Getting Out

It wasn't about getting out. It was about getting in. I wanted love, fellowship, hearty friendship and laughter. I was stuckup (didn't realize it at the time), proud (didn't realize it at the time) and sick of myself and many other people. The old ways weren't working for me. I could see other's faults, and I could see mine. I knew the difference between good and evil, but didn't have much knowledge about love, healing, edifying and building others up. I was out of the cult, but repeating the same behaviors out of habit.

Discontent

I had become discontent with the workers' way. I left the meetings as I was trying know God. I had used the scripture and followed God to get to where I was at, but still wanted more of God. I could prove to some degree that the workers were full of beans, but that didn't make me happy. It made me more knowledgeable, but didn't completely satisfy. I "went to a church" but found problems with that too. Things that paralleled the workers' way. Sure, I was miserable for a bit, but the misery that I was feeling was better than many of the lies I was believing before. Remember this one? - Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. My misery was coming from the fact that I didn't know God well, was still confused about many things and desperately needed God's loving arms and his gospel. I read some books about Jesus' love and the commandments. That was awesome. I was hungry for more. I got sidetracked with the church business and decided to keep reading the Bible on my own so that I wouldn't get stuck in the same type of system that had killed me before. I needed a living relationship with God, not a religious organization.

Sin

Living on my own, not having a lot of fellowship, caused me problems. I began giving in to sin. My training in the workers' way was about appearances. So as long as I could sin, and other people not find out about it, then I felt somewhat OK. But then, I realized that sin has consequences and began to see those in my life. I went on a trip to Israel and the Bible became very real to me. When the Bible became alive, then my sin revived and I had to change. I realized that God is a rewarder of those that love Him and began to make serious changes in my life.

God's Love and Fellowship and Cleansing

I also established a really good friendship with a fellow Christian. I cannot tell you what it means to have a Godly friend that I can talk with about life. One Godly friend can make a night and day difference. Of course it's easier for me to love someone else who loves my soul; But having someone else who loves my soul made me love for others explode. After making significant changes in my life, I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. WOW! I had no idea. I learned in the Bible about Jesus who baptizes with the Holy Ghost and with fire. I'm getting both now, the spirit and the fire. Receiving the Holy Spirit and understanding the gospel better caused me to start reaching out to others with compassion. It's hard to make changes in my life, but not near so hard with a better understanding of God a good friend with whom to talk. Jesus (the way) is very narrow. If you think the Law is tough, try Jesus' commandments!. As Paul wrote "Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." The Law of sin and death was nailed to the cross, but the law of the Spirit of life is much more stringent. I see faults in myself and perceive things in others that I never saw before. But it is not to condemn. I see things that need God's healing touch and am learning how to reach out to others with compassion. Blessed is the law that helped me to see my sin. Blessed is God whose Grace saved me through faith in Jesus Christ. Blessed is the Holy Spirit that dwells in me, working God's work in me to will and do His good pleasure. And I'm sure my friends are rejoicing at the changes in my life too :) So my message to you is this, "Believe in Jesus Christ, let Him take you where he leads you. Walk in the Word of God, then you will find fellowship with others and you will become cleansed. As it is written,

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.