Global Christian Outreach Blog

And Then It Hit Me

2012-01-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney

I’m not politically active, but I have enjoyed watching the recent Republican presidential debates on TV. So many words, so little truth.

During a January 23 exchange between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, Romney boasted of his business success. Tax records reveal he earned at least $21.6 million in 2010. During the verbal volley between the two candidates, I remembered that Romney is also a Melchizedek Priesthood holder in the Mormon church, probably a high priest. I’m sure he’s been a bishop, stake president, mission president or regional representative.

Then, like a rap on the head, it hit me. His money got him to the top in Mormonism.

Among high-level Mormon men, though, Romney is the norm. I saw many like him during my 11 years in the LDS church. Physicians, attorneys, corporate execs, investors and others in esteemed professions routinely receive the most coveted Mormon church callings. Because of their inflated earnings, Mormon men in these professions also pay substantial tithing to the church. And that’s largely why they’re asked to serve in church leadership.

They’re not necessarily more spiritual, intelligent or talented than Mormons of lower income levels, but they have given more money to their church than people in commonplace professions. In a sense, they’ve bought their way to the top. After all, since Mormonism’s early years, how many LDS church presidents and apostles since didn’t finish high school or achieve success in their esteemed professions? Few, if any.

“Absurd! Ridiculous! All lies!”

That’s what most Mormons would say in response. They would claim the Lord calls whom he wants to lead his church.

But think about it. Most of today’s Mormon general authorities have exceled in business or in one of the professions. They’re doctors, lawyers and businessmen—and they have money! Few of “the Brethren” (Mormon general authorities) were janitors, retail clerks, customer-service reps or waiters immediately before their callings. And Mitt Romney? He comes from BIG money.

Now, unlike most ex-Mormon pundits, I’m not for or against Romney in his run for the U.S. presidency. I don’t believe being a Mormon necessarily disqualifies you from serving effectively as president of the United States. It doesn’t necessarily make you more fit for the job either.

But I can see why Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts and multimillion-dollar capitalist, progressed so far in the LDS church and in government service. He has BIG money. And if you have substantial assets, you’ll go far in Mormonism, just as in politics. (Are any of the 2012 U.S. presidential candidates not millionaires?) Mitt Romney proves it.

I doubt Lord approves of an individual’s wealth unless he uses most of it to help others. In my view, paying ten percent to the Mormon church, whatever the dollar amount, doesn’t qualify.

With awe-inspiring compassion, the Savior described the widow’s offering in Luke 21. “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box,” Luke records, “and [Jesus] saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’” (verses 1–4 ESV). Jesus loved the poor and often chastised the rich.

How poignant are the Savior’s words regarding rich and poor. “ . . . Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24 ESV). “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20 ESV).

These words apply to Mitt Romney—and to everyone else.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us defend and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To be part of this important work, visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.html.

He Alone is God

2012-01-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

During my 11 years in Mormonism, I saw how Mormons “massage” Bible verses to serve the needs of the LDS church. Years ago, as full-time Mormon missionary, I did the same many times. Among the most egregious are the passages Mormons twist to justify their belief in polytheism.

Mormons Believe in “Plural Gods”

Unlike Jews and Christians, Mormons believe in the existence of many gods. Referring to people allegedly receiving eternal exaltation, Doctrine and Covenants 76:58 claims, “Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God.” Doctrine and Covenants 132:20 contains the false promise that men and women faithful to Mormonism’s temple-marriage vows “shall . . . be gods.”

Joseph Smith and other LDS church presidents have long claimed that the Bible teaches the doctrine of plural gods. They partially base their misconception on the King James Version of Revelation 1:6. It reads that Christ has made believers “kings and priests unto God and his Father” (italics added). Other versions of the Bible render this verse more accurately, however. For example, Revelation 1:6 of the English Standard version reads, “ . . . and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (italics added). Unmistakably, the Bible doesn’t verify Mormonism’s doctrine of plural gods.

The Bible Teaches That Only One God Exists

Committing a tragic error, Mormons base their belief in plural gods on misinterpreted Bible verses and on Mormonism’s “latter-day revelation.” Why? Because at least 30 Old and New Testament passages verify the existence of only one God.

For example, in the Old Testament, Moses affirmed, “ . . . the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him” (Deuteronomy 4:35). Likewise, 1 Samuel 2:2 verifies that “there is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” And David was unmovable regarding the doctrine of one God. Addressing the Lord in a psalm, he wrote, “You alone are God” (Psalm 86:10). Through the prophet Isaiah, God asked and answered a monumental question: “Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:8 ESV, italics added).

The New Testament also affirms there’s only one God throughout all creation. During his earthly ministry, Jesus declared, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44 ESV, italics added). With equal verve, Paul proclaimed there’s “one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:6). Incontrovertibly, Mormonism’s wayward plural-god doctrine contradicts the Bible.

To obtain a detailed list of Bible references verifying the doctrine of one God, e-mail loren@gco4lds.org.

Doing the Twist

In Joseph Smith’s History of the Church 6:473-479, he claimed Paul taught the concept of plural gods in 1 Corinthians 8:4–6. In those verses, however, Paul affirmed there is only one God. The many gods and lords the apostle mentioned are idols. This is clear from the context of 1 Corinthians 8 and from other verses in the Bible. Smith twisted the scriptures for his own benefit, claiming Paul was a polytheist. See the truth for yourself. The verses read:

“Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘an idol has no real existence,’ and that ‘there is no God but one.’ For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (1 Corinthians 8:4–6 ESV).

There Is No Other

Those who worship God in spirit and truth, possessing a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, maintain there is only one God in all existence. Unlike Mormons, who assert God is the only God pertaining to us, Christians have always believed in one God—period.

Jesus referred to the Father as “the only true God” (John 17:3). And if that’s good enough for the Savior, it’s certainly good enough for his followers.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Paid in Full

2012-01-07T15:31:00.000-08:00

Since time immemorial, the religiously self-righteous have asked, “What good things must we do to gain eternal life?”

Jesus tackled this question during his mortal ministry. Was his answer to keep the commandments? Hardly. Obedience to the commandments has several other uses for Christians (see Matthew 5:16; John 3:20, 21; 14:23, 24). But in response to the query about everlasting life, Christ commanded each of his each followers to love God with all one’s heart, soul, strength and mind (Mark 10:17–22; Luke 10:25–28). Love for God and one’s neighbors is pivotal for salvation.

Checklist Erased

Mormonism and other manmade religions urge you to obey a checklist of requirements to earn a place in heaven. These requirements are sometimes known as “good works.” But the Bible says good works are the fruit of salvation, not its root. Someone reconciled to God through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross will perform good works because he or she is saved, but good works never result in eternal life (Galatians 3:6–9; 18, 21; Ephesians 2:8, 9; 2 Timothy 1:8–10).

Debt Canceled

When discussing the atonement, Paul said the Lord ended “the Law of commandments contained in ordinances” to make Jew and Gentile (that’s everybody) one in Christ (Ephesians 2:14–16). To the Colossians, the apostle argued: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, [Jesus] made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13, 14, italics added).

Peace with God

Even if we yearn to keep all God’s commandments, we can’t. We’re all born “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3), and “the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22, italics added). Explaining Christ’s atonement, Paul told the Roman saints that “death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Through Christ’s work, though, not our own, believers have been justified by faith and have received peace with God (Romans 5:1).

