My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
~ James 1:1-4, KJV ~
There is an important concept here: patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well! ~ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf - April 2010 ~
"You don't know what it is like to be homeless!"
He sat there blankly staring at me. "You don't know what it's like being homeless!" He quickly looked away. Shame in his eyes.
"I'm sure I understand what it is like being homeless." A soft response to a harsh statement. "It was not easy for me. Nor do I believe it is easy for you or others that are experiencing homelessness."
For a moment, he simply looked at me with another blank look in his eyes. "I don't really think you do." He paused and sucked in some air. "I think you're just blowing smoke up my ass!" He gathered his things, shoved them into his pockets and scurried away.
I wanted to speak with the gentleman more. Share a cup of coffee with him. A hot meal. Share my story with him about my own personal struggles and experience with being homeless. Would he, or anyone for that matter, take the time to really listen to my story? We all experience significant trials in our lives. Looking back on those years I spent as a vagabond and dealing with my own personal demons helped me understand something I wished I had understood then. Be patient and vigilantly faithful to God.
Between mid-1990's to early part of 2000, I had experienced homelessness numerous times. Either being asked to leave a place I was living at, having lost employment and not able to pay rent, or various other reasons. Much of my homeless stint was around Bellevue and Seattle, Washington area. I've stayed at local Churches with a group of others who were homeless as well. Stayed at shelters, lived out of a pickup truck, a Mazda 323, etc. The last time I experienced homelessness was when I was left in Seattle and given $50.00. All I had was a backpack, pair of work boots, 3-cartons of Carnival Cigarettes, and a couple of day's worth of clothes.
It was the lowest point in my life. Sense of confidence and resilience - gone. Most depressing time of my life. What did I do and How I managed to survive even surprises me today. One thing my father taught me was to work hard no matter what the circumstances were. He always worked hard to provide for his family. Despite his health issues.
So, I had found a day labor hall. I showed up every day and was sent out. The kicker was, I still had no place to live. And, with only making $50.00 per day - there was only enough to get a simple meal, a pack of smokes, and coffee. When I was not working, I pretty much walked all over Downtown Seattle - daring not to lay my head down. I also attended some of the community meals that were offered at various locations. If I was able to afford the $5.00 cost to stay at a shelter, I would. Then, someone told me about a transitional housing program that helped people. I was able to get connected. Within that week, I made my call and was informed that a bed opened up. I was able to get in.
For the past week to almost two weeks, I had little sleep. Suffering sleep deprivations, thirsty, stressed. I pretty much looked liked death warmed over. Slowly, I rested and followed the program and was able to get back on my feet. This was the last time I had experienced homelessness in my life. Since then, I have made significant progress in my life.
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials
What the heck does this mean? How do we find joy when faced with trying circumstances? One of the stark contrast of true authentic Christian faith and that of a False profession of faith is determined by trials. Real genuine, and practical, faith is sustained by joy and patience. The First Century Christians (Jewish and Gentile) were experiencing external and internal sufferings and difficulties. Some of these were:
Oppression by those of wealth and affluence
Dissension due to lack of self-mastery and control
False teachings
Inappropriate and possible vulgar speech
Favortism and self-promotion and ambition
These same struggles and difficulties abound within the Christian community and within the secular society. Faced with these challenges, the author of James utilizes Hebraic wisdom traditions and teachings. Coupled with the principles of Wisdom - one will also find the letter treating the subject of Ethics and social justice.
To understand what it means to find joy - we must understand the nature of suffering and adversity. In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; and Luke 8:4-15) we read the parable of the sower.
Understanding Not
In the interpretation of the parable of the sower - Christ expounds to his disciples the meaning. The first is that regarding the seed that fell on the wayside and being snatched up quickly.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. ~ Matthew 13:19, KJV ~
Sometimes, we may hear something. It may be an inspirational spark. However, it is quickly taken away by the cares and worries of this world. A person lacks understanding and not able to cultivate real faith. Their joy in life appears to be diminished quickly. And hearing something is not the issue. Allowing it to take root is at issue. Our lack of understanding, faith, joy, and patience has no foundation and is easily snatched before it is able to secure itself within our hearts and minds.
Easily Offended
The second part of the parable is where Christ expounds on the seed that fell into the stony places.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
~ Matthew 13:20-21 KJV ~
In the NASB, the word anon is changed to immediate. This is keeping with the Greek context. Here, the seed does take root. However, it is not able to fully root itself in the ground. Our faith may be immediate. Our joy may be even received with great enthusiasm. However, when life happens - we falter and become offended. Our faith and joy diminishes - so does our patience with God. We become easily offended and angered.
Joy and patience comes when we hear and understand. Through our trials, we bear real fruit of our faithfulness to God. We persevere and endure. Our faith grows and becomes a well-spring of blessings.
Selfish Pride and Ambition
The third part of the parable deals with those who appear to blossom and do well. They may appear to be quite successful. Yet, at what cost?
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ~Matthew 13:22, KJV ~
Without a genuine and authentic relationship with our Heavenly Father - our faith is weakened and choked by the cares of this world. We prefer the accolades of men rather than submit with humility to a divine and providential God who shows us mercy and grace. We strive to prove ourselves to the world that we are something. There is great success - yes, but to what cost? How many have relied on deceitful tactics and manipulations to attain their status? Faith, Joy, and Patience are choked and the person has no fruit of righteousness, love, or compassion.
Genuine Faith, Patience, and Joy bear real fruit
The final aspect of the parable that Christ expounds upon is that of the seed falling on good ground.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ~ Matthew 13:23, KJV ~
Joy and patience come when we hear and understand. Through our trials, we bear real fruit of our faithfulness to God. We persevere and endure. Our faith grows and becomes a well-spring of blessings. Through our joy and patience - our faith strengthens us, and we become resilient. It is how we choose to respond in those times where we face our trials.
The term "count" simply means to consider. It has to do with what you choose to do with what is presented to you. In context, the issue is what to do when bad things happen. When a person is confronted with suffering, he or she can choose how to respond. Some might "count it injustice," that is, they may consider it to be unfair and they will respond accordingly. Some might consider it to be the judgment of God and therefore despair that God is angry with them or has turned against them. Others might count or consider it an opportunity to demonstrate their own resilience. They might determine to fight back and overcome in their own strength. When trials come, the way we respond is more important in determining the outcome than the actual trial itself.
The consideration is given over to our power and ability to choose how to respond in trying circumstances. Quite easy to find joy when we are experiencing good things. Yet, when pressed down by the storms of life - we are far from wanting to experience joy. Yet, that is our Christian virtue. To find joy in life. Experience joy.
Ligoiner Ministries shares this insight in their devotional: Counting it All Joy:
In order to count earthly afflictions joy, we have to be able to take into account the future. Sometimes a Christian’s hope for heaven is ridiculed in our day. The lost mock those whose lives are characterized by hope. But sometimes this is all we have. When our lives are filled with sorrow and grief, we must be able to look to the future—to heaven—to find the joy that can soothe our troubled souls. Our joy must be based on looking to God and to the inheritance we will receive in heaven. This is exactly what Jesus did. He was able to endure the cross because of the joy that was set before Him (Heb. 12:2). We, too, must realize that the suffering we endure in this life cannot compare with the joy that is laid up for us in heaven.
