And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

We live in days of confusion over the teaching of New Testament salvation. I had the opportunity of proclaiming Christ several years ago to a group of Mormon “missionaries.” After some initial discussion, she agreed and believed that one must be saved by grace through faith. It worked like this after further details were inquired. I do all the good works that I can do to go to heaven (i.e., earn my own righteousness) and then Jesus’ grace makes up any lack of righteousness on my part; that, even Jesus had to earn his own righteousness before the Father. I quickly answered that she believed this in direct contradiction to the New Testament. I am saved by grace through faith. I can do nothing to earn my own righteousness. Jesus did not earn His righteousness (He is God) but Christ earned my righteousness. I am completely justified by His grace and receive His righteousness by faith. They left understanding that what they believed was in direct violation to the New Testament. The Mormon religion and Christianity are not the same but are in opposition.

Would this Mormon doctrine not sound reasonable to a lost man? Yet there is no hope in that deception. There is a great need today to distinguish scripturally and compassionately the true from the false, the precious from the vile. Payson in his several volumes called “Works” (p. 269) addressed this issue of false hope among professing brethren connected with the church of his day.

The manner in which people obtain a false hope is generally this: they first believe that God is reconciled to them, and then are reconciled to him on that account; but if they thought that God was still displeased with, and determined to punish them, they would find their enmity to him revive. On the contrary, the Christian is reconciled because he sees the holiness of the law which he has broken, and God’s justice in punishing him; he takes part with God against himself, cordially submits to him, and this when he expects condemnation. He is reconciled, because he is pleased with the character of God; the false convert because he hopes God is pleased with him.

Sincerity on the part of the Mormon “missionaries” will not deliver them in that Day of Judgment. Salvation is only in Christ. May every believer be a thorough Bible-Student, for in these days deception abounds.

[Reprint 2005]