ADVICE ON 10:36ers!      DO 91    8/71

         1. ON THE MATTER OF SOME 10:36ERS TRYING TO RIP-OFF THEIR ALREADY OVERGROWN PROGENY, even though over-age, by using the Scripture "Children obey your parents," you'll have to remind them of the decision Caleb had to make when he was first confronted with the problem of having to break with his! He said to me in real bewilderment what they had quoted to him so many times: "But the Bible does say, 'Children obey your parents', doesn't it? What am I supposed to do about that?"
         2. AND YOU'LL HAVE TO GIVE SOME OF THESE CASES THE SAME ANSWER WE GAVE CALEB: "That depends on whether you're still a child or not." When you're legally old enough to make the break, but still can't make it because of your own childishness, you'd better stick with them! But if you've become a man & put away childish things, it's time to go on with the Lord, no matter what Mama or Papa say!
         3. THAT'S WHY THE LORD HAD TO VOICE SO MANY SCRIPTURES ALONG THIS LINE when disciples were troubled about their parents, such as, "Let the dead bury the dead," & "He that having put his hand to the plow & looking back, is not worthy of Me." "He that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple." "He that loveth Father & Mother more than Me is not worthy of Me." And "He that forsaketh Father & Mother for My sake & the Gospel's shall receive an hundredfold in this life, & in the World to come, Life Eternal!"--Luk.9:59-62; 14:33; Mat.10:37; 19:29.
         4. THE PICTURES OF THOSE WHO VOLUNTARILY GO BACK ARE NOT VERY PRETTY ONES! They seldom return. Of course, if they are taken by actual brute force, then it's not your fault or theirs & God will deal with those responsible!
         5. BUT DON'T FORGET THAT THE ROMANS ARE HERE FOR OUR PROTECTION TOO, so that we do not have to resort to force to get justice. The next time parents or friends try to bodily kidnap a child who is with us legally, I believe you would be thoroughly justified in calling the police, for the child's protection. Of course, this could involve other hassles, too and their sympathies could very likely be on the side of the parents and only cause you trouble, if you are not led by the Lord to do so. Just be sure you're right, then go ahead!
         6. IN SOME CASES, WE EVEN HAVE TO RISK OUR OWN NECK TO HELP OTHERS SERVE THE LORD. So each case must be judged on its own merits & dealt with according to the leading of the Spirit!
         7. THE DISCIPLES FREQUENTLY FLED FROM THEIR ENEMIES IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION, according to Jesus' Own advice: "When they persecute you in this city, flee ye to another!"--Mat.10:23! And there are many examples of this in the Scripture, in which case you have a perfect right to obey God rather than Man, when Man uses evil laws against you, that defy the laws of God! But you have to know where to draw the line & count the cost!
         8. JUST ASK THE LORD & HE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT TO DO--& JUST BE SURE IT'S SCRIPTURAL & for the good of His Kingdom! The Lord will never let you down!
         9. You made the right decision and God protected you, stood with you and spared both you and us--even though sometimes we had to obey God rather than Man!
         10. BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE & THEIR SAKE, TRY NOT TO LET THESE 10:36ERS RIP-OFF KIDS WHO ARE OF AGE without a Scriptural struggle!


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