Mormons Undermines and Disrespects the Atonement

Regrettably, like the rich young man and the lawyer that confronted Jesus, Mormons believe the way to heaven is through the atonement of Christ but “after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23; Mormon 10:32). In other words, the LDS church says, God requires us to pull the rope as hard as possible, and Jesus is supposed to pick up the slack. For the Mormon church, Christ’s atonement is a loan. However, the Bible teaches that Jesus paid the debt for sin in full (Romans 5:9–11). Hebrews 9:26 says Christ “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

But Mormonism’s doctrine completely sabotages—and disrespects—Christ’s atonement. It contradicts the Bible and makes Jesus a loan officer, not a Savior. No amount of church attendance, temple work, missionary effort, tithe paying, Word of Wisdom obedience, or any other Mormon works will ensure a place in heaven. Only God can “qualify” you for that and “transfer” you into his kingdom (Colossians 1:12, 13). And he did so by reconciling believers to the Father through his work on the cross. “[God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,” Paul wrote, “so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Fellow Citizens with the Saints

Perhaps Paul said it best in Ephesians 2:14–16. Jesus abolished “the Law of commandments contained in ordinances.” Through his sinless sacrifice on the cross, not by human obedience to Mormon gospel, the Savior made Jew and Gentile “fellow citizens with the saints . . . built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone” (Ephesians 2:19, 20). “For Christ . . . died for sins once for all,” Peter summarized, “the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God . . . ” (1 Peter 3:18).

For those who are saved, Christ does all the work. He initiates and completes the process (Philippians 1:6). Our works toward salvation? Jesus abolished them, firmly and finally nailing them to the cross.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.
Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us defend and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To be part of this important work, visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.html.

The Golden Question

2011-12-21T07:44:00.000-08:00

It’s astounding how many Mormons claim to be Christians but deny Christ’s word and his power. Case in point? What Mormonism believes about the extent to which Jesus forgives sins.

In August 2009, after presenting a paper titled “Your Bosom Shall Burn Within You: An Evangelical Christian Examination of the LDS Testimony” at the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City, a man from the audience approached me.

“Do you believe Jesus can forgive all your sins?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied. “All of them. The Bible says so.”

“But Matthew 12:31 and 32 say the sin against the Holy Ghost won’t be forgiven in this world or the next,” the man added. “Hebrews 6:4–6 suggests the same thing.”

“Those verses refer to people present when Christ preached and performed his miracles, who had a sure knowledge of his divinity and put him to an open shame,” I explained. “The verses don’t refer to people of our day.”

When Mormons and other religious legalists claim Jesus can’t forgive all our sins, it denies God’s consummate mercy and power. “I do know there are sins committed of such a nature,” Brigham Young claimed, “that if the people did understand the doctrine of salvation, they would tremble because of their situation. And furthermore, I know that there are transgressors, who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood” (Journal of Discourses 4:53, italics added). What a grand denial of Christ’s atonement.

I recently corresponded with an ex-Mormon who doesn’t believe in the New Testament doctrine of justification by faith. “What about a child molester or mass murderer?” he queried. “I can’t buy that he can be forgiven simply by believing in Jesus Christ as his Savior.”

However, this position limits the power of God and contradicts his word. I don’t profess that insincere confession of sin and superficial belief in Christ cleanse one from spiritual soot. But scripture testifies that when we truly confess our sins and wholeheartedly come to Christ, all our sins will be wiped away.

“ . . . If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light,” John affirmed, “we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:7–10, italics added).

Similarly, Paul maintained, “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, [Christ] made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions” (Colossians 2:13). And after David committed adultery with beautiful Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, murdered, he asked God for complete forgiveness. “Hide Your face from my sins,” he prayed, “and blot out all my iniquities” (Psalm 51:9, italics added).

How naive to think that what we could do supersedes Christ’s eternal sacrifice on the cross. How misleading to call yourself a Christian while denying the godly power exercised at Calvary.

Scripture avows that the work of Jesus Christ, not our own efforts, lifts man from his fallen and sinful mortal state to the joy, peace and righteousness of everlasting life. For example, Paul said the Savior abolished the need for commandments and ordinances. “For [Jesus] is our peace, who . . . broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Ephesians 2:14, 15).

Consequently, peace with God, including forgiveness of all our sins, results from faith in Christ, not from our attempted obedience to laws and ordinances (Romans 5:1). Jesus eliminates all sin in believers’ lives. We can’t obey and earn the righteousness that results from faith (Romans 3:21, 22). “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Paul wrote (Romans 8:1). And the author of Hebrews confirmed that Jesus “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26).

So does Christ forgive all our sins when we receive him? That’s the Golden Question. And for Christians, the answer is yes. If you don’t think so, you’re not a Christian.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Talents and Heaven

2011-12-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Does developing your talents help get into heaven? Throughout my ten years as an active Mormon, the LDS church said yes. Really . . . our individual abilities to act, dance, sing and play musical instruments helps determine if we receive God’s fullest blessings?

Through a biblical lens, let’s take a look.

Gospel Doctrine?

The requirement among Mormons to develop one’s talents isn’t merely the opinion of a few church leaders. The tenet is in fundamental LDS church manuals. For example, the book Gospel Principles sets the stage, explaining that “our Heavenly Father has said it is up to us to receive the gifts he has given us (see D & C 88:33). This means we must develop and use our talents” (1997 edition, p. 218).

Further linking talent to eternal life, the manual continues: “The Lord is pleased when we use our talents wisely. He will bless us if we use our talents to benefit other people and to build up his kingdom here on earth. Some of the blessings we gain are joy and love when serving our brothers and sisters here on earth. We also learn self-control. All these things are necessary if we are going to be worthy to live with our Heavenly Father again” (ibid., p. 220, italics added).

However, this is existentialism, not the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

A Parable Misunderstood

Unfortunately, as do other religious legalists, Mormons misunderstand the Parable of the Talents. The often-quoted story describes three bond servants who receive a portion of their master’s money before he leaves on a journey (Matthew 25:14–30). The amount of money is staggering. Each talent equals about 20 years of a laborer’s wages.

The first bond servant receives five talents. He garners five more and readily surrenders them to upon his master’s return. Receiving two talents, the second bond servant gains an additional two and likewise gives them to his lord. But the third bond servant, who receives only one talent, buries it in the ground and simply returns it to his master when they meet again. The first two bond servants were commended and placed “in charge over many things [and entered] into the joy of [their] master” (Matthew 25:21, 23). However, the third was condemned severely (vv. 26–30).

Bible scholar John MacArthur explains the Parable of the Talents from a biblical perspective. “A talent was a measure of weight, not a specific coin,” MacArthur writes, “so that a talent of gold was more valuable than a talent of silver. A talent of silver (the word translated ‘money’ in [Matthew 25:18] is [literally] silver) was a considerable sum of money. The modern meaning of the word ‘talent,’ denoting a natural ability, stems from the fact that this parable is erroneously applied to the stewardship of one’s natural gifts” (The MacArthur Study Bible, 2006, p. 1409)

A Parable Explained

Like many of Jesus’ analogies, the moral lesson of the Parable of the Talents is provided at its end. After describing the actions and respective fates of the three bond slaves, the Lord concludes, “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away” (Matthew 25:29).

