Bible Q & A Thread

[blondeambition3]

Chimney QUOTE: Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feetIn verse 14, He gives instructions for what they are to do if anyone doesn't welcome them or listen to their words, they are to leave and dust off their sandals. If the harvest is plenty, why would Jesus tell them to do that? Didn't He want those people to be saved? Can we see an application in our lives today? END QUOTE

Yes, Jesus’ main goal was that they would be saved. However, if they did not receive them or their testimony, they were not to dwell on that fact...to shake to dust off their feet meaning don’t carry it with you, shake it off. Don’t let the soil or dirt remain on you, leave it where it is. Probably a good idea, leaving the soil there...because seeds are planted in dirt, leaving it there provides more soil for the seed to take root. Taking offence and arguing about it, railing against them would only detract from the message. Leave the condition of their heart to God...move on....

Today when we share the word, there are many that become instantly offended at our words. They get their back up so to speak. Saying things like, “you’ve got to be a fool to believe such rubbish.” Or, “the bible is just one good book out of many, why would I limit myself to just one, it is a book full of stories, kind of like a journal so following just one book is ridiculous.”

Now, I could take that as them saying to me that I was a fool and immediately want to defend my stance...they just called me a fool. I don’t want them insinuating that I'm a fool! So, I could start arguing with them trying to prove my point which only further pushes them to take a harder stance on their position. Or, I could just shake off the statement....Agree in my heart that it is true, I am a fool for God, because his wisdom is foolishness to men anyways, realizing I am in good company with God’s foolishness . God will ultimately have his way in the matter, will he not?

Yes He will! Shake the dust off and move on!

 

[Southern Gent]

Chimney QUOTE: Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feetIn verse 14, He gives instructions for what they are to do if anyone doesn't welcome them or listen to their words, they are to leave and dust off their sandals. If the harvest is plenty, why would Jesus tell them to do that? Didn't He want those people to be saved? Can we see an application in our lives today? END QUOTE

Yes, Jesus’ main goal was that they would be saved. However, if they did not receive them or their testimony, they were not to dwell on that fact...to shake to dust off their feet meaning don’t carry it with you, shake it off. Don’t let the soil or dirt remain on you, leave it where it is. Probably a good idea, leaving the soil there...because seeds are planted in dirt, leaving it there provides more soil for the seed to take root. Taking offence and arguing about it, railing against them would only detract from the message. Leave the condition of their heart to God...move on....

Today when we share the word, there are many that become instantly offended at our words. They get their back up so to speak. Saying things like, “you’ve got to be a fool to believe such rubbish.” Or, “the bible is just one good book out of many, why would I limit myself to just one, it is a book full of stories, kind of like a journal so following just one book is ridiculous.”

Now, I could take that as them saying to me that I was a fool and immediately want to defend my stance...they just called me a fool. I don’t want them insinuating that I'm a fool! So, I could start arguing with them trying to prove my point which only further pushes them to take a harder stance on their position. Or, I could just shake off the statement....Agree in my heart that it is true, I am a fool for God, because his wisdom is foolishness to men anyways, realizing I am in good company with God’s foolishness . God will ultimately have his way in the matter, will he not?

Very true but for some reason we feel the need to place the burden of the lost soul on our own shoulders as if the person will never hear another word of the gospel. It causes undue grief for the Christian as well as the alien sinner. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered & God gave the increase". We go through a lot of unneeded stress over it sometimes.

 

[blondeambition3]

Very true but for some reason we feel the need to place the burden of the lost soul on our own shoulders as if the person will never hear another word of the gospel. It causes undue grief for the Christian as well as the alien sinner. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered & God gave the increase". We go through a lot of unneeded stress over it sometimes.

Beautifully said SG.... beautifully said.

 

[chimney55]

[God will ultimately have his way in the matter, will he not?

Very true but for some reason we feel the need to place the burden of the lost soul on our own shoulders as if the person will never hear another word of the gospel. It causes undue grief for the Christian as well as the alien sinner. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered & God gave the increase". We go through a lot of unneeded stress over it sometimes.

