In the World You Shall Have Trouble

March 2008
In the World You Shall Have Trouble

The world as I will refer to it hereafter begs a definition. Satan claims dominion in this world and over all that is in it....of any value. (Moses 6:15). In Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life, the large and spacious building represents the pride of the world, and the folks in the building proved their allegiance by their dress and manners. (1 Nephi 11:35 12:18). We are not to seek the things of the world, though it clambers for our attention (3 Nephi 6:15 Jacob 2:18).
There seems to be a difference in definition scripturally between the world and the earth. The term world refers to a condition or state, whereas the term earth refers to the planet. The earth is not to be destroyed, but renewed. The world is to be destroyed entirely.
The world holds nothing but trouble for those who seek the Kingdom of God. The reason for this is quite simple to understand. The world is in direct opposition to the Kingdom of God. There is a war going on. Satan rules the world and is seeking to dethrone Jesus Christ and assume His power. In the end, our allegiance to one or the other is required. They who align themselves with the world will find that they are in opposition to the Kingdom of God. They who align themselves with the Kingdom of God will find that they are in opposition to the world.
Jesus makes this point before Pilate.
"Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell in thee of me?
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Pitate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."(John 18:33-37)
In another place we read: "Therefore I say unto you, that he that will not hear my voice, the same shall ye not receive into my church, for him I will not receive at the last day."(Mosiah 26:28)
Isaiah, speaking Messianicly says, "Harken unto me, my people, and give ear unto me, O my nation; for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgement to rest for a light for my people.
Harken unto me ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." (2 Nephi 8:4,7)
Reproach and revilings are not very nice words. They sound a lot like trouble. As a matter of fact, trouble is what we can expect from this world when we choose the Kingdom of God.
Having established then that the kingdom of God is not of this world, and assuming that the kingdom of God is what we desire, then our allegiance to it will demand certain obvious choices, which will then bring about certain consequences. The circumstance we find ourselves in is much like the school boy who finds himself on the side opposite the big bullies. Our choice is to conform to their demands and to be like them, or face the ridicule the pranks, and the occasional beatings that are dished out to the non-conformers.
Some think that by conforming we can avoid the beatings and the reviling, and reproaches. So, they struggle to fit in, or to at least look like they are. They wear the bullies styles in the hope that they will be accepted. They become familiar with bully’s music, their favorite shows, and their language in order to be accepted when allegiance comes into question. It’s always been interesting to me how we will do things that we don’t want to do, or don’t feel good about just because it will make us more accepted. But, sadly the bullies won’t be our friends for long, even if we go along with them. They will in the end betray us, and all of the effort to fit in will have been for nothing.
Some believe that we can play both sides. Sort of, fit the crowd that you’re with. This never works. We will be found out eventually. We just can’t show allegiance to one without being a traitor to the other, no matter how clever we are. Father Lehi’s dream demonstrates this fact very well. The dream of the Tree of Life is a revelation about this life’s challenge. We start just like everyone else in the lone and dreary waste, or large field, as if it were the world. We feel forward just as so many do, seeking to find a purpose, or a reason for our existence. Some head straight for the building. They see the party going on and see nothing else. Many press toward to the path and the rod of iron, in the hope of finding some reason, and fulfilment. It seems to me that when the journey begins the terrain in easy and flat and getting to the building or the path does not take much effort. The headwaters of the river are visible from the tree so that would suggest that crossing or even going around it would not be much of a problem. It’s after we get down the path a bit that choices seem to have larger consequences, and the choices become clearer.
Even with the great gulf, and rushing river, and the choices so clear some still cave in to the bullies in the building. Once we get to the Tree of Life there can be no mistake about the choices. The folks in the building make it clear that we are out of touch and out of style with the "real" world. We are told that we lack the skills, the clothes, the vocabulary, etc. required to be in their company. But at the tree, we find that we are in the company of many who just don’t care what the world thinks. They are feasting upon the fruit, and demonstrating by their choice their allegiance to the Kingdom of God. What matters to them, is doing the right thing, making the right choice.
There is another observation to be made here. The folks in the building didn’t leave the building and traverse the river and the great gulf to personally proselyte or beat up the partakers of the fruit. They prefer to do their dirty work from a distance. This is so evident in society today as the perceived no-it-alls spread their doctrine from the comfort of the mainstream media. Their battle is waged with words, looks, and pointing fingers. Sadly, many respond to their reviling, and scoffing, and change their allegiance.
Some believe that a short trip to the building can’t hurt much. They’ll just run over there for a bit and come right back. Again, Lehi’s dream show us something here worthy of consideration. One can not get to the building from the tree without crossing the filthy river. This metaphor is powerful. No matter how clever you are, or how well you disguise your intentions, or carefully you proceed, you just can’t escape the river. You will have to cross, and you will get wet and dirty in the process. Nephi’s description of the river makes it sound like a river of toxic waste, a perfect representation of what this world has to offer. Such a river would leave one scarred and damaged for life. Only the most skillful of physicians could correct such otherwise irreversible damage. Thus the need for the atonement, and the process of repentance.
Once clothed in "costly apparel"(another great metaphor) it is difficult to look across the gulf with the filthy river deep below, and be willing to risk all on such an uncertain journey. The return trip would be difficult indeed, and not for the faint hearted. The cost is the same for every soul. All must be lost, that all might be gained. We are required to give all to the Kingdom of God without reservation, not holding back anything. All of our time, all talents, and everything we are blessed with, forsaking the world with it’s shallow offers, and deceptive awards. The return trip will undoubtably destroy the fancy clothes. This point is demonstrated with consequence in the New Testament story of Ananias and Sapphira who acted the part of loyalists but loved the world more and lost everything.(Acts 5:1-10) We just can’t have it both ways. Sooner or later there will be a reckoning.
In this world we will have trouble. But trouble will be the opportunity to show our allegiance. "And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto the obedient."(Moses 5:11)
The choice is before us. To choose the Kingdom of God, all things must be tested against the infallible judge of the Holy Spirit, the voice of God. Where there is no deception. For all who are of His Kingdom will hear His voice and through obedience will know truth.