I can relate the church at Ephesus with some friends that I have in the blogosphere. I am active with a number of blogs that include former Mormons or who are involved in evangelical outreach to Mormons. But I fear that too often the point becomes to prove Mormonism wrong without including the greater message--the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To the Ephesians, Jesus said "you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars...Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:2-4)
If we do not lead people to Christ--only lead them away from their false prophets and gods--I don't know that we do them any long-term good. See Matthew 12:43-45.
This has been a topic that I have been thinking about for a few weeks now. Since I left the LDS church, I have spent a good amount of time exposing the darker side of Mormonism but have not focused, until now, on the better alternative.
ReplyDeleteAt the church I attend they have a set of freedom classes to help people deal with different issues. One of the common themes is identifying the lie Satan used/uses and then focusing on the truth to destroy the power the lie had/has on you.
I think this is going to be my new approach when presenting information to Mormons. I have friends who have left and have now lost all faith. That was a path that I was on as well until God ordered my steps just one month ago, putting me on the right path.
I know first hand how hard it is to leave when you have nothing to grasp hold of once you are out. It is a lonely road that I don't want others to have to experience like I did. I now see it as our obligation to not just convince LDS of their wrong ways, but to do it in a way that also brings them to an understanding of the real Jesus in the Bible.