Very well said, both of you! We can plant or we can harvest. The Lord never said that we had to be there for the entire process! And we know that God is fair and just. He will give a person multiple occasions to hear and accept the gospel! If a Christian has given the gospel accurately, they have done their "job" and move on. If it is not accepted, they still have done their job and should just move on. (this does NOT mean that they shouldn't continue to lift that person in prayer!!)

 

[Saintscruiser]

Very well said, both of you! We can plant or we can harvest. The Lord never said that we had to be there for the entire process! And we know that God is fair and just. He will give a person multiple occasions to hear and accept the gospel! If a Christian has given the gospel accurately, they have done their "job" and move on. If it is not accepted, they still have done their job and should just move on. (this does NOT mean that they shouldn't continue to lift that person in prayer!!)

Since I grew up in a small city we were never farmers. However, my daddy....my New York Jewish musician daddy who turned into a Messianic Jew at a Southern Baptist Church, crackerjack salesman, planter of tomato plants that fed many .... I don't know that much about farming. I know you have to till and fertilize the earth, over and over, then plant a small multiple of seeds in the row, cover it up, pat it down, water.....nourish and water, nourish and water until it sprouts. Then you have to watch out for the animals that want to knosh on your plants....water......pray for the right amount of rain, then keep the field fairly weed free, if possible.

When harvest time came, you worked your fanny off...to either prepare for sale, or can your vegetables....make jams and jellies from the fruit trees. There was no rest for the weary until the winter. But, there are winter gardens as well. So, it seems that I am a seed planter and have been for most of my Christian walk. Prayer is a mighty weapon. You are calling upon the power of God for help, and lets face it, if He can't do it, no one can. If I mess up, which I know just shocks everyone here, I ask the Lord to send another person to witness as I just messed up. These aren't the easiest lessons to learn. It's sort of like "I had good intentions!" My mom always said, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions!"

 

[lmrasch]

Very well said, both of you! We can plant or we can harvest. The Lord never said that we had to be there for the entire process! And we know that God is fair and just. He will give a person multiple occasions to hear and accept the gospel! If a Christian has given the gospel accurately, they have done their "job" and move on. If it is not accepted, they still have done their job and should just move on. (this does NOT mean that they shouldn't continue to lift that person in prayer!!)

Prayer is a mighty weapon. You are calling upon the power of God for help, and lets face it, if He can't do it, no one can. If I mess up, which I know just shocks everyone here, I ask the Lord to send another person to witness as I just messed up. These aren't the easiest lessons to learn. It's sort of like "I had good intentions!" My mom always said, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions!"

Yes! Prayer is where the power is....faith, believing God for who he is, sovereign, just, full of mercy and grace.

Very true but for some reason we feel the need to place the burden of the lost soul on our own shoulders as if the person will never hear another word of the gospel. It causes undue grief for the Christian as well as the alien sinner. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered & God gave the increase". We go through a lot of unneeded stress over it sometimes.

So true....although we can't help to be grieved when we see those so vehemently opposing salvation through Christ, we are told to rejoice!
Matthew 5
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

There are times that honestly I am to grieved to rejoice....my faith has taken a crushing blow, my hope is weak. That's the best time to take it to Jesus...

Matthew 11
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Taking it all to him in prayer is so good for rest...unfortunately, this is one of the hardest lessons for me cause I want to fix everything and everyone and I WANT IT NOW!

 

[Saintscruiser]

Something else, Imrasch. When someone you are witnessing to brings up more 'intellect' than you because they ask questions you don't have an immediate answer for, satan gets in your face and tells you how stupid you look in front of these people. When I was a fairly young Christian, this happened to me at the work place by the owner in front of my friends. I wanted salvation for this man because, like I had been, I could tell he wasn't happy. There is no true happiness without Jesus. That doesn't make sense to the unsaved. I did my best, but felt I had failed miserably. My heart broke for this man and I cried all the way home. It was like 8:30 p.m. as we had to work late. By the time I got home, I was sobbing from my toenails. I couldn't go into the house as I couldn't seem to calm down and my husband came out thinking all kinds of awful things had happened. He was relieved I hadn't been mugged or worse. He told me I'd done everything I could. Since satan made me feel embarrassed, I didn't want to go into work the next day. I had no idea what I was going to say and I dreaded it. My husband told me what to say, and it was the perfect thing.....for this man, anyways. As I was headed out from work, he asked me if I didn't want to continue to talk religion some more. I told him, "No sir. You have heard the Gospel of Jesus and you are now accountable to Him. Goodnight!" You would have thought I'd hit him in the face with a baseball bat. It scared him, then he regained his composure. God triumphed that evening, not me. And when he crosses my mind, I still pray for him. The moral to this story is don't allow satan to get in your face and call you a failure, stupid, or ignorant. The Word does not return void.

