Re: [TruthTalk] DO/DONE

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 11:09:37 -0800

What is the difference between this RCC and a MORMON?
 
A modern pilgrim fleeing from The City of Destruction came upon a brightly-lighted building with this bold title. Knowing the need of his heart was true religion, the pilgrim entered the store.
Explaining his need of deliverance, the proprietor was quick to point out the advantages of many of his wares. The pilgrim was first introduced to an ancient Eastern religion, and he marvelled at the multiplicity of gods that was being presented.
"The advantage of this Hindu religion," said the proprietor, "is that it offers not just one god, but thousands or even millions. Some of these may seem strange to you, but each offers its own formulas for life, which are expounded by learned gurus who have devoted their lives to meditative peace. This is one of the best sellers we have today, as it is beginning to catch the attention of Western civilization."
Pilgrim was thoughtful. "Does this give me an assured salvation?"
"Oh, yes. One of our gods tells you that if you go to the holiest spot in India, shave all the hair off your head, and throw it in the river, you get 1,000,000 years in heaven for every hair."
Pilgrim, who was bald, didn't find this too comforting, and, he thought, there is still something I must do. "What other religions do you offer?"
"We have a good modern religion that has received much lore from the East, but is now available to Westerners. It even incorporates the ancient truth that men can become gods, and is being packaged very attractively in America. Its foundations were a bit shaky to start with, as its founder delved into many occult practices, but it has recently achieved great respectability."
"What does this religion demand of me?"
"After your initial conviction of Joseph Smith's prophetic office, you only have to follow the various initiation rites and live your life in accordance with these."
"Does that give me the assurance of heaven?"
"Better than that. You will become a god yourself, and with your plural wives will produce spiritual offspring that will inhabit new worlds, over which you will be in control."
"That sounds interesting. Does this religion solve the sin problem which has been troubling me?"
"The sin of Adam has been paid for by the atoning work of Jesus Christ, but you must atone for your own sins."
"Don't you have anything that really deals with sin?"
"I'm glad you asked, because I have been saving the good one until last. It has a beautiful way to deal with sin, and it starts when you are just a baby. The initiation rite is called Baptism, and it forgives your original sin, and, if you are an adult, all actual sins you may have committed."
"That means then that I am sure of going to Heaven."
"Well, not exactly. You see, as you grow older you commit other sins, but don't worry this religion takes care of them too."
"How?"
"There are a total of seven sacraments, one of which is called Penance, which enables you to confess your sins to God through a man whom He has appointed. This absolves you of sin."
"That means I am sure of going to Heaven?"
"Well, not exactly. There is still punishment due for the sins that have been forgiven, but this religion makes provision for that. You can take away this punishment by doing good works, praying certain prayers and enduring suffering yourself."
"If I do enough of these, am I sure of going to Heaven?"
"Well, not exactly. You never really know if everything is taken care of, but this religion gives you many helps along the way that will aid in your salvation."
"What are some of these?"
"I'm glad you asked that. Let me open this display case, so you can view first-hand all the benefits of this religion to help you attain heaven. Do you see this little piece of cloth with the strings attached. That is called a scapular, and many Roman Catholic teachers tell you that Mary has promised that if you die wearing this you will not go to Hell, and that she would offer you quick release from purgatory."
"So then I would be sure of going to Heaven."
"Well, not exactly. You must be sure you wear the scapular with the right dispositions, but if you are not sure you have done enough, there is much more you can do."
The proprietor pointed out to Pilgrim the many wonders in the display-case of Roman Catholicism. There were Rosaries, Blessed Palms, Ashes, Holy Water, Prayers to the Immaculate Heart, the Sacred Heart, the Holy Face of Jesus, and the Shoulder Wound of Christ. There were exciting stories of sants who, through their virtue, had gone to Heaven and now leave you their excess merits to help sinners along the way. There were pilgrimages, the Stations of the Cross, weekly Mass, the church's blessing on your marriage and even relics of saints long dead that aid in your salvation.
"I could show you much more," said the proprietor, "but this sample gives you a little example of how powerful this Church is to take care of the sin problem and assure you of Heaven."
"After I use all these devotions, then would I be sure of Heaven?"
"Well, not exactly. But we do have the testimony of one of the learned doctors of the Church. His name was Thomas Aquinas, and he was responsible for explaining the central mystery of the Church in the Mass and Transubstantiation."
"Transubstantiation? Whatever is that?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. This is one of the richest jewels of this Roman Catholic religion. You see, her priests are given the power to say certain words during their weekly religious celebration which actually change a small round wafer into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ the Saviour. Then, after he offers the sacrifice, he gives you the Host to partake of, so you can have communion with Jesus Christ."
"Then I would certainly be ready for Heaven."
"Well, not exactly. But it all helps."
"How can I know the work for my salvation is done?"
"Getting back to Aquinas, he taught that, all things being equal, you could have a moral certitude of Heaven, even though you must go through Purgatory, where you atone for the rest of your sins."
"But I fled the City of Destruction because I felt the enormity of my sins, and, as a mortal finite human being, could not possibly hope to accomplish my own atonement. In all of this great store, do you not have one religion that will not call me to do something to get to Heaven, but will provide a sure means?"
"Well, we do have this one old-fashioned remedy, but I'm sure you are much too wise a person to be interested in this."
"Please tell me about it," pleaded Pilgrim.
"All right, if you insist. But I must warn you that if you take this religion you will be thought strange by all the folks around you who have been here and have paid good money for the religions of this age, not to mention the millions who through birth have found themselves in one of them, and are quite content to remain just as they are. This religion might even cause you to confront some of them, and that is why I hesitate to mention it to you. Today we are all for brotherhood, not confrontation."
"If it will guarantee forgiveness of my sins, it is what I need."
"I'm afraid I can't explain it very well, so let me find an old Book that tells all about it. I haven't seen it for some time, but I'm sure if I search these dusty shelves, it is here somewhere."
The proprietor began to poke around the corners of his stock, and at length produced a volume that he handed to Pilgrim.
"This may be what you want, my friend, but if you don't find it, come back, because I'm sure I can interest you in something else."
Pilgrim walked out of the store, and opened the Book. As he began to read the pages, the light of God began to dawn upon him (Psalm 119:130). He fully understood his sin and his need, as the Holy Spirit took the Words of God and drove them into his heart. He then read the blessed story of Calvary, and, responding to the urging of the Spirit of God, trusted Christ alone for salvation.
Then he continued to read, and each precious word underlined the work of Christ on his behalf. Knowing God's wonderful salvation, he felt impelled to visit his friends to tell them the good news. He had been told of many religious things he could DO, but God had shown him the work was DONE.
Are you such a pilgrim? Do you trust a completed (DONE) work, or are you trying to DO? Are you telling others this blessed news?

Kevin Deegan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
How about the sentence strucre and the meaning
How does it interact with something that has occured ONCE for all
Not as an ONGOING EVENT?
In what ways is Jesus Christs ONE OFFERING (the subject) "NOT COMPLETE"?

Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
That's fine, Judy, but who in this discussion has argued that to sanctify does not mean the same as to set apart? That is not even a point of contention. Do you agree that this participle in Heb 10.14 reflect a sanctification which is passive (i.e., the action is being performed by someone other than the subject) and not yet complete?
 
Bill

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