[MAC40]

Christianity today adopts a pluralism in which all views are allowed, encouraged, and respected. This addresses the problem of society in keeping the peace but what of salvation? How is a man saved according to God’s Word?

A MAN IS SAVED BY WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DOCTRINE?

A. Be a nice person.
B. Turn from sin and make Jesus the Lord of his life.
C. Seek atonement by the divine lineage of Joseph Smith.
D. God has already predestined who will (and won’t) be saved.
E. God loves everybody so nothing is required of him.
F. Attain atonement by a blessing from the priest.
G. Rely entirely upon Jesus’ sacrifice and righteousness.
H. Assure his “good” deeds outnumber his “bad” deeds.
F. There is no trinity so he must appease “Jesus only.”
G. Keep the law of Moses.
H. Keep only some of the law of Moses. (water baptism, tithe and repent often)
I. Keep the law of Moses omitting all but the 10 Commandments.
J. Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit (he will begin speaking in an “unknown” language).
K. Pray to the saints to intercede for him to be accepted by God.
L. Ask for forgiveness, be water baptized and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
M. Ask for forgiveness, be water baptized and strive earnestly to live the “Christian Life” that he doesn’t fall from grace.
N. Ask for forgiveness, be water baptized and strive earnestly to live the “Christian Life” seeking that he might receive the “2nd Work of Grace to become perfect.
O. Pray the “Prayer of Faith” that whatsoever he asks in the name of Jesus be granted.
P. Follow his conscience and attend church regularly.
Q. Follow his conscience and express remorse for any transgressions.
R. Find a professional “holy man” to guide him into righteousness with God.
S. Come forward at a Billy Graham (or similar) crusade and receive prayer.
T. Express remorse and ask Jesus to come into his heart.
U. Work out his salvation with God by making a “deal” that is mutually acceptable.
V. Follow his conscience, do good deeds and hope that it was enough in the end.
W. Attend church on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas and don’t kill anybody.
X. Attend “church” by placing hands on his TV and asking to be blessed.
Y. Ask at least 3 “Christians” to lay hands on him and ask God to receive him.
Z. (He can place his own salvation requirements here _______________)

Instructions: Pick one (or any combination) of the requirements listed above.

Now, just enjoy peace, knowing God is satisfied with your selection and will honor it. What could be simpler? Everybody accepts each other’s religious preferences and we all get along in unity.

The BIG issue that was overlooked is “What does God have to say about all of this?” Does anybody CARE what He says about it? God has proclaimed that salvation comes by GRACE alone, by FAITH alone in CHRIST alone.

“To employ soft words and honeyed phrases in discussing questions of everlasting importance; to deal with errors that strike at the foundations of all human hope as if they were harmless and venial mistakes; to bless where God disapproves, and to make apologies where He calls us to stand up like men and assert, though it may be the most apt method of securing popular applause in a sophistical age, is cruelty to man and treachery to heaven. Those who on such subjects attach more importance to the rules of courtesy than they do the measure of truth do not defend the citadel but betray it into the hands of its' enemies. Love for Christ, and for the souls for whom he died, will be the exact measure of our zeal in exposing the dangers by which men's souls are ensnared". (quoted in a sermon by George Sayles Bishop, author of The Doctrines of Grace and Kindred Themes, 1910).