LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD OCTOBER 12, 2023

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD OCTOBER 12, 2023

To the faithful Saints around the world, Greetings,

The world and its people continue in great turmoil as it seems many of the people are turning away from our only hope, God. The world and its citizens are in great need of the light of the world and salt of the earth.

As you know, in Matthew 5:15-18 15 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall thenceforth be good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden underfoot of men. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 17 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house. 18 Therefore, let your light so shine before this world, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The Inspired Version reads differently than all other translations because in it Jesus says “I give unto you to be the salt and light.” We cannot be the salt of the earth or light of the world without the power and blessing of God. It is not easy to be the salt and light in our sinful world, but that is our calling.

Do others “see us” as salt and light? Or do they see us just like everyone else. So, how can we be that salt and light that Jesus has given us to be?

We must live in obedience to all of God’s commandments and not just those that are more convenient for us. Convenience and being part of the “in crowd” has never been the “privilege” of faithful servants of God. There has to be something for us to “endure.” Just “hanging in there” may not be the solution.

When we function as the salt of the earth and light of the world we most likely will be put on trial in many ways. Not necessarily a legal trial in court, but in the ”court of our daily living.” What is your reputation at work, school, play, home, church, etc?

If we are indeed “Living in the Kingdom of God,” and are working diligently for the time when His kingdom on earth will be as it is in heaven, what must be the life we live? We are to let our light so shine before this world, that they may see our good works and glorify God. Are there problems in our homes, families, branches, communities, etc? Are we, each of us, able and willing to be the light that Jesus gave us the stewardship of being? Many Saints are waiting to be told what they need to be doing. High Priest Marlin Guin, in his class at Kirtland, stated that on three occasions he asked God a question and God’s answer each time was, “I’ve already told you.”

It is very obvious throughout scripture that people did their own thing rather than obeying what God had told them to do. For a little homework assignment, write down at least ten times when people did not respond as God has instructed. Make one of those ten a time when you personally did not respond as God directed. What might be your conversation with one of the five wise virgins and one of the foolish virgins? What might be their advice to you?

Remember the words of Joshua to the Israelites in Joshua 1:7-9. “7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses, my servant, commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid; neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord, thy God, is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

God Bless

Paul Gage