See, our joy does not come from the people around us (while they may have a great influence to our sense of joy). Nor, does our sense of joy come from the things we strive to attain, or the accolades of men (and there is nothing wrong with setting goals and accomplishing them). No, our greatest since of Joy comes from our Heavenly Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ, and bestowed upon us by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we walk in obedience to God - we are walking in enduring faith, trusting in Him and in His guiding hand and divine plan. I have come to realize that it is not my happiness that was at stake. It was my sense of joy and how I needed to live and grow in faith.
It took a really long time for me to come to terms with this simple, and yet, practical truth. See, I had this false bravado ideal understanding that my own sense of worth. My own sense of power. My own sense of freedom and fun. My own sense of belonging was diminished by other people. I invested in other people to help me feel happy. It took a lot of energy and effort to do everything in my power to simply get some sympathy and admiration. Blaming other people out of my own angry disposition fell flat. My life was fruitless. What I thought faith was really was no more than a weak-minded immature individual who failed to root himself into the good ground of faith.
Every season that I experienced homelessness, was because of my lack of faith in God. How I got through most of it was only because of some aspect of cunning resourcefulness. Unfortunately, it never created an enduring and longevity of stability. I thought there was joy and happiness. However, it was mostly riding the merry-go-round and going nowhere fast.
Breaking Pride and Ego was the only way for me
Shipwrecked. That is probably the best description for how I felt the last two times I've experienced homelessness. Prior to this, my experience was merely a "here we go again. Ain't my first rodeo!" Why? Because my faith and trust were only in my own sense of resourcefulness. One learns how to quickly adapt and make do in the course of dealing with a revolving door of facing the same trials. However, it started weighing down that something was not working. No matter the effort put in. I kept missing something. I really wanted to get off the merry-go-round. End the cycle, and for once in my adult life have some type of stability.
Attending an Assemblies of God Church, I had permission to park my Mazda 323 in the parking lot. Clothes in one bin. Books in another. I'd go to work at a day labor. Work with a buddy of mine at the time. And, when we were off, we'd head out to get something to eat, hit up the library, engage in some online debates, and then pal around to have a few drinks. Fridays or Saturday nights, we'd hit up the Karaoke place. Life wasn't really all that bad right? Well, I complained about how unchristian some of the Christians were.
I possibly can't fathom how I lived in a compact car like this for about a year
In fact, one of the gentlemen that I had become acquainted with helped me get hired on as the janitor of the Church. I no longer had to go to the day labor place. Stable employment and still living in my car. Today, I possibly can't fathom how I lived in a compact car for about a year.
As I worked, the gentleman would also come around and speak with me. One night, he listened to my ramblings and rantings. He paused. Then, he said something so profound that it angered me at first. I was not able to respond to it. All I remember was how angry I was in that moment.
"Tim, I believe I know what your problem is." He paused as I drank my coffee and smoked a cigarette. "You feel entitled that all those people that come to Church owe you something. That it is their Christian duty..."
I attempted to interject with my doctrinal and scriptural prowess on this. He continued.
"The reality is this - no one owes you anything. The only person who owes you something is yourself. "
I finished up my janitorial duties that night. I walked from the Church to my parked car. Seething mad and angry. Thoughts racing like a hamster on a wheel. Climbed in, laid the seat back, and mulled over what he said. This is probably one of the few times I've heard that audible voice. Not the typical feel good still small voice. A firm and audible voice.
Look where you are at right now. Who's responsible for being where you are right now?
Nothing quite likes a powerful inquisition to bring you to a place of sincere humility. He was right. Most of my life was spent focusing on what I believed others could do for me. Entitled to their kindness, compassion, and generosity. When it did not happen - or, when it failed to meet my unrealistic expectations did, I slip and become resentful. Bitter. Arrogance and pride were dashed against the harsh jagged rocks of reality.
My faith in God became real. However, it took another bout of homelessness to shake my world upside down. It was how I ended up in Seattle. It was another real encounter with how I needed to choose. All I know is that I really placed my faith and trust in God. To this day, I am still uncertain how I made it through a week to a week and a half with little to no sleep. Working and focusing on following God.
However, little by little, I was led out of homelessness. Worked to rebuild my life and to secure a more stable and right way of living. Am I perfect today? Not by a long shot.
What it took, on that night in early 2000, was the breaking of my own ego and pride. Because sometimes the trials of our faith really are to test us to see if there really is any genuine faith. Otherwise, it is mere profession of faith and when we face those times of difficulty, we lack the understanding and wisdom in how God will guide us through.
Trial of Faith works Patience
One thing I have learned is that when faced with difficult circumstances - there is a needed response. From the Christian perspective, our response is to be patient and rely on God's divine and providential will. This is expressed numerous times throughout scripture. This does not mean we sit down and do nothing. It means we stand with a resolved intent and purpose in seeking God's divine direction and counsel. Placing our concerns, worries, and anxieties on the alter. Consistently, and with contrition and humility, pray and meditate on what course of action we may need to take. Sometimes it calls for our faith to be tried when people mock us. Speak in vain toward us. Discourage us. Sometimes, it is dealing with the loss of employment, loved one, family pet, freedom, or even housing. Sometimes, it is dealing with getting older and health related issues that may come our way.
Whatever the circumstances are - we face trials every day. Our faith in God gives us the strength we need to withstand the storm. It is our faith in God's divine and Sovereign grace and mercy that gives us the ability to be patient.
Patience may well be thought of as a gateway virtue, contributing to the growth and strength of its fellow virtues of forgiveness, tolerance, and faith.
Robert C. Oaks - October 2006 General Conference Speech
Patience undermines our need for instant gratification. However, we live in a society filled with instant messaging services, instant photos, social media, accessible and instant information through the internet. Growing up, one either had to wait until they got home to make or receive a call. Wait for the letter to come in the mail. Wait for the daily newspaper to be tossed onto the front porch. Or wait until one got home to watch the evening news.
Robert C. Oaks - Patience may well be thought of as a gateway virtue, contributing to the growth and strength of its fellow virtues of forgiveness, tolerance, and faith.
"The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks at the Priesthood session of the April 2010 General Conference. Read the entire talk
If we are ever going to grow and mature in our relationship with Heavenly Father - we must learn to be patient. The natural tendency is to want our circumstances to be removed quickly so that we lessen the blow of suffering. Yet, if this were a possibility - think of what one may miss out on.
What I have learned is this: I had to get my heart and mind right with God. See, I was operating under a profession of faith. Meaning, I believed in God. However, as with the parable of the Sower, my faith dwindled with the cares of this world. My faith was snatched up right away before it could ever take root. And there were times when my faith did take root, however, it was shallow and became scorched and not able to bear any fruit. Today, I do my best to faithfully rely on God in all that I do. Unfortunately, I still struggle with pride and ego. The antidote to this spiritual dilemma is understanding what it means to live a more mindful and spiritual life within the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The stripping away of pride and ego also meant dissolving unrealistic expectations on God, others, and myself. It meant that I had to become completely emptied out and cleansed in order to be filled with newness and hope.
In one conversation with a patient, I likened the process of recovery to that of a cup full of dirty water. It does not matter how much you empty out the dirty water. The entire cup is still filthy. So, whenever you fill it, the water will still be dirty and disgusting.
