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If You Love Someone



THE SITUATION

‘It made me feel so bad.’ ‘I felt like I was ripping his whole world apart. If he accepted what I was saying it would cost him so much.’ The person that told me this had just shared the gospel with his Mormon friend.

His friend came from a loving Mormon family. He had four brothers and two sisters, and his parents were pillars of the Mormon community.  They were the model Mormon family.

All his brothers had served a Mission, and now it was his turn. He was excited. He had filled in his papers and was waiting to hear where he was to be sent. He was hoping it would be Africa.

Plans were also in place for his return from Mission. He had a confirmed place to study at Brigham Young University and a girl who, upon his return, was keen to marry him. All was good in his life. How could he possibly leave this behind? Why on earth would he leave this all behind?

THE COST

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

(Luke 9:23)

There is a cost to following Jesus, but the cost is not spread evenly. For those in the global south, the cost may be persecution, imprisonment or even death, whilst those in Europe, North America, and the developed parts of Asia, may have to pay a different price.

Should the aforementioned Mormon receive the Biblical gospel, it may well cost him greatly. It could cost him his family, his friends, his community, his future wife, and his place at University. In other words, he could lose everything he holds dear.   

Knowing what it would cost this young man, should we refrain from sharing the truth of the gospel with him? Should we feel guilty about it? We may believe that he is trusting in a false gospel and that he is following the wrong Jesus, but why would we want to turn his world upside down?  

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.  Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  (Matthew 10:34-39)

THE NEED

Who likes going to the dentist? It is a strange person that says yes. Toothache is one of the worst pains we can experience, and this pain forces us to go to a place we would rather not go. We may have to lose a precious tooth, but we do this because we know that short term pain will lead to long term gain. Loss can only be made sense of when put in context of benefit.

Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” (Matthew 19:27)

In sharing the gospel with members of cults, we are aware that there may be a heavy price to pay for those who would receive it. But this must not deter us from sharing words of truth and life with them. There may be loss, but ultimately there will be great gain.

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

(Matthew 19:29)

People do not think much about eternity. Even if we believe there is a life to be lived beyond this one, we still find ourselves holding tightly to what we have in this life.

We forget that, though we may lose much in this life, there is much to be gained from trusting in the Biblical Christ. We know our sin is atoned for by the blood shed on the cross and that, as a consequence, we are a forgiven people. We know that Jesus rose from the grave, conquering death and that we too will rise to meet with Him. We have an assurance of salvation and a peace knowing that the work is done. Jesus paid it all. We now, born again by the Spirit of God, can rest in His finished work. No more striving, no more feelings of inadequacy, no more trying to save ourselves.

THE REASON

“Men are going to Heaven or to Hell and it is time that we came to close grips with them about this all-important matter. God help us to do so!”—1893, Sermon #2327[1]

We should have love, compassion and empathy towards those we are trying to witness, but if we truly love them, we will share with them the danger in which they find themselves. Jesus said some sobering words, that we do well to keep in mind:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36)

We should not feel bad about sharing the gospel with another, rather we should see it as our duty. Those caught in cults, are outside of Christ and therefore the wrath of God remains upon them. In love and concern for their eternal welfare, we must speak to them about the danger in which they find themselves.

It is the most loving thing we can do.

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36



[1] Microsoft Word - NOTABLE QUOTES - Edited by Don Fortner - 2007.08.12 (spurgeongems.org)

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