Spiritually Won Knowledge Part 7

From: B S TURNER Owner

bturner12@centurylink.net

Spiritually Won Knowledge Part 7

 

Did you get a chance to read that paragraph from Oakman again? Two things immediately jumped out at me –

It is not blind trust in an unimaginable mystery. It is an inward light which sheds its radiance on the pathway before us.

"The Faith" (and we use the capital "F") is not a key idea leading to enlightened thought. It is something enkindled in man, and is the urge to righteous action

When we consider that our faith is a light on the pathway of life one can see the tool that the Lord has provided for us to understand and see so many things that we believe are mysteries when in reality they are not!

If we read a bit further Oakman goes into some detail

The faith of the church is best understood as men direct their minds toward God. When we think only of each other, then that faith wavers and our sight grows dim, and the sense of direction uncertain. The gospel does not originate in the minds of men, nor in their needs. It originates in the nature of God. It is a disclosure of the truth.

This was first printed in 1961…and the statement is as relevant today as it was then. Ever since it was written we have been thinking only of each other and how we can be the one(s) that sit on the right hand of God. Right now many of you will be rolling your eyes or maybe even commenting out loud “that is not me and you (Brian) are wrong to assume” …maybe…but…

How can one argue with Oakman’s statement in light of where we are? What Oakman is saying is we have not always put God or his ways first. I confess that has been me and my life in so many ways and way too many days. Many times in our/my effort to do the will of God we want to tweak it some, make it better, more modern maybe even relevant to today.

When Curry wrote this I dug deep into the scriptures as it made so much sense!

FIRSTLY, There needs to be a growing realization that the loving Creator of stupendously vast universes has immense reservoirs, as it were, of intelligence, of spiritual illumination, o£ highest motivation, of keenest analysis, of far sighted perception and abilities to plan. These resources He would gladly make available to those who would love Him. (Characteristic #4)

And why would he not have all of these things for us if we are told he wants to commune with us! He wants to communicate at His level not ours. I think of it as a parent talking with a child and how that conversation changes once the child grows up.

This led me to Latter Day Revelation…

D&C 100:7a All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.

D&C 90:6a The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth; and light and truth forsaketh that evil one.

And then to the Bible

2 Peter 1:5-7

 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

1:6 And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness;

1:7 And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.

This is the urging to righteous action – do you see it? When you put it all together the direction and actions are as close to us as Christ was to the Brother of Jared before he was able to see the Christ.

God Bless

Brian Turner