Heart of the Matter: Faith Without Love is Dead

LIVE! From the “Mecca of Mormonism” Salt Lake City, Utah – THIS . . . is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. . . . “Where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity Face to Face.” Show 36 Faith without love is dead Sept 8th 2009

And I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host. If you have family or friends who cannot get Heart through television give them a call and tell them to go to WWW.HOTM.TV and they can watch through streaming video from anywhere in the world!

I was a Born-Again Mormon is available for you to download through a PDF. Go to www.bornagainmormon.com to get it through this avenue. If you don’t have a computer, we are working on getting the hard copy version done.

Historical Moments and Reflections

How about a moment in History. July 1967 – a priesthood bulletin from Church headquarters prohibited women from praying in LDS sacrament meetings. This practice was changed in _________. Remember when it occurred. I suppose God thought it was improper and dangerous to hear public prayers from women during those _______ years. (Wink

Well, my friends, we had a truly blessed day last Saturday at Burning Heart 09 – the Big Tent Revival. Our statisticians tell me there were somewhere between 7 and 9 hundred people who joined us for an evening of fun, fellowship, worship, and commitments to Jesus. Jeremiah’s Fire warmed us up with some exception sounds. Pastor Kevin Kennington exhibited the strength of the Lord by busting through blocks of wood with his bare hands . . .

Adam’s Road inspired the crowd with their unique musical testimony of how God led them out of Mormonism and into the arms of Jesus . . . I spoke about making a choice for Jesus . . . Then we ended the night with what can only be described as a glorious, revival–like baptism event where eighteen people of all walks and backgrounds came forth and publicly professed their commitment to the Sovereign Lord.

Each of them touched me personally, as I was familiar with many of their personal stories. But it was also a beautiful sight to watch people I have never seen before walk up and out of the crowd – fully clothed – publicly confess Jesus, and receive baptism due to their faith in Him. Once everyone was through the Lord blessed me personally as my own middle daughter, Cassidy, came forward, and submitted her person to our God and King.

New Initiatives and Outreach

He is faithful – even when we are not. He is good, even when we fail. He is worthy of all honor and praise. I thank and praise Him for all He has done in the past, all He is doing in the present, and all I know He is going to continue to do in the future. Let’s see some photos.

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Speaking of things He is doing and continuing to do, on October 3rd – a Saturday night – Alathea Ministries is launching a live call-in television program for TEENS. We’ve called it “The Grey Generation, and we think it is not only going to be entertaining and informative, we think it is something every teens need in this age of insane ideologies and values.

You might remember when we did a casting call when we did the shoot for the opening and closing of Grey Generation a month or so ago . . . (beat) . . . Well here it is. Take a look.

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Like Heart of the Matter, the Grey Generation will be available all over the world via streaming video and all of the programs will be archived and available online. This show is NOT about Mormonism. It is about the cultural war going on in our word and the depredations that are being heaped on our children as a result.

We are hoping the ENTIRE Christian community will rally behind this show – support it – talk about it – and get the high school kids of this state, this nation, and even the world to tune in. Go to www.thegreygeneration.tv for more information – like how to help us launch the show out into your community.

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Alright . . . Why do we do what we do? What is the bottom line? Our hope?

Spiritual Objectives

If we step back to the start of this ministry we will see the very same objectives in place – to help individual members of the LDS Church experience spiritual regeneration . . . that they will be “born-again.” To understand spiritual rebirth without having been spiritually reborn is sort of like trying to understand the deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. of a

The Experience of Being Born Again

Loved one when nobody you have loved has ever died. You can’t really know it intimately until it occurs. Because of this, people often ask, “Well, what happens when a person is born-again? How can I tell if I am?” Often, LDS people, because they have not experienced spiritual rebirth, make comments like, “I am born-again because I am a member of the Mormon Church!” Or they misinterpret spiritual rebirth and reclassify it by saying it means “to obey the commandments,” or “to feel good inside,” you know, about “themselves, about their families, about the direction of their lives.”

Blaise Pascal's Experience

I recently read an article that quoted perhaps one of the best recorded descriptions of what occurs in the heart and life of a person when they experience rebirth—when God changes their heart . . . when He takes their head knowledge and moves it to a personal “heart reality.” The great French mathematician, philosopher, and thinker, Blaise Pascal spent much of his life defending the existence of God through reason, logic, and common sense. He is the author of what many Christian people recognize as “Pascal’s wager.” After he died, they found sewn into the lining of his winter coat a note. On this note Pascal had written his reaction—his description—of what happens when a person is born-again. The parchment read:

“Year of grace 1654. Monday, 23 November, feast of St. Clement . . . from about half past ten at night to about a half and hour after midnight (beat) . . . FIRE.

