The danger is that we take Mrs White's words and use them to justify all sorts of things.
It is true that Mrs White approved of the allegory Pilgrim's Progress. Does that mean we can approve novel reading generally? She attended a children's play. Does that mean we can approve movie watching generally? Mrs White approved of a Christmas tree, does that mean we should celebrate Christmas? She acknowledged birthdays, does that mean we should hold big birthday parties?
The danger of progression worries me. Seemingly innocent choices can lead to worse decisions. The questions are: Can I engage in this activity without it suffocating my sense of God and the higher purpose He has for my life? Can I engage in this activity and then return to the ordinary duties of my life without dissatisfaction?
1) Personally, I am trying to break the habit of watching romantic movies (even if they are only rated G). 2) I don't think I want to celebrate Christmas this year. 3) I'm struggling to decide about birthdays and parties.
The world is so immersed in entertainment and exciting activities that if someone stands apart and says they don't want to participate, they are attacked. However, this is because people attack when they feel attacked. Saying you are not going to watch a movie attacks what they hold very dear. People cannot handle this because their focus is wrong.
I would appreciate your thoughts on how to live in a wicked world and be faithful to God. How do you make choices? How do you handle being unpopular, the difficult one, the odd one out?
I must agree with you 100% and being an aged person that my first SDA Church was a solid straight testimony gathering and no Pastor came there and taught any error as they well knew they would be met at the door and told never to come back.
It met in a township church building and when the old ones who held it to truth finally passed away the remaining ones left and built a building on a given lot and at that time me and my wife left, moved to town to come to a huge church and I was floored by what came forth there and it was not long until around 60 of us rented from a Methodists group their building and had a home Church, yes we were back to a true Church.
You may not be an old person but it is evident you are of the old school of pure doctrine and can't hold to the world coming into the church. It is the peoples fault that the false is allowed to come in. It is we the people who are the Church and not the GC that won't continue in reform and increasing light but help to bring in the false and apostate things.
Yes I can name several and most reading this can too, if one can't, speak up and I will lay them out.
Yes we were presented and urged to buy "From Frogs to Princeses" and another I can remember, "The Purpose Driven Life".
Folks we must follow but one and that is Jesus Christ and His Word and it is a MUST that we have His Spirit of Truth.
Joh 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Joh 15:9 ¶ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
The danger is that we take Mrs White's words and use them to justify all sorts of things.
It is true that Mrs White approved of the allegory Pilgrim's Progress. Does that mean we can approve novel reading generally? She attended a children's play. Does that mean we can approve movie watching generally? Mrs White approved of a Christmas tree, does that mean we should celebrate Christmas? She acknowledged birthdays, does that mean we should hold big birthday parties?
The danger of progression worries me. Seemingly innocent choices can lead to worse decisions. The questions are: Can I engage in this activity without it suffocating my sense of God and the higher purpose He has for my life? Can I engage in this activity and then return to the ordinary duties of my life without dissatisfaction?
1) Personally, I am trying to break the habit of watching romantic movies (even if they are only rated G). 2) I don't think I want to celebrate Christmas this year. 3) I'm struggling to decide about birthdays and parties.
The world is so immersed in entertainment and exciting activities that if someone stands apart and says they don't want to participate, they are attacked. However, this is because people attack when they feel attacked. Saying you are not going to watch a movie attacks what they hold very dear. People cannot handle this because their focus is wrong.
I would appreciate your thoughts on how to live in a wicked world and be faithful to God. How do you make choices? How do you handle being unpopular, the difficult one, the odd one out?
Yours in Christ
Hi Shireen,
This is my prayer each and every day ...for Jesus to guide me in this evil world and to not be influenced by their practices. We will be always tempted to partake but listen to the Voice of God directing you to do what is right and protect your mind from worldly influences.
Satan will work through your friends and loved ones to get you to give in... be strong in Christ.
I'm not against sharing a meal with friends and family on a birthday. It is a good time to get together and to share. Bring a gift if you wish...
Thank you Gibs and NB for your encouragement to do what is right.
NB I agree with your manner of celebrating birthdays. However, currently, my sister expects us to make our holiday plans around her children's birthdays. I do not enjoy the celebrations because of the silly activities. In addition, my sister is completely exhausted afterwards, which I do not think is right.
Anyway, we have to be prepared to walk as Enoch. We may be the only one headed in a certain direction, but we have to do it for Jesus' sake.
