"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen."
1 Nephi 9:6
I know that some people I have run across think that the fact that God knows everything means that the universe is somehow predetermined, and forcing them into a certain situation. And I can understand that fear. If God already knows whether you are going to succeed or fail, then it seems hard to fight against the outcome... but the truth is, *we* don't know the outcome. That's one reason we've got the veil drawn and have lost our premortal memories, right? ... And the truth also is that we ALL have a chance to make it, no matter where we stand right at this moment. We can choose the right path TODAY. And it is also true that God wants us to succeed: that he will do everything in his power to help us and encourage us to choose the right. He isn't somehow fighting less strongly than Satan for our souls. He is fighting harder... allowing us our choices, and the only time that we can't hear him anymore is when we choose not to listen. God doesn't give up on us... we give up on ourselves.
God's promise to Nephi, and his promise in this verse, isn't just for huge things like getting the brass plates, or moving a mountain... it works for anything that God says or asks of us. If he asks us to go to church, then there will be a way to get there. If he asks us to read our scriptures, then there will be a way to fit that into our day. ... And he does ask those things, and there is a way, just as there is always a way for us to get back on track and work our way to him, no matter what. It is just as easy to assume that we're preordained to achieve heaven as it is to assume hell, isn't it? Just because God knows it doesn't mean that we don't have our own choice... and it definitely doesn't mean we have an excuse to give up and not try anymore. :) So, today... let's try, knowing that God will prepare the way, and make anything he asks of us possible... and since he asks us to make it to heaven, and to be perfect... let's go for it. ;)
1 Nephi 9:6
I know that some people I have run across think that the fact that God knows everything means that the universe is somehow predetermined, and forcing them into a certain situation. And I can understand that fear. If God already knows whether you are going to succeed or fail, then it seems hard to fight against the outcome... but the truth is, *we* don't know the outcome. That's one reason we've got the veil drawn and have lost our premortal memories, right? ... And the truth also is that we ALL have a chance to make it, no matter where we stand right at this moment. We can choose the right path TODAY. And it is also true that God wants us to succeed: that he will do everything in his power to help us and encourage us to choose the right. He isn't somehow fighting less strongly than Satan for our souls. He is fighting harder... allowing us our choices, and the only time that we can't hear him anymore is when we choose not to listen. God doesn't give up on us... we give up on ourselves.
God's promise to Nephi, and his promise in this verse, isn't just for huge things like getting the brass plates, or moving a mountain... it works for anything that God says or asks of us. If he asks us to go to church, then there will be a way to get there. If he asks us to read our scriptures, then there will be a way to fit that into our day. ... And he does ask those things, and there is a way, just as there is always a way for us to get back on track and work our way to him, no matter what. It is just as easy to assume that we're preordained to achieve heaven as it is to assume hell, isn't it? Just because God knows it doesn't mean that we don't have our own choice... and it definitely doesn't mean we have an excuse to give up and not try anymore. :) So, today... let's try, knowing that God will prepare the way, and make anything he asks of us possible... and since he asks us to make it to heaven, and to be perfect... let's go for it. ;)
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