An Old "Friend" Seeking to Line Me Up

[J.A. Perez]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

It's bad that I talk about it here even though I mention no names or specifics. My motive for sharing the story was to encourage those like me to not react to being judged with vitriol but with kindness. It was also to ask those who feel compelled to judge to rethink how they deal with others who have left the movement.

What ?

If the story you told is correct, then the Man you think came to rebuke you and obviously did not. Showed himself a gentleman. You are accusing him of being two-faced and a liar. Because you're believing what your friend told you instead of what actually happened at that restaurant. Its obvious that your best friend didn't know what that guy was going to say.

I think it's very honorable if a man has a burden for somebody that he would come to him and express that very thing. Why would that be a bad thing, why would that be something to all the sudden now turn it negative towards the conservative movement?

This post if you would be honest with yourself and with everybody else here was nothing more than to put another knife in the back of every good man of God that has a backbone to stand for anything. It's obvious you are still bitter because of some offense that is happened to you, or else you would've contacted that man personally to hear what he has to say to you. Instead of mocked about it here.

In my time I have talked to many like you and I have given them what I felt in the spirit to say, some it is helped and they have prayed back through to the Holy Ghost. Some continue to live their life and go on to be reprobate. And in my heart of hearts I have wept much and prayed much, over people backing out from things they once believed.

It's obvious also by everyone that agreed with you or commend you for the story that you shared with us. That they too are in danger of having their conscience seared with a hot iron. I would welcome anybody to come to me if I was backing away or letting down or compromising. To come to me with a sincere spirit and warn me. I would then sincerely search my soul, but I wouldn't post it here.

The Lord rebuke you sir.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by J.A. Perez

The Lord rebuke you sir.

Seriously?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by kclee4jc

Being nice to his face while ridiculing him on an online forum. Glad you showed him a better way!

You do have a valid point.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Deacon Blues, thank you for sharing your heart. I think that some who are ridiculing you for how you handled this are missing the whole point!!!! In response to some of the comments:

1) I don't think that the second friend gave you bad info. I think that your "heaping coals of fire" on your friend's head caused him to re-think what he was going to say to you.

2) I don't think you were "ridiculing" him on this forum. I think this was a testimony to loving people where they are in their journey. Your kindness to him obviously touched him and made him re-think what he wanted to say to you.

3) YES! It is a "victory." It is a victory that the two could meet and have some fellowship without one or the other trying to convert the other one to his way of thinking.

4) I don't see Deacon judging anyone!!! I see him willing to meet a friend who has a different viewpoint than his own and allowing God to lead and guide him in how to act.

Again, Deacon, thank you for sharing your heart! I will sometimes pop in to see what is going on. It was a treat to see your name and read your post. May God continue to lead and guide you. May He be very real and close to you in a special way today!

Well, it did sound like DB painted the guy as a religious legalistic neanderthal.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

My longtime friend is my best friend. He is still in the UPC. I trust him wholeheartedly. My best friend would not be making things up and leading me astray. We talk several times a week and have for the last 30 years. Originally the Bible school classmate was just going to show up without a phone call or forewarning. I'm thankful that the Lord gave me an opportunity to prepare my approach to this man. Otherwise it is very likely that I would have sinned and given him a piece of my mind.

I agree that the Bible school classmate was sincere yet ignorant. While I was working he stopped by the church to look at our building. A prayer group that meets weekly at our church happened to be there. He joined them in prayer and one of the ladies present said in his loud praying he made it very obvious that he thought I was in bad shape and that our church was in a bad place.

The Bible says he that wins souls is wise. Even if your doctrine is flawless if your methods are foolish, you won't win anyone.

Yep, you sure ain't painting this cowboy as anything less than a circus trainwreck.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Originalist

For the life of me I do not get why some here are putting you down. I appreciate your maturity in Christ.

Honestly, it did sound a little pharisaical, when DB posted that he thanks God he wasn't like the legalistic knuckle dragging old tyme Pennycostal

Originally Posted by deacon blues

I saved his number in my phone. I'm still waiting for that phone call. I wonder if it will ever come? I will be happy to share with this man God's grace, the gospel of Jesus, the freedom that comes with a life in Christ, the fallacy of legalism, the joy of being secure in my salvation because of what Jesus has done for me, and the good place I am in now, with so many of the trials I have endured behind me.

DB is in a good place, his old bud is in a bad place, DB has joy because he is secure in his salvation, and his Bible school friend has no joy because he isn't secure in his salvation of obviously what Jesus hasn't done for him?

I guess it is all how you look at this con vs lib Kabuki Theatre

[n david]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

It's bad that I talk about it here even though I mention no names or specifics. My motive for sharing the story was to encourage those like me to not react to being judged with vitriol but with kindness. It was also to ask those who feel compelled to judge to rethink how they deal with others who have left the movement.

Yet from the story as posted, he didn't judge you with vitriol. In fact, as you wrote, he wept and told you he loved you.

Then you post and crucify the guy for something he was allegedly going to do, but didn't actually do.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by J.A. Perez

This post if you would be honest with yourself and with everybody else here was nothing more than to put another knife in the back of every good man of God that has a backbone to stand for anything. It's obvious you are still bitter because of some offense that is happened to you, or else you would've contacted that man personally to hear what he has to say to you. Instead of mocked about it here.

After this post I think I know what the J.A. stands for! If no one has told you this before let me be the first to tell you that you are quite the drama queen (or king).

Putting a knife in the back of every good man of God? Good grief!

[houston]

Awww. This thread reminds me of FCF and NFCF.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

I just can't fathom not having any relationship with someone for nearly 30 years and then decide to just drop in to rebuke them---and making leaps in logic based on a 30 minute phone call.

My best friend who is like a brother to me would not steer me wrong. I would trust him to raise my children if I were to die. I guess because I'm not a conservative or consider myself a OP, the conservatives on here want to jump on the judgment band wagon and assume the guy was following God's lead and I am the prodigal needing the rebuke.

Sorry guys but you all are waaaay off on your assessment.

MY assessment has nothing to do with whether or not you are liberal or conservative. It has everything to do with the fact a guy looked you up, wanted to meet you, told you he loved you (honestly, I was afraid it was going to be something worse than a rebuke the way you wrote it...) AND YET you are STILL GOING ON as if the guy had attacked you, judged you, condemned you, and tried to straighten you out.

Yet YOU have definitely attacked him on an online forum, judged him, condemned him even, and (being the sweet baby Jesus nice guy that you are) FAILED TO EVEN TRY TO STRAIGHTEN HIM OUT.

As for the lib/con thing, I have seen repeatedly here on AFF, and on nFCF before, that self proclaimed liberals do the very things they condemn as being 'conservative traits'.

Things like assuming someone is 'lost' or outside the grace of God (backslidden) because they don't see things the way you do. I find this all rather hypocritical.

Why didn't you just ASK HIM? Why didn't you say 'Hey, I heard you were coming to meet me to straighten me out, what's up with that?'