...I felt the Spirit of God ask me: "How often do YOU try to get away with cleaning the OUTSIDE of YOUR cup?" It was then I looked at this verse as a verse for me. How often do I pretend to have it all together, how often to I make my outside look nice, all the while my insides are screaming with pain, or sin. I talk a lot bout authenticity because it's important, but have I been listening to my own sermons, or simply "looking like it"? ~ Marv Nelson - Cleaning Your Cups ~
In condemning the religious leaders - Christ had something to say:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Matthew 23:25-26, KJV
My profession of faith was more of an outwardly expression of how I wanted to be seen and thought of. It was not until realizing that the inside of me was still full of filth and grime. What needs to happen is that the cup needs to go through the process of cleansing before it is able to be filled and used. This takes faith and patience because of Christ's infinite atonement. We may be redeemed and justified before God. However, our work begins by cleansing ourselves of ungodliness. We endure. As our faith increases, so does our ability to become resilient. Spiritual maturation does not happen overnight. It takes work. It takes obedience.
Made Complete, Perfect, and Lacking Nothing
It is unimaginable to reach a place in mortal life where an individual proclaims they are complete, perfect, and lack nothing. Yet, a handful of scriptures ask that we are made complete, perfect, and lack nothing. James simply makes the statement as a blessing that occurs once our faith is tried, and we endure those difficult times.
One thing is true - scripture does not mislead us in false hopes and desires. And here is how I have come to understand this within my own life and experience - especially experience of being homeless and lacking stability. Furthermore, it is the idea of understanding our own inadequacies in life.
In the book Refuge Recover - A Buddhist Path to Recovery from Addiction, we read this entry.
We are all born into bodies that are ruled by a survival instinct that is out of harmony with reality. The normal state of human beings is a sleeplike state of Non wisdom. The evolutionary process of human beings is dictated by a natural desire to live and to pursue happiness. But our survival instinct, which influences the body and mind, is really just the unrealistic expectation that life is always pleasurable and never painful. Our bodies naturally crave pleasure, which we think equals happiness, safety, and survival. We hate pain, which we think equals unhappiness and death.
Refuge Recovery The Cause of Addiction Is Repetitive Craving, p. 11
In our natural state - we desire anything that brings pleasure and happiness. Anything that removes happiness from our lives appears to be a threat and we do everything in our power to manipulate and extort to bring about our own sense of happiness. It is the external attachments we perceive to be the root of either our happiness or misery. If it is something that brings misery, something that is challenging, something that is difficult: we don't want anything to do with it. Root of our ongoing suffering is not only our attachment to our need to control. Our root of suffering is attached to fear of our own inadequacy and potential loss.
What I personally believe James is relating to us is that we are made complete and perfect in Wisdom. Scripture speaks about wisdom numerous times. In the Serenity Prayer, one seeks wisdom regarding knowing when to accept things we are not able to change, and the courage to focus on changing those things we are capable of changing. Proverbs says that our wisdom begins when we fear the Lord and that the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.
According to Hebrews for Christians website, we understand that this means:
The word translated "fear" in many versions of the Bible comes from the Hebrew word yirah, which has a range of meaning in Scriptures.
One of those meanings refers to:
... it can also mean "awe" or "reverence". In this latter sense, yirah includes the idea of wonder, amazement, mystery, astonishment, gratitude, admiration, and even worship (like the feeling you get when gazing from the edge of the Grand Canyon). The "fear of the LORD" therefore includes an overwhelming sense of the glory, worth, and beauty of the One True God."
What is also interesting to note is how yirah may be linked to the word for seeing:
When we really see life as it is, we will be filled with wonder and awe over the glory of it all. Every bush will be aflamed with the Presence of God and the ground we walk upon shall suddenly be perceived as holy (Exodus 3:2-5). Nothing will seem small, trivial, or insignificant. In this sense, "fear and trembling" before the LORD is a description of the inner awareness of the sanctity of life itself (Psalm 3:11, Philippians 2:12).
As we face our struggles. Navigate difficult seasons in our lives, we are gaining a greater sense of awareness of how God sees us. Faith and patience gifts us with greater insight in our own sense of adequacy. From our struggles, we gain greater sense of worth. We also gain a greater sense of freedom because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the infinite atonement. Patience works when we live our lives devoted to God. The power of wisdom influences how we make decisions in the face of adversity.
Here is what Dr. Alex Lickerman, M.D. says about the power and influence wisdom has on our lives:
Wisdom is so powerful, in fact, that it can even put a halt to suffering without changing the circumstances that cause it ... Most of us deem a problem solved when it no longer confronts us, but from a Nichiren Buddhist perspective a problem is solved when it no longer makes us suffer, our escaping or overcoming oppressive circumstances representing only one particular means to that end.
The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self, p. 21
Hence, when we begin to rely on God. When we begin to see life for what it really is - and the beauty that abounds - we begin to stand in reverence and awe of our Heavenly Father. He created us for a purpose. This mortal existence has a definitive meaning and purpose to it. Without suffering, there is no joy. Without adversity there is no growth.
What is it that we are made perfect and complete - where we lack nothing?
Know that without sorrow we are not able to experience joy
I believe that these are the things we are made perfect and complete. Principle truths that give us a sense of worth, freedom, fun, and a sense of belonging. Through our struggles - we grow and mature in our faith.
Do I know what it is like to be homeless? To face the struggles of not having a place to rest? To feel drained and exhausted day in and day out? The overwhelming shame and guilt? Unequivocally yes!
A seasoned captain does not know how to navigate a ship in still and calm waters - he learns how to navigate in the midst of raging tempests
James 1:1-4 teaches us the simple and practical truth. That through our faith, patience helps us endure suffering, and the wisdom we gain helps us make the necessary changes and adjust according to the circumstances. Yes - it is true. In the storms of life, we do not have the power and authority to change the tempest. We are empowered to adjust those sails.
We learn about God. We learn about ourselves. We learn about our stalwart faith and patience because of the storms of life. Without these tempests. We have no opportunity for growth.
As you go throughout this week, turn your thoughts and minds over to those difficult times in your life. How did you fare? Were you prone to manipulate, exploit, and use the situation for your own grandiose desires and sense of fulfillment to create happiness? Or have you come to the reality and humbly sought after God with awe and reverence to learn and grow from those storms?
Maybe you are experiencing an insurmountable storm in your life right now. Circumstances weighing you down. Pressing upon you and there seems to appear no relief in sight. Fear only God and trust in Him and He will guide you through the storm.
I pray this has helped you. Inspired you. Challenged you. Please leave a comment and share your insights in how you've grown in your faith through those storms in your life. Share what you are struggling with so that we may be able to pray with you. And feel free to share this with others. Do not forget - your donation helps keep this website up and running to provide devotionals, Scripture studies, and essays.
Relationships matter. Faith and hope matters. In life, we are going to have hardships, disappointments, and tragedies. As a Latter-day Saint Christian, it is my duty and obligation to help raise my children according to the values and teachings of our faith. Yet, today, this parental responsibility is under attack. Faith in Christ is under attack. State Governors and circumventing the First Amendment of the Constitution and creating barriers to worship and engage in religious services. Atheism is well rooted like a petulant weed in our American Society and Culture. The rise of communist and Marxist ideals is sweeping like a tumor in our social fabric. Many are claiming that we are at the threshold of the last days.
Yet here I am - a father, a strong believer in Jesus Christ and His restored Gospel, and worried about the type of social culture and environment my children are being assimilated into. More importantly, how I am an influence and impact on my children's lives matters the most. Not what society says is the best way. Today, more than ever, our children need to be raised up with a strong and bold faith in understanding and knowing who Jesus Christ is.
So, when it comes to parenting - we all have our different values, beliefs, and perspectives. Yet, are they detrimental to the spiritual growth and influence we have as parents? I ask this because I happened to scroll through my Facebook news feed and noticed a link to Amelia Kibbles article entitled:I am Unapologetically Raising My Daughter Without Religion. Catchy title and with curious interest, I clicked on the link. Read the first few paragraphs. An anecdotal story of her coming home and sharing what she learned in Sunday school.
