Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Are you saved?

"As I understand what is meant by the good Christians who speak in these terms, we are "saved" when we sincerely declare or confess that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.  This meaning relies on the words the Apostle Paul taught the Christians of his day: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10).  To Latter-day Saints, the words saved and salvation in this teaching signify a present covenant relationship with Jesus Christ in which we are assured salvation from the consequences of sin if we are obedient.  Every sincere Latter-day Saint is "saved" according to this meaning.  We have been converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, we have experienced repentance and baptism, and we are renewing our covenants of baptism by partaking of the sacrament."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Excerpt from "Have You Been Saved?"


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     All of Christianity points to Jesus.  The gospel is framed around His death and resurrection and how it provided justification to God through His selfless and undeserved act towards mankind.  That is why a majority of Christians talk about being 'saved' because it is that hope that we rejoice over.  So whenever the Bible, the gospel, Jesus, God, etc. is brought up, most Christians will inevitably ask, "Are you saved?"  But what does that mean?  How does a person know if they are saved?  What are we saved from?    
     Well, let me tell you what being 'saved' doesn't mean.  It does not mean a person is saved from physical death.  "For as in Adam all die..." (1 Cor 15:22a).  Everyone will die.  This is the inevitable conclusion to our life on this earth.  Furthermore, being 'saved' isn't a reference to a bodily resurrection either.  "Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust." (Acts 24:15).  The Bible says that there are two different types of people:  Those that believe in Jesus and those that don't.  However, the Bible says that it doesn't matter which side of that coin you are on, you will be resurrected.  So, since both the believer and the non believer will be brought back to life then being 'saved' cannot be a reference to our resurrection.  If it were, the question would render itself useless as the answer would always be 'yes'.
     So, what does it mean?  When a Christian asks if you are saved, they are asking about your eternal destination.  Essentially, "Are you going to heaven or hell?"  But, it's actually more involved than just that.  You see, being 'saved' implies two things:  1) That there is something to be saved from and 1) there is a person or thing that can do the saving.
     The thing to be saved from is an eternity apart from God.  Hell is very real and it is not a place one would like to go.  There's a "fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Rev 21:8) where there is a lot of  "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt 13:50).  It's a place where people suffer in eternal punishment, where your soul and resurrected body is destroyed (Matt 10:28).  This is why the Bible calls it the second death (Rev 20:13-14, 21:8).  Basically, you don't want to go there...ever.  
     Now that we know what we need to be saved from, we need to address who does the saving.  The To this, the Bible is very clear.  "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). His death on the cross was sufficient to satisfy God's requirement for justice.  It is by His blood that we are saved from the torment and destruction that awaits us because of our sinful lives.  "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal lfie..."
     So, when a person says they are saved, what they are saying is that Jesus Christ died on a cross for them.  They are exclaiming that their sins have been paid for in full by the blood of Jesus, and that they are no longer destined for hell.  They are saying that nothing they've done has warranted salvation in any sense of the word and are proclaiming that they have put all of their trust in Jesus to completely redeem them before God.  They are saved from that punishment and torment and will instead enjoy everlasting bliss and will spend an eternity with God in heaven and bask in His glory.  
     Now I can hear my Mormon friends and family saying, "Oh, well I believe that.  So, I guess by your definition, I am saved!"  I mean, that's essentially what Elder Oaks said.  But hold on a second.  You guys are most likely still misunderstanding me.  You see, the problem is that Mormonism is guilty of high-jacking Christian vernacular.  They use the same words but have different meanings.  Let me spell it out even more, so that there will be no more confusion.  When Christians talk about Jesus they mean the Jesus of the Bible, the one who is equal to God, the creator of all the universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the second member of the Godhead, God with us, God in the flesh, the Jesus who is literally God.  When Christians say that their sins are forgiven they mean that every sin - whether past, present or future - have been washed away and they stand blameless before God.  When a Christian says that there is nothing they can do they mean that it is only through their faith in Jesus they are redeemed.  They are admitting their good deeds amount to nothing and that salvation is found solely by calling on the name of Jesus.  When a Christian speaks of the afterlife, they have the belief that you can go only one of two places: heaven or hell.  When a Christian says hell, they are referring to a place of great anguish and torment, a place that is not only a fiery prison but a place where you are eternally separated from God.  When a Christian says heaven they are referring to that place in the afterlife, where God the father is seated enthroned, His angels singing His praise, and the body of believers will enjoy everlasting peace and joy.  
     Here is where the proverbial rubber meets the road.  A distinction is starting to form in your minds between Mormon theology and Christian theology.  You see, it is only when we define these common terms and get down to the substance of it all that we can actually get anywhere.  If we are using this definition of 'saved', the definition that all Christians are using, then most Mormons would likely have admit that they are not saved.  Oh, but wait...I can hear my friends forming arguments in their heads:
  • Who are you to tell who is saved and who isn't?
  • This is all based on YOUR definitions and interpretations
  • What authority do you have to speak for these other Christians on what salvation means?
  • Your premises are all way off, buddy!
  • If you knew the fullness of the gospel, then you'd see we're not that different.  
  • We know more about this stuff than you because of our modern day prophets and revelations.
  • You're playing the semantics game!
     Look, lets just be honest.  All of Christianity believes on 'my' definition of being saved.  That is just simple fact.  If you don't believe me, go and talk to a pastor at any Christian church near you and find out for yourself.  Have them read this blog if you're having trouble conveying 'my' definition.  Seriously, do it!  I'm 100% positive that they'll confirm it.  And you know why?  Because that is what being 'saved' means.  And this is because it is not my definition but the Bible's.  
     Furthermore, the most important part of going to heaven is getting to be in the presence of God the Father.  Yes, it is a beautiful paradise where joy and suffering are no more, but that is because we are in the presence of the Holy One.  In Mormonism, this "heaven" is only accomplished if one makes it to the Celestial kingdom, which is the highest of their three degrees of glory.  As such, Christians would define the other two Mormon "heavens" as just better versions of hell.  My friend Kevin Young from the band Disciple says it best in their song "My Hell".   