Commenting on verse 29, MacArthur elaborates: “The recipients of divine grace inherit immeasurable blessings in addition to eternal life and favor with God (cf. Ro 8:32). But those who despise the riches of God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering (Ro 2:4), burying them in the ground and clinging instead to the paltry and transient goods of this world, will ultimately lose everything they have (cf. 6:19; Jn 12:25)” (MacArthur, p. 1410).

The Way to Life

The Bible clearly shows the way to eternal life and full favor with God—and that way is Jesus Christ—not a church, its leaders or its assumed priesthood and ordinances. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” the Savior sovereignly declared. “No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6) “I am the resurrection and the life,” the Savior adds. “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25, 26). “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” Paul affirmed (Acts 16:31).

Therefore, the ability to sing, dance, act, paint a picture and play the piano is irrelevant.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Scoffers Will Come

2011-11-21T19:22:00.000-08:00

When you believe Jesus is the Son of God, that Christ died for your sins and guarantees your resurrection from the dead, you’ll meet scoffers. Seemingly, at every turn, they’ll mock what’s sacred about the Savior and all that he offers mankind, especially those that believe.

The presence of scoffers shouldn’t be surprising. After all, Peter explained to Christians of our day: “ . . . Remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.” (2 Peter 3:2, 3, italics added).

As Christmas approaches, the world celebrates Christ’s birth. And yet mocking of the Savior’s blessed birth increases at the same time. Given its bevy of unbelievers, the media is largely to blame. On TV, in movies and on the Internet, Christ is mostly a cuss word. What’s worse, attacks on Christian beliefs also come one-on-one. For example, I recently overheard a conversation between an atheist and her young nephew, who attends a Christian school. The dialog went like this:

Aunt: “What are you studying in school?”

Nephew: “In religion, we’re studying about the birth of Jesus.”

Aunt: “Oh, the baby Jeee-zez. Do you like the baby Jeee-zez?”

Nephew: “Uh, yeah.”

Aunt: “Well, I hope you don’t become one of those e-van-GEL-icals . . . ”

Nephew: “It’s Jesus . . . it’s the Bible.”

The spiritually blind and hardhearted aunt thought nothing of attacking her nephew’s faith. She blatantly disrespected his beliefs surrounding God, Christ and Christmas, his family’s favorite time of the year. Well did the writer of Proverbs explain, “Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and blows for the back of fools” (Proverbs 19:29). The aunt probably deserves both.

Few Christians expect unbelievers to embrace the true meaning of Christmas. And most of us who rejoice in “the reason for the season” have encountered mockers of our faith. We’ll do so in the future. But penalties await those who scoff. Quoting Habakkuk 1:5, the apostle Paul warned all who mock the sacred work of God, “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you’” (Acts 13:41).

To be sure, scoffers will come and go, but they will perish eternally. On the other hand, all who endure trials of their faith and love the Lord have a magnificent promise. James wrote, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). And Paul concluded, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV).

So let the scoffers mock. Their actions prove the Bible true. As for those of us who love the Lord, we'll pass on to enjoy that "which eye has not seen nor ear heard.”

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

The Most Important Aspect of Mormonism

2011-11-14T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sonia Johnson

Trying desperately to appear Christian, Mormons cling to doctrines that contradict the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many are cited in this blog, including that Christ became a God, mankind is saved by human works, there are plural Gods, man can become a God, and that men of African descent were rightfully barred from the Mormon priesthood until 1978. Many other LDS doctrinal errors are discussed on our Web site (www.gco4lds.org).

Among the most bizarre tenets of Mormonism, also the most important, is the injunction to fanatically sustain LDS church leaders, especially the church president, whom Mormons hail as a “prophet, seer and revelator” like Moses (Doctrine and Covenants 107:91, 92).

During my 11 years in the Mormon church, I witnessed firsthand that the urging to “follow the prophet” is more crucial in LDS circles than following Christ or the teaching of the Bible. And while I realize Mormons believe their “prophet” speaks the words of Christ, this carries no more weight than saying the Pope does the same.

A Doctrine Christ Never Taught

When issuing the injunction for Mormons to follow their leaders, LDS General authorities speak the language of infallibility. For example, one church-published magazine, the Improvement Era in June 1945, featured this Ward Teachers’ message:

“When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan—it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way . . . ”

With an equal aroma of infallibility, Wilford Woodruff, fourth Mormon church president, taught: “ . . . The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 212, 213, italics added).

And erstwhile Mormon church president Heber J. Grant declared: “ . . . Always keep your eye on the president of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it . . . But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece led the people astray” (cited in LDS Conference Report, October 1960, p. 78, italics added).

While a student at the Mormon-church-owned Brigham Young University, I saw the most important aspect of Mormonism: Stand by the prophet no matter what.

Sonia Johnson

During the early 1980s, Sonia Johnson was renowned among Mormons. Now a former longtime Latter-day Saint, she vocally supported the Equal Rights Amendment during the late ’70s and early ’80s and immediately came to loggerheads with Mormon leaders. Consequently, Johnson was excommunicated (as were others who refused to bow to the “prophet”).

The most visible aspect of Johnson’s case wasn’t her support for the ERA. In my experience at BYU, numerous faculty, staff and students secretly agreed with the amendment, wherein “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex” (Proposed Equal Rights Amendment, Section 1). But the demure Johnson had spoken openly against the LDS church’s stance on the proposed legislation. She blatantly disagreed with the church’s “prophet” at the time, Spencer W. Kimball. I met her in 1981. She was likable and wasn’t a threat to anyone.

Mormons will deny it, but they castigated Johnson for speaking out against the “prophet,” not for supporting ERA. I recall the atmosphere at BYU and throughout northern Utah during those troubling months in the early 1980s. Many Latter-day Saints hated Johnson and quickly became incensed at the mention of her name. The authoritarian way LDS church members treated the ERA advocate was reprehensible, and it was diametrically opposed to how Christians should “love one another as [Christ] loved [us]” (John 13:34).

Whatever Mormonism’s opinion of the Equal Rights Amendment, it doesn’t excuse their un-Christian conduct toward Sonia Johnson.

The Most Crucial Aspect of Christianity

Contrary to Joseph Smith, the founding president of the Mormon church, man’s most important duty is not to seek after his dead relatives and have Mormon temple ordinances performed for them. Smith said, “The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead” (History of the Church 6:313).

But Jesus has a dramatically different notion of man’s greatest responsibility. In the Lord’s view, the most crucial aspect of Christianity is to love God and our fellow man. The Bible records: “And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, Which commandment is the most important of all? Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28–31 ESV).

We’d expect Mormonism’s answer from a legalistic, manmade and man-centered religion. And it’s among the most compelling proofs that Mormonism is masquerading as Christianity.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us defend and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To participate in this monumental work, visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.html.

Romans 4: What the Mormon Church Won’t Tell You

2011-11-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

With offensive smugness, many Mormons claim to “believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it translated correctly” (LDS Eighth Article of Faith). But no LDS church member has identified all “correctly translated” words in the Old and New Testaments. To be sure, if Mormons hope to convert humanity to their bizarre religion, they must successfully address this problem.