I can see how that is humorous. Unfortunately, she appears to use this innocent anecdote to make an interesting premise and judgment:
The story is hilarious, and never fails to get a few chuckles at family gatherings. However, it has darker implications, and my fearful reaction to the idea of a judgmental God who doesn’t respect one’s privacy perfectly illustrates why I have decided to raise my daughter in a non-religious household.
Yes...I had to read that paragraph numerous times to process what the message is being relayed. A judgmental God? A God who does not respect a person's privacy? The context here (if you have not clicked on the link above) is that she reports having taken a bath - I screamed, “STOP WATCHING ME, JESUS!” And, to even further understand the context of the conversation - she reports having discussed with her mom how God watches us all the time.
Reading further, Kibbie raises the question of morality and how to teach children a sense of morality as they grow up. It pits modern day moral fluidity with traditional and conservative moral standards and upbringings. For instance, Kibbie comments:
When I want to teach my daughter a lesson, like not to take another child’s toy, I focus on the fact that her action was wrong because it hurt someone. Not that it was wrong because an ancient text said so and that an invisible deity is always watching, waiting for her to make a mistake. The right thing to do is the right thing to do because it’s right, because it’s good, because it’s fair, and it makes people feel good. And that’s all there is to it.
This appears to beg the question - where does the idea of morality stem from? The concept of right and wrong? How is it wrong to take another toy from a child? Is this not based on the draconian law given by some mystical deity - THOU SHALT NOT STEAL? Or, is it also based on the draconian law given by some mystical deity that we are not to covet?
Morality and Human Volition
William Lane Craig makes an astute and valid observation when it comes to understand the nature and purpose of morality. According to the website - Reasonable Faith - the answer to Kibble's question (and our own question as parents) is this: Can we be good without God?
https://youtu.be/OxiAikEk2vU
Moral Objectivity is based on Harm
The argument is focused on differentiate the difference between subjective morality versus objective morality. Christianity teaches that there is objective morality. Specific laws governing how to live our lives and to what extent we may violate those objective moral laws. Subjective morality is more fluid and flexible based on the person's ideals. This includes what one may culturally differentiate a sense of morality.
This also includes the argument and principle truth of human volition. How our decisions influence our sense of morality. The impact choices have on others. And the heart of this debate is not as black and white as we want to believe. Objective morality is not rigid. There is fluidity within a more practical understanding of determining right from wrong.
Morality requires us to avoid doing bad things, again, by definition. Hence we all have a moral duty not to harm other living things. This moral duty exists objectively because harm exists objectively.
For example, if you walk into the store and have the money and means to buy an apple - yet you pick up the apple and walk out without paying for it. You are in violation of the law. You've stolen, and therefore violated moral standards and expectations. However, let us say you do not have the means to pay for the apple and it's been three days since you've eaten anything. You walk in and take the apple and leave. Is that morally wrong and violation of the law? Yes. However, there is a greater and more objective moral law at play here. Granted, this is hypothetically and utilized to establish a sense of truth.
Eric Dietrich, Ph.D writes in his article - Morality is Objective- the relationship between facts and moral objectivity:
There is however, a clear path to a universal and powerful moral objectivity, the view that morality (or most of it, anyway) is just as objectively true as science and mathematics. The key ingredient is the notion of harm.
Dietrich further expounds his thoughts:
Harm is marked by pain, fear, hunger, thirst, sadness, frustration, . . . any negative emotion or feeling. We live in a universe that randomly dishes out harm — consider the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs, as just one example. But we humans can check both human-initiated intentional harm, which is under our control, and other types of unintentional harm, e.g., environment damage caused by human industrial development.
And,
The question now is “Why ought we to check (or mitigate) such harm.” The answer is because it is harm! Harm is bad by definition. Morality requires us to avoid doing bad things, again, by definition. Hence, we all have a moral duty not to harm other living things. This moral duty exists objectively because harm exists objectively. Just as 1 + 1 = 2 is objectively true, so “we should not harm other living things” is objectively true. This truth is based simply on the fact that harming exists and should be checked.
What this means is that when we look at how our decisions impact and harm other people, we have a moral obligation to avoid doing so. This is central to the message of Jesus Christ. Despite what Kibble may say. And, it is not draconian in nature.
The Central Theme of the Gospel Message is Love
What people miss about the Scriptures, religion, faith, and following Jesus Christ is the central theme of the Gospel Message. It simply means The Good News and based on unconditional love:
God's love toward us
Our love toward God
Our love toward others
The scriptures expound upon this. Ancient and Modern-day teachings expound on this. Objective Morality is based on this. We either are operating out of love or operating out of hate. And most of the time, we are not operating out of one or the other. We are operating on a spectrum between love and hate.
Since the central theme of the Gospel Message is love then objective morality is born out of love and not hate. Unfortunately, Kibble holds to a false view of God as being judgmental and invasive of one's privacy. Out of God's divine love, there is also divine judgment. Kibble will be hard pressed to disagree.
Disagree for the simple fact that as a parent, we love our kids, yet also are responsible in disciplining them when they engage in behavior that harms another person. Imagine if our child sees us as (unless you are dealing with a teenager) judgmental parents. That we are invasive to their own privacy. If they treated us the way most of us treat our relationship with God - how heart wrenching and disappointing will that be?
Yes, God is judgmental. I am not disagreeing with that. However, He is justified in his judgment just as much as we are justified in our judgment when someone engages in behavior that harms another person. It is all born out of love and respect for one another. Without love, I personally believe, there is no objective morality. As long as I am doing something that makes me feel good (subjective morality) what harm is there? This is arrogant ignorance and grandiose self-love and pride. And yet, our society is operating out of this false belief. Teaching children these false beliefs and subjective morality.
Scripture adequately distinguishes the two different natures of objective morality and subjective morality.
Character Traits of Love and Objective Morality
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, KJV)
Character Traits of Selfish and Subjective Morality
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8: 6-7)
God's nature is love. Our objective moral stance is to love God and others. Outside of this is to be carnally minded. It pits us against God and against others based on our own subjective sense of morality.
Raising my daughters with Bold Faith Love and Righteousness
It is not good enough to raise children with a sense of subjective morality. No, it is more important to instill upon them the understanding of what it takes to live out a courageous faith that is born out of love for God and live out the values and beliefs that lead to a meaningful, purposeful life that is righteous.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
I am unapologetically raising my daughters with a strong conviction and bold faith that is based on love and righteousness in Jesus Christ. They ought not to walk in fear of God. Hope they do not come to a place where they believe that God is awaiting to punish them for every wrong behavior or act they commit. Instead, my hope that if they do walk in error that they are courageous enough to seek out their Loving Heavenly Father and walk in forgiveness and repentance.
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
“When our youngest daughter was about four years of age, I came home from hospital duties quite late one evening. I found my dear wife to be very weary. … So I offered to get our four-year-old ready for bed. I began to give the orders: ‘Take off your clothes, hang them up; put on your pajamas; brush your teeth; say your prayers’ and so on, commanding in a manner befitting a tough sergeant in the army. Suddenly she cocked her head to one side, looked at me with a wistful eye, and said, ‘Daddy, do you own me?’
“She taught me an important lesson. … No, we don’t own our children. Our parental privilege is to love them, to lead them, and to let them go” (“Listen to Learn,” Ensign, May 1991, 22).
