The Christian Walk, Part 3

Heartfelt Acknowledgements

Live from Salt Lake City, Utah, this is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. where we do all we can to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host.

Show 52 529
The Christian Walk – Part III
December 20th, 2016
Prayer

It’s the last show of the year and I want to take the time to publically thank all who have been involved with the production, distribution, promotion, and support of the show. We thank God for His Spirit, His Son, His Word, and the fortunate opportunity to have access to all three in our lives.

I want to thank those of you who tune in (or show up) and watch week-end and week-out. To Larry the Pastry Man, and Gaylene the party girl. We thank those of you who pray for us – it is greatly appreciated. I want to thank those of you who support us financially – without you we could not put on the programming, run the ministry, nor provide materials free of cost to less fortunate people.

I want to thank our behind-the-scenes folks who not only have to put up with me every week (and all that I put them through because of my “ways”) but for being the “unsung heroes” who never see the spotlight but keep this well-oiled machine running week in and week out. Derrick and Denita – and their entire family – for handling everything I don’t – which is everything except writing and presenting the material. They have been a God-send to this ministry in more ways than I can count. Kathy Maggie for her tireless dedication. She cleans, she serves, she teaches the kids, she operates the Tricaster, and she sneers at me and mocks me whenever the mood arises. She’s a great blessing.

Linda Cassity for her willingness to show up week in and out and help with whatever needs to be done. She has seen a lot in the faith and hasn’t ran yet. For Seth Moder and his internet, tech, website, and IT expertise – has really kept us current and operational. Thank you Seth – sincerely. For Wendy Jensen who has taken our recorded information and transformed it into podcasts, schreds, and edits innumerable shows. You are greatly appreciated. For Danny who takes calls and writes up summaries and builds stages – a master of all trades – thank you, brother.

A Grateful Acknowledgment

Then there are our partners in ministry – Bishop Earl, Warren and Suzanne Puckett, and Heidi Wangsgaard – great to work with you all. Then I have my own family who too, behind the scenes care for things few ever see. For Mallory and her music, for Cassidy and her editing and online presence, and for Delaney and her weekly directing of Heart and CAMPUS. And then for Mary who provides us with the graphics for each show and supports me in more uncountable ways.

I also want to thank those of you out there who have held your tongue about this ministry over the years, who have given us the benefit of the doubt, who have chosen to believe the best of us rather than the worst. And while I doubt there is any Evangelical Christian alive who would agree with my views on the makeup of God, and the Nature of Christ, and the Second ComingChrist’s return, fulfilled in 70 A.D., ending the old covenant—not the world., and eternal punishment, and total reconciliationism – there are some truly wonderful Evangelical Christians out there – who sit in places of public persuasion – but who have NOT joined the crowd to assassinate us but though they may disagree, they give us the benefit of the doubt. In this camp, we thank Matt Slick of Carm and Adam’s Road – who still call me brother.

Personal Gratitude

Finally, I really want to thank you our viewers from all over the world. Your emails and insights and your personal growth in the faith fuel the fires and we are so grateful to know you – even if it only means to know of you. In the end, we see ourselves as all belonging to the same team with all – all – playing their part in Jesus' name for the Glory of God. So our deepest thanks to all who I have and have NOT named.

We received an email that really summarizes our aim and hope in this ministry. It reads:

From: Curtis W
Subject: Thank You

Shawn, when I left Mormonism (5th generation) in 2010 you were there. I've seen every HOTM show. Thank you! Brother, I am a preterist now. It makes the most

Exploring Emancipation from Religious Traditions

Sense and I don't live in fear of these past future events. Thank you because you exposed me to that. I am leaning toward modalism. I understand God as one with many dimensions.

Only two commands: Believe and Love! Amen. And I'm pondering the concept of having a "non-anxious presence" and want more of life to be non-anxious.