In fact, in quasi-cafeteria style, Mormons select passages from the Bible to suit their religious preferences. Simply stated, for the Mormon church, the Bible is simply a source of proof texts (see Mormon Proof Text Commentary). For nearly 200 years, the ultralegalistic religion has masqueraded as a form of Christianity.

Romans 4 is one New Testament chapter Mormons quote sparingly. Yet, it’s among the best discourses on justification by faith instead of human works.

Mormons believe human effort is the road to eternal life (2 Nephi 25:23; Doctrine and Covenants 1:31; 25:15). But Christians, basing their beliefs on the teachings of Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament, believe in justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Christians believe good works are the fruit of salvation, not its root.

Important Groundwork

Before examining Romans 4, however, we benefit by studying Romans 3:22–30. These key verses lay a foundation for the essential Christian doctrine of justification by faith. Fundamental tenets of Romans 3:22–30 include:

· God’s righteousness goes to all who believe in Jesus Christ (verse 16).

· Justification by God’s grace, not human works, is a gift of God through the redemption of Christ (verse 24).

· Justification from God is received only through faith in Jesus Christ (verse 25).

· People who have faith in Christ are justified by God (verse 26). They don’t necessarily have to demonstrate that faith.

· Believers aren’t justified by a “law of works” because God declares them righteous only by “the law of faith” (verse 27).

· All humanity, Jew and Gentile alike, if they are to be declared righteous before God are justified by faith in Jesus Christ (verse 30).

Of course, when referring to believing in and having faith in Christ, Paul is speaking only of Jesus as revealed in the Bible, not to counter-biblical conceptions of the Savior.

Romans 4

Now look carefully at the fourth chapter of Romans. At least seven points stand out. You’ll never see these taught in the LDS church. Mormons, trying desperately to persuade you to join their church, don’t dare share with you.

1. God’s Method of Justification. Abraham, the model of righteousness for all believers, was justified by faith, not by his own works. However, good works certified his faith as genuine (see James 2:22). Good works completed Abraham’s faith (Romans 4:1–3).

2. Faith Credited as Righteousness. Using bookkeeping terms, Paul asserted that Abraham’s belief in God (that is, his faith) was credited as righteousness. The righteousness Abraham received was a gift from God, not a wage paid for work performed (Romans 4:3–5). “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due,” Romans 4:4 explains. “And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (verse 5 ESV).

3. God Justifies the Ungodly That Turn to Him Through Christ. The righteousness that qualifies you for eternal life doesn’t come from your obedience to God’s commandments and participating in so-called saving ordinances (verses 5 and 6). Eternal life results faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, which includes his victory over physical and spiritual death.

4. Abraham is the Model for All Believers. Like a Christian father is for his children, Abraham set the example for those who become sons and daughters of Jesus Christ through faith in him (see John 1:12, 13). Due to our faith in God, the Lord credits us as righteous, just as he credited Abraham (verses 11 and 12).

5. Heirs of the World. God said Abraham and his offspring would be heirs of the world through the righteousness of faith (verses 13 and 14; compare Genesis 17:4–8). Abraham and his righteous descendants through Isaac and Jacob were promised the land of Canaan as an inheritance. This symbolizes eternal life with God.

6. God’s Grace Grants Life. God’s promise to bless his people with the gift of eternal life rests on the grace given to all Abraham’s posterity through Isaac and Jacob (13–16; Genesis 21:12; Galatians 3:27–29). Clearly, Paul explained, this blessing can’t be earned. The Lord decides who receives eternal life. “ . . . The Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it,” scripture says (John 5:21 NIV).

7. Believers Receive Perfect Righteousness. Like Abraham, all who believe in Christ as taught in the Bible (see 2 Corinthians 11:4) will be credited with God’s perfect righteousness (Romans 4:23–25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). Similarly, Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4 say those who believe as Abraham did will be credited with identical righteousness.

Despite your most valiant efforts, you can’t obey enough supposed laws and ordinances of the gospel to be worthy of eternal life. Not even the Mormon church president could live a life filled with good works with adequate quality and quantity to become fully approved by God. To reconcile believers to God, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place upon Calvary’s cross (2 Corinthians 5:18).

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned,” John 3:18 records, “but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (ESV). The Lord grants life to those who believe in the Christ of the Bible (John 3:16), not to those who keep commandments or obey alleged laws and ordinances of the gospel.

That’s the message of Romans 4.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us defend and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To participate in this monumental work, visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.html.

The Church Business

2011-10-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Dressed for Wall Street.

The kingdom of God is not of the world (John 18:36). This is among the Savior’s most compelling declarations.

How disturbing, then, that some churches earnestly strive to model themselves after the world. And few religions make this mistake more than the Mormon church does. If you want to see a church run like a business, look at Mormonism.

From the LDS church’s lowly quorums to its highest leaders, Mormonism mimics a for-profit corporation much more than it resembles “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Donning dark conservative suits, clichéd businesslike proselyting plans and commerce-friendly hairstyles, LDS missionaries would fit in on Wall Street as they engineer Mormon conversions on Main Street. Formerly a standard for LDS church leaders, facial hair has surrendered to the modern-day American business norm of clean shaven. Most Mormon leaders have backgrounds in business, if not full-fledged cravings for money. To be sure, most contemporary Mormon leaders have bought into U.S. corporatism.

Also consider Mormonism’s endless meetings. They’re direct from the U.S. corporate playbook. Latter-day Saints even have pre-meeting meetings about how to run meetings. And of course, Mormonism touts the concept of “return and report.” The wording, derived from the Mormon temple endowment ceremony, refers to accountability, personal responsibility or owning your actions. Accountability is a sound principle, but the mechanics of accountability in Mormonism are identical to those in the corporate arena. Simply put, Mormonism apes the business world.

How different this is from the kingdom of God and church of Jesus Christ. Truly, God’s kingdom is not of this world. Steadfastly based on faith, truth and virtue, Christ’s church should focus on people not procedures, principles instead of personalities, and on God’s word rather than the doctrinal whims of Mormon leaders. Compassion, not corporatism, is a vital underpinning of Christianity.

Therefore, the church of Jesus Christ isn’t a business. It can’t be. The Bible shows that it’s far removed from corporatism, where profit and organizational stability are priorities. Concentrating on individuals instead of organizations, Christ’s church revolves around the spiritual relationship between the Savior and his people. In his inimitable way, Paul likened it to marriage.

“Husbands, love your wives,” he wrote, “just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:25–32, italics added).

Paul was not describing a business.

Scripture mandates Christians not to “love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires . . . ” (1 John 2:15–17). And with equal clarity, James explained, “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

Fewer manifestations of worldliness exist than the norms of American corporatism. Its focus on tangible benefits (especially those that are short term), worldly possessions and moneymaking makes corporatism a component of the world, not an essential Christ’s church. You can argue that the corporate structure of the Mormon church and other religious organizations is inspired. But after all your wrangling, please realize that corporatism as Christianity is absent in scripture.

“We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are not seen,” Paul instructed ancient Christians. “For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

It’s a great reminder that the church of Jesus Christ is a compassionate kingdom, not a corporation.

It’s definitely not a business.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us defend and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To participate in this monumental work, visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.html.

The Judas Kiss

2011-10-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

Judas Iscariot is among the most tragic Bible characters. As prophesied in Zechariah 11:12 and 13, the fallen apostle betrayed the Lord for a mere 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14–16; 26:47–50). Judas’s open rebellion against God didn’t last long, however. Scripture reveals Judas hanged himself shortly after his treasonous act (Matthew 27:3–11; Acts 1:18, 19).

