Freemasonry

Jude,

Of course not. If you knew me before I was born again, and then saw me again now, you wouldnt either.

Thats not to say I am perfect now...I'm not. None of us achieve prefection in this life. We attain that at the moment we are in Gods presence in heaven. But there is a very real and lasting changing that takes place in the heart and life of the Spirit born "new creation" in Christ.

But I remember the time...the very instant...when hell was eliminated as an option for me, and I was 100% secured for heaven. And I was engaged in no "good works" then. I did nothing, I "turned from" nothing, I repented of nothing(except wanting nothing to do with Jesus or the Holy Spirit), nor did I promise God anything.

I simply...in essence....said "God, help. I need your mercy and I need the new life these christians keep telling me about. I need you, and I'm putting my faith in Jesus Christ from this day forward."

Its been 22 years since that day, and O my goodness what a change from that day forward!!!

Praise the Lord! \o/

Blessings,

Mike

 

I guess Jesus'sermon means nothing to you?
Matt. 4.17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Mark 6.12 They went out and preached that people should repent.

Luke 13.3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Luke 15.7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Acts 2.38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3.19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 17.30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

Rev. 2.5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.



You repented of nothing?????

 

Jude,

I'd appreciate it if you'd answer my question:

 

I agree, but this is exactly what Freemasons teach, salvation by good works but without Christ.

 

Jim is the former Mason. Jude hasn't said anything about his relationship with the lodge.

Jude,

I forgot to follow up on your comment when I said that good works are but filthy rags. I was making reference to Phillipians 3, in paticular verse 1-12

 

Jude,

You didnt read my post carefully.

I said...

And the result was my beginning to live a new life, one that has involved, for 22 years now, putting off the old man and putting on the new man.

God bless,

Mike

 

I never WAS a Mason! And I don't 'support' them either. In dialogue/debate, I just think we need to be fair. You've obviously not read ANY of my posts carefully. Salvation is by GRACE. It is received by faith--a faith that includes the act of the will, in an on-going, daily, life of obedience. The one who 'endures to the end will be saved.'

James 2.24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

 

that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from "...the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith..."

Faith needs to be defined. It includes repentance, a turning of the will towards Christ. It requires Grace, of course, but also requires our decision and 'work'. (see James above)


"...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead...."

The power to do 'works' comes from Christ alone. Through our sufferings, we glorify Christ. Through our sufferings, the 'old man' is replaced with the 'new'. It is how we become holy. It is how we too will be resurrected 'from the dead'.


"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus...."

He presses on. He understands it is a process, this faith is. It is not a one-time 'decision for Jesus Christ', but a daily one.

 

So Jude, are you going to give a direct answer to my 'yes' or 'no' question?

 

</font>[/QUOTE]No.

 

So what is the problem here?

Do you deny that Freemasons teach that salvation is achieved by good works alone?

Do you deny that Freemasons teach that Jesus is not the only way to heaven?

 

I really couldn't say WHAT the Freemasons believe on this matter. I've read a few books from the 'evangelical' point-of-view that are rather-negative toward the Lodge. But others, and some on this Board, say these books are 'all wet'.
I know this...without good works, you'll not get to heaven. (not human works, but annointed human works...their is a difference).

 

I've posted one of their basic rituals. In it they speak of salavation without mention of Christ. I've never seen anyone claim that Freemasons teach salvation through Christ.

 

It has been shown that the Masonic "gospel" is one that says salvation is determined on ones good works.

It is also well know that the Masons will only accept someone if they believe in a "Supreme Being". But they dont specify. It can be it God, Jesus, the god of Buddhism, Hinduism, or Zoroastrianism, or any other "Supreme Being"

Well, 2 + 2 = 4

If they teach that belief in the "Supreme Being" of Islam plus "good works" equals salvation, then they teach that one who has good works, but without Jesus Christ, will be saved.

False gospel.

Satan is the one inspiring the Masonic order.

Mike

 

The critics might be right about the Lodge. That said, I just think it looks like an incredible waste of time. What not be involved in men's fellowship in the Church? Why not spend more time studying the Bible, rather than time learning Masonic ritual?

 

Amen!