Also, I'm posting in the format I'm using to Learn from the new Duty to God program. I like to personalize the scripture I'm studying by putting it in the first person. Then I pick out phrases that help me feel the Spirit and write about them. This has transformed my scripture study over the last week.
Helaman 3:29-30
We see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—
And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.
Personalized. I may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil that I’m caught in, and lead me in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf me if I'm wicked—and land my soul, yea, my immortal soul, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven…
quick. The word of God is living, meaning He will apply it to my personal life through the Holy Ghost. I do not have to rely on the words of dead men, or even other living men. I have my own reception.
the word of God…shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil. The purpose of God’s word is to pierce Satan’s lies and expose them for the falsehood they are. Part of His word is the commandments.
lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery. Indeed, God’s is the voice of experience, one who has safely navigated across the “everlasting gulf of misery.” As an analogy, I think of Taran using Adaon's brooch to lead his companions across the Marshes of Morva while the Huntsmen fell into the swamps and were drowned.
that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked. God did not create the gulf. It is not everlasting because it is His creation. It is everlasting because it is always ready to engulf men of any age who behave in a certain way (i.e., wickedly).
whosoever will may...land their souls...at the right hand of God. My eternal destination is up to me. This is a paradox: it's up to me, but Christ accomplishes it. Without Christ, my eternal destination would be fixed; I could never return to my Heavenly Father. But because of Christ, I have a choice.
I like (and agree with) the thought that God blesses to the max and punishes to the min. I've heard it somewhere before, perhaps it was in discussion with you. I've been curious about the new D2G program, I need to take a look at it.
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