Since the heart is only known by God, how can we be SURE?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

I have an experience I would like to share with you:


Several years ago there was a man in our church. I will call him Brother X. Brother X was very prejudiced against black folks. Well, you all know my wife is half black and us Puerto Ricans have black roots too.

Anyway, Brother X and I started working together and things were not going well. We had some issues getting along and our personalities just seemed to clash. After some counseling from my pastor, I decided not to work for this man any more. I followed the instructions my pastor gave me, and when Bro. X found out I had quit him in the middle of a job, he came to my house and cussed out my wife and me, calling me the N word and anything else he could think. I was not there and my poor wife had to endure this scene by herself.

When I found out about it I was livid. All I knew to do was to look for direction from the Bible. I found the scriptures in Matt 18 and started following what they said to do. Afterall, we are supposed to be apostolic and do what the Bible says to do.

I went to Bro. X privately to ask him about what had happened when he came to my house. We were in the church parking lot at the time, and he started cussing me out and called me the N word to my face. In fact, we almost got into a fight because I was going to knock him on his backside when he said that to me. I didn't, partly because an elder from the church had witnessed what had happened and intervened.

I decided I would go the pastor and let him know what had happened. I had my scriptures and everything. The pastor told me that, yes, according to the Bible I had a case for bringing this man before the entire church over what he had done and his refusal to apologize.

However, I also had another option, and this is the one I chose. The pastor explained to me that he knew this man's tempermant and knew he would end up leaving the church if I brought what had happened before them, for them to decide. I also had the option of simply forgiving Bro. X. I chose this option, for the sake of church peace and for the sake of Bro. X. I did not want to let something like the ignorance that had been put into him by his father be the reason for him leaving the Church. To this day Bro X and I have not spoken to each other, I am not angry with him, and am not bitter over what happened.

I think you handled that great. When people do things because of learned behavior it's just better to walk away.

I simply cannot fathom Christians treating humans beings in the way it has happened in this country. It still floors me. My husband told me things his grandfather has said. I told him, "I'm sure if your grandfather was alive I wouldn't like him very much."

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

Is this code for "I smother them entirely too much"? LOL

Well, they are spoiled, but if I didn't who would?

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I really haven't seen a lot of "study" here and haven't read the whole thread but the discussion has been interesting.

I feel so much for people like HO and others who have had such bad experiences in regard to absence of dads and a dad's love. That can't help but affect a person's perception of God and relationship with men in general.

Perhaps one of the reasons I've never lived my life in "fear" of God (the negative kind of fear I'm talking about - not the healthy kind of respect and awe and holy "fear" that we're instructed to have) is because I had a father who was such a wonderful male role model. I never had to worry about not being able to trust him. He was always there and I admired and respected him so much.

It must leave a huge hole in a person's life to have missed that.

Doesn't a thread like this cause you to go study yourself? I think we all realize there's not any study going on here - just opinions, yet it makes you go dig in the scriptures or dig in your heart to see what's there - - I'd call that study.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think you handled that great. When people do things because of learned behavior it's just better to walk away.

I simply cannot fathom Christians treating humans beings in the way it has happened in this country. It still floors me. My husband told me things his grandfather has said. I told him, "I'm sure if your grandfather was alive I wouldn't like him very much."

I hear you on that.

The point my pastor was making is that I could take either road and both would be right, according to the scriptures. One thing I learned from this experience is that there may not always be just one path to take in this walk. Sometimes God gives us options. It went a long way in helping me better understand why there are times when it seems like the Bible contradicts itself.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Whoa there Nellie. Wait up!

I said "can" not that it always is. CAN be, could be, might could possibly perhaps maybe be ...... and often is.

My name isn't Nellie cause I don't wear gingham.

You're back to making it a certain thing. I don't agree.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Doesn't a thread like this cause you to go study yourself? I think we all realize there's not any study going on here - just opinions, yet it makes you go dig in the scriptures or dig in your heart to see what's there - - I'd call that study.

Sure, but I haven't seen a lot of that exhibited here. I haven't had much time for study myself but I have a pretty basic knowledge of what Scripture has to say on the subject.

I did look up the word for bitterness ... "pikria" ..... and plan to may look at that a little further.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Rico

I hear you on that.

The point my pastor was making is that I could take either road and both would be right, according to the scriptures. One thing I learned from this experience is that there may not always be just one path to take in this walk. Sometimes God gives us options. It went a long way in helping me better understand why there are times when it seems like the Bible contradicts itself.

You are reminding me of a time this couple in church were just a huge pain!!! I was complaining to my husband about them. "Why do they even come to church anyway?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He said, very quietly, "Where else did you want them to go to get fixed?"

I felt so small!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Sure, but I haven't seen a lot of that exhibited here. I haven't had much time for study myself but I have a pretty basic knowledge of what Scripture has to say on the subject.

I did look up the word for "bitterness" and plan to study that a little further.

Well, there ya go.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Sure, but I haven't seen a lot of that exhibited here. I haven't had much time for study myself but I have a pretty basic knowledge of what Scripture has to say on the subject.

I did look up the word for "bitterness" and plan to study that a little further.

Well, start over and read the scriptures that are listed. And add yours if you have any.

[Felicity]

What are the tell-tale signs of bitterness? That the "bitter root" is there?

What are the signs that there is none or that it's been destroyed?