This is how we teach our children. It is how we empower them. Help them find their own faith and testimony in Jesus Christ. And, even when they walk in error, we stand ready to rush toward them with forgiveness and love (see, Luke 11:15-20; Parable of the Prodigal Son).
It is not enough to send children off to Church. We have to actively live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives as a living sacrifice and testimony to the power and grace of God's sovereign love toward us and Christ's infinite atonement. Unfortunately, many children who have been brought up (as it appears Kibbie shares) within a Christian faith and Church did not have the spiritual attention and reverence needed to lay the foundation of a bold and courageous faith in Jesus Christ.
As I contemplate this - I remember an instance when my daughter's mom had sent me a message. It was a picture of our daughter in Church, head bowed, arms crossed. She looked beautiful and radiant. A friend had seen it and made the comment of how wrong it was to teach her to be submissive. An observation born out of sheer judgment and lack of understanding.
Submitting to God's divine will and purpose is a worthwhile venture. Understanding our need for His love, direction, counsel, and guidance is more important today. Especially navigating the social climate that is against Christian faith, God, holiness, and righteous living.
May my children stand on the legacy of my own personal testimony as a light in the growing darkness. A testimony of their own personal faith in who Jesus Christ is and the Gospel message of His love and redemptive power.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness's are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6, CF Romans 3:19-23
The term utilized in the passage of Isaiah refers to the particular cloth that was used to clean up from the woman's menstrual cycle. Such imagery is not for the palatable and feeble minded individual. Yet, it holds significant truth as it relates to the human condition. Despite our own efforts, good will and desires, we still remain stained and filthy. This is particularly true when people enter into recovery. Many want to get their life back on track, stop using and stay clean, and not use anymore. And, when it comes to recovery and sobriety, there is no joy to be experienced. Only pain, emotional distress, vulnerability, raw sense of shame and guilt, grief and loss, and inability to manage one's own life.
However, there is hope through Jesus Christ and His infinite and divine atonement. This is where the heart of our joy comes from. And it is the heart of how we move toward experiencing lasting joy in our lives as we engage in recovery and maintain an active and sober lifestyle. But first, we must get ourselves cleaned and experience what that may look like for ourselves.
What does it mean to be clean?
How one answer's this question is entirely up to them. Generally - the best way to respond to this is through what Neil L. Anderson shares in his book The Divine Gift of Forgiveness. He describes a childhood memory of going with his father and getting a steer that had wandered off and eventually was hit by a vehicle. Anderson described what it felt like when he came home and showered:
I went back to the house. ... I remember clearly the satisfaction of removing my shirt. Peeling off each layer of clothing brought relief. I began washing - first my hands, then my arms to the elbows. It was not the kind of dirt that would disappear quickly. Then I showered, first washing the ears, then the hair, back to the hands and fingernails, and to the hair again. It was some time before I felt satisfied that the cleansing was done.
Anderson also shared:
Slipping into a clean pair of pajamas, I lay awake in bed for a while reliving the experience, but the feelings of tiredness did not approach the sensational satisfaction of being washed and clean.
Anderson transitions his thoughts toward the sacredness of spiritual cleansing that occurs through the atonement of Jesus Christ. The removal of the sin that stains our souls surpasses any formal understanding of joy one may experience. He recounts the parable of the Prodigal Son and how it relates to the nature of the healing power found in Christ's atonement.
We experience joy as the love of our Savior assures us that we can yet be clean, that we will one day be home again. This happiness comes only through repentance.
The Divine gift of forgiveness p. 11; Anderson, N. l.
Seeking forgiveness and engaging in the repentance process is at the heart of early recovery. It sets the foundation and tone for how we maintain long term sobriety. We first, must peel off all the layers of our false beliefs, expectations, thoughts, emotions, and strip ourselves of who we believe ourselves to be - whether an addict or an alcoholic - in order to move forward toward personal growth, transformation, health, and wellness. Without engaging in the process of repentance and forgiveness, we will inevitably revert back to what we are: filthy rags that are easily discarded.
I, personally, am able to relate to what Anderson shared about his experience with the shower and how refreshing it is to feel washed and cleansed. Many times, have I spent working in the grime, dirt, and getting filthy. Coming home, exhausted, tired, smelling raunchy, and all I wanted was to get cleaned up. The feeling of how the water splashes and washes away the dirt and grime, the stench going away, and stepping out of the shower with a sense of renewal. Even such an experience pales in the comparison of truly feeling cleansed and forgiven by the Lord and experiencing the power of the atonement.
Turn and be healed
Christ's infinite atonement does more than washes us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It heals us. Anderson quotes 3 Nephi 9:13-14 and Alma 36:19-21.
Many times, we see Christ interact with those who are experiencing leprosy, deformities, and other ailments. His commands always included some action that was based on their faith. To the one who had a deformed arm, Christ requested he stretch forthhis arm (see, Matthew 12:13). To the person unable to walk since birth, Christ asked him to take up thy bed and walk (see, John 5:8-16). There was a specific call to action.
For those in recovery, Christ is asking for you to -
Return to Him
Repent of your sins
Be converted
In order to be healed. We have to take the steps. There are some Christians who may disagree with me on this. However, in recovery, we have to do the work necessary to bring our sins, our shames, our guilt, our distressing emotions to the alter and offer them up to God in order to receive forgiveness and healing. We are called to repent of those things we have done wrong. Without true and sincere repentance, we may not fully experience the joy and forgiveness that Christ offers us.
Another concept here is that we are to turn away from our old way of living life. Without turning away from the active substance use, the people that may continue to enable us and support our continued use, an individual is never truly ready to experience the joy of recovery and sobriety. Seeking after forgiveness, through sincere and heart felt repentance means we are willing to turn our lives over and around in the direction of where our Heavenly Father desires for us to go.
This reminds me of the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. According to 2 Kings, Naaman was considered a mighty man, a person of valor, yet suffered leprosy. When the Prophet Elisha encountered the captain of the Syrian army, the request was for Namaan to go and wash in the river Jordan seven times in order to be healed of his leprosy. At first, Naaman refused. However, as we read, he reluctantly followed Elisha's instructions and once he completed this - he was healed of his leprosy:
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 2 Kings 5:14, KJV
Many of us are like Naaman. We have a condition that is not culturally acceptable (due to social stigma). To be told we must do something in order to experience being cleansed and healed causes grave consternation. We want a more simplified solution. Yet, we eventually come to our own Jordan River and follow the requests on cleansing ourselves.
Eternal Promises are Provided
One simple truth that many fail to understand is that there are eternal promises attached to our own personal redemption, forgiveness, and healing. This is true in recovery as well as in spiritual rebirth. However, it is a process that takes time. This is the reason for the effectiveness of the 12-steps. They may be recommendations and suggestions. However, one does not stop at step 12 and say - I am done and now I'm clean. We go back and look at and continue to peel off those layers. Our spiritual maturation requires we continue to take a fearless and courageous moral inventory, seek out forgiveness as we walk in forgiveness toward others.
Anderson shares this insight on how these eternal promises are provided:
Repentance is the perfect spiritual remedy for sin. Each sin we leave behind through our faith in the living Christ - both those of commission and those of omission - opens spiritual doors.
He continues:
We must be converted to daily repentance. Jesus provided an example of daily prayer: "when ye pray say ... forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."
