| Author | Message | ||
| Markus Registered user Username: Markus Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2008 |
Just some thoughts from the following verse: John 1:36-37} 'When [John] saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus'. A few things struck me when reading this today. John's disciples were following a valid and important ministry, yet when they believed that Jesus was the Lamb of God, they immediately left that ministry to follow Him. At this point they would have had no instruction or commands, just belief. This reminded me of when I left Adventism. Initially it was just leaving all of my former 'ministry' behind to follow Jesus & let Him fill in the gaps of truth in my theology later. As an Adventist there were many times when I had this opportunity to believe & just "follow" Jesus, yet chose to hold onto the old ministry instead. I had no idea on what I was missing out on until now! Praise God! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10291 Registered: 12-2003  |
That is a wonderful insight, Markus. Thanks for sharing your own experience. I understand what you're saying; you don't know until you decide to leave to follow Jesus that the reality of HIM is indescribable and surpasses anything you had before. I so know how trite those words sound to someone who is struggling to stay and "make a difference", but really, it's only in leaving, when you are convicted, that you discover freedom, joy, peace, and the presence of Jesus tangibly. Colleen | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 574 Registered: 11-2007 |
Colleen, you make a great point but in order for this analogy to work properly, we must assume that adventists are "following a valid and important ministry". Not all of John's disciples left and followed Jesus. In fact, most of them stayed. Jesus validified John's ministry on many occasions and the gospels have many accounts of the interaction between John's disciples and the 12 disciples of Jesus. (John's disciples usually showed more Christian traits than the 12 did). So..we are back to the old question, "Is adventism a valid form of Christianity or are they preaching a different gospel?" Markus wrote that he was holding on to the "old ministry" time and time again but I don't see adventism as a ministry at all. I know this is an open forum and adventists can read this but I can not sit by and have the ministry of John the Baptist equated with adventism. When one leaves adventism (or mormonism, or buddahism or whatever) and chooses to follow Christ...they are coming in from the dark into the light, not coming in from a badly lighted room to a well lit one. Surfy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10295 Registered: 12-2003 |
Absolutely, Surfy. You're right. There's no comparison between John the Baptist and Adventism. Indeed, the risk of leaving John was not the same because his ministry was appointed by God, and by John's own admission, Jesus' ministry was to surpass his. The changing of focus and loyalty, however, it hard and includes risk and facing the unknown. And it's not until we actually act on our conviction that we know the depth of God's provision. Colleen | ||
| Markus Registered user Username: Markus Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2008 |
Good point Surfy, and I am guilty of not explaining myself properly. I never intended to equate John's ministry with Adventism. My point which I was attempting to make was that whilst still an Adventist, my belief at that time was indeed that preaching the fundamentals of Adventism(the dark) was a "valid and important" ministry which, for me, took on a greater role than following Jesus(the light). I praise God that I ended up finally choosing Jesus first, leaving the darkness behind. Hope this makes more sense... |
