It does have to be excruciating to give up what one has believed all one’s life, colt.
I met a young Indian man online that had to leave his beloved family and everything he knew behind once he placed his faith in Jesus.
I am so thankful that I have not been in that position because I think it keeps so many in darkness.
Indeed you are correct. Part of the reason I comment on some of these R.C.C. threads is that I have many relatives (and friends) trapped in Romanism. And I have a real burden for them. I care about the people, but I loathe their system because I know it is a false damning system that blasphemes my Lord and Savior and undercuts the truth of His gospel. I know it’s an admixture of ancient paganism, bold lies, and heresy that contains just enough truth to attract poor unsuspecting sinners.
I fear greatly for one particular uncle who is in his late 80’s and closing in on his last days. He is a thoroughly decent man by the standards of this world — loving husband and father, upright and moral, helps others, successful businessman, veteran, friendly and kind, but at the same time he is hopelessly lost. He has broken off fellowship with his own daughter because after God graciously saved her she began to witness to him. He simply refuses to even listen to the truth. In fact, he hates the truth. The only real ugliness she has ever seen come from her father is over this one issue. She has said that in his mind leaving Rome would be a betrayal of his own parents and grandparents. He cannot stand the thought that his loved ones might be in hell, so he rationalizes his own standing before God. It’s all so sad. He won’t entertain the idea all those people he loved might have been very wrong and that they led him astray. In his eyes Rome appears so grand and glorious and the popes and priests appear so nice and pious. But not one time has he ever seriously searched the Scriptures to see if their claims were so. He has foolishly put his faith in the false claims of others. He does what so many here do. Regardless of the issue, he falls back on the Catholic position without giving due consideration to another view. If Rome says it, then it must be true.
Satan is a master deceiver!