Recently a Baptist preacher, Robert Jeffress, from Dallas Texas endorsed Rick Perry for president and while he was at it he decided to declare that one of Perry’s opponents, Mitt Romney, is not a Christian. In part he said, “Rick Perry’s a Christian. He’s an evangelical Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, Mitt Romney’s a good moral person, but he’s not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. It has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity.”
I cannot find the passage in the Bible that set Mr. Jeffress up as God’s assistant judge. I don’t agree with any religion that adds to, or takes away from God’s Holy Bible as the Mormons have done with their Book of Mormon, but I stop short of declaring that anyone is not a follower of Christ.
John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. I’ve read the ensuing chapters of John and there is no disclaimer that states: “Unless of course he also believes in the Book of Mormon, in which case please disregard that statement for all of that is now negated”.
I am friends with several Mormons. I have relentlessly challenged, debated, and grilled them about their belief system for hours on end, especially regarding the most important aspect of all: Jesus Christ being the Son of God, His dying for our sins, being raised in three days, the need to confess our sins and repent (or turn away) from those sins. And at least in that regard they have espoused the exact same belief system that I have.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck, I would think that it’s either a duck or a good impressionist…
On the other hand the “stuff” added by Joseph Smith, (who claimed to be a modern day prophet) in his Book of Mormon is in my opinion a bunch of malarkey and totally false teaching. The Bible states: “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you”.
God also issued a stern warning to those who might choose to ignore this solemn command: I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
Yikes! I wonder what went through Joseph smith’s mind when he read that little passage in Revelation. It would have sent cold chills up and down my spine I tell you…
Joseph Smith has long since died and will face God at the judgment and answer for everything he did in this life, just as we will when it’s our turn to face God. Will the blood of the Lamb cover Smith’s sins and be sufficient to pardon him for them, or will he be condemned to eternal separation in hell?
I cannot even begin to imagine setting myself up as someone else’s judge. My own plight is sufficient for me and I don’t know anyone else’s heart save my own. God knows Mitt Romney’s heart, Joseph Smith’s, Robert Jeffress’, you, me, et al. He alone will determine our fate based on our choice to follow or reject Jesus Christ as prescribed in His Holy Bible.
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus must be the cornerstone of our faith and His word the Holy Bible is the foundation. Men want to alter God’s word to meet their own desires be it because of a lust for more wives, power, pleasing others desires to do whatever they want, or whatever. Aaron ,the brother of Moses, is one example of someone succumbing to the will of the people when he allowed them to build a golden calf and worship it, at the very time Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments from God Himself on the mountain.
There is a price and consequence that will be paid for all sin and Aaron was punished for his disobedience.
My advice is to keep our eyes upon Jesus and stick to His Holy Bible. Nothing needs to be added or subtracted. It is perfect just as it is. Jesus loved Scripture and quoted it at every opportunity. It was obvious that He used the Bible daily to provide answers to every question and situation that He encountered from the time He was just a small child through His crucifixion. We should try our best to emulate Him in that regard and every regard.
Follow Christ and make His word the Holy Bible your step by step guide to personal redemption and for finding success both in your personal and business life. You can’t go wrong by so doing.
Acts 4:17
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone.