Dorcas wrote:
Brother Helps,
I want to thank you for your encouraging post of a few days ago.
Just read your comment and I had to speak out concerning this sin.
My dear husband is a different nationality than myself, and we too have experienced the sting of racism with those who profess to be Christians.
Once again dear brother thank you for your kind words, and may God bless you richly.
Dorcas

GSTexas wrote:
I've lived in the south most my life, and I assure all that read this that racism is still alive and well in the south, even in churches.

Unprofitable Servant wrote:
2nd a command still requires a choice

Michael Hranek wrote:
Ladybug
Here is where we differ, in my words, you are looking at "urging a man to come to Christ" as a work the man does
I look at pleading with a man to "Come to Christ" as something a lost fallen man can do and will only do by the grace of God
Which is something a child of God can pray and seek God that lost people will do

"The Bible simply does not teach man has the ability/free will to come to Christ apart from divine intervention"

And again:

Frank wrote:
Helps UK.
Perhaps Cornelius was also one of God's elect, from before the foundation of the world.

Charthouse wrote:
"So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
ONLY the indwelling Holy Spirit can cause man to seek God and His Son.

____________________

Sister Dorcas,

Psalm 100:4

John UK wrote:
I've no doubt Helps UK will like to chip in with a couple of cents worth..

In tears wrote:
Our experience in the American churches.....we have no spiritual fellowship....gets very quiet when we want to talk of the things of the Lord. Very heartbroken in this matter. Please pray for us!

I shall pray for you.

Brother Frank, thank you for your comment. Loved with an everlasting love. Who can fathom such depths?

In Tears

Praying for you.

If it helps, please do not hesitate to contact me. I've included my email address in this post. Whatever is within my power to do to help, is yours for the asking. Be assured that there are people who do care for your souls.

Brother Shane
Glad you found it a blessing.

I often think on the apostle Paul and our Lord's words to him on the Damascus road, "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks". What "pricks" was the Lord referring to?

I believe we get a small glimpse in Romans 16v7 where the apostle writes: "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me".

Is it inconceivable that these relatives who are brave enough to be in prison were also bold enough to witness to an unconverted Pharisee named Saul? Could it explain his fury in wanting to imprison and kill these Christians who made gains in his own family? And how long did he bear with them before becoming angry at this new religion which sought, in his mind, to subvert the Jewish faith?

We don't read an awful lot about the Lord's dealings with Paul prior to his conversion, but glimpses such as these are precious.

In any event the Lord was dealing with him prior to his Damascus road experience and this much cannot be denied.

As for moniker man, he has no scripture proof and that is enough to tell me that he speaks from ignorance.

Lurker wrote:
Thank you brother for sharing your life giving experience...

I have heard it said by some that the Lord does not answer the prayers of the wicked. I have always found it difficult to believe this since the Lord heard and answered me on numerous occasions when I was still unconverted. Dear old Spurgeon used to ask if the Lord hears the cry of the young ravens to feed them (Ps. 147:9) why should he not hear the cries of those who are yet unconverted?

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

I had heard of what others who had abandoned their family faith had suffered and had no idea what I would face. My family recognised the change in me, but tried to write it off as some aberration. I tried to join a local church and this brought matters to a head, the upshot of which was that I was asked to leave home. I had nowhere to turn and so went to see the pastor of the church who made enquiries and put me in touch with a deacon who let me have a flat for a nominal rent because I earned very little. The Lord has continued to deal with this sinner very graciously and even though I have let him down again and again, often grievously, he has proved faithful to me. I stand in awe of his holiness and majesty, I am humbled that he should ever deal this worm with such mercy, grace and kindness. All praise to his dear name.

I apologise for such lengthy posts, but I trust you will join with me in thanking God for the riches of his love and condescension in Christ our Saviour.

When I saw the boy, my heart started to race and I braced myself for another beating. He crossed the room and when near enough he held out his hand and apologised to me. Naturally, I was delighted with this, but this was literally the first ever answer to prayer I had experienced. I decided never to pray to any other deity. Of course I was not a Christian and with the encouragement of some friends who professed Christ I started reading the Bible. I read the NT through at least twice, I attended some rallies, went forward when the alter call was made etc. but no change in me yet. I saw myself as a Hindu and Christian. I then went to university, joined with other Christians in the CU and continued to read the Bible. This time the experience was very different. Every word that I read pierced my heart. The love of Christ melted my heart, I saw and felt my own wickedness and need of the Saviour as never before, I repented in tears, came to believe firmly in the one only saviour of mankind. I saw the exclusive claims of Christ and determined to follow him no matter what. I had a wonderful sense of God's presence with me which stayed with me for several months.

I returned home to my family in some fear...