Moments before Judas’s betrayal, Jesus asked him with penetrating poignancy, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48). The query was probably rhetorical. But how many of today’s professing Christians, especially Mormons and other cultists, betray the Master—not with a Judas kiss, but while feigning love for the Lord in other ways.

For example, how many supposed believers betray Jesus by:

· Claiming he saves people only after all the good works they can do (Luke 8:12; John 3:14–16, 18; 5:24).

· Ignoring the needs of the poor, especially the homeless (Proverbs 14:31; 17:5).

· Indulging freely in greed and materialism (Matthew 6:19–21; 19:23, 24).

· Engaging in legalism instead of worshiping God in spirit, truth and with faith (John 4:23, 24; Romans 14:23).

· Adding to or diminishing from God’s word rather than being satisfied with what God has revealed (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 22:18).

· Acting self-righteous among people but failing to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength; and failing to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34–40; Mark 12:28–34).

· Supporting quasi-Christian organizations, including the Mormon church, which focus on men and their teachings instead of Christ and his unchangeable truths (Isaiah 29:13; 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18).

· Coming to Jesus for what you can get, not because of the praise and worship he deserves (Isaiah 43:7; Psalm 86:9; 100:3; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

· Living in lust instead of living for God and his eternal standards of virtue (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8; 1 John 2:15–17).

· Tolerating everything except the strict and narrow way that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13, 14; Luke 13:23, 24).

Unquestionably, Judas Iscariot was a child of the devil (John 6:70) doomed for destruction (John 17:12). His role in Christ’s crucifixion was reprehensible. Surely, few contemporary men and women could perform a Judas kiss. Many come close, however. They doubt Christ, choosing the ways of man instead of the ways of God (Isaiah 55:8, 9).

Everyone sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8–10). And despite the Savior’s command to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), Jesus was only sinless and human being that ever lived (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26). Among numerous Bible verses, Christ gave us tremendous encouragement through John. “And this is the testimony, that God gave useternal life, andthis life is in his Son,” the beloved apostle wrote. ^“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11, 12 ESV).

To gain everlasting life, you need a saving relationship with Jesus Christ—not a church, a supposed prophet or a legalistic religion. A saving relationship is based solely on biblically based faith in Christ and his grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9; 2 Timothy 1:8, 9; Titus 3:3–7)..

That’s the good news of Jesus Christ. That’s the gospel. It’s the antithesis of the Judas kiss and everything it represents.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us defend and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To be an important part of this exciting work, please visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.

Please visit www.gco4lds.org.

A Tale of Two BYU Students

2011-09-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

At an entrance to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, a sign reads, “Enter to learn; go forth to serve.” It’s a noble motto, but it’s often unfulfilled in students’ lives.

For instance, consider two BYU students, Bill and Larry. I knew them both when a student there. The three of us had the same major and sat together during several classes.

An Indiscretion

Shy and soft-spoken, Bill was from Africa. He immigrated to the United States to attend BYU. A convert to Mormonism who had yet to serve a mission, Bill had few friends because of his dark skin and self-effacing personality. So, when Bill met Debbie, the tall long-legged coed of his dreams, he fell for her—and fell hard. It wasn’t long until they slept together. Bill wasn’t excommunicated from the Mormon church, though, or even asked to leave the university. Rather, to make his situation more comfortable for all concerned, BYU helped him find another college to attend. To its credit, the university’s response was compassionate and faith based. Bill’s sin was considered a serious “indiscretion.”

Evil Ways

On the other hand, Larry, also a convert to Mormonism, hailed from Southern California. A returned missionary, he was an excellent, well-liked student, active in the LDS church until his senior year. It was then he began to doubt that the LDS church president is a prophet, and he said so. Married in the Mormon temple, Larry at one time considered becoming a seminary and institute teacher in the LDS church educational system. But toward the end of his time at BYU, his goals had changed. And pressed to meet graduation deadlines, Larry invented a fictitious case study, which he included in a term paper. With little thought by BYU officials, Larry was expelled from the university before finishing. Like the Pharisees of old, BYU responded out of religious self-righteousness, not because of loving concern for someone who needed help.

Cultic Behavior

Severe self-justification toward leaders is cultic behavior. It’s plain to see. Accordingly, following leaders in the Mormon church is usually more important than loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself (see Mark 12:30). This was the case with BYU’s treatment of Larry. Admittedly, he was wrong for cheating on a term paper. But Larry didn’t deserve expulsion from BYU. He needed a hand up. Like Bill, Larry deserved help finding another university to attend.

BYU treated Larry harshly because he openly questioned the Mormon church president’s standing as a “prophet, seer and revelator” (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:92). In doing so, Larry cast doubt on Mormonism’s truthfulness, which is an egregious sin in the LDS church. Conversely, the university treated Bill compassionately—probably because he had moved from Africa to Provo to attend BYU, and because he sustained Mormonism’s “prophet.”

Whitewashed Walls and Outward Appearance

In dealing with Bill and Larry, Brigham Young University exposed its position on the faith vs. religion continuum. Like its Mormon church sponsor, BYU is immersed in Pharisaic religion and steeped in legalism. Consequently, in Mormonism, what’s on the outside matters most.

But how does the Lord feel about that? The Bible is tells us. Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27, 28 ESV). And 1 Samuel 16:7 emphasizes, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

A Better Way

Christians praise God for providing a better way than the path found in Mormonism. That better way is the avenue of faith, and it’s found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. True followers of God don’t concern themselves with outward images. Instead, we focus on attaining eternal life and forgiveness of sins through faith in the Savior (Matthew 15:18–20). Contrary to Mormonism, sustaining a supposed line of latter-day prophets doesn’t lead to everlasting life. Believing in Christ does (John 3:16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:47).

We’re a people of faith, not legalists following an outward religion. If Christians were addressing the situations of Bill and Larry, mercy would have prevailed over justice. Faith would have triumphed over legalism. As Paul wrote, “ . . . whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Come to Your Senses

2011-09-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

Surrendering your life to the biblical Jesus involves more than personal reformation. It requires ultimate individual regeneration. In short, you must become a new creature in Christ (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 6:15).

by god’s doing

It’s tempting to believe we initiate and afterward complete our spiritual rebirth, but scripture says otherwise. God performs the work of our salvation. For example, referring to personal regeneration, Paul says, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ . . . ” (2 Corinthians 5:18). The erudite apostle also explains, “But by [God’s] doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Unquestionably, then, God does the work of our conversion to Christ and the regeneration involved with it.

A pivotal moment

Clear Vision

When clearly seeing the truth of Christ and the errors of the world, we have come to our spiritual senses. “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome,” Paul told Timothy, “but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24–26, italics added).

Divine Doctrines

Three important points emerge from the words just quoted. First, those who preach the truth must be Christlike in their approach—kind, gentle and patient but valiant for the truth. Second, God grants repentance and its attendant forgiveness (also see Acts 11:18; James 1:18). And third, when coming to Christ, we come to our spiritual senses, thereby escaping Satan’s grasp on our lives. Afterward, we can discern good from evil and truth from error. Scripture explains that “solid [spiritual] food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

A New Point of View

In one of Christ’s most celebrated parables, that of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32), the turning point of the story occurred when the penitent young man “came to his senses” (v. 17). The ESV, NKJV and perhaps some other Bible versions translate this phrase as “came to himself,” but the meaning is the same. He spiritually came to his senses regarding Christ, the father in the parable.

