The old joke goes something like this, "Is there a 4th of July in Brazil?" The answer? Of course! Do they celebrate it like the Americans do? No. Their Independence day is on September 7th. So, there are no fireworks, no flags waving, no parades, no "Star Spangled Banners". But, there were some fireworks at the Mormon church last night. What does the Mormon church have to do with the 4th of July? Let me explain.
Dawn and I went to make a visit Tuesday night. Guilherme had missed the last two week of my Sunday school class and a visit was long over due. However, as we arrived at his house we couldn't get anyone to answer the door. We clapped and clapped and clapped (no we were not giving a standing ovation because no one was home, in Brazil one has to clap to get peoples attention; iron gates are difficult to knock on). Anyway after clapping several times with no response, even though the house lights were on, it was suggested that we go to the Mormon church to see if Gui was there.Why would Guilherme be there? The Mormons have invested millions in their church plant. It is lovely. They have an enclosed area for soccer and every Tuesday night they open it to the neighborhood kids. It attracts a lot of teen and young boys. And even some of our teens play there.
Anyway, as Dawn and I walked toward the church I noticed two, obviously American, elders coming up the sidewalk. I asked, "Are you Americans?" With their positive reply began a conversation that lasted about 40 minutes. They gave us a tour of their "church". As I mentioned earlier, it is a lovely structure that shows the investment of millions of dollars. Everything about that building screamed "TOP QUALITY" material. Ryan (21) and Jason (23), the two elders, explained their system of visitation and services to us and in all were very cordial.
As we were leaving the building Ryan gave me a pamphlet with the offer of a free DVD about "salvation in Jesus Christ". Dawn reached into her purse and handed me a "Bridge to Eternal Life" tract. As I handed it to him I explained that many religions emphasize works as a way to heaven (Mormons) and that in fact the Bible explains that salvation is not gained by our works. They both accepted the tracts graciously and promised to read them. I told them that we would have to get together again to talk "religion". Both smiled and as we left I said to Dawn, "That's why we didn't get into Gui's house." God had arranged another visit for us.
Jason leaves the 18th of this month for a return to his studies at BYU. So please pray for another meeting with these two dedicated California boys who need to hear the message of the Cross from a Biblical point of view.
The Mormons have even arrived here, in the "backside of the desert", so to speak--and are investing heavily.
ReplyDeleteIt is the Calvinist doctrine of salvation without obedience to God's commandments that is unbiblical and contrary to God's will.
ReplyDeleteYou preach a biblical smorgasboard, picking and choosing the doctrines that tickle the ear, without context to the whole.
Here are just three of *many* passages in the Bible proving that the doctrine "once saved, always saved" is wrong and dangerous.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
• • •
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." (James 2:14,17-18)
Calvin completely confused Paul's teachings about the limitations of the Law of Moses to teach the foolish notion that faith in Christ renders obedience to God's commandments unnecessary.
Thereby generations of his followers have blithely indulged in all kinds of sin, boasting that their faith will save them anyway.
Read the Book of Mormon. It will make Calvin's error completely clear and lead you in the path of repentance.