I've heard this said by a radio preacher: on the essentials – Unity. On the differentials – Liberty. In all things – Charity. You may have also mentioned this. In other words, thank you for all you do. What people think of you is none of your business. Love you! Curtis

I rejoice in this email from Curtis (and all those like it) because in and through it I sense his liberation, his emancipation from man-made religion, and his willingness to push beyond nonsense religious traditions in the name of seeking God. Thank you, Curtis.

Reflecting on a Challenging Phone Call

We received a phone call last week from a man calling himself Keith. It was a very VERY valuable call to our ministerial purposes and it gave me the opportunity to have some really good discussions with several people about it. Let me hit the highlights.

Keith entered the conversation under false pretenses. That was okay – he was trying to make a point and used the ruse to set the stage. At first I was under the impression that he and his story were legit but the light ultimately came on. First he said something about being part of the LGBTPI (of which I only recognize some of this acronym). Then he said something about struggling with things until he came upon me and has now “taken to heart my teachings about not being led by the law and not by men.”

Examining Biblical Responsibility

He then intimated that he is a believer in Jesus Christ, and after searching the scriptures and praying said “my three sisters and I are getting married and are moving to the Netherlands to open (what I think was) a late term abortion clinic.” He then added: “Christians used to tell us that we are wrong but after listening to you AND being led by the spirit and not being taught by others “my sisters and I feel very strong in this course of action.” Then there was a pause. And he added: “So we just want to thank you.”

Now, I want to point some things out here before we move along. Firstly, when it comes to these hypotheticals regarding actions of believers we always go to extremes, don’t we? Marrying his sisters and performing late term abortions? Rarely would we ever find people claiming to be Bible readers and followers of Christ to be involved in such things – I’m not saying there aren’t aberrations – but generally speaking we don’t need to go to such extremes to argue the point.

Why couldn’t he just set the scene up but instead of some horrendous behaviors just say that he wanted to smoke pot, or cheat on his taxes, or not attend church anymore – which is more in line with reality. Secondly, if he really was a believer in Christ, reader of the Bible, and a seeker of the spirit, what does it matter what other believers say and think of his decision?

This is my point – we are all responsible before God, not before man, in all that we decide to do in His name and as His followers. I mean in every congregation there are people who attend church regularly and go off and do all sorts of things that are in opposition to what the Bible says – who does the policing? Who has the authority to do the policing? And who has the proper interpretation on how things ought to be policed?

The Slippery Slope of Moral Judgment

And if we aren’t or CAN’T police all in the body why do we choose to police only some – like our caller and his sisters and desire to perform abortions? And then who decides which parts of the Bible become law and which parts can be ignored.

Keith presented us with a slippery slippery slope and really seems to believe that the answer was for me to call him out using the Bible. But A) Keith reads the Bible. B), Keith and his sisters are believers, and C) why would I decide to call him out when I know that most people I meet are in violation of biblical tenets?

My response to Keith’s set up (and thanks) was to say: “You’re welcome. Freedom to do what you want.” Then I…

Christian Behavior and Interpretation

asked Keith “You are a follower of Christ?” He said, “yes.” Then I said: “You have a Bible. You read it and interpret it this way?” He countered this question and instead of answering it asked: “So I can marry my sisters and kill babies?”

Now listen carefully . . . he can. Just like Christians who read the Bible and follow Jesus CAN have affairs, and get drunk, and take the Lord’s name in vain, and rape the dog. Stay with me . . . JUST like there are Bible reading followers of Christ that can gossip, and tell lies, and that are unkind, and that are impatient.

It works like this –

• We are saved by grace through faith.
• We are commanded to love.
• We are all responsible for what that looks like before our King.

Nothing more. Now, men and women lie about following Jesus and lie about reading His Word. But this is not up to us to police. That is God’s prerogative. The interesting thing about Keith’s call is he seemed to ignore the FACT that I teach the Bible and exactly what it says without fail. If the Bible says all white dogs go to hell forever that is what I teach. But it is up to every individual to decide how THEY will let this operate in their lives. Keith seems to think that Christians are supposed to police each other – good effing luck with that, brother.

