Welcome to the Verbal Motivation Podcast. Where we talk about the things that motivate our lives, our religion and our relationships. My name is Nathan Vail.
If you would like to comment on this episode or participate in future shows, please go podinbox.com/verbalmotivation and leave me a voicemail about what you think.
This is episode number five called, Leaning Against The Church.
Russel M. Nelson in April 2016 said, “I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power, because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world.”
I find it interesting that the first “sin” he listed was laziness.
I believe that mediocrity is as dangerous if not the same thing as apostasy.
In revelations 3:15 is says, “…because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
When I used to go to the gym, there were always a couple of people leaning against the machines talking to their friends. They would be in that same position when I left an hour later. It didn’t bother me and I never thought much of it. Until one day I got off my machine (exhausted) and I walked past one of them just in time to hear him say that he doesn’t understand why he is not losing any weight when he comes to the gym every day. I almost tripped as I went up the stairs. Apparently he felt that just being in the gym counted whether he exercised or not.
As I drove home, I couldn’t help thinking about the danger in coming here to Earth and spending our time "leaning" against the Church. Not really doing much of anything unless we are asked to; but, assuming that since we show up to church each week that we are secured a place in heaven.
Matthew 3:9 says, “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”
You can almost hear the disdain in John The Baptist's voice as he rebuked descendants of Abraham who assumed because of the promise given to Abraham regarding his seed, that their lineage alone would be enough to secure them a place in heaven.
Just like the socializers at the gym and these literal descendants of Abraham; just showing up to church, though an important first step, is not in itself enough to save us. You must actively participate in your own salvation.
Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
The church of Jesus Christ is meant to be challenging. It is in that challenge that we find growth.
Brigham Young “This is a world in which we are to prove ourselves. The lifetime of man is a day of trial, wherein we may prove to God, in our darkness, in our weakness, and where the enemy reigns, that we are our Father’s friends…”
But The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a race or a competition. There is no required pace. But sometimes it doesn’t feel that way when we show up to church and begin comparing ourselves to others who seem to be progressing faster than we are. Such comparisons can become discouraging, the way seeing other more fit people in the gym can be.
In a profound talk called The Imperfect Harvest, Elder Vern P. Stanfill said, “When we compare ourselves to others, there can be only two results. Either we will see ourselves as better than others and become judgmental and critical of them, or we will see ourselves as less than others and become anxious, self-critical, and discouraged.”
We need to recognize that we are all imperfect and the spirit finds us where we are and teaches us from there, despite any other distracting personalities that may seem to be running faster. But it requires effort.
I love walking into a restaurant when I am hungry and smelling all the delicious food cooking. But there is no nourishment from the smell of food. Our nose is meant to point us in the right direction.
I believe that is the purpose in coming to church in a lot of ways. It should gets us excited about what The Gospel is, but if we don’t go home and turn that excitement into some kind of experience, we have only really smelled The Gospel…and you could say that, man cannot live on smell alone.
In fact, the human body is dependent on constant nourishment. According to a Duke University study the human body can survive only 100 hours without water. Each time you finish drinking you begin a 100 hour countdown.
Our spirits are no different. So the question is, how long can your spirit survive without meaningful nourishment? I called the folks over at Duke University to ask, but the guy just hung up on me.
But we don’t want to try and go as long as we can. Just the opposite. We want to bask in the light so often that it becomes second nature to us.
Some of our christian brothers and sisters accuse us of trying to save ourselves through works. We do indeed put a lot of emphasis on works. What they don’t understand is that works don’t save us, they change us.
Calvin Coolage once said, “all growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort….”
Working out can be painful, but we cannot progress spiritually, if we are just leaning against the church.
My Name is Nathan Vail and this is the Verbal Motivation Podcast.