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The scriptures say that we are to provide a sacrifice to heavenly Father and this can be done in many ways, such as what was said in Romans 12: 1 or Ephesians 5: 2.

The word of God speaks of self-sacrifice, one where we are to subjugate ourselves to the ways of God and to put aside the ways of the world. Some of these “self-sacrifices” refer to placing ourselves into a humbled state, a contrite spiritual state which subjects ourselves to his Spirit (Psalms 51:17), which is also seen  in one of the most well known scriptural verses, “..he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it ( Matt. 10:39).”

It is clear that God is telling us to forsake mortal tendencies of life and embark onto a spiritual path and way, but how many really do this as they claim faith in God and his Spirit?

Indulgence or sacrifice?

The battle between being spiritual, the offering of oneself to God, or submitting ourselves to indulgences of the flesh and of the world. How easy it is for anyone of us to loose ourselves in indulgences, big and small and not even think of what we are really doing. Simple things, coffee, chocolate, junk food, cakes, or even drink (speaking generally), this is to name a few.

Think about it. When you fast for two meals, do you not desire to drink and eat? To have that treat, that potato chip, cup of hot chocolate or that slice of pizza?  That is an example of the human nature, that of the natural man or woman, the carnal mind and heart, wanting things of the flesh and the world, but when you refuse those desires to continue the fast, then you are spiritual, submitting oneself as a sacrifice to heavenly Father.

Now let us seriously consider as to whether the everyday thing is an indulgence or sacrifice. What things are you doing in your life that would be counted as an indulgence? Having need to eat that chocolate every day, or have that tea every morning, or that need for something that is gained from the world or from the flesh, the pleasures.

It is so easy to get into ideas of “self-pampering”, or “I deserve this” or “treat myself”, etc. These philosophies are taught by many “self-help” gurus that claim this is increasing personal power. How easy the corruption of God’s principles and practices can occur so subtlety and quickly because they appeal to the very thing we all have, that is the “ego” which is where pride resides.

God knew that unless we act in “self-sacrifice” we would be caught up by the world and the flesh, locked into the carnal mind and end up with a heart  of stone, spiritually speaking. Self-sacrifice assists us to humble ourselves and develop a contrite spirit, not to submit ourselves to indulgences, but to submit ourselves to the Spirit, which are spiritual things.

The important thing is to learn when things are not an indulgence and when they are. Making excuses to indulgence, even justify it as “free will or choice” is a selfish act because it serves no one but yourself. Athletes know the importance of self-sacrifice when it comes to performance. True they do it to perform better, it is for themselves, but the manner which it is done is the same. They do not indulgence in things that will hamper their “discipline”.

When God said that our bodies must be like a temple, that means we are to develop and maintain our physical nature unto God. Keep healthy, exercise and every so often, subjugate the body to a fast and to spiritual ways and things. Overcoming the things of the flesh is what opens us up to the Spirit, because by subjugating the flesh and the natural man or woman within, putting aside indulgences and excuses to indulge, shifts the body mind and soul into a spiritual focus and all good spiritual focuses are of God, which invites the Spirit. As athletes do this to perform, we can do the same, spiritually speaking for our faith unto God.

So what would it be for your faith, indulgence of sacrifice?

There are some who believe and feel within the Christian communities that we are not to judge other beliefs or faith. When something is said about someone’s beliefs or faith, the retort given is “we cannot judge them”. This can be especially disconcerting when the matter at hand has to do with determining the value or truth of another person’s faith or beliefs. It seems by this, that nothing can be said or determined in order to avert false beliefs and false faiths, that we would then, by this restriction of not judging another, would likely have to accept false beliefs or faiths.

It is true, in the Bible, that we are to be careful about judging one another, as per Romans 2:1, but this passage does not prohibit judgement, it clarifies bad judgment. In Romans 2:1, Paul is speaking to the Romans and as anyone should see, the context which Paul is addressing are bad judgments from wicked people. In another part of the Bible, John 7:24, we are to make righteous judgment. So what of this concern by some that we are not to judge the faith or beliefs of another? In particular, if these faiths or beliefs are subject of condemnation?

The idea or philosophy that we are not to judge others because that belongs to God, goes against the Bible itself. The dilemma occurs when a person fails to understand the scriptures and what God has really done in what he has revealed to us. Poor interpretation, poor understanding, abiding in false doctrines or personal philosophies cannot and will not allow that person to properly understand the word of God, his gospel and what God has given as his will through revelation.

This shortcoming of many, both in and out of the Church, causes many to falter and fall from faith and even fail a good relationship with God. Failing in a good relationship with God occurs when a person falls to false beliefs, doctrines or personal philosophies that are of the world and because of these things, a relationship of God is affected and diminished (John 8:47), all because that person is not able to exercise God’s judgments against false beliefs, doctrines, philosophies and ideas!