“I will get up and go to my father,” the spiritually and materially bankrupt son says, “and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven in your sight’ . . . So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” (Luke 15:18–20).

Solely because of grace, the son was forgiven and fully received into his father’s kingdom. The Prodigal Son’s obedience to laws and ordinances played no role. The parable’s main point? “We had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found”(Luke 15:32).

What You Must Do

To receive eternal life and live forever in God’s kingdom, we must all become like the Prodigal Son. So, if you’re not truly a Christian, you must forsake every false doctrine, system of nonbiblical beliefs and come to Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. This requires you to come to your spiritual senses. Your nonbiblical beliefs, while perhaps containing some truth, are insufficient for eternal life. To be saved, you must come to the knowledge of God’s saving truths (1 Timothy 2:4). These are found only in the Bible. Be patient, though. The process could take years.

Cracked Armor

How will you know you’re coming to your spiritual senses? If LDS, you’ll gradually lose faith in your church leaders’ nonbiblical teachings. This process resembles cracked armor. Before I resigned my LDS church membership, two major cracks in my armor were the Mormon church’s Adam-God doctrine and the church’s teachings about blacks and the priesthood. The LDS church’s militant obedience to its local leaders and general authorities cracked my Mormon armor even further. For you, the process might differ, but make no mistake—it will be painful.

finding Help

Global Christian Outreach wants all of God’s elect to receive the full riches of his gospel. As in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we want you to realize how empty life is without Christ, and we pray you’ll come to him for fulfillment, forgiveness of your sins and for eternal life.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest,” Jesus urges. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Global Christian Outreach can help. Write me today at loren@gco4lds.org.

Loren Franck is president and CEO of Global Christian Outreach, an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry that defends and proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth.

For in-depth information about how Christianity compares to Mormonism, visit www.gco4lds.org.

The Covenants of Mormonism: Fact or Fallacy?

2011-09-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

Like other religions steeped in lifeless legalism, the LDS church overemphasizes covenants, sacred agreements between God and man.

Covenants were prevalent in the Old Testament. Throughout much of that ancient canon, covenant appears at least 283 times in the English Standard Version. From the Gospel of Matthew, however, the word is used in fewer than 35 occurrences.

Wrong Way

Rather than highlight a loving, saving, graceful, merciful and trusting relationship with Jesus Christ, Mormonism underscores the keeping of legalistic covenants and commandments. The official LDS church Web site claims: “All the saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants. For example, we make a covenant when we are baptized, and we renew that covenant each time we partake of the sacrament (see Mosiah 18:8-10; D&C 20:37, 77, 79). Those who have received the Melchizedek Priesthood have entered into the oath and covenant of the priesthood (see D&C 84:33-44). The temple endowment and the sealing (marriage) ordinance also include sacred covenants” (http://lds.org/study/topics/covenant?lang=eng).

Absurd Assumptions

A major problem with LDS covenants? Nobody can keep them all the time with complete faithfulness. In other words, Mormons perpetually break their covenants. For example, the LDS sacrament prayer says Mormons who eat the sacramental bread “are willing to take upon them the name of [the] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77). Every Mormon—young and old, male or female, in high position and low—will repeatedly break this agreement. He won’t always remember the Savior, and like the rest of mankind, he’ll perpetually break God’s commandments.

When drinking water blessed at the sacrament table (it was originally wine in the New Testament and in the early days of Mormonism), Latter-day Saints again set themselves up to fail. For Mormons, the water represents Christ’s blood, and by partaking of it, they covenant to remember him always. (Doctrine and Covenants 20:79). Again, to always remember the Savior is impossible, because all men sin repeatedly (Psalm 130:3; Romans 3:9; Ephesians 2:3 ESV). Even after converting to Christ, much to our regret, all of us sin in various ways (Romans 7:15–20).

Sacred Trust

Hebrews 7:22–10:29 speaks of God’s Old vs. New Covenant with his people. The Old Covenant concerns the Mosaic Law, which was “a tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:24, 25).

One of God’s most important covenants with man was with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3; 17:1–5). Though his loins would come the promised Messiah, and those who believe him were to be blessed with Abraham and “heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:9, 29). Perhaps the most significant covenant, though, is that involving Christ’s blood shed on the cross for the sins of mankind (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 10:29; 13:20). You enter that sacred covenant when you turn to Christ, believe in his divine mission as outlined in the Bible, and trust your salvation to him (Hebrews 4:3; 9:15–22; 10:39; 1 Peter 1:19).

Complete Confidence

To receive eternal life, God’s people don’t need checklists or burdensome written requirements. Christ fulfilled the law on behalf of all believers. In fact, Jesus said: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

If Christians were required to keep all of God’s commandments all the time and always remember the Savior, they would be forever condemned because they couldn’t do it. But Jesus has a better way. “God so loved the world,” the Savior explained, “that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life . . . He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16, 18, italics added).

That reassurance from God is light-years ahead of the unworkable covenants required in Mormonism.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

2011-08-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

Regrettably, some Bible-based Christians quibble over doctrine. Controversial areas are as vast as the words from Genesis to Revelation. Bible scholars debate the method and timing of the creation and wage wars of words regarding repentance, baptism, the resurrection and the end times.

Mormons criticize Christians for their divisions of doctrine, but LDS church members certainly aren’t exempt. During my 11 years in the Mormon church, including two as a full-time missionary, I discovered that Latter-day Saints are divided on numerous doctrines. These include the nature and progression of God, the origin and atonement of Christ, what constitutes the word of the Lord, the possession and use of spiritual gifts, and how to define and obtain everlasting life. In fact, believers in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon are so divided over doctrine that more than 100 LDS splinter groups have arisen since Smith’s death in 1844. And more are surfacing. So Mormons might do well to remove the doctrinal plank out of their own eyes instead of focusing on the specks found in Christianity (Matthew 7:3).

During his intercessory prayer, the most compelling pleading recorded in scripture, Jesus entreated long and hard for Christians to be of one mind and spirit, even as he and the Father are (John 17:11, 21, 22). Demonstrating unity of purpose and doctrine, Christians would evidence that the Father commissioned Jesus Christ as mankind’s Savior and Redeemer (John 17:21).

In the end, when each of our eternal destinies is on the line, peripheral teachings will matter little. To baptize by sprinkling, immersion or at the believer’s option; why the Bible was written and compiled as it is; the details of the rapture and forthcoming judgment; the speaking of tongues in relation to salvation—all of these doctrinal tug-of-wars (and more) are bantered back and forth by faithful followers of Christ. I see no harm in that as long as believers hold fast to essential gospel doctrine.

A devoted student of scripture, I don’t expect doctrinal divides among Christians to vanish soon. The Savior wants his followers to be unified, disseminating his and the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). But his prayer might only be answered when we’re in his personal presence. Perhaps only then will he cement believers together in doctrine and church practice. Until that delightful day, it’s best to view doctrinal disagreements in light of what Paul wrote to ancient believers. His advice applies today as it did in yesteryear: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV).