This daily walk in humility, as Anderson shares, is a way Our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ and the power and authority of His Holy Spirit, reveals to us our own personal weaknesses. This is the part where we engage in self-discovery to understand who we are. Even those weaknesses and areas that need to be let go and given over to God. It also requires us to walk in true honesty and transparency. After all, God sees and knows all. Nothing can be hidden from Him.
Repentance and Forgiveness - the birth pains of healing in recovery
There is no doubt that when we fully come to our own personal Jordan River, it is not without pain and suffering. These are only the birth pains to feel the depth and breadth of Christ's infinite atonement in healing. And it is something that we are committed to engaging in.
Bringing into the world a new life is painful. Ask any mother who has given birth to a child. Yet, ask them if it was worth going through the process of enduring the pain and most likely the answer will be a resounding yes. How is that? The simple answer is the joy experienced when that newborn child is placed in the mother's arms for the first time. The joy of knowing how precious that child's life is.
In recovery, we are birthing a new life for ourselves, and it is painful. Ask any person who has established a healthy and long-term sobriety from their active lifestyle if it was worth going through the painful early stages of recovery and they may respond with a resounding yes. That does not mean they enjoyed the process. Yet, the outcome, the healing, the new life experience surpassed all the pain endured in those early days.
It all begins with being honest with us and with God. It also requires that we honestly listen to the still small voice as it reveals to us those character defects we may want to work on.
So, what does it mean to be clean? It means we take our time. We endure the painstaking process of peeling away those grimy character defects. It means we take our time and focus on thoroughly washing ourselves. To be clean means we experience the fullness of joy that comes through our sincere repentance and forgiveness of sins that is only through Jesus Christ alone.
This article is the third and final part of a three-part response to Biblical Gender Roles article regarding the nature of God, the question of masculinity and femininity, and specific gender roles as established within the context of the Bible. A careful and thoughtful review of the article has required an adequate response to some assertions that may be misleading, irrelevant, and potentially harmful concerning such ideology and perceptive interpretation of scripture.
The first part of this response focused on the context and foundation of the assertion being made, the question that is being addressed and answered, and whether or not the writer has given due diligence in providing an accurate, scriptural response and answer to the question postulated. Along with this, second part of that article briefly introduced some of the main assertions that are cause for questioning and examination and how they falter in meeting true scriptural teaching on the nature of God, masculinity, femininity, and gender roles. The third part explored a more in-depth analysis of the presenting issues derived from the main points of the article itself and how a more appropriate answer is given to the misinformation of the article under review.
In the second part, it was contended that there is a linguistic issue regarding the Hebrew and Greek languages. Namely, that all languages have masculine, feminine, and neutral aspects. From here, the third part of this article focused on understanding the nature of how the Bible has some symbolism toward a divine and sovereign feminine gender role within the Divine Council and provided evidence as it relates to a Divine council of Heavenly Parents - God, the Father, and Goddess the Mother. The response examined the nature of human gender roles in light of Divine gender roles, and the divine institution of marriage and how this is represented in the symbolism of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, his parable of the ten virgins, and the reference to Christ being the Bridegroom and the Church being the Bride of Christ.
In this third, and final, essay; the concept of human existence and experience involves answering the initial question - Life's meaning and purpose. The writer of the article: Why God's Identification as Male is Key to Understanding Life Meaningbecomes a misnomer in answering the question it sets out to answer.
False assertion and failure to appropriately answer the question
In the concluding remarks of Why God's Identification as Male Is Key to Understanding Life's Meaning appears to be a misnomer. Meaning, the writer attempted to answer the question from a more misleading and misapplication of Masculinity context where life meaning and purpose may be derived from. Furthermore, femininity is tied into understand woman's role is to be aligned with her image bearer of God.
But in this world and in this life, God has made “male and female”. If we are born in a male vessel than our life’s mission is to be the image bearer of God. We are to display his masculine attributes throughout our life. If we are born in a woman’s vessel, then we are called to find and dedicate our life to serving a person in a male vessel in marriage. This service of the female vessel to the male vessel was designed by God to picture the relationship between himself and his people.
And what I have just described answers the most important question that we as human beings can ever ask and that is “Why I am here?". If we not only accept that God identifies as male, but accept why he identifies as male then we as men and woman, can know the meaning of life. But if we do as so much of the world today does and reject the fact that God identifies as male and why he identifies as male then we reject our very purpose for being here.
While the writer of this article attempts to harmonize how God sees men and women as equal, the writer appears to have painstakingly presented a position that women were not created as equal with the man and that she is not a divine image bearer nor is she equal in partnership with the man - even in marriage. The position the writer appears to take is that the woman is subservient to man because she is in need to be aligned with God's image bearer.
This does not bring about any real truth to the meaning and purpose to our human existence and life. It also appears to dehumanize the nature of womanhood and the specific gender role of women in a more perverted form of misogynistic representation of femininity within the scriptures. For the woman, as assumed by the nature of the article's presentation, life's meaning is to be aligned with the Man as the masculine concept of God is defined as his servant. And, for the Man, the meaning of life is to be the image bearer of God. Both being brought into marriage for this time alone.
The article fails to address both gender roles from a more divine and eternal worldview. Neither does it answer the existential question of Why am I here? Unless, of course, one relies solely on the provided answer that woman is to be a servant to man for this life alone, through marriage, and Man is the only essence and nature of God in this life alone. Wherein, there is no significant meaning and purpose to our human existence. Contrary, there is a more deepening and enriching answer to the quintessential question. One that provides a more hopeful and meaningful understanding of our human existence.
Divine glory of God is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life - brief introduction to theosis
Respect and praying on nature background
In the Book of Moses - a modern day revelation of scripture contained the Pearl of Great Price - we read the following:
For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
The Joseph Smith prologue further tells that as Moses sees the creations stretch out beyond what he could ever have imagined, he asks God: “Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what thou madest them.” God responds, “For mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me” (Moses 1:30–31), and that “only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you” (Moses 1:35). Why? Because, as the Lord had explained earlier, “no man can behold all my works, except he behold all my glory; and no man can behold all my glory, and afterwards remain in the flesh on the earth” (Moses 1:5).
Similarly the Zohar, in speaking of God’s revelation to Moses and “the worlds [that] were designed and came into being,” explains that up to a certain “point only is it permissible to contemplate the Godhead, but not beyond, for it is wholly recondite.” According to one Talmudic passage, upon receiving the Torah from God, Moses asked “that He should show him the ways of the Holy One.” God’s answer is the same as in the Joseph Smith version; says the Talmud: “God would not grant Moses’ wish to behold all his glory.” Even if some of the answers were reserved for later, Moses learns, as recounted in the Joseph Smith prologue, the great secret behind all of God’s expansive and eternal creative activity—that his work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
With this, God now goes back and adds insight to the first answer: “For mine purpose.” In verse 39 he tells Moses, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” By now, the cumulative effect of truth upon truth allows Moses to understand the implications of this statement. The endless nature of the creations and the awareness of all things are to bring to pass the exaltation of man. This is his purpose behind the Creation, to bring others to the same state as himself. This work culminates in recognizing that all mankind, like Moses, can become chosen and blessed sons and daughters of God. By knowing this, Moses can understand how the work of God does not differ, except perhaps in scale, from his own work. By experiencing the manner in which truths build upon one another in his encounters, Moses comes to understand exactly what it means to be a son of God.