“God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of philosophers and scholars. Certitude, heartfelt joy, peace. God of Jesus Christ. God of Jesus Christ. “My God and your God . . . Joy, Joy, Joy, tears of Joy . . . Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. May I never be separated from Him.”

(beat)

An Invitation

Have you experienced an event in your life where you cannot help but worship, praise, and rejoice over Jesus? My friends, my brothers, my sisters . . . we do NOT care where you presently attend church. God will guide you where He wants His children to be. But you’ve got to become His child first! Our prayer is that before, above, and in spite of everything else—you have experienced something as profound as the genius Frenchman, Blaise Pascal. We want to know if you have been born again, because remember, Jesus Himself said: It MUST happen in order for anyone to see the Kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future.. And with that, let’s have a prayer.

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

Addressing Misinterpretations in James

Last week, when Adam’s Road was on the set, we received a caller from a Latter-day Saint who ended his comments with a claim. He said something to the effect that salvation was a matter of grace and works and that ANYONE who reads the Epistle of James would see for themselves that this is true. Because we were on a tight schedule with the “band of prophets,” I didn’t take the time on air to address this man’s claim and moved on quickly.

I received a handful of emails from LDS people asking me why I “dodged” this caller's point?” Some suggested that he confounded me. Others that I was “afraid of someone who spoke the truth?”

Anyone who has ever had a discussion with a Latter-day Saint about salvation knows that sooner or later they will quote, at least in part, from the second chapter of James where it says:

“Faith without works is dead.”

I mean it is such a kneejerk retort that I might even suggest that it is the most known Bible verse among the Mormons. I’ve got nothing to back that up, but suspicion.

Anyway . . . even though we are in the middle of examining the LDS Doctrine and Covenants section 132, I think this is an extremely important doctrinal topic in the Christian/Mormon “dialogue” and I want to take a moment to share how badly these verses in James are manipulated by the LDS who are bent on selling their counterfeit gospel. Please, go grab your Bibles and go to James chapter 2 before we open up the phone lines. It will help immeasurably in your comprehension of this book and of the LDS misuse of it. It is one of the last books in the New Testament right before the Epistles of Peter.

Now, as you are getting your Bibles, try and remember a few rules about SOUND biblical study.

Rule Number One:

All things must be seen as truth

Faith and Works in Context of the Bible

and the truth will not contradict itself. Therefore, if the Bible says in one place, “All dogs in heaven are white,” and in another place it says that “as a boy, Jesus had a dog that was black that went up into heaven with Him,” it does not mean that the Bible is wrong. Both statements can be true while at the same time allowing for the idea that Jesus' dog went to heaven. Maybe Jesus' dog turned white before entering the pearly gates. Differences do NOT mean contradiction.

Therefore, if the Bible says:

(Ephesians 2:8-9) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

And it also says:

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

There must be a reasonable explanation of them, right? And there is.

Contextual Interpretation

Aside from “praising Men,” “cherry-picking” scriptures is a favorite activity of the LDS and this is one of the first to get plucked off the tree. When the context of a passage is not regarded, its use in a discussion ought to be considered irrelevant until the context is explored. Pulling verse out is like Beethoven’s 5th being played with only one piano key or a 747 trying to take flight without the wings, tail, or landing gear. Context is everything. So let’s read from James chapter 2 and examine the context of this chapter and what other parts of the word says about faith and works. In this manner, we will determine if the LDS application of these verses hold water or not.

Examination of James Chapter 2

First of all, James sets the stage and the context of this chapter by talking about how we, as Christians, ought to treat others. As you read, ask yourself: “Why is James writing this, and how does this apply to what he writes about faith and works?” Let’s start with verse 1:

James 2:1 My brethren, (so it’s to Christians to whom he is speaking) have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 ¶ If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace., and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he

Faith and Works

had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without love is dead also.

On Respecting Persons

So right off the bat, James is writing to the brethren and telling them to resist the inclination to “respect persons.” What does he mean when he says, “respect of persons?” Well he gives us an example. (verses 2-5)

In other words, don’t look on people and prefer them because they are well dressed or wealthy. Get rid of partiality. Stop giving preferential treatment to some. Love, receive, and accept all equally.

