Here’s a concept to ponder . . .
In the beginning, our relationship with God is rather primitive. We start out fearing Him and following His “commandments” in the hope of appeasing Him or avoiding punishment.
We later get some insight that allows us to see Him as a more loving God. As a result of that insight and growth, we begin to view the commandments as warnings and blessings that will benefit us if we heed them.
Developmentally there is a point somewhere far distant along this path where we become a “friend” of God. Abraham achieved this. When he did, the relationship was quite different than what it was in the beginning.
When the Lord requested Isaac be sacrificed, it wasn’t a “commandment.” The language in the KJV Bible is too coarse to really communicate the idea underlying what happened. It wasn’t a “commandment” to Abraham. It was more of a polite suggestion. It was an expression of the Lord’s preference. The suggestion was quite gentle. Abraham responded to this polite suggestion from the Lord by proceeding without question. He was willing to sacrifice his long awaited heir.
Now if you can get your hands around this idea, then you can begin to see the difference between where our relationship with God starts and where it should eventually end. At the beginning, our relationship with God is quite primitive. At the end it is a trusted, loving friend in whom absolute confidence resides in the one who has become His friend.
There is such a profound difference between one end of the spectrum and the other that it hinders our understanding of the examples we see in scripture. We distort things considerably when we view His relationships with others in the scriptures in the same context we relate to Him.
When a person has become a “friend” of God, they are introduced to another level of language and experience with Him. When they become a member of His family, they have yet another kind of relationship. The openness and love that exists, and the accompanying trust that goes with it, is something quite distinct from the coarse beginnings of the path.
The faiths which view our relationship to God as “slave to master” are only in the beginning of the process. From that end things which seem to be alright (and may even be alright) are different from what is found further along the progression.
Your end is to become part of the household of God, a member of the Church of the Firstborn, and a family member of God the Father. When that happens, the relationship is considerably more polite and respectful than it is when you are first experiencing awareness of God’s existence and His commandments to bring us light and truth.
I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.
This, at the end of the journey, from Nephi should be indicative of where we are trying to go.
Brent.
Friends bear and share each others burdens. Friendship for me is sacred. I strive to be a friend to all but there are a few whom which I feel the relationship truly reciprocal and those relationships are a pure joy and light to me. These are those that I have walked miles of this life’s journey with, who know my heart, my joys and my sorrows. They are those that believe in me and honor who are not afriad to challenge me. They are whom I would gladly give all to support and sacrifice so they may be happy. I look forward to the sublime association to my Savior.
Very well said. Thank you so much.
Isn’t this the natural progression of every loving parent-child relationship?
“And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power..”
Friends embrace.