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Post by dave123 on Aug 2, 2021 20:21:22 GMT
Our son, married with 2 small kids, has been expressing immense frustration. In the past couple years he "deconstructed" from traditional Christian beliefs. Whereas we hold firm to the truth. In dialogue earlier this month, he challenged our beliefs, especially that of salvation and eternal condemnation. We stayed true to our beliefs, and tried to reach a point of agreeing to disagree. He wasn't able to handle that, saying he doesn't want to have a relationship with people that 'condemn him' and are 'devoted to beliefs that he and his family are going to hell for eternity'. Because we are convicted of the gospel truth, we are at a loss of what to do here.
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Post by luke2231 on Aug 9, 2021 13:10:51 GMT
Dave,
I am so sorry. There is a lot of evil in this world and it's taken a giant foothold with this generation. There is something bigger going on than just families having disagreements. I know of SO MANY families that raised their children with the fear and admonition of God, only to have them not only have doubts, but to walk away and flagrantly reject the values that they were raised with. Our oldest has done this. Nieces and nephews have done this, and now our youngest, who still professes to be a christian is starting to make very questionable decisions that are the antithesis of how she was raised. She knows it and is becoming more and more distant from us as well.
In other words, I understand. I hate this for you and your wife.
My attitude is that I will retain my convictions, but I will offer grace when needed. I don't have to accept a situation but I have to accept who people are, because we're all loved by Jesus simply for being His. My counselor has told me many times to hold fast to my convictions because those biblical truths are eternal. Changing my beliefs to make my life - or my child's - doesn't really help anyone in the long run. But there is a way to do it lovingly and firmly. Jesus was a master at this! As I'm sure you are already doing, pray and pray some more. Read the New Testament, especially where Jesus has difficult conversations with others. He managed to be thoughtful, righteous, yet full of love, compassion and grace. Still, he was despised and ridiculed for who he was. I know this isn't the answer that you want to hear, but you, me - all of us - will be rejected as well because we hold fast to our faith.
But God! But God has it in His hands. But God has already been victorious. But God has a perfect plan for your life, and your son's life, and your grandchildren's life too. But God not only will overcome, He already has! But God will be with you. But God IS with you.
Sending hugs and prayers. I am living daily with the pain, hurt and disbelief as you...
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Post by everloving11 on Aug 10, 2021 19:33:35 GMT
I agree with Luke 2231 ~ my Christian son, who was estranged from us for 5 years, came back from war completely disillusioned about God. "If there is a God I could believe in, why would He allow the atrocities I saw?" In fact, he lost all faith in God and eternal life. Lately, he has been questioning why the cheaters get ahead in life and he is left in the dust in his foundling business. Anyway, his despair last year was so great after he found out his wife was in her third affair, that he purchased all the stuff to kill himself to permanently get rid of the physical and emotional pain. Hundreds of hours later, after many answered prayers and miracles he could not deny, he decided to live. He still hasn't returned to God YET, but we do have interesting conversations where I listen - without too much comment - and try to understand where he is coming from. Why am I sharing all this? Sometimes, it has to get much worse to get better. Whether you son knows it or not, God is working. BUT GOD is a huge factor in all of this!
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