Earlier, when addressing believers who lived in Corinth, the apostle asked them to shun doctrinal divisions. “Now I exhort you, brethren,” he pleaded, “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed . . . there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, ‘I am of Paul,’ and ‘I of Apollos,’ and ‘I of Cephas,’ and ‘I of Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:10–13).

In 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Paul explained the gospel of Jesus Christ, clarifying it’s the only gospel that saves (v. 2). In four brief verses, the apostle defined the gospel, namely, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected three days later. Notice Paul did not claim the gospel is a system of laws and ordinances, including temple marriage, that Christians must obey to receive eternal life. Rather, his message was much simpler.

He emphasized Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

The Word of Wisdom: Is it from God?

2011-08-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I was an active Mormon for 11 years, possessing a temple recommend for nearly a decade. Throughout my full-time two-year mission and other teaching positions within the LDS church, the Word of Wisdom was a hot topic. Essentially, it says God has forbidden people to ingest alcohol, tobacco (no smoking or chewing), coffee and tea (Doctrine and Covenants 89:5–9). In verses 18–21 of Section 89, adherents are promised special physical and spiritual blessings.

divine painkiller?

“Is observance of the Word of Wisdom necessary?” asked the late Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th president of the Mormon church. “The Brethren [Mormonism’s General Authorities] have long felt that it certainly must be . . . [If the Word of Wisdom were] more widely observed, [it] would save untold pain and suffering and lead not only to increased physical well-being but also to great and satisfying ‘treasures of knowledge’ of the things of God” (“Words of the Prophet: The Body is Sacred,” New Era, November 2006).

Hinckley’s feelings appear deeply devout, but are they from God? Does the Lord, who bought believers with his blood on the cross at Calvary, want his followers to avoid alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea? Mormons claim that “modern-day revelation” says yes. They allege the Word of Wisdom is clearer and more relevant than the Bible regarding how food and drink affect one’s standing with God.

eating, drinking and righteousness

What does the New Testament say about the concept behind the Word of Wisdom? Paul maintained that “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men” (Romans 14:17, 18). The celebrated apostle similarly explained, “ . . . Food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat” (1 Corinthians 8:8).

He warned the Colossians that “no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink . . . things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ” (Colossians 2:16, 17). Several verses later, Paul appropriately added, “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’” (verses 20 and 21).

biblical PROS AND CONS OF ALCOHOL

Oh, but what about alcohol? Surely, it’s the devil’s brew. No doubt, it’s potentially disastrous. Therefore, the Bible condemns drunkenness (Romans 13:13; Ephesians 5:18). But scripture also sets parameters for proper use of alcohol. For instance, scripture advises, “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more” (Proverbs 31:6, 7). Likewise, the psalmist noted, God created wine to make men’s hearts glad and to make their faces glisten with oil (Psalm 104:14, 15). And Paul urged the use of wine to comfort an ailing stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). So, yes, drunkenness is forbidden, but judicious use of alcohol can be a blessing.

MISSING THE MARK

Admittedly, in certain circumstances, the Word of Wisdom has health benefits. For example, tobacco is clearly harmful for human consumption. Many realized this during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. But alcohol, such as red wine, can actually benefit your health when ingested wisely. And the caffeine in moderate amounts of tea and coffee—the “hot drinks” of the Word of Wisdom—offers performance and mental-health benefits.

To be sure, Mormons should reconsider their Word of Wisdom as “the Lord’s Law of Health.” Many Mormons eat a lion’s share of saturated fat, refined sugar and sodium. Plus Mormons consume monumental amounts of prescription drugs that contain harmful side effects, including addiction. And many Mormons are sedentary and obese. The Word of Wisdom fails to address all these issues. The LDS people drink unfathomable amounts of Coca Cola, Dr Pepper, hot chocolate, Mountain Dew, Pepsi and other caffeinated drinks. But the Word of Wisdom, which could supposedly be updated by Mormonism’s living “prophet,” is silent regarding 21st century caffeinated drinks.

TRUE WORDS OF WISDOM

The consummate sermon regarding abstinence from certain food and beverages comes from the Savior. Essentially, he said, what goes into the body does not influence your salvation. “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man,” Jesus emphasized. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mark 7:20–23).

Clearly, then, alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea don’t make anyone unclean before God. On the flipside, only biblically based faith in Christ can cleanse us. From the lips of the Savior, that’s the true word of wisdom.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us proclaim and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To be an important part of this exciting work, please visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.

Rivers of Living Water

2011-08-08T15:22:00.000-07:00

Jesus offers living water.

I vividly recall my two years full-time Mormon mission. Among other false doctrines, I told prospective Mormons that right after water baptism into the LDS church, a Melchizedek priesthood holder would lay hands upon their heads, confirm them members of the Mormon church, and bestow upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This remains the Mormon practice today. An official LDS church manual explains: “After we are baptized, those who have the authority from our Father in Heaven place their hands on our head, give us the gift of the Holy Ghost, and make us official members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . . . ” (Gospel Fundamentals, Chapter 16, http://lds.org/manual/gospel-fundamentals/chapter-16-the-gift-of-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng&query=gift+holy+ghost, accessed 5 August 2011).

For some potential converts, having the gift of the Holy Spirit was a significant selling point. But like many Mormon church claims, it extends way beyond the truth. The fact is all sincere believers in Jesus Christ receive the gift of the Holy Spirit regardless of laying on of hands or their places of fellowship (that is, their “church”). The Lord explained, “ . . . If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive . . . ” (John 7:37–39).

The Savior promised that people who believe in him, not merely those receiving laying on of hands, would receive the Holy Spirit’s continuously. This is what Peter meant when he said, “ . . . ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself” (Acts 2:38, 39). The promised gift of the Holy Spirit is for all the Lord calls, not an elite group known as Mormons.

When breathed on the Twelve when conferring the Holy Spirit on them. He didn’t lay hands on their heads in formal ordination as the Mormons do (John 20:22). Granted, the apostle Paul laid hands on believers at Ephesus who were baptized with John’s baptism (an elementary baptism of repentance), not baptism in the Lord’s name representing the rebirth of believers (Romans 6:4–6). After rebaptism, these believers received the Holy Spirit as a gift from God. Unlike what Mormons experience regarding the laying on of hands, though, these believers at Ephesus also spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:1–7).

Scripture teaches that one isn’t a Christian if he doesn’t have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Addressing Roman believers, Paul made this point clear. He explained: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ . . . For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:9, 14; also see Galatians 3:5, 6).

The words of Jesus in John 13–16 probably weren’t meant exclusively for the apostles. In that monumental discourse, which discussed the Holy Spirit and other pivotal doctrines, the Savior said nothing about laying on of hands by a Melchizedek priesthood holder regarding the gift of the Holy Spirit. In truth, Christ is the sole possessor of that eternal authority (Hebrews 7:3, 11–14, 24).

“I will not leave you as orphans,” said Jesus to his disciples. “‘I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.’” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, ‘Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him’” (John 14:18–23).

You must choose between the ever-changing doctrines of Mormonism and the perfect and eternal doctrines of Jesus Christ. You can’t believe both.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.

Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry. We need your prayerful financial support. Donations are completely tax deductible under applicable law and help us defend and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. To be part of this important work, visit www.gco4lds.org/donate.html.

