Letter 17 — Grace, Grace, Grace!
Letters To A Mormon Elder
by James R. White
Monday, August 6
Dear Steve,
I enjoyed our phone call, brief as it was. I certainly understand your inability to talk freely in your situation right now. Hopefully, we will have time to talk openly on Friday.
It’s late, and the kids are in bed. (Oh yes, my daughter is feeling better, thanks for asking). My wife is in bed and, hopefully, is asleep. Sometimes the clicking of the keys keeps her awake. This crazy little desk lamp is flickering (why do they always do that?) and I’ve turned the brightness down on the computer screen so that I don’t end up burning a rectangular green spot in my retina. It’s late, and it’s been a long day, but I had to write to you this evening.
Did you know that this makes the seventeenth letter I have written to you? I wrote my first letter on the twenty-first of May — eleven weeks ago. We’ve talked about testimonies, the Bible, God, Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, false prophecies, salvation — and a bunch of other things. But I want you to know that in the final analysis, all of that discussion leads up to only one thing: the gospel of God’s grace. I told you that I didn’t like talking about Joseph Smith, because I don’t. The only reason I do is so that, Lord willing, I will be able to talk to you about God’s grace. And I talk to you about God’s eternity, His sovereignty, His holiness, and His wrath so that you will have a solid foundation upon which to understand His grace. And, in fact, once I have spoken to you about God’s grace, there isn’t much more for me to say.
Do you want to know what is so hard about accepting the Bible’s teaching about salvation, Steve? I can’t see into your heart, but if you are like me you have to struggle with pride and arrogance. It seems to be part of our sinful nature. We like to do things our way. It hurts us a great deal to admit we are helpless. We don’t like to have to rely upon someone else. But when it comes to salvation, that is exactly where we are. As far as saving ourselves, or even starting the process, we are helpless. The best we can do falls so far short that it isn’t even worth mentioning. Helpless.
To come to God on the basis of His grace, we have to give it all to Him. We can’t hold anything back, can’t trust in our works, trust in our goodness — nothing. God’s grace is a hundred percent thing — He leaves no room for our little works. If He did, we’d boast about it anyway, wouldn’t we? Of course.
I know the struggle in your heart — I can hear it in your words. Letting go of your “religiosity” would mean far more than just leaving Mormonism. I know how deeply involved your family is in the LDS Church, and you mentioned once a certain Linda back home. Believe me, I know what is going through your mind. I’ve never put pressure on you to make a snap decision — I don’t believe that is the right way.
At the same time, realize that you are in a position that many others have faced during the past two thousand years or more. Following God normally costs a lot. The world hates those who give it all to God. But God is gracious, and He provides help in times of need. You can trust Him in that way.
And, aside from all that, you still have questions in the back of your mind about this or that, and it takes time to sort through all those things. But when you burn all the rest of the stuff away, the real question is this: Will Steve Hahn give himself solely and completely to the one true God, or will he continue to trust in his works, his religion, his own goodness? That is the real question. Will you accept God’s grace on His terms? I can’t make that decision for you. No one can. Indeed, you can’t even make the right decision unless the Spirit of God works in your heart to enable you to do so. I am praying that He will do just that. But I am still to call you to Christ, call you to His grace. I have no greater gift to offer you, nothing more important to discuss with you. He is my all, His grace my strength. He has never let me down, He has always been faithful.
You are a good man, Steve. An honest man. But you are not good enough. You never will be good enough. And, you cannot try to get as good as you can, and then trust the rest to God’s grace. His grace doesn’t work that way. It is not the final rescue plan when you don’t quite make it — the “heavenly net” in case you fall. Either you will be saved completely on the basis of God’s grace or you won’t. That’s it. Quit trying to hold on to grace and works, Steve — you’ll get ripped apart in the trying. Listen to God’s Word, and believe what God has said.
You know I am your friend, and I am praying for you.
James
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