The war that began in heaven
continues. The Devil and his angels
have been cast out of heaven down to the earth. Satan knows his time is short and comes against us in great wrath.
The climax of the battle is upon us. He
is the dragon who deceiveth the whole world. He is the great accuser. “And they
overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and
they loved not their lives unto the death.” What power is in the blood of the
Lamb? What power is in the word of their testimony? Who puts the work of the Lord even above their own lives? Revelation12:7-12
Satan was defeated in
heaven, but he still has power on the earth. Jesus asks us to pray that this
battle may be won in earth as it is in heaven. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
The Lord needs every warrior
of light that will come. Why are there
“none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fulness of
[His] gospel”? D&C
35:12-13 Are we ready to receive the fulness of His gospel? What does it mean to receive the fulness of
His gospel? D&C
39:18 Do we desire to come into his presence and receive Him? D&C
76:14 Why does He call upon the weak things of the world to thresh the
nations by the power of His Spirit? Why are His messengers despised? Who
despises them?
Even though we may be weak, He still has a work for us to do. He is calling us. All who have desires to serve God are called to the work. If we decide to get on board, we should hold
nothing back. As we labor with all our
heart, might, mind and strength to bring souls to Christ, we will find our own
soul saved. No man is compelled to come
unto Christ. This is a labor of love, not a labor of force, control, and
manipulation. “And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the
glory of God, qualify [us] for the work.” D&C
4:1-7
“Behold, I sent you out to
testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to
warn his neighbor.” Why should we warn others? “They are left without excuse,
and their sins are upon their own heads.” How would you feel if someone came to
you saying, “You knew this! Why didn’t you open your mouth and say something to
me?” This is the last time the Lord shall go forth among us,
the Gentiles, to prepare us for the hour of judgment, which is to
come. Seek him early while he is near,
and you shall not be forsaken. D&C
88:81-84 What does it mean to be cleansed from the blood and sins of this
generation?
“For there are many yet on
the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded
by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who
are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it— Therefore,
that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the
hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly
manifest from heaven—
"These should then be
attended to with great earnestness. Let no man count them as small things;
for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which
depends upon these things. You know, brethren, that a very large ship is
benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept
workways with the wind and the waves.
"Therefore, dearly
beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power;
and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of
God, and for his arm to be revealed.” [emphasis added] D&C123:12-17
When you speak hard things
against the wicked in the name of the Lord, do you experience great joy
and exceeding gladness? 3 Nephi
12:11-12 Is it a cheerful, joyful experience?
Some might believe it is
wrongheaded to focus on exposing false doctrine. They might even say, “You’re being too negative.” As I study the
scriptures I see a distinct difference between accusing and judging a fellow
brother or sister and speaking boldly against the philosophies of men and the
doctrines of the devil.
We are not battling each
other. When we allow devils
to possess our bodies, they may persuade us to believe we are at war with
each other. As brothers and sisters, we
are on the same team. It is the devils
and demons we’re fighting against.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” So that we
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, it is necessary to take
upon us the whole armor of God: truth,
righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Spirit. We must
pray always; be constantly, steadily, and patiently watching; and then boldly
speak those things given to us by God. Ephesians
6:10-20
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
Matthew
7:1 We have no right to judge each other, for that right belongs to the Lord
Mormon 8:20.
Is there a difference
between judging another mortal and judging the philosophies and doctrines that
are being taught? Would it be following
the pattern of God to be humble, meek, and contrite when speaking to each other
D&C
52:14-17; yet speak out against our foolish and vain traditions with the
boldness of a lion? Proverbs
28:1
Nephi sounded the warning
voice. He cautioned us to beware of the
false and vain and foolish doctrines, false teachers, priestcrafts, and pride.
He said, “They have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.” He saw our latter day tendency to trust in
men and institutions instead of God, and he reminds us that God has not given His
power unto men as many will claim. Nephi gave a firm admonition to deny not the
Holy Ghost or the power of God, the Holy One of Israel.
Nephi doesn’t sound very
optimistic or positive about the latter day gentiles? Was Nephi just being
negative and depressing or is there something here worth paying attention to?
Did he see something we don’t? Why didn’t he focus on the things we’re doing
right? Maybe he didn’t see much good going on, described it the way he saw it,
and called us to repentance by the power of God. If you saw a multitude of people
about to go off a cliff would you keep your thoughts to yourself? 2 Nephi 28
As we speak boldly, is
contention ever justified? 3 Nephi 11:29
What is the power that awaits those who use persuasion, long-suffering,
gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, and pure knowledge? D&C
121:41-42
Is a call to repentance
negative, gloomy, and pessimistic? How have you responded to Alma’s rebuke? “Wo
unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken
it! . . . O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of
the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness
nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd. . . And now if ye
are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto
you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can
deny this?"
How do you
know when the Lord has received you? “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are
extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. Yea, he
saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea,
ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely; Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of
righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire” Alma 5:32-39
Another excellent article. I agree completely with the idea that it's necessary to expose false doctrine and the precepts of men...and unfortunately in the Church, we are saturated with the precepts of men. The first step to understanding all is not well in Zion is to recognize what precepts come from God and what precpets come from men. Thank the Lord for the Book of Mormon that helps us know which is which. Love your words.
ReplyDeleteBruce