Why is it not respectful to tell your parents that you're doing something so bad that God commanded people to be put to death for it in the OT? I admit that I probably messed up telling her that she's going to hell, because, if you believe on Jesus, you won't. However, I mean, but if she's not Christian, then am I wrong!?!? What kind of Christian rejects what God says in the Bible and says that the word of God is evil!? I have tried to do this in patience before, MANY TIMES. However, it's been YEARS where she's done this over and over and over.
As for how I should of gone about it, what about rebuking sharply? What about how it says in Luke 12:53, "The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law"?
Hi CIT,
I understand your position. It's not so bad to tell someone that they are doing something for which God commanded that others be put to death for doing such a thing..., if that is in fact what they are doing. However, that just isn't the same as telling someone that they are going to hell. And, as you've admitted yourself, you don't think you handled it properly in retrospect. So, let's agree that in your choice of words, you were wrong. In your desire to defend the truth of God's word, you were right.
As far as what kind of christian rejects what God says in the bible, well, I see that you're fairly new here and as you work your way through many of the various and sundry threads, you're going to find out the answer to that question. You didn't say that she
said that the word of God is evil and I would definitely stand against any such claim as that, especially made by someone who claims to be a believer, but even for those who are not, I would offer a defense against such a claim. However, we must always remember that those who are not a part of us, don't think as we think or understand as we understand, the spiritual things of God. There are actually a lot of people, some even standing under a banner of 'christian' who believe that all the death portrayed in the old covenant that claims to be at the direction of God, would make Him evil. The flood, the death of all the firstborn of Egypt, etc.
If she's made similar errors over and over and over again, then you just need to accept that she likely doesn't have a relationship with the Lord and pray for her. But you still need to deal with your mother with respect for who she is. I share your angst. Your mother sounds like she may be pretty much like mine. Mine was even an active pastor for some time and I am assured that she's just totally off the wall as far as understanding who God is. But, I've learned that attacking her understanding as you have done doesn't improve anything. It only makes for a lot of anger and resentment and yes, probably hateful feelings between us.
Yes, Jesus' words were true that faith in him was going to divide families, but I still don't see that such a division is any reason that the believer in the equation doesn't act with gentleness, kindness and respect. So, I will again agree, apparently with you, that your addressing the matter isn't the problem. It's how you addressed the matter.
Anyway, that's my encouragement to you, but understand that many of us have dealt with these same feelings and issues in our families. Jesus has even warned us that it would be so.
God bless,
In Christ, ted