xjwsforChrist

Leaving Quietly, I didn't realise, or had forgotten (my fault. I'm sorry.) that you were still a JW.

I'd stop it, if I were you, LQ. It's just invented by Russell, probably with good but mistaken motives, and then made so much worse by Rutherford with his controlling empire.

I do not want to negate what you received, dear P (peace, dear one!)... because it is absolutely true. However, there is more. MUCH more. My Lord said it because JAH... is the God of the LIVING... the LIVING being those who receive HIS spirit. To do that, receive His spirit, one must go to the SPIRIT He appointed to dispense it: Christ, the "life-giving spirit." This young man didn't want to follow Christ... yet... but first take care of his father who was to die shortly. What my Lord MEANT, though, when he said what he did to the young man was, in essence, "I am the LIFE; follow ME... and YOU will have life, which I can ALSO give to your father as a result of YOUR faith... IN ME! Let those who have NOT come me... the dead... bury your father. Because I... am the resurrection. Even IF he dies... I can bring him back to life!"

Had that young man put HIS faith in our dear Lord... and left the tending of his father to those who had NOT come to Christ... HE could have saved himself... AND his father... AND his entire household (the dead). By means of HIS faith those "dead" (those not having life IN them, by not being joined to Christ (John 6:51-53))... could have ALSO been granted life. Including his father, either before he died (healed, if he was sick, versus elderly) OR after.

As was the case with many others, including the daughter of Jairus, the servant of the Army officer, the son of the widow of Nain, Lazarus... All received life... BECAUSE OF THE FAITH OF SOMEONE ELSE: a father, employer, mother, sisters. We even have the examples of Rahab and Cornelius.

Sadly, the young man chose poorly. He chose the dead... over the living. Bad... over good. And so it is on HIM that he and/or his household won't take part in the FIRST resurrection, but will have to wait even longer... for the second.

I hope this helps!

Again, peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellama

Some here are trying to give you the same advice, dear Char (peace to you!). Just substitute "certain men" for Russell... and then "more men" for Rutherford.

Would that you could see that there really is NO difference, dear, dear sister... and thus, your hypocrisy. I will NOT stop praying for you to receive sight. Not unless and until my Lord tells me to... and thus far, he has not. To the contrary, actually.

Again, peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellama, who doesn't wonder how it is you CAN'T see... given that huge, huge rafter...

Oh yes, very much indeed.
There is always a deeper meaning to what Our Lord says, if we look deep enough and are open enough to hear it.
I just wanted to point out that, IMO, that verse is perhaps not the best one to use in regards to "leaving those we love in the WT because they choose to stay".
They are not dead to us nor are they dead UNLESS they openly KNOW AND DENY Christ and yes, perhaps some do BUT I have faith in Our Lord and His message and I have faith that those that I love, that our lost NOW, will be free when He says it is time.

In time, my friend. In time.

I preach to everyone I meet to keep their kids away from those kooks!

_________________
The light is getting brighter and your not looking so holy!