And it is at this point that Moses 1 becomes applicable for us today as it provides a pattern of experiences in gaining and understanding knowledge that leads to salvation. It begins with the reception of basic truths, namely who we are and what we are to do, followed by the experiences with adversity and trial where those truths are tested and we are challenged as to the way things seem versus the way they are. In this manner, our salvation is worked out through our acquisition of knowledge. During this process, we understand that God’s promise that he is always with us is true and that he is ready to provide revelation for us at any time if we remain worthy. Finally, the successful passing of the trials of mortality allows us to experience eternal life and godhood by knowing who we really are and what our work really is. There we find that the work we have been performing is in fact the same work that God himself is engaged in. Thus, one of the more important legacies of Moses is that all can come to comprehend God and the truths that define this existence and, in so doing, understand our own glory.
This idea being put forth is known as Theosis and is not something that is new. While most Evangelical Christians have trouble with the doctrine of Theosis. They fail to realize that there is, not only Biblical references and teachings, actual early doctrinal teachings on exaltation and Godhood. This understanding of teaching comes from the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christian Church. According to the doctrine of theosis in orthodox tradition:
In the Orthodox Church, this concept is neither new nor startling. It even has a name: theosis. Theosis is the understanding that human beings can have real union with God, and so become like God to such a degree that we participate in the divine nature. Also referred to as deification, divinization, or illumination, it is a concept derived from the New Testament regarding the goal of our relationship with the Triune God. (Theosis and deification may be used interchangeably. We will avoid the term divinization, since it could be misread for divination, which is another thing altogether!)
Many Protestants, and even some Roman Catholics, might find the Orthodox concept of theosis unnerving. Especially when they read a quote such as this one from St. Athanasius: “God became man so that men might become gods,” they immediately fear an influence of Eastern mysticism from Hinduism or pantheism.
The reason, according to this writer's perception, that many modern Western Christians fear the doctrine of theosis is because of the misinterpretation of the lie Satan appeared to tell the woman in the Garden and the temptation to become like God. In the creation account, the conversation Eve has with the serpent brings into the connotation of the following:
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. (See Genesis 3:4-7, ESV).
When we continue reading the account of Adam's transgression of partaking of the fruit from the tree of Knowledge of Good and evil, we have the following statement being made:
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” (See Genesis 3:22)
What we see here is the understanding that Adam and Eve - created in God's divine image and likeness - may not have obtained particular knowledge. In his efforts to tempt Eve, the adversary attempts to mix some half-truths within his crafty disguise. A lengthy article appears to shed some interesting light on this subject matter. Jeffrey M. Bradshaw and Ronan James Head published an article - Mormonisms Satan and the Tree of Life where the focus is on the scope of Mormon doctrine of the plan of salvation.
God's glory to bring to pass immortality and eternal life - the Plan of Salvation
Human existence is predicated on the nature of God's divine glory and purpose. Namely, that God desires to bring to pass the eternal life and immortality of mankind (both male and female). We briefly introduced the idea and doctrine of theosis. Here, the discussion focuses on the nature of the Divine Plan of Salvation.
In Christ's priestly prayer recorded in John 17:3-5:
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
These verses reflect some interesting truths. First, Christ prays that humanity is to come know God and Jesus Christ. This is reflective of the divine plan of salvation as Christ refers to himself as being sent by God. Second, Christ reflects on how he has Glorified the Father by accomplishing his divine mission and calling (which is referencing the sacrificial death, his burial, and resurrection). Third, Christ requests that the Father glorify Christ in a unified glory that Christ had with the Father prior to creation. This simple priestly prayer of the savior reflects the nature of the Plan of Salvation.
3. And this is eternal life He now describes the manner of bestowing life, namely, when he enlightens the elect in the true knowledge of God; for he does not now speak of the enjoyment of life which we hope for, but only of the manner in which men obtain life And that this verse may be fully understood, we ought first to know that we are all in death, till we are enlightened by God, who alone is life Where he has shone, we possess him by faith, and, therefore, we also enter into the possession of life; and this is the reason why the knowledge of him is truly and justly called saving, or bringing salvation. Almost every one of the words has its weight; for it is not every kind of knowledge that is here described, but that knowledge which forms us anew into the image of God from faith to faith, or rather, which is the same with faith, by which, having been engrafted into the body of Christ, we are made partakers of the Divine adoption, and heirs of heaven.
We know and understand that Salvation comes through Jesus Christ. And, it is through Christ, we understand the nature and power of God's divine plan. Calvin continues with his commentary:
To know thee, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. The reason why he says this is, that there is no other way in which God is known but in the face of Jesus Christ, who is the bright and lively image of Him. As to his placing the Father first, this does not refer to the order of faith, as if our minds, after having known God, afterwards descend to Christ; but the meaning is, that it is by the intervention of a Mediator that God is known.
The only true God. Two epithets are added, true and only; because, in the first place, faith must distinguish God from the vain inventions of men, and embracing him with firm conviction, must never change or hesitate; and, secondly, believing that there is nothing defective or imperfect in God, faith must be satisfied with him alone. Some explain it, That they may know thee, who alone art God; but this is a poor interpretation. The meaning therefore is, That they may know thee alone to be the true God
Salvation is also contingent on knowing Christ and through Christ, we are able to know the Father. We further read Calvin's thoughts on these verses in order to understand the nature and relationship between Christ's divinity and that of the Father's divinity. What is striking is that we also see, within these verses, Christ brings distinction to himself and the Father and that both hold a divine and glorified distinction:
Christ, appearing in the form of a man, describes, under the person of the Father, the power, essence, and majesty of God. So then the Father of Christ is the only true God; that is, he is the one God, who formerly promised a Redeemer to the world; but in Christ the oneness and truth of Godhead will be found, because Christ was humbled, in order that he might raise us on high. When we have arrived at this point, then his Divine majesty displays itself; then we perceive that he is wholly in the Father, and that the Father is wholly in him. In short, he who separates Christ from the Divinity of the Father, does not yet acknowledge Him who is the only true God, but rather invents for himself a strange god. This is the reason why we are enjoined to know God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, by whom, as it were, with outstretched hand, he invites us to himself.
As John Calvin points out, we have the oneness of the Godhead in the salvific ordinance of humanity.
It will be of importance for us now to bring into one view those three articles of faith; first, that the kingdom of Christ brings life, and salvation; secondly, that all do not receive life from him, and it is not the office of Christ to give life to all, but only to the elect whom the Father has committed to his protection; and, thirdly, that this life consists in faith, and Christ bestow, it on those whom he enlightens in the faith of the Gospel. Hence we infer that the gift of illumination and heavenly wisdom is not common to all, but peculiar to the elect. It is unquestionably true that the Gospel is offered to all, but Christ speaks here of that secret and efficacious manner of teaching by which the children of God only are drawn to faith.
While Calvin approaches this from the standpoint of predestination of the divine elect, the nature of this - within the Mormon worldview and perspective goes back to the nature of the Pre-existence and how some chose to rebel with Satan. The Plan of Salvation includes the reality that many who come and take on the mortal body of humanity may not fully come to grasp the doctrines and salvation provided through Jesus Christ. They will still experience the resurrection (as recorded in Daniel and Revelation, as well as throughout some of the Pauline Epistles). Concerning the nature of the two resurrections: Gotquestions.org has this:
Daniel 12:2 summarizes the two very different fates facing mankind: “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Everyone will be raised from the dead, but not everyone will share the same destiny. The New Testament reveals the further detail of separate resurrections for the just and the unjust.
Revelation 20:4-6 mentions a “first resurrection” and identifies those involved as “blessed and holy.” The second death (the lake of fire, Revelation 20:14) has no power over these individuals. The first resurrection, then, is the raising of all believers. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” (John 5:29).