 

[blondeambition3]

Yes! Prayer is where the power is....faith, believing God for who he is, sovereign, just, full of mercy and grace.



So true....although we can't help to be grieved when we see those so vehemently opposing salvation through Christ, we are told to rejoice!
Matthew 5
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

There are times that honestly I am to grieved to rejoice....my faith has taken a crushing blow, my hope is weak. That's the best time to take it to Jesus...

Matthew 11
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Taking it all to him in prayer is so good for rest...unfortunately, this is one of the hardest lessons for me cause I want to fix everything and everyone and I WANT IT NOW!

Wow! Hallelujah & Amen!

 

[blondeambition3]

Something else, Imrasch. When someone you are witnessing to brings up more 'intellect' than you because they ask questions you don't have an immediate answer for, satan gets in your face and tells you how stupid you look in front of these people. When I was a fairly young Christian, this happened to me at the work place by the owner in front of my friends. I wanted salvation for this man because, like I had been, I could tell he wasn't happy. There is no true happiness without Jesus. That doesn't make sense to the unsaved. I did my best, but felt I had failed miserably. My heart broke for this man and I cried all the way home. It was like 8:30 p.m. as we had to work late. By the time I got home, I was sobbing from my toenails. I couldn't go into the house as I couldn't seem to calm down and my husband came out thinking all kinds of awful things had happened. He was relieved I hadn't been mugged or worse. He told me I'd done everything I could. Since satan made me feel embarrassed, I didn't want to go into work the next day. I had no idea what I was going to say and I dreaded it. My husband told me what to say, and it was the perfect thing.....for this man, anyways. As I was headed out from work, he asked me if I didn't want to continue to talk religion some more. I told him, "No sir. You have heard the Gospel of Jesus and you are now accountable to Him. Goodnight!" You would have thought I'd hit him in the face with a baseball bat. It scared him, then he regained his composure. God triumphed that evening, not me. And when he crosses my mind, I still pray for him. The moral to this story is don't allow satan to get in your face and call you a failure, stupid, or ignorant. The Word does not return void.

Amen & Hallelujah!

 

[lmrasch]

Something else, Imrasch. When someone you are witnessing to brings up more 'intellect' than you because they ask questions you don't have an immediate answer for, satan gets in your face and tells you how stupid you look in front of these people. When I was a fairly young Christian, this happened to me at the work place by the owner in front of my friends. I wanted salvation for this man because, like I had been, I could tell he wasn't happy. There is no true happiness without Jesus. That doesn't make sense to the unsaved. I did my best, but felt I had failed miserably. My heart broke for this man and I cried all the way home. It was like 8:30 p.m. as we had to work late. By the time I got home, I was sobbing from my toenails. I couldn't go into the house as I couldn't seem to calm down and my husband came out thinking all kinds of awful things had happened. He was relieved I hadn't been mugged or worse. He told me I'd done everything I could. Since satan made me feel embarrassed, I didn't want to go into work the next day. I had no idea what I was going to say and I dreaded it. My husband told me what to say, and it was the perfect thing.....for this man, anyways. As I was headed out from work, he asked me if I didn't want to continue to talk religion some more. I told him, "No sir. You have heard the Gospel of Jesus and you are now accountable to Him. Goodnight!" You would have thought I'd hit him in the face with a baseball bat. It scared him, then he regained his composure. God triumphed that evening, not me. And when he crosses my mind, I still pray for him. The moral to this story is don't allow satan to get in your face and call you a failure, stupid, or ignorant. The Word does not return void.