"This was my hell
living without you here
Even heaven is hell
if somehow You were not there"

     But, in order to go to that heaven, Mormons teach that in addition to believing in Jesus there are other things that you must do or receive to be admitted.  "There are three kingdoms, or degrees of glory...[and] the Lord has prescribed requirements for eternal life in the celestial kingdom.  We must receive the testimony of Jesus, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and keep the commandments (see D&C 76:51-52).  We must overcome all things by faith and be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (see D&C 76:53,60). [Furthermore,] we must comply with the new and everlasting covenant of marriage (see D&C 131:1-3)." (click here for more information).  
     Using the correct definition of 'saved' includes a part where there is absolutely nothing we can do to be saved.  Or in other words, anything we do will not help our situation.  We cannot get a better seat in heaven if we obey more than any body else, or send a check to humanitarian efforts, or help an old lady cross the street.  Salvation, being saved, getting into heaven rests completely on the efforts and blood of our Savior, Jesus.  By contrast, Mormonism teaches that you need Jesus, but you also need to be baptized and get married in the LDS Temple, among other things.  Do you see the difference?  Are you listening?  If not, let me make it as clear as day.
  • The Mormon equivalent to Christian heaven is the Celestial Kingdom
  • How does one get to heaven/celestial kingdom?
    • Biblical Christian's answer: JESUS
    • Mormon's answer: JESUS, BAPTISM, TEMPLE MARRIAGE, KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS AND THE OTHER ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL, RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
*Keep in mind, I am only talking about being saved, salvation, or what the Bible calls "Justification."  Yes, keeping the commandments, baptism, etc. are important, but they are used for sanctification, or the process of making one Holy.  They are, however, completely unnecessary and useless in terms of Justification.  

Now do you see the difference in theology?

     The Bible says there is no other name by which you are saved.  That means that only Jesus can save you.  He is the way.  Period.  So, if you pair Jesus' blood and work on the cross with anything else (ceremonies, actions, ordinances, etc.) then it becomes a gospel of Jesus+, and that is straight up heresy.  Besides, Jesus does not need your help to save you.  I mean, why would God need your help to do anything?  He's all powerful, all knowing, all creating, all glorious, and completely Holy.  And you are....well...you.
     Instead of listening to Nephi (2 Nephi 25:23) and LDS prophets and Quorum members tell you that it takes Jesus+ to be 'saved', why not just trust the words of Jesus?

 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life.   No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9)

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25)

"Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. ...Truly, truly I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. ...I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ...For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:29-40)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.  He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24)

Monday, April 11, 2016

Who are we?

Our views, especially religious based, depend a lot on how we view ourselves.  Our perception regarding who we are, our place, our lot in life molds and shapes how we live out our lives.  Our actions are mostly dictated by these presuppositions.  I assume that most people view themselves as being a 'good' person.  As such, they take care to live in a way that reinforces this self-perception.  They may give to charity, coach in their spare time, feed the homeless, or other such selfless acts. On the other hand, if a person views them self as being worthless then they might live their life in doom and gloom, thinking that nothing they do matters or makes any difference in the world or the lives of the people around them.  Perception is everything.  

I was talking to a Mormon friend of mine the other day and we got on the topic of who we are, according to God and the Bible.  Basically, are we 'good' people or not?  After a few minutes, we quickly came to the conclusion that we completely disagreed with each other.  I wanted to share with you what he had to say on the subject (paraphrased):

"How sad to think that some people see themselves as wretched, filthy, or 'dirty, rotten, sinners'.  God is love and He does not see us like that at all!  We (humans) are inherently good people who occasionally make mistakes.  Our lives have value and worth because we are the sons and daughters of God (literally).  And because we are His children, God wants what's best for us, and desires for us to be like Him and has laid out the (Mormon) gospel in such a way to help us achieve that."

