglican upbringing, although i'm now back at an Anglican church. I try to get to other denominations regularly - i am tomorrow morning.

If you attend and listen, praise and worship and keep bible/ denominational discussion to a minimum, you'll be fine. Only be offended if the position stated to you is impossible to back with the bible. This takes research and asking questions. Sadly most people won't listen which leads to confrontation and lack of love.

I know nothing about this group you mention. But there are many large churches argueing constantly over things God hasn't made clear. Where there is much room for both positions. However people refuse to admit this. Are you 'biblically' sure this person is wrong? Do you know the bible well enough to say this or are you accepting someone elses opinion? Or what you learned at a particular church?

God bless, SofTy.

[Oregongrown]

Dani this was most excellent, religious spirits! The pharisees had religious spirits didn't they Man, when I want the straight "stuff" all I have to do is come to bibleforums.org, LOL God bless you girl

People with religious spirits will always be judgmental of those who do not believe as they do.

What can you do except show them grace and mercy? To their own Lord they stand and fall, as do you.

[Oregongrown]

Hang in there darlin, this forum has some true christians that can help you sort through this stuff. Just trust the Lord and ask Him to show you all Truth through His Word and His people.

God bless, your sister in Christ, denise

I'm actually at the end of my rope on this one too.
How can one be sure of salvation when nobody has a straight answer on what salvation is, and some are determined to add conditions to whatever answer you've settled on?

[Oregongrown]

Yesssssss, and those verses come to me to, I know from the Lord You are so right. When I get upset I usually grab my little, God's Promises book. It lists all sorts of verses for different situations. One is anger of course and I started reading those?? Wow, I just felt the Lord calm me down.

Thank you soooo very much, your sister in Christ, denise

Hi Denise -

What I have found in my personal experience is those types of people are very, very insecure in their OWN salvation. They have been told by someone, somewhere that there are a whole lot of rules and regs that MUST be kept to keep on saved - and they are fearful that they are not keeping to the total list. It's the old game kids play.

Johnny gets a cookie out of the cookie jar. His sister Kate sees him and reaches for one. Johnny jerks the jar away and as Kate kicks him in the shins, he drops the cookie jar and it shatters.

"Dad - look at what Kate did - SHE broke the cookie jar"

In other words, if Johnny deflects the blame or points out some wrong-doing onto another, the chances are no one will see Johnny's wrong-doing. Of course, this could be no further from the truth - God not only sees the actions, He also sees the motivations; but some lessons are hard to learn...

I usually think of these verses and they help in this situation - to keep me humble and at peace:
Luke 18

10-Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11-The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12I- fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13-And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14-I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Hope that helps a bit...
V

[Oregongrown]

Reading this was such a blessing, thank you for taking the time to minister to me. It helped me more than you will ever know, God bless you, your sister in Christ, denise

Both in real life and even on this site - sometimes i feel so close to people and then BAM - they tell me the same thing. Your church is OK BUT you need to do this extra to be sure to be saved and FULLY acceptable to us/ God.

It hurts most when it's people you consider friends and have shared more deeply with.

I've found - you have to realise they have weaknesses. People so strong on their bible, still have blind spots, because we're all trained by churches/ denominations and whether we like it or not, repeat their positions.

I've fought again my Anglican upbringing, although i'm now back at an Anglican church. I try to get to other denominations regularly - i am tomorrow morning.

If you attend and listen, praise and worship and keep bible/ denominational discussion to a minimum, you'll be fine. Only be offended if the position stated to you is impossible to back with the bible. This takes research and asking questions. Sadly most people won't listen which leads to confrontation and lack of love.

I know nothing about this group you mention. But there are many large churches argueing constantly over things God hasn't made clear. Where there is much room for both positions. However people refuse to admit this. Are you 'biblically' sure this person is wrong? Do you know the bible well enough to say this or are you accepting someone elses opinion? Or what you learned at a particular church?

God bless, SofTy.

[turtledove]

This thread is leaning towards discussion of doctrinal matters which is good and the replies in which support has been give to the OP are good..However, this fits better in A&E... so am moving this into the Apologetics and Evangelism section for further discussion.

You'll all be redirected there.

wiseoldowl..forum facilitator

[Esperanza32]

I empathize with you! It really bothers me when Christians question my salvation because I don't interpret everything just as they do.

Some of the most brilliant "advice" (well it's really a command) that Jesus gave us is to pray for our enemies. Not just pray "Lord, help them see the error of their ways!" but REALLY pray for them, thanking God for their faithfulness/zeal/whatever good you can find, and asking Him to bless them richly.

I've found praying for enemies to be an excellent way to deal with my anger...and when I pray for them, I find that I can understand them better, I develop compassion for them, I can love them, and then I don't think of them as enemies anymore.

I can guarantee that praying for your enemies is MUCH healthier for you than contemplating voodoo dolls...

[moonglow]

As far as I know there is nothing in scriptures that gives us the authority to judge the salvation of another Christian. That is God's job...not ours.

I guess I would avoid any bible talk with them if possible...if they go on with it I would ask them where is the verse that says they have the right to judge your salvation?

I am sorry they are hurting you...what they are doing isn't justified in scripture! I would be tempted to say, The Lord rebukes you and walk off...

There are many different views on the bible on this board, but I don't consider anyone not a Christian because they don't share my views.

God bless