This is a sample letter of resignation from the Masonic lodge, taken from our book, MASONRY BEYOND THE LIGHT.

"To the Master, Officers and Members of Lodge ______,

Dear Friends,

It is with regret that I submit my resignation from your Lodge and from all Masonic bodies. I have taken this step in spite of the fact that I value very deeply the friendships and associations I have developed within Masonry over the years. However, One whom I love more than all of you has said, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)

Those who call themselves Christians and believe in the name of Jesus are called to that kind of radical discipleship. If I am to be true to my Lord who loved me and who gave Himself for me, the I must keep His commandments. If I am called to love Him more than my own family, how much more am I called to love Him more than friends and fraternal brothers?

Unfortunately, in spite of the fraternal love I bear you all, I find that in following Jesus Christ, I must sever my ties with all forms of Masonry. This is no reflection upon you, nor upon the many good things Masonry does. It is simply the fact that Masonry refuses to honor Jesus Christ as God Almighty come in the flesh to save us from our sins.

Our Lord said that "He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matthew 12:30)

Masonry refuses to confess Jesus before me, and Jesus has warned that "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

Anything which presents itself as a religious or moral institution and yet does not confess Jesus as God is denying Jesus! I'm deeply sorry, brothers, but I cannot be a part of such a thing.

Masonry establishes itself as a complement to ones church, which sounds find. Masonry has prayers, rituals, and solemn ceremonies in which the Bible is involved. The Lodge is not secular, but religious. But in my study of the Bible, it seems clear that Masonry asks us, as Masons, to do things contrary to Biblical teachings.

For example, Jesus commanded us to "teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19-20) and to preach the gospel to everyone (Mark 16:15), yet Masonic etiquette forbids me, as a Christian, from sharing my Savior with my non-Christian Lodge brothers. I must stand by politely and watch them go to hell, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Whom am I to obey, my Lord or my Lodge?

The very Bible which sits on the altar commands these things. It is one of the "three great lights" of Masonry, and yet you ignore its teachings for the sake of harmony.

Jesus also commands us to swear no oaths (Matthew 5:34-37) and His sovereign command is echoed by James (5:12). Yet the taking of solemn oaths is the very heart of Masonic ritual. My brothers, these things ought not to be! Finally, the apostle Paul commands that believers in Jesus not be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)

I take my Masonic obligations very seriously, and for that very reason, I realize that the cable-tow was a powerful yoke which bound me to many Masons who are not Christians, however sincere they may be in their devotions. I must take the commands of my God more seriously. To remain in Masonry is to compromise my relationship with Jesus Who died for me.

I realize that whatever benefits Masonry has, they cannot possibly be compared with the joys of full friendship with the Almighty Lord of the universe Who died so that I might live - and who loves all Masons, as I do, even though they allow Him no place in their ceremonies.

You, my brothers, must decide for yourselves what you will do with the god of Masonry, but "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

God bless you as you seek His will in this important manner.

[signed] In Christian love,

[Your name]