The doors were closed as the title says; It means that the doors of Masuoka's husbands altar (Butsudan) were closed. She had them open whenever someone came and they would offer incense and pray.
I had a special Bible Study to address this issue from the Bible. It was very difficult for her to hear that it is a sin to pray to the dead. Deuteronomy 18 says not to entreat or inquire of the dead. This would include prayers of obligation like "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu." We are to only pray to the living God and his son Jesus Christ. After all He is the only one who can help us. After telling her what the Bible had to say she was so sad. She went home looking like the richman who Jesus told to go sell all he had and give it to the poor. This was a serious decision that would affect the rest of her life. She could have peace with her family and friends or she could have peace with God. Jesus marveled and said, "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." For Japan; "How hard it is for someone to put God's word over culture."
So I was worried that she might not come
to church anymore. But God is good and she has made a step in the right
direction. She comes to Wednesday night and Sunday mornings and when we
went to her home for a meal the doors of the altar were closed. This is
huge spiritually speaking and her family was okay with it. So Praise God. She has recently gave testimony of how sad and difficult it was to change but she knew the only true peace comes from Jesus. She has invited him into her heart and is enjoying the presence of the Holy Spirit and the joy she has. How can she give that up for tradition that is somber and oppressive? Truly her delight is in the Word of God. I pray yours will be too.