Yes, and truly the "intellect card" is a hard one for me.....There are many out there a ton smarter than I am, and these are the hardest ones for me to share with sometimes.... not because of them, but because of my own pride. I don't want to be proven to be an idiot because I don't have "all" the answers for all their questions.

A perfect example of that is a thread that was recently posted on the "Outside" about Atheists and Agnostics being most knowledgeable on "Religion" according to some study that was done. As a Christian, I don't know that much about "Religion"....maybe I should study more about it, meh.....but seriously, do I need to know more about what I already believe to be true or what Mother Teresa's or Joseph Smith's religion was and what is Ramadan? How will I apply that knowledge to my walk? How does "that" knowledge compare to what Jesus has already done for me, how my life was completely transformed, how much joy I have now, how much hope I have for a future? Head knowledge does not = Heart knowledge.

One thing that has helped me with this is to realize that Satan is a gazillion times smarter than I am and anyone else walking the face of this earth and there's no arguing with him and he knows the Bible inside and out, knows how to twist God's Word and has been doing it since the time of Adam and Eve.

That is why it is so important to speak what you do know....from the heart and let the Holy Spirit guide your words, actions and be the check for your own motives. It's important to study the Word and ask for Holy Spirit to enlighten us to understand. We cannot prove anything, there is really no way to prove faith. Miracles are nice, but even then there were those that didn't believe. So then, it must be the light that non believers are drawn to...and not our brains. The light of Jesus living through you...

Something that I need to keep reminding myself of is that I am a light set upon a hill..let it shine!

 

[blondeambition3]

Yes, and truly the "intellect card" is a hard one for me.....There are many out there a ton smarter than I am, and these are the hardest ones for me to share with sometimes.... not because of them, but because of my own pride. I don't want to be proven to be an idiot because I don't have "all" the answers for all their questions.

A perfect example of that is a thread that was recently posted on the "Outside" about Atheists and Agnostics being most knowledgeable on "Religion" according to some study that was done. As a Christian, I don't know that much about "Religion"....maybe I should study more about it, meh.....but seriously, do I need to know more about what I already believe to be true or what Mother Teresa's or Joseph Smith's religion was and what is Ramadan? How will I apply that knowledge to my walk? How does "that" knowledge compare to what Jesus has already done for me, how my life was completely transformed, how much joy I have now, how much hope I have for a future? Head knowledge does not = Heart knowledge.

One thing that has helped me with this is to realize that Satan is a gazillion times smarter than I am and anyone else walking the face of this earth and there's no arguing with him and he knows the Bible inside and out, knows how to twist God's Word and has been doing it since the time of Adam and Eve.

That is why it is so important to speak what you do know....from the heart and let the Holy Spirit guide your words, actions and be the check for your own motives. It's important to study the Word and ask for Holy Spirit to enlighten us to understand. We cannot prove anything, there is really no way to prove faith. Miracles are nice, but even then there were those that didn't believe. So then, it must be the light that non believers are drawn to...and not our brains. The light of Jesus living through you...

Something that I need to keep reminding myself of is that I am a light set upon a hill..let it shine!

Y'know Imrasch, (and others if interested), years ago, when the Internet was still in it's infancy.. (1996)... and we all used dial-up (at least I did!).. I used to post in AOL Christian Chat rooms... and believe me, we couldn't have a single conversation without 'demons' coming at us (hurling insults) and blasphemies against us, God and Jesus from all sides. All I wanted to do was 'fellowship' with some Christian Brethren as that was when I was married to the Muslim ex and I had NO Fellowship outside of him (due to him.. lol)... Back then, people could also 'isolate' you in a separate 'room' somehow.. and this happened to me alot...lol. This particular demonic spirit (person) told me that if I could 'produce' Christ then he'd believe.. and I said, "Well I can't physically show you Christ, but I can lead you to him"... and I remember nothing after that.. lol. Let's put it this way, I couldn't lead any of those People anywhere... so I ended up leaving and never going back. To be honest with you, when I first joined this Forum (Christian Vapors) I honestly thought I was re-living THAT Forum, so I believe that's why I was pretty combative with a few people in the onset.. and it's because I perceived they were 'evil' infiltrators similar to those on that by gone Forum so many years ago. I've 'learned' to hold my tongue now until my brain engages.. (lol)
Thanks for listening while I shared (vented)... lol

