[QUOTE=Duane Washum;6575769]John 3:1-3

<snip>

The above works referred to are God's works.

John 10:37-38
<snip>

The above works referred to are God's works.

John 14:10-11
<snip>

The above works referred to are God's works.[/quote]

In all three instances, the works are the proof of the quality of the source. Which is why James says
that faith without works is dead and why Christ tells us that corrupt trees cannot bear good fruit. The
fruit is (in part) the works and character of the person and may be used to consider the credibility of
any testimony from them. As in all things for a Christian, the example is Christ and we are to emulate
Him as best we can.

[quote]Perhaps your confusion is because I failed to include Ephesians 2:10: For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we
would walk in them.

[quote]<snip from quoted commentary> For though we are not saved for our good works, yet we are
saved that we may perform good works, to the glory of God and the benefit of man.[/quote][/quote]

Actually, I'm not confused at all since this stuff comprises fairly basic works & grace relationship
doctrine for Christians. As you quoted from Clarke's commentary, I snipped out a bit that pointed this
entire subject out. Really basic stuff here, that ties in with works don't save, grace saves, but a saved
person performs works and works are a sign of the fruit that someone bears.

[quote]Regarding James 2:14-26: James, of course, is referring to the works of Ephesians 2:10, as
written by Paul: "which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." So, once again,
we are back to the works of God, as referred to in all the above Scriptures. It's quite lengthy, and far
better stated than I could do, but Adam Clarke's Commentary on the New Testament goes to great
lengths to explain those verses. A very good read.[/quote]

Found a footnote there in James citing Ephesians? The assumption that James read Ephesians and then
used a concept from it has some possibility from the majority view of the dates of the writing, but it
isn't an open & shut case even though it can be conjectured that other earlier writings of Paul were
referenced. Otherwise, I'm not going to argue commentaries like Pharisees about the Talmud.
However, you do try to reference Mr. Clarke's commentary as if it is some sort of support to your
position here against Freemasonry. So, let us see what is said.

[quote]James 2: 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without
thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Show me thy faith without thy works - Your pretending to have faith, while you have no works of
charity or mercy, is utterly vain: for as faith, which is a principle in the mind, cannot be discerned but
by the effects, that is, good works; he who has no good works has, presumptively, no faith.

I will show thee my faith by my works - My works of charity and mercy will show that I have faith;
and that it is the living tree, whose root is love to God and man, and whose fruit is the good works here
contended for. [/quote]
Nope, appears to me that Christians do have certain requirements of action and character, not as a way
of salvation, but as a sign of their salvation. Those who lack these or, even worse, show the negative
versions of them can be considered to be unsaved by the fruits they show.

[quote]One other often overlooked statement made by Jesus Christ is found in John 6:28-29:
28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He
has sent.” [/QUOTE]
Not overlooked, just not relevant here. The discussion is about how works/fruit/character show what
the person in question believes in and then whether or not it actually applies as you claim to the
lambskin apron lecture. The other Scripture cites were about the relationship between works & grace,
especially as shown to the world, this one refers to those who want continued and repeated signs &
wonders.
(FYI, slamdunk that it doesn't apply as antimasons who claim to be Christian says it does because to do
so at they teach (falsely), it would lead to licentiousness that the Scriptures teach against, including
right here in James.)

[QUOTE=Duane Washum;6586306]Not a problem. First of all, the words are:

"Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient usages
and established customs of the Fraternity?" ('Nevada cipher, page 14)

The response to that question must be in the affirmative in order to proceed any further in the initiation
process.

<snip repetition>[/quote]

So? The point was that if a Mason (or candidate) finds that Freemasonry conflicts with his own
personal religious beliefs, then he should leave Freemasonry. That would be conforming. The issues
regarding the teachings of antimasons who claim to be Christian that were former Masons continues to
be violation of an oath taken before God, bearing false witness and various other negative fruits shown
repeatedly about multiple antimasons who claim to be Christian.

[quote]Regarding my "religion" as you call it. I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is
my Lord and Savior.[/quote]

Then why the bearing of false witness all the time? The fruit shown here by antimasons who claim to
be Christian does not support the orthodoxy or even the heterodoxy of the antimasonic belief system
when compared to Scripture. I believe the word used in Mr. Clarke's commentary above was
“presumptively”.

[quote]The obligations I took while in Freemasonry were sinful, and so it was that I confessed my sin
to the True and Living God and He forgave me. I realize you would rather I had never begged for God's
forgiveness, but that's what I did, and there really isn't much you can do about it.[/quote]

Good for you, I'm glad that, you should follow your religious beliefs. As a Mason I'm all for it, but
even more importantly, as a Christian, I know that the free will choice is yours to make. I'll continue to
point out the false teachings from a Christian perspective.

[quote]Not abiding by the teachings of Freemasonry, simply exposing them.[/quote]

Oh, it can be taken as a given by now with multiple posts in multiple threads over multiple years in
multiple iterations of this forum that the only “teachings of Freemasonry” that antimasons who claim to
be Christian expose are those (mis)interpreted and twisted to fit the antimasonic belief system. Again
the word used above was “presumptively”.

[quote]I have no personal concerns over what religions are doing, because I am not involved in any of
them. Used to be involved in one known as Freemasonry, but I left that one behind in order to follow
Jesus Christ.,[/quote]Also, obviously precious little desire to have the point brought to light that there is
a very generic common ground among many religions since they share the exact same natural
revelation pointed out from Scripture repeatedly. It sort of torpedoes the false teaching of antimasons
who claim to be Christian about how something so generic “counts” as a “real religion” when few of
the major religions would agree.

If you, as a Mason, thought that Freemasonry was a religion, then you show massive ignorance of
Freemasonry. For the rest, I'll simply point to Revelation 22:15, Proverbs 6:16-19 and John 8:44.

[quote]Re what a Christian should know: I agree. That's why it was somewhat confusing that you
would attempt in some way to present a "faith plus works" type salvation regarding the Christian faith.
Guess it must have been your meager attempt to justify the "works only" salvation taught by
Freemasonry.[/quote]

If you are saying that I just tried to present a “faith plus works” type of salvation, then I'll say that you
are speaking falsely, again. Openly and outrightly. Revelation 22:15, Proverbs 6:16-19 and John 8:44
again.

[quote]Doesn't matter who/what an individual Mason may choose to believe regarding the Creator. If
he has it wrong, he has it wrong. So, it doesn't depend on what a Muslim Mason, or a Hindu Mason, or
a Luciferian Mason believe the Creator to be. you might not like the term, "mish mash", but that's
exactly what it boils down to. Freemasonry says its own GAOTU is whatever anybody wants it to be.
The True and Living God is now whatever anybody wants Him to be. He is not "morphable" He is the
same yesterday, today and forever. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who IS the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit.[/quote]Underline added, fixed quote according to later post, fixed spelling of “Issac”

Please clarify what I underlined. You give no examples of a Christian Mason (although by your own
beliefs, they can exist) and by what you wrote, you just said that a Christian Mason who believes that
Christ is the Creator, you know, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the One True and Living God,
that is the same yesterday, today and forever is “worshiping and believing” a false “mish mash” god.
BTW, please contradict my statement about Christian Masons existing in an attempt to cover what, to
an orthodox Christian, is a blasphemous statement.

[quote]Re Romans 1:19-20: I see more of a complete picture in v. 18-25:[/quote]

Complete picture of what? The Scripture points out right there that the creation declares a Creator,
a.k.a. - Great Architect, so that no one is without excuse. That was the entire point I was making. Are
you trying to make another one? Or were you using Mr. Henry's commentary as Scripture to
supplement and bolster something?