APRIL 2018
Dear <<First Name>>,
"The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." 2 Tim. 2:24-26
How one responds to Christ and His word reveals the condition of his or her heart. Much of our time has been filled with confronting those who reject the simple truths of God’s word and chasing those who are being led astray. No matter how loving, patient, kind and clear we are with presenting biblical truth, people still reject logic, common sense and the word of God. I have met thus far with those who deny the deity of Christ, reject the eternality of hell, deny the reality of sin defined by the Bible, and men who falsely accuse and attack our leaders in the church. It is evident that only the Spirit of God working through the word of God can open the hearts of the spiritually blind.
Here are just a few responses translated into English from those who have rejected the word of God after many hours of sharing truth in love:
“ James…I don’t want to dig into your arguments because I fear that you could be correct on the issue of eternal hell…” (A medical doctor who left our church because he did not want to believe in hell and tries to influence others.)
“James…you are too biblical on this issue” (A confused church attender listening to those who are attacking our faithful elders and biblical authority.)
“James...we can still do evangelism together despite our different beliefs in Christ (A close former friend who was an elder and now is disciplined out of the church for denying the true deity of Christ.)
“ James…we do not have the same vision of God, it hurts me but I prefer to put an end to our friendship” (A friend who frequently came to our home for meals and I taught the Bible for months. Finally, he admitted that he does not believe in sin as defined in the Scriptures.)
The deeper you go with understanding the language and culture, the darker it gets with anti-Christian philosophies polluting the souls of men and women in French speaking Europe. Despite the challenges we have so much to be thankful for! We are grateful for our team consisting of all of you supporting and praying for us along with our faithful teammates John and Meg Glass. We are grateful for the remnant of true believers in our church who love God and His word. Genuine faith would not be genuine if it was not tested, tried and proven through trials. Please praise the Lord along with pleading for His glory to be displayed through us in all circumstances.
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