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Please Don't Hate Me!

Sue J Love

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Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
2,593
Please don’t hate me because I think differently from you on some things, or because I don’t celebrate Jesus Christ in all the same ways in which you do, or because my understanding of what scripture teaches may be a little bit different from yours. For, we both claim to believe in Jesus Christ, and in God the Father and the Holy Spirit. We both believe that Jesus died on a cross to save us from our sins; to free us from sin, and to give us eternal life with God. And, we both desire to see others come to faith in Christ, too.

So, why do you get so angry when what I believe is different from what you believe? Why do you “slam the door in my face,” defriend or deride me on Facebook, perhaps unfollow me on Twitter, ignore me and avoid me out in public places, or treat me like I just committed some horrible crime? Why do you mock me, gossip about me behind my back, and make false judgments about me just because I believe differently from you? Have I now become your enemy by proclaiming the truth as I believe it to be, and as I believe scripture teaches it? Aren’t you are my brother or sister in Christ?



The Lord Jesus led me to read Galatians 4 (vv. 8-11 ESV).

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

There are multiple lessons the Lord has taught me, in particular over the past 13 years, regarding “weak and worthless” principles of the world which were ingrained in my life from childhood and which he wanted out of my life. So, with each revelation he gave me regarding these ingrained principles, I listened to what he taught me, and I obeyed him, but sometimes to the strong disapproval of other Christians who still hold strong to some of the things which God has removed from my life.

Flag-Waving

For one, I was a flag-waving, flag-pledging patriot who sang the national anthem with hand over heart, with great enthusiasm. I believed the USA was a Christian nation, and I believed what I saw and read in the news, that it was true. I believed what the Republican political platform said I should believe, and I voted according to that platform, that is, until…

The Lord opened my eyes, and he showed me the real truth about the US government, and what they are doing across the globe in conquering other nations, killing innocents, and confiscating and destroying property not their own. He showed me that I could not trust our leaders to tell the truth, or the mainstream news media, either. He taught me that our government works for “the beast” and that they are instrumental in bringing “the beast” to the world throne. And, he taught me that to pledge allegiance to the US flag is to vow fidelity to this evil government, which I should not ever do.

So, I no longer pledge to the flag of the USA, and I don’t vote in our elections, because our votes don’t count anyway, because our government is not the real government of the USA. Rather, a shadow government of the Elite of the world run these United States of America, and they choose which puppets to put in office, anyway. And, I no longer believe what is in the news, but I ask the Lord to show me what is true and what is false.

Institutional Church

I also was a member of more than one institutional church over the years of my life, and my husband and I were even church planters twice, and we did the 501c3 not-for-profit tax exempt incorporation of our fellowships, because that is what we were told we needed to do to become a “church.” We also followed our leaders’ advice in using marketing schemes in order to gain people to our church fellowships, but all the work we did in marketing our “church” never led anyone to faith in Jesus Christ, and it only convinced one person to join our fellowship, in this last church-plant effort.

Then, the Lord Jesus opened my eyes to see the institutional incorporated church from his vantage point. He sees it like he saw the money-changers in his temple, who were turning the house of God, which was to be a house of prayer, into a place of business. And, that is exactly what has happened to so much of the church here in America. By incorporating under the federal government of the US, the body of Christ has been turned into a business and is marketed just like any other business, using human techniques, and often ignoring the Holy Spirit and his guidance.

Not only this, but by incorporating, the church has partnered with this evil government which is working for “the beast,” and in doing what we read about in Revelation 13. But, even if they weren’t working for the beast, they are still the ungodly, and we are not to partner with the unrighteous, but we are to come out from among them and to be separate so that we don’t share in their sins or in their punishment, and because there is no fellowship between light and darkness (See: 2 Co. 6:14-18; Rev. 18:4-5).

So, I did what God said for me to do, and I came out from the institutional church which is married to the US government, and I fellowship with other believers outside the walls of institutional Christianity. And, I share what the Word teaches on these subjects of not being unequally yoked together with unbelievers and of not turning the body of Christ, the people of God, God’s house, into a business of human-making.

