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To a Mormon, LDS sect, behavior is everything. Because it’s through behavior that it will be determined whether or not the faithful LDS believer, will become a god. Good behavior and following dutifully the LDS religious system will result in the man becoming a god and the woman becoming a goddess.
To a Christian, the first important matter is, “Who is God?”, “Who is Jesus?”, “What is God’s plan of salvation?” and finally, having come to know who God and Jesus are and having faith, how should I behave.
To an atheist, it’s all about morality without bothering about God. It’s a humanistic approach.
Behavior, for a Mormon, results in an earned reward. To a Christian, behavior or a transformed life, is the result of being born again by the Spirit of God.
Being sincere, devout and having good intentions won’t result in anything but wasted effort. Knowing who God and Jesus are and placing faith totally in what Christ did on the cross, in Him, is the key to eternal life.
Behavior is so important to Mormons that looking right to other Mormons and those outside of Mormonism takes on significant importance. Behavior is so important that Mormons are fond of saying that when someone leaves Mormonism they will fall into serious sin within a year. This is as if Mormonism with its structure, rules and formal/informal sanctions are what causes an individual to act in a moral manner. It’s beyond the scope of a Mormon’s consciousness to even consider that someone could behave themselves without the LDS church.
I’m of the opinion that if someone is saved and has integrated Christ into their life, their behavior will reflect it. However, knowing Christ and coming to Him in faith is the first order of business.
I need some clarification for what was said in this video. What I heard this man say is that if Jesus is the Messiah and Christianity is true and I have been exposed to it than I now have a responsibility to decide to accept or reject its claims. If I reject it because I dont find enough evidence to believe that it is true than I can be forgiven if im wrong. But if I reject simply because I dont want the responsibility or because I dont want the accountability than I am not forgiven. If I never had the opportunity to hear about Messiah and lived a good moral life than I am forgiven based on ignorance. Did I hear this video right or not?
Cattyjane~ God knows what is in every human heart. He has revealed himself to everyone on some level. Depending on life circumstances, that person might not have all the pieces of the puzzle, but each of us has been given enough information to decide whether we are going to believe we are deficient without God’s help, or in pride, refuse to admit we have a need.
A helpful Bible verse is Romans 1:20 which says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Another verse, Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
Becoming part of God’s kingdom is a matter of belief that we have a need that only God can meet.
CattyJane,
Regardless of what the Video says, You really are with out excuse. You have heard the Gospel Given over topics on theis blog many times, Then I dont know who or if anyone on this blog wrote you privatly, but I do know, Me and my wife went back and forth with you many times and the gosepl was clearly laid out for you. So if you reject some or all of it, then thats not on God. If you believe it and are saved then you have nothing to worry about, but either way, your with out excuse.
How did I become the enemy on this blog during the last week? I just asked a question.
The video made it sound to me like if I research the claims of Christianity with sincere intent and do not find reason enough to accept its claims than I am not held accountable if I am wrong in my analysis since I gave it my best efforts. Did I hear it wrong? Its completely possible that I did not hear it right because I was working at the same time I was listening to the video.
Cattyjane,
You in no way are the enemy, at least not to me. I did not spend all that time with you in private emails If I did not care and have concern for you.
I was simply saying as Homeschool Mom pointed out, were all with out excuse as the Bible says.
“If I reject it because I dont find enough evidence to believe that it is true than I can be forgiven if im wrong.”
God’s providence and election are a mystery, who can comprehend the mind of the Lord? Nobody who hears the Gospel through the preaching of the Word and rejects it will be forgiven. It is the default state of man to be under the wrath of God, born sinners, Christ alone saves His church.
“But if I reject simply because I dont want the responsibility or because I dont want the accountability than I am not forgiven.”
Correct, for man is born rebellious and will die rebellious apart from Christ’s work on the cross. Why are some saved and not others? Who can probe the mind of God? The correct question is to move the the question from “a person” to “I” and ask “Why have I been saved?”
“If I never had the opportunity to hear about Messiah and lived a good moral life than I am forgiven based on ignorance. Did I hear this video right or not?”
Wrong, you heard that wrong. The thrust of the video is what is “a good moral life.” Think of the throws of life, the gratuitous suffering that befalls all men. Those who live the best lives are those who have more wealth by walking on the backs of the bruised. In the original Ninja Turle movie from he 80’s (yes, I just went there) when Casey Jones defeats Shredder’s right hand man, a foot clanman says to Casey defiantly, “We’re a family,” regarding the Shredder’s gang. Casey points to his defeated opponent and around at the situation saying, “You call this up here… and that down there… a family?” then walks away while carrying Splinter. That is how the church of Christ sees the materialists. What they call “good” and “moral” is what we simply call tolerance of a sin ravaged world. Where is the consistent materialist of our age? Where is the true nihilist who sees a human’s slit throat as ultimately significant as a plucked leaf off a yard shrub or a flock of mosquitos? The only “good moral life” is Christ’s, who was the pinnacle of sin having its way in the world. And yet, in spite of ourselves, He, for His own purposes died for us all, such undeserving and rebellious sinners, while we were still sinners. He imputes His very righteousness—which is completely foreign to us all—onto His church. Christ alone is the only source of goodness in this world. Anyone who says that they are living a good life is a damned fool who can’t even be honest with himself. Christ didn’t have to die for anyone.
cattyjane,
In my mind, what difference does it make what anyone thinks theologically i.e. their position?
I always figured that a person has to have faith, receive, accept, trust, what ever words are used, that Jesus is the cure for what ails us. Our sin separates us from God and He says that in order to get right with Him, we have to receive the sacrifice for our sins which the Messiah bore.
People have all kinds of theological opinions and some folks like to debate them. In-the-end it really comes down to the individual’s standing before God. The Holy Spirit led me to the Father through Jesus. I have no doubt about this. I’ve been declared righteous on the basis of my faith.
Now what C.S. Lewis or anyone else speculates is of no concern to me.
Here’s my verse for you tonight: “For I am confident of this very thing. That He who began a good work in you, will perfect/complete it in the Day of Christ Jesus.”
Falcon,
Your right. It doesnt matter what the video says. I didnt hear one reference to scripture in that video to support where his ideas came from. Good point. Throw it out. My scriptures say salvation comes from God alone Psalm 62. We must turn from our ways and seek his ways Psalm 34.