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So many Christians have accused Mormons that we created another gospel, one that does not belong to the Bible and from this they claim they are “Bible Only Believers”. To them it is easy to make this accusation because this Church professes the Book of Mormon as given by God through revelation to Joseph Smith, his chosen prophet and by this, they easily claim the bindings of the Bible, whatever version they hold, is separate and distinct from the bindings of the Book of Mormon. It is the “me versus them” pattern so prevalent in the Christian world.

None, that I have seen or heard, have realized that “another gospel” is really among themselves in their preaching and teachings. They have not realized that they are changing, adding, diminishing or removing from the gospel to suit their own devices and teachings.

A case in fact, a preacher known as Adrian Rogers has a website that sends out devotionals. Usually using single passages from the Bible. Here is one of his devotionals sent by email,

Graced by His Prayers
–from the messages of Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION:
Hebrews 7:25 – “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you ever feel you are all alone when a struggle hits your life? Tell yourself, “I am graced by His prayers.” Jesus is watching over you, and He is praying for you. The Savior. The Shepherd. The King. The Prince. He is praying for you! Do you feel encouraged? I do! Just to know that the One who died for me “ever liveth to make intercession” for me is enough. He lives to stand in the gap for you and for me. What a mighty God we serve! What mercy we don’t deserve! You are on Jesus’ prayer list! You. He knows you. And He is praying you through the eye of the storm.

ACTION POINT:
Do you have a prayer list? Go through that list today and pray for someone you haven’t prayed for in awhile and trust God to answer, even today!

This devotional sounds good does it not? It appears that this preacher knows the word of God and speaks from what the Bible says? How many follow in his thoughts, his teachings, interpretations and usage of the Bible? I am sure all appears good, that he appears to know the word of God and speaks it from the Bible as the Bible says it. I am sure many follow his thoughts and has a large following to his teachings, interpretations and usage of the Bible.

Is all this true? – Well, it is not, in regards to his knowledge and usage of God’s word and that he is actually preaching another gospel.

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I have read the claims, I have heard the claims and I have read and researched the Bible and its history and having done the latter, where do these other Christians get the justification to make the claim that “only the Bible”, or “it must be based on the Bible” and so on. I have had other Christians almost demand to me that I am lost and misguided because I accepted “another gospel” (quoting Paul the Apostle from Galatians 1 and 2 Corinthians 11), but when the truth has been revealed by the Holy Ghost, I have come to understand the truth about the “Bible” and about the “gospel” showing me that these others are sorely mistaken and misguided and puffed up in their pride of their own beliefs.

The Bible the Bible, they claim they have the Bible, so let us take a hard look at the Bible and see if what they say is true.

The Bible did not exist, as it is called, during the Old and New Testament times. The word Bible or “Holy Bible” has been used to denote religious writings for either the Jews or the Christians. The Bible that I refer to here in this article is the Christian Bible.

During the time of the New Testament Christian Church, also referred to the Early Christian Church or the Ancient Church, there was no Bible. What the Ancient Church had were the Old Testament texts which was the same as the Jews, as Jesus Christ taught from them and the writings and teachings of the Apostles which they obtained through revelation of Jesus Christ. The Apostles had a difficult time dealing with false doctrines and false teachings that infiltrated into the Church Membership from Greek philosophies, Pagan influences, Gnostic groups and Jewish pressure. Paul’s epistles mentioned it many times in his writings to Church membership.

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According to a recent news report at Gospel for Asia UK, a Christian denomination that professes worship of Jesus Christ is under threats of death if the pastor and followers refuse to reject Jesus for another (extremist) religion. This means people who disagree with the beliefs of this Christian group are trying to impose their will and their beliefs unto them, even using threats of death.

You can read this story here >> http://www.gfauk.org/skelapp/gfa/news-IfYouGoToChurchYouDie-Nov09.asp

This example shows religious intolerance, also showing a type of dictorship and evil, to force, impose, rule over, violate freedoms and civil liberties to worship as we choose, even threaten death. Such intolerance and actions against freedoms and liberties, in any degree, shows an evil that is becoming more prominent today.

Do Mormons know this kind of intolerance? Certainly they do and Joseph Smith suffered this intolerance to his death at the hands of evil men who violated his freedoms and liberties. Then today, this intolerance toward Mormons continue, under the guise and false label of “cult”. How many ex-Mormons and Anti-Mormons would literally take up their guns and shoot down Mormons if it were not for the laws we have in North America? How many Anti-Mormons and ex-Mormons would cheer and rally for such intolerance?

To God’s dismay, many would, as intolerance is not a Christian trait or belief. So how many Anti’s and Ex’s are not Christian? – Many.

A prayer is appropriate for these Christians who are suffering threats to their right to worship God as to what their conscience dictates, an article of faith that Mormons believe and follow.

I pray for the well being, safety and support for these Christians in Uttar Pradesh India.

Amen

I am sure that many remember this doctrine spoken of by Joseph Smith and that is still reverberating throughout Christiandom today. How this doctrine, that God was once a man, upset so many people and their false doctrines, that no person outside the Church was able to read the Bible properly to see that same doctrine within its bindings.

