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So, I really just needed to get something off my chest. I am truly hurt. Like, I have never felt my heart actually feel any sort of pain like this before. It was so stomach wrenching, to hear these words come out of his mouth. Why does it have to come from someone that I love so dearly. Someone who I am so close to. Someone that means so much to me.
I gave [my brother] the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I wish I could explain how hard it was for me to even do that. It's crazy how much easier it is telling someone you don't know about Christ, and the word, but when it comes to telling someone you're close to, it feels impossible. "Fear of man". Exactly what I am trying to get over. So when the opportunity came up to talk about it, I just sucked it up, and went with it.
I told him that the only way to know God, is to read and study his word, and pray. If you don't read his word, you will not truly understand how God wants us to live this life here on earth. Reading his word can and will remind you of what is truly important, and help you let go of the worldly things that so often distract us from his glory. I told him about prophesies that were, and still are being fulfilled according to the bible.I told him about the day that Christian persecution would be real, and we would be killed if we don't deny Jesus' name. Its so crucial to believe the bible, in its entirety. You cannot just pick and choose things that make your life easier to live. Unfortunately that's is not how God wants things done.
My brother and I were raised Christian, and he has always believed in Jesus, and that He died on the cross for the sins of this world. What he so painfully forgets, is that there is a difference between believing in Jesus, and following Jesus. In order to understand, there has to be a change made in your heart, or else there is no salvation. What I heard from his lips was so painful to hear, that I almost couldn't keep from dropping to my knees and crying. I told him I would pray for God to change his heart, and that I loved him.
When you love someone, it is only natural to want them to do the right thing, so that you may spend eternity in heaven with them. So I did, the best way I knew how. Being a Christian is not about being comfortable. I really can't stand how the gospel is being preached now-a-days. "If you become a Christian, YOU GET THIS. If you become a Christian, YOU'LL GET THAT." That leads people to follow Jesus for the wrong reasons. The truth is, it should be; "EVEN IF this happens, you will still follow, and EVEN IF that happens, you must still follow." Being a follower of Jesus can get really uncomfortable, and really hard to talk about. In reality, we must continue to teach his word, even if it is uncomfortable, even if people hate us for it, even if all of our friends and family turn their backs on us (John 15:18). That shouldn't matter, because in the end, those who did, and those who lived righteously through the teachings of Christ will get a better reward than anything the things or people on this earth could ever offer. Our life on this earth is like a vapor. One day, we are all going to die, and we truly don't know when that's going to happen.
Think about this. When you are on your death bed, and you know that you will be leaving this earth very soon, what do you think will cross your mind during those last hours? Will you be thinking about how you forgot to wash your 20 inch rims yesterday like you were supposed to? Will you be thinking about when your next paycheck is coming, or how much money you have left in your bank account? I highly doubt it, and if you do, then I truly feel sorry for you, and will continue to pray that you might have a change of heart.