Then he says: It seems the brethren had fallen into the despicable habit of falling all over themselves for the rich while hating those who were of a lower social rank. And James reminds them of several things: First, that God has chosen the poor of this world, not the rich. Second, James reminds them that the rich oppress Christians and bring them before Judges – why give them honor. And then he reminds them that they blaspheme “that worthy name” by which they are called – Christian. Got it?

Then he pulls in the main theme of this entire chapter, saying:

The Royal Law

What is the royal law according to scripture he quotes relative to the context of this chapter? Love thy neighbor as thyself. Love. Love. Then James goes on and tells them that they have failed because they have failed to love and have become transgressors of everything God stands for – which is all based in LOVE.

What law is a respecter of persons in violation of? The two great ones: Loving the Lord with all thine heart AND loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Then James starts bringing his teaching about love and saying such love goes hand in hand with faith. Listen – verse 12. What he is saying here is, “As you speak, that’s how you should act, like all people who are judged by the law of liberty.”

What does this mean, “like all who are judged by the law of liberty?” We have “the Law” – which says “If you do this you will get that, but if you fail you will get a curse – which is a law unto sin. And there is the law of liberty which is synonymous with the law of LOVE. There’s that word again. “As you brethren speak, that is how you ought to act too,” James is saying, “like all Christians who are judged by the law of love.”

He goes on in verse 13 and warns. Meaning, if you show no mercy, you won’t get any either. Okay, NOW we are ready to read his point to these brethren who were not loving others equally. (Verse 14)

Faith Through Love

What works is he talking about? Is he talking about keeping Sabbath days? Is he talking about doing righteous acts like fasting, paying tithing, etc. This is the question of James chapter 2. What does he mean by “Works.” Well, what is the context of this book – receiving and respecting the poor – in other words, LOVING them. The WORK in the verses about faith and works are LOVE. Faith without unadulterated, unconditional, unbiased, unelitist LOVE for all is dead. Listen to the example he then gives!

James is telling these errant brothers, you claim to believe in Jesus but you don’t love as He commanded. You see, as Christians, we have two commandments. The first is to believe. Remember when the people came to Jesus and asked Him how they can work the works of God? And what did He say:

John 6:29 This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The second commandment of Jesus to His followers is to love. Remember what He said in John 13:34:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

This double command is summarized beautifully in 1st John chapter 3 verse 22-23: LISTEN CLOSELY as John the beloved wrote:

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those

Belief and Love as Commandments

Things that are pleasing in his sight. Now listen!

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. Through our belief in Him we are saved, and through our love for others, we will know – and men can see – that we are saved . . that Jesus lives in us. THIS HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO WITH WORKS in the sense of works being labors, rites, ordinances, or setting up chairs out of obligation.

The Great Commandment

Now, when Jesus was approached by a lawyer in Matthew, he asked Jesus, tempting him:

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Now, just listen to whom James uses as an example of “work” in the final verses of James 2.

Love Exemplified

Now, let’s read these passages again, and replace the word works with Love, which is perfectly appropriate. Ready?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by LOVE, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his LOVE, and by LOVE was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by LOVE a man is justified, and not by faith only.

What LOVE was Abraham – the father of all faith exemplifying by offering his son on the altar? His perfect love for the Lord His God, the first great commandment. Can you see that? Abraham loved his Lord God more than himself, more than his own son, more than anything else!

But WAIT! Is there only one commandment for the Christian? Love the Lord thy God only? No. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves.

And what is the second example does James use speaking of faith and works?

Verse 25

Rahab the harlot? Obviously, James was not referring to works of perfected flesh when he used Rahab the Harlot.

Read it again and replace works with LOVE.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by love, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

What did Rahab the Harlot exemplify? James uses her because she exemplifies the second great commandment – “she loved her neighbors as herself.” How? (Tell story of Jericho and Rahab’s selfless acts to save the Israelite spies.)

James' Point on Love

James finalizes his point in chapter two by explaining to these brethren that if they really are believers, they will love – they can’t help it. So he says: There is perhaps no better lesson missing from the hearts of collective Mormonism than a contextual understanding of James 2.

Let’s open up the phone lines:

(801) 973-8820
(801) 973-8820

First time callers, please. LDS please. Turn down the darn volume.

While the operators are clearing the calls, please consider a message about our ministry “partners” program. EMAILS

CONCLUSION

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