After asking me: So I can marry my sisters and kill babies? And my responding with, “that’s YOUR prerogative,” Keith said “your crazy, your crazy.” And I asked Keith, “What do you want me to say?” And his response was, “What Paul said.”

Biblical Authority and Personal Interpretation

If we are going to use the Word on each other as a knife, and as the New Law then what exactly did Paul say about late term abortion? That’s right. He said nothing about it. Why? No need. His words were for them in that day. But the Spirit plainly tells us – believers and followers of Jesus – that there is something off with late-term abortion . . . something just not right. But EVERY man MUST be fully convinced in his own mind . . . BY THE SPIRIT and have the liberty to do it, for where the Spirit of Christ is, there is liberty.

Observations on Modern Christianity

So we are a ministry that began by reaching out exclusively to the LDS (in a number of ways and for seven years) and then when we saw first hand what the local Evangelical churches were offering those who were leaving the LDS church we decided to focus our attentions on what Christianity today was feeding people.

And what did we discover? At the actual church level we found –

A body of diverse churches that were (in many ways) in competition with each other. A body of churches that differed with each other on views so much that they attacked the views of all who differed with them. And a body of churches that all claimed to believe, teach and follow the Bible.

Church Practices and Teachings

Specifically, we also discovered churches that:

• Never mentioned the Bible in their services
• Sort of referred to the Bible in their services
• Paraphrased the Bible in their services
• Or read a series of disconnected verses to make their case about some pet topic or another in their services.
• We found only one church (though I know there are others) that actually used the Bible as the text for the entire service.
• We found a number of churches holding rock concerts for Jesus prior to the Pastor getting up to impart whatever he was to impart.
• One church had a fog machine set the tone for the service and the worship leader stepped out from it arms wide to receive the glory.
• We saw churches where the pastor spoke more about his life and experiences then anything else.
• There were Churches that had elaborate video productions soliciting support for one cause or another,
• One church had a dozen causes from around the world with tables lining their lobby so people could sign up to support “at least one” before they left for home.
• We discovered a unique community of churches that promised prosperity and healings to their people if they were faithful.
• Without exception every church we looked into used the term “tithe” on their congregates and
• Some asked for money more than once during their services (we even heard of Pastors who pass the plate five or six times in a given teaching).
• We found churches where the congregates are expected to pay for the pastor’s vacations to

Examination of Current Church Practices

• Exotic lands and destinations.
• Churches that demanded allegiances to certain political parties and preach against societal situations and people groups from the pulpit.
• We found churches that week in and week out reveal the latest signs of Jesus' eminent return, and
• Churches (a number of Churches) that preach the false theology of a man – a man – named Calvin (perhaps not realizing that they are no different than the churches who teach the false theology of Smith, or Russel, or others).
• We found churches where the pastor or staff request memberships of people who are serious about getting involved, and others
• Where people who were involved had to sign morality contracts, and
• Where Mission Statements and/or Statements of Belief were mandated for any and all who could receive communion.
• There were churches that had ongoing drives (over and above their demands for tithes) and typically for building bigger buildings, and
• There were churches with hundreds and hundreds of people who walked in, then walked out, never speaking to another soul.
• We even found a church that took in donations of clothing from its members, then hauled them to their own store and sold them to the public (as a means to earn more money).
• All the churches charged for their coffee or donuts. Some sold books and other Christian products in “stores” that were fully operational before and after the services.

In one way or another all of the churches that we investigated imposed something upon their congregates that was not only unsupported by a contextual analysis of the New Testament but many of the practices stood outside the basic principles of the faith regarding feeding the flock, emancipating believers, and supporting the poor rather than fleecing them.

Personal Reflections

The other day I had someone tell me that the word on the street here in Utah, the word from people held in high esteem in the faith, was that I have “gone off the deep end.”

My point? I have people who constantly malign me and my character based on some views that are absolutely debated in the faith but these same folks give an open pass to all the churches and their pastors who participate in the things I’ve just mentioned.