Divine Abolition

2011-07-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Since time immemorial, the religiously self-righteous have asked, “What good things must we do to gain eternal life?”

Jesus tackled this question during his mortal ministry. Was his answer to keep the commandments? Hardly. Obedience to the commandments has several other uses for Christians (see Matthew 5:16; John 3:20, 21; 14:23, 24). But in response to the query about everlasting life, Christ said to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind (Mark 10:17–22; Luke 10:25–28). Love for God and your neighbors is pivotal for salvation.

Checklist Erased

Mormonism and other manmade religions urge you to obey a checklist of requirements to earn a place in heaven. These requirements are sometimes known as “good works.” But the Bible says good works are the fruit of salvation, not its root. Someone reconciled to God through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross will perform good works because he’s saved, but good works never result in eternal life (Galatians 3:6–9; 18, 21; Ephesians 2:8, 9; 2 Timothy 1:8–10).

Debt Canceled

When discussing the atonement, Paul said the Lord ended “the Law of commandments contained in ordinances” to make Jew and Gentile one in Christ (Ephesians 2:14–16). To the Colossians, the faithful apostle argued, “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, [Jesus] made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13, 14).

Peace with God

Even if we yearn to keep all God’s commandments, we can’t. We’re all born “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3), and “the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22, italics added). While explaining Christ’s atonement, Paul told the Roman saints that “death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Through Christ’s work, though, not our own, believers have been justified by faith and have received peace with God (Romans 5:1).

Mormons Undercut the Atonement

Regrettably, like the rich young man and the lawyer that confronted Jesus, Mormons believe the way to heaven is through the atonement of Christ but “after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23; Mormon 10:32). In other words, the LDS church says, God requires us to pull the rope as hard as possible, and Jesus is supposed to pick up the slack.

But this doctrine completely sabotages Christ’s atonement. It’s contradicts the Bible and makes Jesus an assistant, not a Savior. No amount of church attendance, temple work, missionary effort, tithe paying, obeying the Word of Wisdom, or any other Mormon works will ensure your place in heaven. Only Jesus can accomplish that. And he did so by reconciling believers to the Father through his work on the cross. “[God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,” Paul wrote, “so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Fellow Citizens with the Saints

Perhaps Paul said it best in Ephesians 2:14–16. Jesus abolished “the Law of commandments contained in ordinances.” Through his sinless sacrifice on the cross, not by commanding obedience to Mormon gospel, the Savior made Jew and Gentile “fellow citizens with the saints . . . built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone” (Ephesians 2:19, 20).

“For Christ also died for sins once for all,” Peter summarized, “the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God . . . ” (1 Peter 3:18). For those who are saved, Christ does all the work.

He initiates and completes the process. As for our works toward salvation, he abolished them, firmly and finally nailing them to the cross.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

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Crowns of Thorns

2011-07-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Mormon Temple

Mormons have a feverish affection for their temples. About 135 have been built, most within the past 30 years. If you don’t receive LDS temple ordinances, especially marriage “for time and for all eternity,” Mormons say you can’t receive God’s greatest blessings.

“In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees,” wrote Joseph Smith, Mormonism’s inaugural president. “And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase[ that is, the birth of spirit children throughout eternity]” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:1–4).

At the most recent LDS General Conference, Thomas S. Monson, current Mormon church president, continued the illusion of Latter-day Saints that temples are pivotal when seeking eternal life. He told Mormons worldwide:

“Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? . . . No sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings . . . The saving ordinances received in the temple . . . permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort . . . Until you have entered the house of the Lord and have received all the blessings which await you there, you have not obtained everything the Church has to offer. The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.” (Thomas S. Monson,“The Holy Temple—Beacon to the World,” General Conference Address, April 2011).

But the Bible teaches at least three paramount truths regarding Mormon temples. First, they’re unnecessary. Stephen, one of history’s greatest prophets and most ardent followers of Christ, declared, “ . . . The Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands,as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’” (Acts 7:48–50 NKJV, italics added). With equal certainty, Paul testified, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24, 25 NKJV, italics added).

Ephesians 2:19–22 affirms that believers are the building of God, “a holy temple in the Lord,” and that faithful followers of the Master are “the dwelling place of God in the spirit.” Several other important passages verify that believers, not Mormon-made buildings, are the temples of God (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16).

A second paramount truth regarding Mormon temples? They don’t help anyone receive God’s crowning blessings, as Monson claims. God’s overflowing blessings pour out upon those who have faith in Jesus Christ and bear fruit to his everlasting glory (Luke 6:43–45; John 15:16. In his inimitable way, Paul explained the divine process this way: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, ‘Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

For‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” (Romans 10:4–13 NKJV, italics added).

Finally, individual can’t get us into heaven. It’s not the pathway to God’s highest honor and glory. The Bible proclaims: “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3–7 NKJV).

Receiving God’s gifts through the complete finished work of Jesus Christ, by grace through faith, Christians are blessed with a fullness of honor, glory and power (Romans 8:30, 32, 37). Attempted Mormonism’s way, however, and the result is far from crowning blessings, as Monson says. To be sure, it’s a crown of thorns.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

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When the Truth Hurts

2011-07-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

An e-mail recently sent to info@gco4lds.org asked two questions: 1) Why does Global Christian Outreach boldly expose Mormonism and other manmade religions? And 2) why does GCO maintain a that’s-the-way-it-is approach to the gospel?

The answers are simple. Global Christian Outreach boldly highlights the errors of Mormonism and fearlessly proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ because the Bible mandates it.

Regarding the LDS church and other cults, scripture urges Christians to wield weapons of warfare that “are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 ESV).

Likewise, Paul taught believers that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Accordingly, the apostle rightly advised, “ . . . Fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience . . .” (1 Timothy 1:18, 19). As disciples of the resurrected and living Christ, we’re soldiers in a war for truth and against error, especially concerning the gospel.

When boldly proclaiming the good news, Global Christian Outreach follows the example of Christ and his apostles. For instance, few scriptural statements equal the fearless assurance of John 14:6, where the Savior declared, “I am the Way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Exercising equal boldness, the Master affirmed, “ . . . Unless you believe that I am [the Messiah, whom I claim to be], you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Indeed, Christ told it the way it is.

In the world’s eyes, Peter and John were ordinary men. But like Jesus, they were spiritually exceptional, preaching the gospel boldly. Extremely effective, they astonished many hearers (Acts 4:13). On at least one occasion, when early Christians prayed together, “the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, andthey were all filled with the Holy Spirit andcontinued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31 ESV, italics added).

When Paul preached the gospel in Ephesus, he “entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading themabout the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8 ESV, italics added). Further emphasizing bold gospel preaching, Paul wrote, “ . . . Pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel . . . that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18, 19, italics added).

Scripture never commands timid gospel preaching. As we’ve seen, the Bible requires the opposite. In fact, God’s word says he “has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). And when the Lord establishes his new heaven and new earth, those who are cowardly regarding the gospel will be among those who receive the second death (Revelation 21:8).

Christians are to preach the truth and expose error boldly. The Lord commands it. He and his apostles set the perfect example. It isn’t easy to preach the gospel boldly, but Global Christian Outreach wouldn’t do it any other way. The truth hurts only when you don’t embrace it.

Comments or questions? Write loren@gco4lds.org.

Visit our Web site at www.gco4lds.org.