 

[lmrasch]

Y'know Imrasch, years ago, when the Internet was still in it's infancy.. (1996)... and we all used dial-up (at least I did!).. I used to post in AOL Christian Chat rooms... and believe me, we couldn't have a single conversation without 'demons' coming at us (hurling insults) and blasphemies against us, God and Jesus from all sides. All I wanted to do was 'fellowship' with some Christian Brethren as that was when I was married to the Muslim ex and I had NO Fellowship outside of him (due to him.. lol)... Back then, people could also 'isolate' you in a separate 'room' somehow.. and this happened to me alot...lol. This particular demonic spirit (person) told me that if I could 'produce' Christ then he'd believe.. and I said, "Well I can't physically show you Christ, but I can lead you to him"... and I remember nothing after that.. lol. Let's put it this way, I couldn't lead any of those People anywhere... so I ended up leaving and never going back. To be honest with you, when I first joined this Forum (Christian Vapors) I honestly thought I was re-living THAT Forum, so I believe that's why I was pretty combative with a few people in the onset.. and it's because I perceived they were 'evil' infiltrators similar to those on that by gone Forum so many years ago. I've 'learned' to hold my tongue now until my brain engages.. (lol)
Thanks for listening while I shared (vented)... lol

Haha...yeah, it's difficult to have a conversation with those that argue just for argument sake...you'll usually just go away feeling angry, frustrated and stupid, lol! Then turn around and use all that pent up frustration....on your family! Yep, I've been there ....my poor hubby.

 

[LisaLisa]

So true....although we can't help to be grieved when we see those so vehemently opposing salvation through Christ, we are told to rejoice!

Matthew 5
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

There are times that honestly I am to grieved to rejoice....my faith has taken a crushing blow, my hope is weak. That's the best time to take it to Jesus...

Matthew 11
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Taking it all to him in prayer is so good for rest...unfortunately, this is one of the hardest lessons for me cause I want to fix everything and everyone and I WANT IT NOW!

Very true but for some reason we feel the need to place the burden of the lost soul on our own shoulders as if the person will never hear another word of the gospel. It causes undue grief for the Christian as well as the alien sinner. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered & God gave the increase". We go through a lot of unneeded stress over it sometimes.

I really needed these 2 comments this morning. I too tend to take the burdens of the world on my shoulders, and feel responsible for all of them. It grieves me so much, and because of my constant witnessing for Jesus, I've been hated and persecuted so much on this forum for the last year. Believe me when I tell you, I'm the most hated woman on ECF. It's the truth guys, I used to only post in the OUTSIDE section, and I would witness constantly about Jesus and His Kingdom and it was really difficult because the hate would come out all of the time from all angles and that hate was strong. It's still goes on, many threads are started all over this forum just for the sole purpose of mocking us, criticizing us and I don't call attention to it because it's just hurtful and mean, so I leave it alone. But I see them, I see all of them, and Jesus sees them too.

The very name of Jesus sends some people into a frenzy, I'll just never understand it. He is so good, so righteous, so loving, so compassionate, and yet His very name evokes so much hatred. It's very difficult to deal with.

I almost started a new thread last night about Christians being hated by the nations, but I didn't want to stir up the pot. But, the bible and Jesus Himself mentioned how much we would be hated, loathed, persecuted and so on for His name, and it's just so true. They hate the fact that we exist, they hate the fact that we are happy, they hate the fact that we love God and share His love with others.

When I see that hate, I am instantly reminded of Satan, and I know he's behind it. I've seen videos of demon possession, and when the name of Jesus is used, the demons freak out and start yelling, screaming, spitting and cursing. Seen it many times. Demons are very much alive and working in the majority of the people in the world today, they influence your mind to do evil things. There are only 2 forces in this world, good and evil, and when people curse at us, this comes from evil. The person might not be evil, and might not even be aware that he/she is being influenced by demons. That's the saddest part.

Some people even laugh at the thought of satan and his demons, and this is one of satans most effective tools. Can't be on guard against something if you don't believe it, right? Oh but they are very real, I've seen them in my own dreams, and I"ve felt their presence, and I've seen their influence, and yes they hate us so much and they will use the lost people to try and bring us down, persecute us and crush our faith in the only true living God.