My other website named “innerlightvision.com” holds the Biblical explanation for this famous doctrine spoken by Joseph Smith. It shows, by the Bible, how God the Father was mortal like us and became exalted and he showed or taught Jesus Christ the same thing. The example of this doctrine was actually given by Jehovah-Jesus Christ who clearly proclaimed that he followed the will and example of the Father in heaven, doing only what the Father had done.

Simple concept and most importantly, Biblical, meaning that the Bible holds that very doctrine for other Christians to read and learn.

Please attend that web page at: http://www.innerlightvision.com/article/God-was-once-a-man.php

The author, Mike Thomas of “Mormonism, A Gold Plated Religion”, posted on his blog site his article of why he believes Mormons are misunderstood. After reading it, I was disappointed, expecting more, but I was not surprised. He gave only one reason as to why Mormons are misunderstood. That reason proved to be a personal and biased one and it failed to address the real cause as to why Mormons are misunderstood.  His rationale to his personal reason came out halfway down his article, where it began with a question, “So why are Mormons so misunderstood?”. Mr. Thomas first referred to an official Mormon News Service of June 5, 2007 ( http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-centrality-of-christ ), where he quoted from the article,

“What is it that people find so difficult in accepting Mormons as Christians? – While others have their opinions, ‘in our terms,’ President Hinckley said, ‘we worship Christ.’”

I attended and read the LDS news article. I found that Mr. Thomas focused on one small part of the LDS news article, selecting only one quote, in an attempt to discount what he calls “The Mormon View” of why other Christians have difficulty in accepting Mormons. Before I comment on Thomas’s claims, allow me to provide more from the same LDS news article.

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There exists a wide range of beliefs about the scriptures, many versions of God’s doctrines in Christendom, each toting their own ideas of what the Bible says, such that many contradict each other with no real “one mind” existing among them. I have always wondered what promotes such differences and such determination that this or that belief is accepted by each person as true without any confirmation that such a chosen belief coincides with God’s doctrines and principles? I am sure there are many factors that cause this, but some of these factors are not universal, meaning they do not exist across the board and are more circumstantial and personal.

One day, I realized what one of these “universal factors” were. People in general will tend to place their personally designed belief before any true understanding. In other words, the belief comes before a correct understanding of the word of God, so when they are asked what the scriptures mean, they relate their personally designed belief instead of a true understanding of what the scriptures say.

For example, a person seeks a loving relationship and will come to seek that in religion, rejecting or not wanting anything to do with “wrath” because it is not “loving”. They enter into Bible courses, churches and personal study where they exclude the “wrath of God” parts and focus on the “loving God parts”. When they study the parts that the wicked will be burned to a stubble, their personal beliefs kick in to say “No this is not a loving God, for all shall be saved”. Lo and behold, we have a different doctrine about the Bible, even to the point of creating a ministry around it

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (others call the “Mormon” Church) sent a representative, Elder Pieper, to Third Congress of Traditional and World Religions which convened at Astana, Kazakhstan, 1-2 July 2009. He presented a paper to the congress that emphasised a collective effort and focus that would result in blessings for all mankind (you can read the entire news article >>here).

Elder Pieper offered three principles which the world religions can follow,

1. The right to choose ones worship
2. Friendship to all denominations and
3. A unified approach to the world’s challenges where possible.

After reading this article, I immediately felt impressed that God was speaking to worldly religions and groups. The principles depicted are of God and when given to the diverse religious groups at this conference, it cannot be anything less and nothing else but God speaking throug Elder Pieper.

Peace is the central message. Principles given are designed for peace. There is no special interest in Elder Pieper’s message, it was given to all people at the conference to glorify God and bless all mankind. The message did not condemn anyone or their beliefs, but gave clear grounds and principles by which even they, the worldly religions, can please God. For it pleases God to see peace as the foremost goal in every man and womans heart and to live and practice that peace.

The message given by Elder Pieper also speaks against religious intolerance. The freedom to choose which religion to follow is one of the paramount principles listed. This means each person has the right and freedom to accept or reject Christianuty and take up any other religion and the principles allow for that freedom. This means that those who take up bashing religions or another religion is working against God and no person can claim the right to do that by the Bible.

As Elder Pieper gave the basic principles of peace, how many will accept those principles for the benefit of peace and to bless others? The results, of course will be seen in the fruits of their works.

I have read quite a few statements by ex-members who claim they have seen the light that this Church is false and they spent years believing in the wrong church. Reading their personal accounts I have found an alarming trait with all of them. None have claimed that God told them to leave, not one. 

The beliefs that each of them held, to account for leaving the Church, have centered on some claim that the Church lied, or mistreated them, or that they claimed the Church is false after reading some book or article about some historic account that tainted the Church, etc etc. With that, they professed the Church was false. 

Not one of their claims have originated from the Spirit of God, not one of their beliefs is spiritually based, not one is spiritually justified. Wouldn’t a spiritual basis be the foremost important reason for staying or leaving, knowing that it is only the spiritual that God works in and determines if a church is his?

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