Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 8/17/2010

Question
My husband and I grew up in Christian homes, saved and baptized by the age of 10. As teens and young adults we were in and out of church. neither one of us has ever back sled terribly. We've always prayed. About 6 months ago my husband came home a different man. A completely Godly man. The holy ghost continues to work in him everyday. As his wife I myself have gone to the next level. Being there in this "next level" with my husband and children I have come to see that so many people are not there. My husband and I crave to read the word hear the word and talk about the word.
My issue is that my in laws were visiting our church for about 3 weeks. They were really getting into it.then last Sunday everything just changed they were saying things like you don't have to go to church to go to Heaven< I'd rather die today a sinner than go to church a Hippocrate>>> These things have broken my heart. I've prayed and I've tried to search for Gods words to say to them and I seem to be pushing them away. They have a negative for every positive. I am wondering if there is any scripture that I can read about both the importance of church and the strength to continue to pray for the people who feel this as my in laws do? I just don't understand how to encourage with the words of God.
It's like God is shining through my family and everyone around us hates it.

Answer
Hi Amanda,

Thank you so much for this great question.  I am sorry for this late response.  I am sorry for the response of your in laws.  I have several things for you to consider some for your encouragement, and some to see what is really going on, perhaps to problem solve.

The best scriptures about church and Bible study are these:

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:   14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Now about the reaction of your in laws.  Actually, they are correct.  You do not have to go to church to get to heaven.  If they think that you do, they have not yet been saved, and no wonder your deeper spiritual life offends them... they cannot understand it.

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

They mention hypocrisy.  Is there something that offended them in what they saw?  Perhaps there is an action you folks took that has wounded them.  Try to find that out and confess it if there is anything to confess... we all stumble and if they see that you are humble enough to admit that then perhaps this will mend some wounds.

Do not take this personally.  You must be able to teach them line upon line without great emotional drama.

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.   

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this is a help to you.

In Christ
Pastor Don