A friend in Saudi Arabia from a Muslim background has been hyper-critical of other believers in his city, even to the point of cutting off fellowship. One of his complaints has been that they don't respond immediately to his texts. I said to him, "Brother, I've texted you many times over the past two years, and many times you haven't responded to me. And these brothers have families and other responsibilities, unlike you as a single guy." To my surprise, he accepted my words with complete humility, evidence of the Spirit's work in his life. Over the Christmas break, he spent time individually with two brothers who are mature enough to love him well and understand the importance of his committing to a local church. Please pray that God gives him the grace to trust others and commit.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Ultimate Reconciliation
Have you heard of the doctrine of ultimate reconciliation? It is the belief that God will eventually cause all souls to come to a saving knowledge of Christ and spend eternity with Him. During a recent conversation with a missionary friend in Jordan, he told me he believed this. He said that he might be willing to discuss it later. God has given my friend the privilege of disciplining several new Syrian families from a Muslim background. Would you pray for their protection from this heresy and for my friend to be willing to wrestle together with Scripture about this? He is a wonderful husband/father and is faithful to Christ in so many ways.
A friend in Saudi Arabia from a Muslim background has been hyper-critical of other believers in his city, even to the point of cutting off fellowship. One of his complaints has been that they don't respond immediately to his texts. I said to him, "Brother, I've texted you many times over the past two years, and many times you haven't responded to me. And these brothers have families and other responsibilities, unlike you as a single guy." To my surprise, he accepted my words with complete humility, evidence of the Spirit's work in his life. Over the Christmas break, he spent time individually with two brothers who are mature enough to love him well and understand the importance of his committing to a local church. Please pray that God gives him the grace to trust others and commit.
A friend in Saudi Arabia from a Muslim background has been hyper-critical of other believers in his city, even to the point of cutting off fellowship. One of his complaints has been that they don't respond immediately to his texts. I said to him, "Brother, I've texted you many times over the past two years, and many times you haven't responded to me. And these brothers have families and other responsibilities, unlike you as a single guy." To my surprise, he accepted my words with complete humility, evidence of the Spirit's work in his life. Over the Christmas break, he spent time individually with two brothers who are mature enough to love him well and understand the importance of his committing to a local church. Please pray that God gives him the grace to trust others and commit.
