cfaithtv:

Tithe is very important and we should not stop.

Pastor AIO:

I think it is a bit too damning to state that they cannot be redeemed. Yes, the situation looks daunting from our perspective, but it doesn't happen by our powers, no matter the strength of the arguments.

Perhaps we should stop relying on our own understanding and our abilities to argue. The Truth cannot be arrived at via rhetorical arguments. The important thing is that you say what you have been inspired to say. The job of convincing anyone is not ours.

freelance:

It's very important you pay your tithe.

SirJohn:

And if I dont??

freelance:

Things would be Tight

SirJohn:

well sorry to burst your bubble, but so many of us have been waiting for the 'devourer' to come and 'tighten' our finances; he sill hasnt showed up

1. When I was in the throes of organised religion, no one could - by argument or rhetoric - have forced me out. I was once the most fervent proponent of tithing. I even condemned those that practised it, but had the termerity to debate whether it was net or gross. But I sought God and He spoke to my about tithing when I wasn't even querying its validity. Tradition or Truth? That choice will have to be made at various points of one's journey. It was the start of a series of revelations that led me out of menc churches.

2. Having come out, I had a phase of exhorting everyone about the dangers and railing against religion. You know what? most people are exactly as I was in 1. above. For a while, I became almost religiously anti-religious. I see that as another phase I went through.

3. All I can say is that "The Lord knows those who are His" and they hear His voice and follow Him. God is way beyond. Anyone that truly seeks Him He will lead. But it can be a hard and lonely path. Being anti-religion does not in itself make you pro-God or to know Him.

There are lots of people out there who may not worship like we do, practise what we preach, but be fervently seeking God. I for one believe He will make a way even for those.

Lots to say, but it's more about seeking than speaking

Gamine:


I think im passing through the second stage,

Thanks TV01, true words.

freelance:

It's very important you pay your tithe.

TV01:


It's a wrench to come out of organised religion. It's comforting, one is validated, accepted, lauded even. You would have felt at home, spiritual and like you were truly serving God. For a while you'll be a little lost, but hopefully the clarity of truth you've understood will stop you going back. In fact the move out can be an epiphany - accompanied by a better understanding and more clarity of that truth you grasped - and a sense of release.

But the withdrawal can be painful and protracted. Exacerbated by the length of time it was so overwhelming a part of your very existence. Not to mention the realisation that having left what is wrong, doesn't immediately mean you have laid hold of, or even know what is the true path of righteousness. It can be a little like a bereavement. Patterns, habits and schedules all askew - Sunday mornings for starters! A sense of loss, anger, frustration, helplessness and it can be knackering.

The road is narrow and there are few that find it.

There may be ostracism and slander to deal with. Many of those you thought you had an unbreakable bond with not only have no time for you, they will have a combination of pity and disdain for you, if they don't openly revile you. Finding people of similar leaning can seem nigh on impossible. Close relationship can be changed. If you are lucky maybe those who love you unconditionally, will still do so, but not really understand. Some perhaps will appreciate your passion, even if they don't get it.

You'll want to share this with everyone, but they'll be few that see what you have, or understand what too you may seem be obvious truth. Trying to explain will be mostly fruitless and frustrating. You see, belongong to a cult - be it the largest denomination or the smallest sect - is accompanied by a degree and form of spiritual bondage, blindness and stupor.

Additionally, there's the fact that you have some truth - enough to see the falsehood of organised religion - but not all, or possibly not enough to determine what next. Please keep trusting Him.

Narrow, hard and lonley. I wish there was a roadmap, but I suspect not. At least not in anything but the very broadest sense. Salvation is personal, as is the walk. But if it's Him you are after, I trust you will rejoice in the end. I don't know how long it's been or how long you've journeyed, but I wish you Godspeed and may the Lord be with you.

TV

is this familiar;

It's a wrench to come out of organised religion. It's comforting, one is validated, accepted, lauded even. You would have felt at home, spiritual and like you were truly serving God. For a while you'll be a little lost, but hopefully the clarity of truth you've understood will stop you going back. In fact the move out can be an epiphany - accompanied by a better understanding and more clarity of that truth you grasped - and a sense of release.

But the withdrawal can be painful and protracted. Exacerbated by the length of time it was so overwhelming a part of your very existence. Not to mention the realisation that having left what is wrong, doesn't immediately mean you have laid hold of, or even know what is the true path of righteousness. It can be a little like a bereavement. Patterns, habits and schedules all askew - Sunday mornings for starters! A sense of loss, anger, frustration, helplessness and it can be knackering.

The road is narrow and there are few that find it.

There may be ostracism and slander to deal with. Many of those you thought you had an unbreakable bond with not only have no time for you, they will have a combination of pity and disdain for you, if they don't openly revile you. Finding people of similar leaning can seem nigh on impossible. Close relationship can be changed. If you are lucky maybe those who love you unconditionally, will still do so, but not really understand. Some perhaps will appreciate your passion, even if they don't get it.

You'll want to share this with everyone, but they'll be few that see what you have, or understand what too you may seem be obvious truth. Trying to explain will be mostly fruitless and frustrating. You see, belongong to a cult - be it the largest denomination or the smallest sect - is accompanied by a degree and form of spiritual bondage, blindness and stupor.

Additionally, there's the fact that you have some truth - enough to see the falsehood of organised religion - but not all, or possibly not enough to determine what next. Please keep trusting Him.

Narrow, hard and lonley. I wish there was a roadmap, but I suspect not. At least not in anything but the very broadest sense. Salvation is personal, as is the walk. But if it's Him you are after, I trust you will rejoice in the end. I don't know how long it's been or how long you've journeyed, but I wish you Godspeed and may the Lord be with you.

TV

i constantly pray that God would reveal his will to me, but in the interim i let The two great commandments of Jesus Christ guide my christian walk.

dejiariyo:

yall need to pay ur tithe, jesus is coming very soon.