And as these last days wind down, it's going to get worse, much worse. Time to draw close to God like never before, time to draw strength from Him and our brothers and sisters like never before, build eachother up and put on that spiritual suit or armor that God provides for His people.

 

[LisaLisa]

Those of you who have committed your life to Christ have possibly seen this in your own families where the subject of Christ is seen as a division. This is so and will continue to be so until the end. Are you sacrificing your witness for Christ to "keep the peace"?

I just finished reading the study on Matthew Chapter 10, that was awesome, thank you Chimney! Very much appreciated sister, more then you know.

This last paragraph that you wrote really hit home to me, and the whole chapter is just so timely, it's amazing. A while back, I sent my father a witnessing video, a great testimony of Jesus, never heard from my father again. I'm sure it was not well received, but I can still keep praying for him.

Very difficult times we live in...........very difficult. The word of God is such a comfort and a source of great strength, I'm grateful for it, and also grateful to have you guys to discuss it with too!

 

[Southern Gent]

Those of you who have committed your life to Christ have possibly seen this in your own families where the subject of Christ is seen as a division. This is so and will continue to be so until the end. Are you sacrificing your witness for Christ to "keep the peace"?

Perhaps it need be mentioned the difference between our witness compared with those in the first century. The division amongst family then would be much greater than that of today. We are talking about leaving Judaism for Christianity based upon the testimony of a handful of people. If one did leave Judaism it would likely cause severe problems with the family unit. There was trust in the "system" though wrongfully administered. Hence Jesus said "Who is my mother, father. brother, sister? If you left the traditional religion, your new Christian family would likely be all you had.
Today most people at the very least know of Jesus and at least in part His redemptive work. In our time it is more about selfishness and the refusal to allow Jesus a place in our lives. Pride is also involved as people never want to admit there is something/someone greater than themselves much less ever admit that their lives are out of control and they are in need of help.

 

[LisaLisa]

Those of you who have committed your life to Christ have possibly seen this in your own families where the subject of Christ is seen as a division. This is so and will continue to be so until the end. Are you sacrificing your witness for Christ to "keep the peace"?

Perhaps it need be mentioned the difference between our witness compared with those in the first century. The division amongst family then would be much greater than that of today. We are talking about leaving Judaism for Christianity based upon the testimony of a handful of people. If one did leave Judaism it would likely cause severe problems with the family unit. There was trust in the "system" though wrongfully administered. Hence Jesus said "Who is my mother, father. brother, sister? If you left the traditional religion, your new Christian family would likely be all you had.
Today most people at the very least know of Jesus and at least in part His redemptive work. In our time it is more about selfishness and the refusal to allow Jesus a place in our lives. Pride is also involved as people never want to admit there is something/someone greater than themselves much less ever admit that their lives are out of control and they are in need of help.

Amen SG, so true. Pride is a huge factor, in fact I think it's the one main thing that separates people from God, their refusal to admit that they need God. Would you agree?

 

[chimney55]

Perhaps it need be mentioned the difference between our witness compared with those in the first century. The division amongst family then would be much greater than that of today. We are talking about leaving Judaism for Christianity based upon the testimony of a handful of people. If one did leave Judaism it would likely cause severe problems with the family unit. There was trust in the "system" though wrongfully administered. Hence Jesus said "Who is my mother, father. brother, sister? If you left the traditional religion, your new Christian family would likely be all you had.

This still goes on even today with Jewish people who turn to Jesus. I've heard of people having funerals and sitting "shiva" for family members who have become Christians.

 

[Southern Gent]

This still goes on even today with Jewish people who turn to Jesus. I've heard of people having funerals and sitting "shiva" for family members who have become Christians.

I'm sure it still happens. Consider leaving the Muslim religion especially if you are in a Muslim country...

 

[iJax]

I've 'learned' to hold my tongue now until my brain engages.. (lol)

@ Blondambition3...can you teach me this..?

 

[chimney55]

I'm sure it still happens. Consider leaving the Muslim religion especially if you are in a Muslim country...

Actually, they actually kill the person leaving Islam for Christianity (or try to).