When a Christian converts to another faith, such a Islam, Judaism, etc., in effect he/she is rejecting Christ. In your opinion, is salvation still possible for that person, or has that person condemned him/her self to hell, or…?
Javl,
There are Christians who have converted to Judaism, which requires the renunciation of Christ. This seems like such a grievous sin. My first instinct is to say, what could be worse than renouncing Christ?
When really I think about it; there are many ways to renounce Christ, without actually speaking the words. When we know Christ and His teachings, and still think and live in a way that disregards those teachings; are we not renouncing our Savior to some extent?
I have given the following passage a great deal of thought:
Hebrews Chapter 6 (ESV):
4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
Does this mean we can reach a “point of no return”? If yes, what thoughts/actions bring us to that “point”?
I had my own diversion from the path of Christ.
A Mormon bishop and his wife were my neighbors, before my divorce. I had known them for years. I admired the strength of their family. The bishop seemed like the father I never had. So, after my divorce, they invited me to their church. For weeks, I took lessons at the bishop’s home- with the Mormon Bishop and two Mormon missionaries.
I was at a very vulnerable point in my life. I wanted to belong someplace. I was a single mom, with no family in my city.
I went to the Mormon church and finished all the lessons. There were things that concerned me about the church services. I rarely heard the name of Christ spoken. Almost without exception, testimonies began with a statement of belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I was told that there are three heavens. I was also told that God, in the flesh, impregnated Mary.
I did eventually decide to join the church. The day before my baptism, a family member called me and told me about the Mormon belief that God has a wife and lives on a star/planet (kolob,) and men can become gods. I was so shocked; because none of this was discussed in the lessons-except a passing mention of exaltation.
I called the Bishop’s house and spoke to one of his daughters. I asked if these beliefs were true, and she admitted that they were. I was really shaken, but I did proceed with baptism. After the baptism, things became very strange. Every time I tried to read the Book of Mormon, I would feel ill–as if I were in a place of darkness.
Then one evening, I heard a knock at my door. It was a friend of mine who drove from another state for a surprise visit. During her stay, I told her that I had been baptized into the Mormon church. She told me she had taken the lessons many years ago. She, also, told me about the Mormon teaching that Adam is god.
I knew I had to break the connection with the Mormon church as quickly as possible. So, I called the bishop’s wife and told her I did not want any further connection with the Mormon church. She came to my house and asked me why. I told her all the things I had learned about the Mormon beliefs. She acknowledged that they were all true.
When I asked her about the Mormon belief that Adam is god, she could not deny that either. She answered by saying she was familiar with the “Adam/god theory.” I told her I felt that I had been deceived. During the lessons, I was told that the Mormon church is a Christian church–with the same beliefs in God and Jesus as other Christian Churches.
It didn’t end there; members of the church kept calling me and showing up at my door. I kept telling them I was not coming back to the church and to please stop contacting me.
It still didn’t stop. I received phone calls. I received things in the mail-which I marked “return to sender” and left for the Postman. Then, I started receiving things in the mail with no return address-a clear attempt to get me to open the package.
I finally had to write a formal letter to the church–telling them I would consider any further contact harassment—(though I had been harassed, since the moment I told them I was not coming back.)
I found myself literally on the floor, with my face down, begging the forgiveness of Christ. I received His forgiveness. I felt like one of the lost sheep, carried upon the back of Christ, to safety. I was Baptized into the Christian Church again. I went back to the Baptist Church-the Church of my upbringing.
Even though I cut all ties with Mormonism, repented, and received forgiveness for my sins; I found there are spiritual consequences, set into motion by our sins, that can continue long after we are forgiven. A few months ago, I discovered that the Mormon Church may still perform proxy Temple rites, on my behalf, after I die.
I have been working on a letter to send to the Mormon Records Division, to firmly state that no proxy rites are to be performed in my name, after my death. However, there is no guarantee they will respect my wishes.
I returned to the Baptist Church, because it was familiar. I have since discovered too many false doctrines to continue there. My experience with Mormonism has made it almost impossible for me to trust enough to convert to another faith, such as Catholicism–even with all the respect I hold for the Catholic Church.
Even though I left the Mormon church many years ago, I am still dealing with the “spiritual consequences” of my sin. I would say converting to a religion outside Christianity is dangerous any way you look at it.
Anna