The first resurrection takes place in various stages. Jesus Christ Himself (the “first fruits,” 1 Corinthians 15:20), paved the way for the resurrection of all who believe in Him. There was a resurrection of the Jerusalem saints (Matthew 27:52-53) which should be included in our consideration of the first resurrection. Still to come are the resurrection of “the dead in Christ” at the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and the resurrection of the martyrs at the end of the Tribulation (Revelation 20:4).
Revelation 20:12-13 identifies those comprising the second resurrection as the wicked judged by God at the great white throne judgment prior to being cast into the lake of fire. The second resurrection, then, is the raising of all unbelievers; the second resurrection is connected to the second death. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29).
The event which divides the first and second resurrections seems to be the millennial kingdom. The last of the righteous are raised to reign “with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4), but the “rest of the dead [that is, the wicked] lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5).
What great rejoicing will attend the first resurrection! What great anguish at the second! What a responsibility we have to share the Gospel! “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire” (Jude 23).
Therefore, Christ came to provide the necessary sacrifice for our Sin, and to also conquer death. Since Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection. In fact, 1 Corinthians 15 is the Pauline expository understanding of the Plan of Salvation.
John Calvin continues his commentary on John 17:1-5 and continues his observation on the nature of Christ seeking glory, which is the glory he possessed in the beginning with the Father:
4. I have glorified thee. His reason for saying this is, that God had been made known to the world both by the doctrine of Christ, and by his miracles; and the glory of God is, when we know what he is. When he adds, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do, he means that he has completed the whole course of his calling; for the full time was come when he ought to be received into the heavenly glory Nor does he speak only of the office of teaching, but includes also the other parts of his ministry; for, though the chief part of it still remained to be accomplished, namely, the sacrifice of death, by which he was to take away the iniquities of us all, yet, as the hour of his death was already at hand, he speaks as if he had already endured it. The amount of his request, therefore, is that the Father would put him in possession of the kingdom; since, having completed his course, nothing more remained for him to do, than to display, by the power of the Spirit, the fruit and efficacy of all that he had done on earth by the command of his Father, according to the saying of Paul, "He humbled and annihilated himself, by taking the form of a servant. Therefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, (Philippians 2:7, 10.)"
5. The glory which I had with thee. He desires to be glorified with the Father, not that the Father may glorify him secretly, without any witnesses, but that, having been received into heaven, he may give a magnificent display of his greatness and power, that every knee may bow to him, (Philippians 2:10.) Consequently, that phrase in the former clause, with the Father, is contrasted with earthly and fading glory, as Paul describes the blessed immortality of Christ, by saying that he died to sin once, but now he liveth to God, (Romans 6:10.)
The glory which I had with thee before the world was. He now declares that he desires nothing that does not strictly belong to him, but only that he may appear in the flesh, such as he was before the creation of the world; or, to speak more plainly, that the Divine majesty, which he had always possessed, may now be illustriously displayed in the person of the Mediator, and in the human flesh with which he was clothed. This is a remarkable passage, which teaches us that Christ is not a God who has been newly contrived, or who has existed only for a time; for if his glory was eternal, himself also has always been. Besides, a manifest distinction between the person of Christ and the person of the rather is here expressed; from which we infer, that he is not only the eternal God, but also that he is the eternal Word of God, begotten by the rather before all ages.
Here, the attempt is made to show the reader that God's divine plan of salvation is summed up in the nature and mission of Jesus Christ himself. This is important, because, we also understand the nature and doctrine of theosis within the verses of John 17:1-5. The purpose and mission of Christ.
God's divine work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of humanity through exaltation
While the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox holds to the doctrine of Theosis. The Church of Jesus Christ teaches the idea of eternal progression and the doctrine of exaltation. This coincides with the divine plan of salvation. It brings an enriching and deeply empowering understanding of our main purpose in this life.
Through our human experience, the mission and atonement of Jesus Christ, our understanding of God's nature helps us define life's meaning and purpose so that we may potentially reach exaltation. Or, in other words, become like our Heavenly Parents. The entire glory of God's divine work in creation culminates in us obtaining and securing an exalted and glorified body of flesh and bone. This is accomplished through the various sacred ordinances and covenants we make. Namely, through the ordinance of Baptism (Romans 6), participation in sacred ordinances pertaining to the marriage ceremony (as previously discussed in the second essay response), and coming to fully realize our own potential.
Our identity is not only tied into the creation of God's image and likeness, our identity is specifically tied into the nature of God's divine plan for man and woman. Elder Tad Callister gave a speech on - Our Identity and Our Destiny at a BYU Devotional:
First, our identity. There is a sentiment among many in the world that we are the spirit creations of God, just as a building is the creation of its architect or a painting the creation of its painter or an invention the creation of its inventor. The scriptures teach, however, a much different doctrine. They teach that we are more than creations of God; they teach that we are the literal spirit offspring or children of God our Father. What difference does this doctrinal distinction make? The difference is monumental in its consequence because our identity determines in large measure our destiny. For example, can a mere creation ever become like its creator? Can a building ever become an architect? A painting a painter? Or an invention an inventor? If not, then those who believe we are creations of God, rather than His spirit offspring, reach the inevitable conclusion that we do not have the capacity to become like our creator, God. In essence, their doctrine of identity has defined and dictated a diminished destiny.
On the other hand, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that we are the spirit offspring of God with inherited spiritual traits that give us the divine potential to become like our parent, God the Father. As to this identity, President Packer has written:
You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it. However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line. You are a child of God! It is this doctrine of identity that defines our potential destiny of godhood. If one does not correctly understand his divine identity, then he will never correctly understand his divine destiny. They are, in truth, inseparable partners.
What, then, has God revealed to us about our destiny? He has spoken clearly and frequently and forthrightly on this subject from the very beginning. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, they lived in a state of innocence—meaning they only had a limited knowledge of good and evil. Lehi described their condition as follows: “Wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin” (2 Nephi 2:23).
In order for us to understand, as Elder Callister teaches, for us to understand the meaning of life, we come to understand our identity. Through our identity, as revealed in scripture and modern day revelation, we then can begin to understand the very nature and heart of our life meaning and purpose. Namely, we were created for a divine purpose to carry on not only God's image in this life, to also progress and endure in order to inherit divine nature of God. Elder Callister points to scripture references where we are Heirs and Joint-Heirs with Christ.
Conclusion
In this three part essay, this writer made an attempt in responding to the erroneous understanding and teaching of Biblical Gender Roles article on: Why God's Identification as Male is Key to Understanding Life Meaning. This required some examination to objections noted as the main points of the article:
Objection One: Nature of God and the Creation of Humanity as it relates to likeness and image. Objection Two: The perpetuation of a second century gnostic teaching and the understanding of God's ontological nature and anthropomorphic scriptures
Objection three: Linguistic survey of Biblical languages
Objective four: The specific nature a divine Heavenly Mother/Goddess and the correlation of femininity, womanhood, and motherhood as evident in Ancient Near East tradition and Biblical accounts
Objection five: the nature of the Wedding ceremony and it's symbolism to the nature of gender roles as specified within the marriage. How this wedding and marriage is of an Eternal design
Finally, the focus was on answering the question that the writer at Biblical Gender Roles attempted to set out and answer. Namely, humanities identity and divine destiny as it relates to life meaning and purpose.
The reality is that the writer fails to properly capture the nature of God's divine nature, Humanities divine identity and destiny, and the real answer to life's meaning.
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