I will never ever understand modern Evangelicalism. Nor many of its leaders. But I will forever do all I can to help all people – not just the LDS – to see the utter falsity of most brick and mortars around today and give them an option to escape their influence.

Deep end or not.

The Fourth Dimension Christian

And with that let’s wrap up our discussion of the (HOLD UP THE FOURTH DIMENSION CHRISTIAN)

We left off last week more about the meaning and symbolism of this form (SHOW IT).

Quickly, we recall the following:

• That man is constructed at the beginning in three parts – body soul and spirit.
• That because of Adam human beings are born spiritually dead and therefore enter this world as bi-partite beings.
• That in this fallen world all people choose to do things (in and from their body and soul) that are either negative or positive in their consequences but that we do them because they bring to the individual the most happiness.
• And we called this area of fallen man the Realm of Happiness and gave examples of the things people do it the realm of Happiness both positive and negative in terms of consequences (but we noted that all of it – all if it – was still done from a position of spiritual deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God..
• We then introduced Jesus who, as the doorway, shines His light into the world inviting all to see and hear and receive Him by faith.
• We noted that His light shines brightest to those steeped in carnality and it most dim to the rich and powerful.
• Then last week we illustrated what it looks like to begin to operate in and through the Spirit.
• And we noted from the Sermon on the Mount that there is a process presented by Jesus that consists of losing (-) and gaining (+) and we noted the eternal nature of this but also the book ends of salvation being the same for all.

Understanding the Concept

Okay. I finally called this form “The Fourth Dimension Christian.”

The reason for it is to not only illustrate what the faith looks like, and why, and why and who Jesus and how He brings salvation to all who will receive it, but it is supposed to be a tool to help regenerated Christians understand the Christian walk.

Why The Fourth Dimension Christian?

Let’s go to the board again.

Understanding the Dimensions of Christian Growth

The world of dimensions includes many that are visible to us and some not so visible. I’m going to limit our discussion to the first four as a means to illustrate the purpose of the genuine Christian walk. As a means to illustrate our persons before God allow the following:

We begin, as it were, as a microscopic dot nearly invisible without form or potential. We are given a Body – and we might liken this to the First Dimension which is length. If this was all we were we would extend out into the eternities forever without any capacity. Fortunately, God made us with more and gave us breadth – it is upon this plane that we are able to place a two-dimensional shape. We could liken this figure to our life in the Realm of Happiness. We can achieve and do but there is nothing of the spirit in us or what we do so we remain flat.

Obviously, God wants us to become far more than a “flat void of the Spirit” two-dimensional figure, right? And so Jesus comes and offers us real life – eternal life – life that quickens and gives all human beings three dimensions – by and through the Spirit. The third dimension is therefore HEIGHT.

• First dimension: length
• Second dimension: breadth
• Third dimension: height

Growth in Faith

In Christianity, we call this being born-again. We are inspired or inflated with the quickening spirit. Our new life and our flat figures become what we describe as babes in Christ. We can see from the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount that the very first description of those who are His – Blessed are the poor in spirit – that the promise is, “theirs IS the Kingdom of Heaven.” So we know that there is security in this state as evidenced by the thief on the cross. And this babe has been formed from the first three-dimensional attributes – Length, Width, and Height.

But this leads us to the last dimension I want to discuss with us tonight – a dimension that leads us to the goal IF we are allowed to tarry – the Fourth Dimension. Where the first is length, and the second is width, and the third is time (all contributing to the construction of a new creation in Christ), the fourth dimension is . . . time. And this dimension has particular application to this life, this world revolving around the sun, and our allotted lives upon it.