Holidays

I used to celebrate all the American holidays or traditional celebrations, but we never did the Santa thing. But, we did celebrate Halloween, 4th of July, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. We eventually phased out Halloween, because of the evil in it, but we still held on to all the other celebrations.

Then, as I became aware of the true roots of our nation and of the true nature of our government and what all they are doing throughout the world, I could no longer celebrate the 4th of July, nor could I pledge allegiance to the flag nor sing patriotic songs.

Then, the Lord began to make me uncomfortable about celebrating Christmas and Easter. I began to see how Jesus Christ was being upstaged by Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny on these holidays or celebrations. And, Jesus began to open my eyes to see how he sees these celebrations, which are a mixture of pagan celebrations and religious celebrations, which God forbade his people from participating in all throughout biblical history.

I began to see how these celebrations were not really about Jesus Christ but they were about buying gifts we couldn’t afford to give to people who didn’t really need or want them, in many cases. And, there was so much greed and commercialism involved in this celebration of Christmas, in particular. And, Easter was more about getting new (or used) clothes and Easter baskets and eggs than it was about giving honor to our Lord who died on a cross for us.

So, my husband and I evaluated all of this together, and together we made the decision to stop celebrating these holidays, too. We have not yet made a decision about Thanksgiving, although, in my experience, that one seems to be more about people stuffing their faces full of food, oftentimes until they are sick to the stomach, and it often seems to have little to do with truly being thankful to the Lord, yet I realize that not everyone has the same experiences.

Conclusion

As I have become aware of these various institutions of men which were ingrained in me from childhood, and of what my Lord wanted my response to be concerning them, and I have obeyed him, I have also been faced with rejection, anger, rage, and even hate from other believers in Jesus for whom these institutions are sacred.

Not everyone has responded this way, mind you, but there have been quite a few who did. And, this is what prompted my opening statements. I have just seen so many Christians (or professing Christians) react so angrily to anyone not following these traditions, and I don’t believe that we, as Christians, should treat one another that way.

Not worshiping the government is not to be equated with not worshiping God, although many Christians do equate these. Not celebrating Christmas or Easter is also not to be equated with not celebrating my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I celebrate him every day! And, not attending an institutional church is also not to be equated with forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, for we can and should assemble together outside the walls of institutional religion.

So, you can choose to judge me, reject me, hate me, unfriend or unfollow me or whatever, but I must obey my Lord and do what he says. I hope you will stick around, though, and that we can still enjoy fellowship together. For, our goal together should be the salvation of souls for Jesus Christ and to see the church walking in the ways of the Lord, following him in all his ways.

For Our Nation / An Original Work
September 11, 2012

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: we’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.


Friday, December 1, 2017, 3:34 p.m. – Thank you, Jesus, for what you have taught me over the years regarding obedience to you.
 
I love this! It's nothing but the truth, yet so many get offended by it. The Lord also opened my eyes years ago to the deceit, and I've been so thankful ever sense! ❤
 
I love this! It's nothing but the truth, yet so many get offended by it. The Lord also opened my eyes years ago to the deceit, and I've been so thankful ever sense! ❤

Jasmine, Thank you so much for what you shared here. I appreciate you!! I am glad you understand, too. I am thankful, too, that He opened my eyes.
 
I am glad/refreshed to no i am not the only oddball for Christ out there,

Bless you ....><>

Brother Bear, Thanks! No, there are quite a few of us oddballs, I think, though we are certainly in the minority.
 
Do you think the following can apply in our day?

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke 21:12-19

And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 13:10-13

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:16-22


Bless you ....><>
 
Bear yes I think those for sure apply to today !! I know I do not it see living here in the states (although its creeping in), but through some missionaries and even in the news the persucations for being a christian is terrible in some parts of the world (as i am sure you know). Small villages in places like india if you become a Christian your family will disown you and the whole village will have nothing to do with you (that means not food also). I do not think most of Americans realize how much Christians sufffer all over the world for there faith in Christ. And yet that is what Jesus said would happen and if you lust look at the situation when Jesus said that people would be persucated because we follow him. situations was 2,000 years ago , on the other side of the planet, in a differnt language, making this statement to what 50-100 people. And now look 2,000 years later its coming true, this could only be from God just mind blowing for me when I look close at it.
 