I want to ask you - the one reading this blog - a question.  Do you agree or disagree with my friend?  I would encourage you to take a moment or two and really answer this question for yourself.  Go on...I'll wait.  


Have you done it yet?  Good!  So, now, that you've had some time to think about it, let me ask you one more question, and I think the more important of the two.  Does my friend agree with what the Bible says?  

Let's explore this last question using the Bible.


Ephesians 2:1-3
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom we all also once lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the things willed of the flesh and of its thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest."

Isaiah 64:6 (emphasis mine)
"But we are all as unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Romans 3:23 (emphasis mine)
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Mark 7:21-23 (emphasis mine)
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.

Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me

Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.


There are various other passages that can be used to define "total depravity" but I thought these would suffice to prove my point.  According to the world's standard, yes, one might say they are good.  So long as they don't go to jail, murder anyone, or any major crimes like that and if they pay their taxes, throw their trash away, go to work, help old ladies cross the street, or whatever they can call themselves a good person.  But, if you claim - like I do - to love God and follow His word (Bible) then you have no choice but to hold yourself to His higher standard and come to a very different conclusion.  In fact, you should come up with the exact opposite conclusion: You are not good at all.  And why do you get to this fact?  Because you are a sinner, and God does not take that lightly.  "For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You" (Psalm 5:4).  It makes sense that a Holy, Holy, Holy God would despise sin and completely separate Himself from it and those guilty of it because it can't even dwell in His presence.  Sin is His polar opposite.  Therefore, it is by this standard that we should look at ourselves, and by this standard where we receive a true answer to our question.

Truth be told, the Bible says there is no 'good' person alive.  Even those that do some good, realistically, those deeds are nothing but filth to God.  Our sins have seeped so deeply into our lives and our unrighteousness has dug us so deep a hole that we have absolutely no hope to even think we are even in the same vicinity as 'good'.  Our hearts and minds are wicked and evil.  And though we may desire to do good in the eyes of God, we are completely powerless to do otherwise.

But, is this such a surprise to you?  I mean, you know you're a sinner, right?  I mean, we all make mistakes.  Furthermore, if you were to honestly look at your own track record, you'd even have to admit that you fail according to your own standards.  For instance, how many promises have you broken to yourself?  How many times have you come short of what even you yourself would consider to be a 'good' person?  I'm guessing quite a few times, as have I.  How much more then have you...have I....have we all fallen from the Holy standard of God?  Moreover, God is clear that this reality is not reserved for the lowly or the mighty, to just the Jews, or the gentiles, or to the rich, or the poor, or whatever.  This failure is across the board.  It goes for everyone...every one...EVERYONE.  All of us are guilty and have fallen short.  It doesn't matter who you are, you stand condemned.

When I told my friend this he was audibly taken aback.  My friend asked, "Does this make you feel good?  Do you like hearing about how much of a failure you are?  Thinking that God sees you this way, does this make you feel good about yourself?"  To be honest...No.  No it doesn't.  But that doesn't change the fact that this is who I am.

HOWEVER...luckily, the good news is not in how we measure up to God's standard, or how the Bible describes us, but rather in how God dealt with this reality and demonstrated His glory, His love, His power, and His grace through His son, Jesus.

John 15:3
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

So, yes, you are unworthy!  Yes, you are unclean!  Yes, you are a sinner!  Yes, you have failed!  Yes, you stand condemned! and no, you can't do anything to change that! But, know this also...God loves you! Yes, you can be forgiven!  Yes, you do have worth in the eyes of the Creator!  Yes, if you believe on His name, you will be saved!  No, you don't have to go to hell!  And yes, yes, yes, God is good! And of course, yes, all praise and honor and glory to the Father, forever and ever, amen!

You see, it was only when I was willing to honestly look myself for who I really was (according to the Bible) that I came to the realization that I needed to be forgiven, that I needed to be saved, that I needed redemption, that I needed grace, that I needed Jesus!  Thinking like this no longer brings despair or sadness, but great joy!  Yes, Lord, I am unholy...but You lord alone are 'good' and I worship You!  You have cleansed me and forgiven me and I will never forget that fact!  You gave me Your grace and now I am whole and I stand blameless before God because of You!  I stand with the angels and all of creation singing Your praises because You are my redeemer!  

It's not that I am bringing myself down so that I can raise God up, like some sort of religious pulley system (He doesn't need my help to be lifted high anyways).  Rather, I recognize how I truly stand before His throne and in doing so, I can now see God for who He really is!  You see, if I viewed myself as a 'good' person, I might deceive myself into thinking that I can earn salvation and lose sight of God.  I might act like I can do something right according to my own will and gain entry into His kingdom.  And you know what?  If I did that, I would end up losing my soul for all eternity.  Instead, I know who I am, I know what I've done, and I know that "Though [my] sins are like scarlet, they [are now] white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they [are] like wool" (Isaiah 1:18) all because of the blood of the perfect lamb, Jesus.


Amen!