xjwsforChrist

Greetings, FaithAfterDeception, and peace to you! I came here after you posted a greeting and your web address on our site (xjwsforchrist.forumatic.com). I just want to share a few verses that might help you and others here understand "where" you might go after leaving a religion, cult, "faith-based" institution, etc.. The first two are similar and I'm sure you'll remember them well. They say, in essence, that God doesn't dwell in handmade temples. (Acts 7:48; 17:24). The next address where He DOES dwell (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19-21; 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 3:12). He dwells in His temple, which temple is made up of PEOPLE. "Where", though, is that "temple"? Peter answered that question, when asked by Christ whether he wanted to go away, as some others had done after Christ revealed to them what they MUST do. Christ had shared with his early disciples the words recorded at John 6:48-58. Unfortunately, not all were able to receive those words (John 6:52, 60)... OR the DIRECTIVES related to them (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25; compare John 15:1-7 and 6:56). When such directive turned them off... and they turned away, Christ asked Peter:

“You do not want to leave too, do you?”

In Peter's reply, however, is a clue... a TRUTH... that most miss. He responded:

“Lord, to WHOM shall we go?"

Did you notice, Peter did not ask "to WHERE" should we go, but to WHOM? That's because there is no "where". There is ONLY a "Whom", as Christ showed in his words at Matthew 11:28-30:

“COME TO ME, all you who are weary and loaded down, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you and LEARN FROM ME, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For MY yoke is easy and MY load is light.”

and John 7:38, 39:

“Let anyone who is thirsty COME TO ME and DRINK. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

and Revelation 22:17:

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." (Note WHO that Spirit is - 2 Corinthians 3:17).

Unfortunately, most are SO convinced that the Bible... an object made of the things of the EARTH... is/contains God's word (although, it is/does NOT - John 1:1, 14; 17:17; 14:6; Hebrews 13:12; 9:22; Revelation 19:13) ... that they don't HEAR this invitation, including it's recording at John 5:39, 40:

"You search the Scriptures diligently because you think that in THEM you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about ME, yet YOU REFUSE TO COME TO ME to have life."

As a result of their dulled hearing abilities, they miss the VOICE of that One (John 10:1-16, 27), which voice calls out to ALL men (Proverbs 8:1-9).

I am sharing this with you in the hopes that you will understand the "journey" to God is NOT teaming with people. To the contrary, the gate is narrow and small (John 10:9) and the road/way is narrow (John 14:6). Hence, FEW are the ones finding these (Matthew 7:13). In contrast, the gate and road destruction are wide and broad... and MANY enter through those. Thing is... do you BELIEVE Christ when he SAYS this, that only a FEW will find their way IN?

Most... don't. Most believe the "way" is where the largest group are. But in doing so don't understand that they are not WALKING by FAITH... putting FAITH in CHRIST's words... but walking by sight, the appearance of masses "deceiving" them into believing something DIFFERENT than what he SAID. Yet, these same ones say they believe "in Christ." How can one believe in someone... yet NOT believe his own words???

And so, I am compelled by that One, through HIS spirit, to share these truths with you and the dear folks here. We are not alone, when joined to Christ... because he is ALIVE, as another has shared... and WITH us ("Look! I am WITH you... ALL the days... until the end/conclusion..." - Matthew 28:20. But that doesn't mean we will be a vast group at any given time. Rather, we will always be fairly small. The large group comes later... when ALL those who belong to Christ... which covers folks from Abel until Christ's return... stand before the throne of God, etc.

So, as you shared, "PERFECT love casts ALL fear OUTSIDE." If, then, our love IN CHRIST is perfected, we will know we have nothing, absolutely NOTHING... TO fear. Hence, his words are TRUE:

"Do not be anxious... over ANYTHING."

Just keeping seeking him, the "kingdom" that is INSIDE you (John 14:23)... and everything ELSE will be taken care of. Even... fellowship. Let God... and His Son... be found TRUE, their words FULFILLED... though every MAN a liar.

Peace to you and all who visit with you here.

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

SA