By: Mark Tabata (Evangelist)
I know that the title of this article will appear strange to many, and quickly answerable.
Many will know that throughout the Bible, God’s people are warned about false gods and goddesses.
They are exhorted to serve only the God of Creation, Jehovah.
For example:
Exodus 20:3-You shall have no other gods before Me.
Psalm 81:9-9 There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.
Isaiah 43:10-10 “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.
Isaiah 44:8-8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’ ”
Isaiah 45:21-22-21 Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. 22 “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 46:9-9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
These (and a host of other Scriptures) testify that God’s people have no business associating with, or worshipping, false gods.
The same things taught in the Old Testament are reiterated in the New Testament, with the Apostle Paul bringing out the truth that while idols themselves are nothing, there are very real demons beyond the idols that should not be in any way venerated.
Notice:
1 Corinthians 10:19-20-19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
It is wrong for a Christian to gather around the altar of demons and worship with pagans.
It is wrong for Christians to honor and venerate the gods and goddesses of the pagans as God.
While the Bible acknowledges that there is but one eternal God (see above), it also makes it clear that there are many beings who masquerade as gods and goddesses (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Numbers 25:1-4; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:28).
God makes it clear that Christians are not to have fellowship with these.
If there is still any doubt:
2 Corinthians 6:14-18-14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” 17 Therefore “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU.” 18 “I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.”
Pretty clear, right?
Yet despite this clarity, there is an institution which many Christians belong to and defend which tells people that it is “okay” to worship any god and gather together at any altar that you would like.
Please notice:
“The true Mason is not creed- bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge that as Mason HIS RELIGION MUST BE UNIVERSAL: Christ, Buddha or Mohammed, the name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer. HE WORSHIPS AT EVERY SHRINE, BOWS BEFORE EVERY ALTAR, whether in temple, mosque or cathedral, realizing with his truer understanding the oneness of all spiritual truth. All true Masons know that they only are heathen who, having great ideals, do not live up to them. They know that all religions are but one story told in divers ways for peoples whose ideals differ but whose great purpose is in harmony with Masonic ideals.” (Manly P. Hall, The Lost Keys Of Freemasonry, 27-38 (Kindle Edition); emphasis added, M.T.).
While the Lodge is known for many good works, it is evident that in this regard it is firmly opposed to the teaching of the Bible.
On this matter (like on many other subjects), there are clear contradictions between the two.
The Lodge recognizes Jesus Christ in the same way that it does Buddha or Mohammed; worthy of honor, but NOT as the Son of God.
Yet Christ proclaimed that He is the Son of God (John 3:14-18), Who came to the world to save us from our sins by going to the Cross of Calvary (1 Timothy 2:6), being buried, and rising again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
He invites believers to repent of their sins and be baptized by the authority of Christ to have their sins forgiven and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
He also invites erring Christians to return to Him through repentance and prayer (1 John 1:9).
Which will you choose?
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
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