Do you think the following can apply in our day?

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke 21:12-19

And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 13:10-13

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:16-22


Bless you ....><>

Absolutely! I have experienced this in my own life, not the physical abuse from those who hate the gospel, like many throughout the world are presently experiencing, but much of the rest of this. Yes! But, it wasn't the world who treated me this way. It was the church and its leaders. But, that is who persecuted Jesus, i.e. the leaders in the temple, so I identify. So, we all need to be prepared for when this gets much worse, which it will, that much of our persecution may come from within the church, at least from within the institutional church, and not so much, perhaps, from without. We expect the world to hate and reject us, but we expect that, within the church, we should find communion, love and acceptance, not rejection, abuse and even hate. So, I think it hits us much harder when our brothers and sisters in Christ reject and mistreat us.
 
@Sue J Love

Seemingly there are still at least a few oddballs about who do love God first even if that means being all alone in our flesh at times. That is when places like this forum can be a refuge where we can find kindred folk to encourage us as we encourage them. I won't detail my own experience here, but like Sue, I also have moved away the faith that I had in my country toward more faith in God, the only One we can always trust.

Give God the glory!
 
Was thinking on this and sometimes we have to let ourselves be hated.

For example, I remember in the Cross and Switchblade, David wilkerson saying he told Nicky Cruz at the time that he could cut him up into a million pieces but those million pieces would still love Nicky all the same.

Dont fight evil with evil, do good to them instead.

In another forum that was meant to be christian, I had these other posters slander me and talk about me in the third person and they kept hounding me. They really hated me and banned me saying I was 'flaming' , falsely accusing me and even some of the moderators would try to pick holes in every post I wrote even though they could not argue against scriptures I posted. But I would just say well bless you anyway. Am praying for you.

Sure it hurt I could not understand why people would do this on a christian forum, but they did. but God did show me they werent all they claimed to be.
 
When one becomes a true disciple born again by the indwelling Holy Spirit
then one becomes also consecrated; that is set aside for holy use and purpose.

Thus we live in this world among others but we are not citizens of this world.
We do not become entangled in the politics and institutions of worldly power.
For the world of injustice and inequality; and of war and brutality; and of political
and economic elites belongs to Satan.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy,
but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1Peter 2:

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,
and by the Spirit of our God.
1Corinthians 6:

sanctified > consecrated > to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of God.

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's (taxes and abiding the law of the land) and
render to God the things that are God's (service, preaching, love, Godliness, righteousness, love, peace, joy).
 
This world and all that is in it will burn.
Let us all pray that we do not burn with it.
 
Was thinking on this and sometimes we have to let ourselves be hated.

For example, I remember in the Cross and Switchblade, David wilkerson saying he told Nicky Cruz at the time that he could cut him up into a million pieces but those million pieces would still love Nicky all the same.

Dont fight evil with evil, do good to them instead.

In another forum that was meant to be christian, I had these other posters slander me and talk about me in the third person and they kept hounding me. They really hated me and banned me saying I was 'flaming' , falsely accusing me and even some of the moderators would try to pick holes in every post I wrote even though they could not argue against scriptures I posted. But I would just say well bless you anyway. Am praying for you.

Sure it hurt I could not understand why people would do this on a christian forum, but they did. but God did show me they werent all they claimed to be.

Sorry you went through that.
 
@Sue J Love

Seemingly there are still at least a few oddballs about who do love God first even if that means being all alone in our flesh at times. That is when places like this forum can be a refuge where we can find kindred folk to encourage us as we encourage them. I won't detail my own experience here, but like Sue, I also have moved away the faith that I had in my country toward more faith in God, the only One we can always trust.

Give God the glory!

Maybe we should ask Chad if we could have a new status on our profiles? Oddball

Bless you Brother.
 
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