When I share the biblical gospel of salvation by grace with Latter-day Saints it is often rejected because it is thought to encourage sinful and licentious behavior.This argument was anticipated and soundly answered by the apostle Paul with the rhetorical question: “What shall we say, then?Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?By no means!We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Ro. 6:1-2 NIV).I would add that our abuse of God’s grace no more alters the mechanism by which we are saved than our abuse of the gift of tongues alters the mechanism by which spiritual gifts are given, namely, grace to the exclusion of our works or commandment-keeping (e.g. Eph. 2:8-9; cf. Ro. 12:6; 1 Co. 12:11).
Recently, however, I was pleasantly surprised by a rare response from Mary—an elderly LDS lady whose windows I had just finished cleaning.It began with, of all things, a discussion on the ethnic origins of our last names and how her family first became involved in “the Mormon Church.”Being that Mary and I had been friends for a couple of years and she knew that I was a Protestant missionary she quickly offered up her personal philosophy on how we are made right with God.It was almost as if she was trying to make sure that I had no reason to fear our broaching this potentially sensitive subject.Bless her heart!Mary freely admitted that she was no scholar of Scripture and didn’t know about other religions; all she knew was that her peace with God and peace of mind came from helping those in need.
Far from a gentle nudge the Spirit then prompted me to step through the door of opportunity I had been puzzling over for as long as I knew Mary was a devout Mormon—that door being when and how I would eventually share with her the biblical gospel of salvation by grace.I asked Mary if she had a Bible and she retrieved her four-in-one (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price and the Bible).I opened to Isaiah 64:6 where the prophet declares that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (KJV) and asked her to consider this apparent contradiction to her philosophy of salvation.Suffice it to say, it was now Mary’s turn to puzzle.
After explaining that all of our good works are tainted by sin I pressed on with a one-hour presentation of the biblical gospel of grace and contrasted it with the works-enamored LDS gospel.Mary listened intently and interjected predictable yet sincere questions like “Does this mean that a murderer can be freely forgiven?” and “What happens to those who have never heard about this gospel of grace?”I gladly answered.But the surprisingly “rare response” to which I earlier alluded was Mary’s candid confession: “I have never even heard about this gospel.”
Well I can’t say with confidence that Mary’s home had incredibly clean windows when I left that day, but at least I can say that I left with “beautiful feet.”
The apostle Paul writes:
for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:13-15 NIV)
I read your Beautiful Feet story with Mary. I believe in salvation by grace. My soul has already been won by Jesus Christ.
Yet I don't think God forces us into Heaven or an eternal life that we don't want. If He did, would not that, too, be damnation?
That's one more reason why I believe LDS doctrine on Celestial, Terrestial, and Telestial glory is more complete than conventional Christian beliefs about Heaven.
Posted by Rebecca on 01/19/2009 08:01:53
Mike,
You never did include what exactly you said to Mary when she asked if murderers can still be forgiven and what about those who never hear the Gospel. It would be very helpful to us who witness to the lds missionaries at our door, to know how you answered so that we too can be prepared.
Posted by Craig on 07/17/2009 07:21:50
Craig, Please refer to my January and May blogs "A Biblical Perspective on Post-Mortem Evangelization (1) and (2)," respectively, for the LDS question: "What is the fate of those who die never hearing the Gospel."
Concerning the forgiveness of "murderers," King David and Saul - the pre-Christian name of the apostle Paul - are perhaps two of the most recognizable figures (see 2 Sam. 11-12 and Acts 8 and 9). Because Jesus perfectly fulfilled ALL of God's commands (see Mt. 5:17) and paid the penalty for ALL of our sins - including our breaking of the 6th commandment to not murder - (see Isa. 52:5-6 and Col. 2:13-15), we may be "justified freely ... through faith in his blood" (see Ro. 3:23-25 NIV). This is our Christian faith!
