Blog #89 June 19, 2024
Isaiah 5:20-21
5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
5:21 Woe unto the wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
In this world today God and the word of God have a very able challenger. As I see it the liar and the hypocrite own the churches of the world today, and it appears that the hearts of the people are on their list of “things” to possess. Their ability to stay hidden among the sheep is at best problematic. I mean, it’s not as if all the hypocrites were wearing t-shirts with a big “H” on them. They are so well hidden that at times the hypocrite themself are not even aware of their hypocrisy. In short, those that claim to believe the ways of God and have sworn to uphold them are threatening the truth we depend on so much.
2 Timothy 3:2-5
3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
3:4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.
Look closely at all that was given to Timothy. We have here a very insightful description of the world today whichever side of the doors to the church you are standing on. On one side of the doors we see a world in open rebellion to God. On the other side is rebellion, too with a fresh coat of paint that is supposed to hide the corruption. In fact, it is only hidden from those that don’t want to see. In Proverbs we see that Solomon not only recognizes the problem, he offers us a solution.
Proverbs11:9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor; but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
The hypocrite learns the ways of God, but refuses to open their heart to the Spirit. They seek to know God in a way that denies God’s true nature. They seek to prove to the world that the integrity of man can yield the ways of the Kingdom. The hypocrite labors for his own glory certain that humility and the Spirit are not needed. Born in fear and nourished with pride the hypocrite denies the Spirit and the growth of God’s wisdom in his heart. They are left with only pride and rebellion, and in this, they grow.
The hypocrite is a fraud, but in some applications, his hypocrisy seems plausible, especially to the unbeliever. This is dangerous enough, but the actions of the hypocrite threaten the Kingdom itself when their hypocrisy become common knowledge and accepted truth.
3 Nephi 7:34-35
7:34 And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you, At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations;
7:35 And if they shall do all these things, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fullness of my gospel from among them;
In today’s world the accepted fraud in the churches of the world, destroys joy within believing peoples. Their lies cause many to despair and turn away from churches and organized worship. Those that remain have no way left to reach out to a non-believing world because the world knows and is sure that what they are being told is a lie. The situation becomes even worse when the clergy is found to be the biggest fraud of all. The whole institution regardless of sect or doctrines becomes to the world a gathering of predators that will steal from them all their money, their integrity, and yes even their innocence. The world at large testifies of a church whose God offers doctrines that are treacherous lies and ordinances that are completely devoid of any righteousness. Listen closely and you will hear a desperate people crying out for the loving nurture of a true God, His people, and His truth.
Matthew 6:2 Therefore, when thou doest alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men; for, verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the hypocrites do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:17 Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.
The work of the hypocrite causes money, possessions, political power, and fame to replace righteousness as the goal of organized religion. They seek the recognition of the world through monumental edifices, astounding numbers of willing members, and bank accounts of surplus that should make them blush. Their leaders have become drenched with political power and academic recognition. So much so that their inability to cause righteousness becomes no great lose if they can retain the ability to cause many to follow them in their unrighteous path.
Alma 16:103-107
16:103 Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride.
16:104 Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world.
16:105 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with;
16:106 And behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say, We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish. 16:107 Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto them, that there shall be no Christ.
The churches of the world call out to God in the manner of the people Alma described and look what it has yielded. Are our streets safe? What is more important in the world today, a good name or good credit scores? Whether it is presidents, governors, teachers, or clergy, do we trust those who govern us? Are charitable organizations actually charitable? Do we have reason to rejoice or has our God been overthrown?
In the world, unbelievers as a whole ask these same questions. Our labor is to provide them with creditable answers. Our words may be the truth we know them to be, but are they enough? Our scriptures may contain all the keys to righteousness, but what is there that makes them believable. Are our lives a testimony of all we speak? Are our fellowships a living witness of the scriptures we study? God knew that man required a temporal example of a willing obedience that caused righteousness to grow. He sent Christ as that example. For our labors to be successful, Christ’s example of willing obedience and sacrificial love must be alive in the world. We as a people have covenanted with God to be that example. We must do just exactly that.
2 Nephi 13:24-26
13:24 For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water: and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire, and by the Holy Ghost.
13:25 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son;
13:26 And ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye enter in by the way, ye should receive.
We have received so much. In fact we have received all we have ask for and more. We stand in a place of knowledge beyond all we ever hoped for and righteousness yet to be used. Appreciate what we have been given, and recognize the next step in our growth.
Hebrews 6:1-3
6:1 Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
6:3 And we will go on unto perfection if God permit.
The author of Hebrews gives us a purpose to strive for. In the passage below Nephi questions our true understanding of the labor in God we seek. He then challenges us to turn the words of scripture into a true labor with God. He directs us in a way that will turn the humble compassion of our hearts into acts of charity capable of becoming the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven.
2 Nephi13:27-29
13:27 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask, if all is done?
13:28 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far, save it were by the word of Christ, with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save;
13:29 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
This then is our labor. We must allow the Spirit to teach us how to cause the spiritual ways we are taught to become the temporal ways we live. We must be that people, which allow our willing obedience to cause righteousness in the world. Our failure to do this has allowed the hypocrite to have dominion over the hearts of man and their worship of the Father. Our labor is to repaint the picture that is the church in the world today. We must end that which has been and establish that which is ancient, obedient, and righteous, but we must prepare ourselves for that which we will find. For, the hypocritical man has caused the world to believe that God is to blame for all that we lack. God knows better.
Jeremiah 16:10-13
16:10 And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt show this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the Lord our God? 16:11 Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the Lord, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshiped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;
16:12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk everyone after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me; 16:13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not show you favor.
Is all hope lost? Should we give up, run, and hide? No, our God is a wonderful God, and in Him is both justice and mercy, but it is up to us to choose His ways and release God from the bondage our inaction has caused. God’s ways must be allowed to become our testimony to the world of that which can be. To the covenanted man justice and judgment, become mercy and truth. In the face of reconciliation and repentance, God is allowed the freedom to act as our Father instead of being the nameless God of judgment. He is our Father and he reaches out to us through His Spirit. Mercy and truth are the by-products of the presence of the Holy Spirit that teaches of the purpose of God. When we seek that purpose, we are taking a position of willing obedience. When we do this, we have the Father and the Son working with us and for us and us for them. The world can become a proper place for all holiness to happen. It is in this place that eternal joy and grace are abundant. We are taught that this place is called Zion.
Genesis 7:20-23
7:20 And from that time forth, there were wars, and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.
7:21 And the fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord which was upon his people.
7:22 And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.
7:23 And the Lord called his people, Zion, because they were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them.
Such is the wisdom we seek, and the purpose we follow. Let us do it together.
FRED