Maturing in Love

Making a study of scripture my life, I understand fallen man, and I understand the joy and blessed state of receiving Jesus by faith unto new life. But I fear – honestly fear – for the disappointment that awaits those believers who remain babes and never allow the allotted time of their lives to grow them in the faith, which essentially is (ready) growth in love – for God is love. The fourth dimension could be marked HERE on the form and it looks like this illustrated:

The construction of the man in the box (I am the man in the box), in my estimation is Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, faith, and love. Last week it was pointed out to me that after Jesus teaches the first 12 verses in Matthew five and the sermon on the mount, he then admonishes us to be:

• Cities set on a hill (that cannot be hid)
• Lights on a candle stick to give light to all that are in the house
• Salt that has not lost its savor

In the growth segment (time) – the fourth dimension – we are becoming partakers of godliness in the name and cause of Christ. It is these specific elements in our material life that over time cause us to mature and go from being “a three-dimensional Christian babe” to being a “full-featured salt and light adult of abiding love." This is the undisputed goal as summarized by the New Testament.

So, where God is reaching out to all by His Spirit to receive Christ (and move up and out of operating in the Fallen world and into life eternal (listen) . . . “those who have been raised into the third dimension are given the opportunity to become fourth dimension Christians over time by and through God working in them by and through the Spirit of His Son.” This model I’ve presented you is touched on or alluded to by Paul with words so beautiful they are hard to…

Spiritual Maturation Through Faith and Love

Take as he writes in Ephesians 3 beginning at verse 14, saying:

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

There are several keys to consider here in the words of Paul. Allow some brief discussion. He has been talking about tribulations and the fact that God has “in the eternal purposes which He purposed in Christ.” And then he writes:

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That He (the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Inner Strength Through the Spirit

I want to point out two things he brings to light here. First, the strength comes “BY HIS SPIRIT” and it is seen “in the INNER MAN.” The figure in the box is not a physical representation. Physically he could be the Elephant man – the physical is irrelevant in the growth that occurs in the fourth dimension. It’s all spiritual. And the spiritual maturation is all given and done in and through His Spirit. It is NOT of ourselves – so don’t get mixed up and start trying to perfect your flesh. It’s all by the Spirit.

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Here Paul reiterates the drivers behind the growth – faith – that Christ MAY dwell in your hearts BY faith (and as a result of this) we would be rooted and grounded in Love. Faith and love. Faith and love. Faith and love. This is what is in and around the man in the box – faith and love. This is what has caused His maturation. This is what has moved Him – by the Spirit of the inner man – into the fourth dimension. Faith and love, which is present BY the Spirit. Translated into physical terms these may be considered salt and light.

The Interrelation of Faith and Love

I’ve said it so often (at least at CAMPUS) but faith and agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty. are absolutely interrelated. God says, “forgive.” Do we believe this directive (have faith in Him and His word?) If so, we will forgive (and therefore love.) If we DON’T believe (have faith in Him and His word) we will not forgive and therefore we will NOT love. Faith and love are inextricably tied to each other. Without the one (faith) we will fail in love. And our fails in love only evidence our lack of faith. Get it?

So how does faith come? It comes BY the hearing (reading, hearing, understanding, investigating the Word of God). This is why His Word (read, heard, understood, investigated) is so vitally important to believers – far far far more important to believers than to unbelievers. And it's why I am so ashamed and angered at any church that does NOT spend most of its time teaching its congregants through the Word. Jesus makes the importance of the Word clear in His parable of the Sower. Because it must be planted firmly in order to produce fruit. What kind of fruit? Fruit of love, which is synonymous with fruit of the Spirit, the presence of which brings people up from being babes to being joint-heirs with Christ.

Embrace Growth in Faith

Listen my friends, to focus and rely and remain a third dimension Christian, to accept being a babe in Christ (which is the direct result of a lack of the Word in your life) is to remain a babe. I don’t often speak for God but I will stand before Him accountable for the following: This was never His intention with those who receive His Son. He wants joint heirs with His Son. He wants people to grow. He wants us, as Hebrews 6:1-3 says: “To leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto…

Faith and Love in Spiritual Growth

"Perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." In other words, once you’ve understood “the principles of Christ,” move on to perfection in the Spirit, which is by faith and love. To do this don’t lay the foundation of repentance from dead works (over and over again), nor the foundation of faith toward God (you have that foundation in place!) And stop focusing on baptisms and the laying on of hands and talking (over and over again) about the resurrection of the dead and things about eternal judgment – but just increase in the perfection of your faith because when you do you will love and when you love . . . (go with me back to Paul in Ephesians 3) You . . . (ready)

