troublingdoubts.exjehovahswitnessforum
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Band of the moment - Death From Above 1979 - I like alot of now defunct bands. Somehow the bands I end up liking just
can't seem to stay together that long. Maybe it's because of the concentration of awesomeness.
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AndriaSyxx
11/10/08
Mike
10/18/08
Mike
Mike
10/18/08
Hi Troubling Doubts,
Your post really touched me. I have never been one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I do not claim to be an expert in their theology. You have made a courageous move - to question a tenent, no matter how small, of your religion.
I was raised as a nominal member of a church of what JW's call "Christendom". The denomination doesn't really matter. I left it at a later date. It also emphasized works as a means of achieving favor with God. One day I was reading the scriptures and came upon a passage:
Eph 2: 8-9 "For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith. It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."
I was shocked to see this. Could it be possible that my efforts are in vain?
I had always wondered if I were good enough, had done enough, to earn God's favor. I knew in my heart I had not. I was irretrieveably broken. I was a sinner, separated from God.
I came upon another passage, in the book of Romans, Rom. 10:9 and following: ...if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved, As the scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
This shook me. Is belief what God wants? But what about all the other passages that talk about working out your salvation, or in James where it says, faith without works is dead?
I had to really think about this for a long time, and study the scriptures more. There are many questions. Some may never be answered.
But I encourage you: READ THE SCRIPTURES.
Regarding the preaching work: I'm not sure what to say. I have been a part of going from door to door to tell folks about the scriptures and the saving work of Jesus. I have also shared the truth of the scriptures on the bus, at work, to acquantances, at social functions, to co-workers, family, and in all kinds of other places.
May God bless you on your search. I do not have answers to all possible questions. I am not sure there are answers to every question in this life. But I do believe the Watchtower has problems you may not realize. They may have made very deadly mistakes for which they will be judged. I think you know what I mean; no sense in mentioning them.
I leave you with I John 5: 13 - "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life."
All scriptures are from the New International Version. May God bless your search, Troubling Doubts. There may be much more that you discover, that will turn you whole view of God around.
Keep asking, keep seeking. You will find.
Mike Frederick
Seattle, Washington
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