Comprehension of Christ's Love

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

(beat)

I know the symbols are strange and that this one looks like I-Robot. There is no power in the symbol – you could come up with your own. But understand I created it to illustrate the Plan God has for all through His Son. Every part of it – from the way we choose to live in the Realm of Happiness, to the invitation to receive Christ, to being poor in spirit, or accepting of persecution, to growing in faith and love by the Spirit – is based in choice.

The Role of Choice

Our choice – and there is no getting around this fact. We were made in His image and as such we have the sometimes regrettable responsibility to have to choose. These choices reveal – to ourselves, to others, and to God – who we are in our hearts, what we love, worship and care about. The choices to believe and love – or to disbelieve and not – are what are creating and forming our individual eternities. They are collectively serving as the bricks in our mansions and whatever is awaiting each of us is of our own making. Don’t allow yourselves to be led to believe anything else.

Because of these biblically based facts, true disciples of Jesus are described as those who suffer with Him. If faith and love are the brick-like characteristics that create the fourth-dimensional person in Christ then suffering is the mortar that holds them together. I am not talking about self-flagellation or refusing to drink slurpees for Jesus. I’m talking about dying to self and living for Him – all of which take immense faith . . . and love – and all of which are possible ONLY in and through His Spirit, His power, His strength . . . and not our own.

Let’s open up the phone lines:

(801)

And while the operators are clearing your calls, let’s take a look at this:

(SHOW SPOT HERE PLEASE)

Emails

Conclusion

Last week we presented what I believe may be one of the most important – if not THE most important – sermon we have ever given on the Subject of Jesus. You can watch it by going to www.campuschurch.tv and then going to sermons, Milk December 25th 2016. This next week we will give the follow-up, part Two of Two. We invite you to consider its contents carefully as I am of the personal belief that it is the single most important message we have given in the past ten years.

www.campuschurch.tv Milk December 25 Jesus Part I

We’ll see you next week, here on Heart of the Matter.

From: Charles Meek
Subject: PreterismThe belief that all biblical prophecy—especially “end times”—was fulfilled by 70 A.D. More
Message Body: Greetings, Shawn. I just became introduced to your ministry by a Facebook friend who has been positively influenced by your teaching. It is so good to see more and more preachers teaching the preterist view. As an intro, I am the editor of the website www.faithfacts.org and www.prophecyquestions.com. (Also two Facebook sites FaithFacts.org and Evangelical Preterism.) I would like to offer to send you a free copy of my book CHRISTIAN HOPE THROUGH FULFILLED PROPHECY for your review. Perhaps it will be of help to you in your ministry. Just give me your snail mail address.

Hey Shawn, Just wanted to say thanks for all the work you have put into your ministry. Every time I watch one of your videos on YouTube I get encouraged. Your passion and love for God.

Faith Journeys and Understanding Scripture

is so strong and I know God has great plans for you. It's amazing how many times you have scripture for people when talking about the Bible. Just recently I started studying with someone I met and found out he was raised in the Mormon church. I bought him a Bible and we are going to be studying more in the new year. I will be praying for you that God gives you more insight into his word so you can continue to share with people. Keep fighting the good fight my brother. Thanks John

From: Polly
Subject:
Message Body: Shawn I am hooked. God led me to your site. I had watched it back when you were disproving Mormonism but felt offended because at that time I was Mormon. I was questioning the church but your approach scared me. I have since left the church and am born again thanks to God leading the way. You do get a little credit for getting me thinking. It has been really hard going from a very organized religion to a basically Spirit led religion. You are making that much easier—-thank you. I have had lots of questions as I've read the Bible since I pretty much discounted the book when I was Mormon. I do believe it is all about love now that Christ has been here. That is basically all He taught. Even in His story about Lazarus and the rich man the rich man was in Hades for not loving his neighbor who sat at his gate begging not for not saying the sinners prayer. Yes he was a sinner for not loving Lazarus but if he had just said I believe in God and repented which he may have done he still did not love his neighbor. He may have been active at the local synagogue it doesn't say. I feel like Jesus was always emphasizing taking care of each other while we are living on this earth no matter their beliefs or lifestyle. After all He is the judge not us. It is nice to hear someone else say that. I do believe lots of Mormons believe that also. All my family is still Mormon and I know my kids feel that way. I've found good and bad people in all religions and churches but I do believe you have to turn to the only true Saviour and admit that He was God in the flesh to go directly to Heaven. I want to ask my Mormon friends why they think Christ was killed. It was only because He professed to be God. To the Pharisees that was worthy of death. Sorry this is so long but I want to thank you for helping to open minds and eyes to what the Bible says. I sure don't want to think my mom who passed away 3 year ago will be eternally burning in hell because she was a good active temple worthy Mormon. She did believe in her Saviour even though she thought of him as God with a little g. That I believe is something she will have to answer for to Christ face to face and that will be a scary day for her. Hopefully she will fall at His feet and ask His forgiveness and not show Him her temple recommend. One of these days I may make it down to your Church. I live in Ogden. Thanks again for all your doing.

Being Born Again

From: Stephanie
Subject: Being born again
Message Body: For Shawn- You mention that you Are born again….I am Sure you are familiar With John 3:5-9. I'm a born again Christian on the terms Of this scripture. The term born-again Is used by new agers Also….so it is Important we are Born again according To this verse. Have you been born Of the water and the Spirit? I'm hoping to share With you further on This verse. Also you mentioned Romans 10 as your Basis for salvation…. But The letter to Rome was written To an already saved Church that had Already been born Again believers by The water and spirit. Would like your Thoughts on that! Thank you! Stephany

Reflections on Salvation

Hey Shawn! Thanks for reading my email to your audience. It means a lot to see my findings go out to thousands of people. Praise God!

So I just wanted to follow up on this topic. I loved how you said that this fire is due to what Christ did for all mankind. Its due to Christ that the fire of God saves everyman :). The fire is just how the process of glorification operates in my opinion. Here are some

Spiritual Fire in Scripture

More verses on how God works with this figurative spiritual fire in creating us to the image of Christ:

1 Peter 1:7 NIV – These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Romans 12:20 NKJV – Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;If he is thirsty, give him a drink;For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.

Jeremiah 23:29 NKJV – “Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord.

Psalm 104:4 KJV – Who makes His angels spirits: His ministers a flaming fire.

Lamentations 1:13 NKJV – From above He has sent fire into my bones, And it overpowered them.

Malachi 3:2 KJV – But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appears? For He is like a refiners fire, and like fullers soap.

God's Purpose and Will

GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE! God is a creator. He is creating all mankind in His image. God shows no favoritism. God sent Jesus Christ to be the savior of the world…not potential:

1 John 4:14 NIV – And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be (not hopefully to be!) the Saviour of the world.

Ok last couple of verses that I think prove without a doubt that God will save all mankind:

1 Timothy 2:4 – who will have all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

But wait! That is not His declarative will. That is just a desire, wish a want, from God. His desires don't always come to pass…but what about this verse:

Isaiah 46:10 DARBY – Who from the beginning of declares the end, and from before, things that have not been done. Who says, My Plan shall stand, and I will accomplish all my wishes (Heb; chephets – Strongs def – pleasure, desire, purpose).

And…

Proverbs 10:24 – What the wicked dread will overtake them, what the righteous (Jesus) desire will be granted.

Free Will and Divine Drawing

Just some food for thought :). But how does this show free will? It does in my opinion. God draws and we choose. It's all throughout scripture. I just believe God's drawing (which is His love that WOES us not forces us) wins in the end…not man's free will, or satan, or sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace., or death…NOTHING can conquer Jesus Christ! Thanks for your time!

Jordan from Oceanside, CA