All The Other Stuff...

[Carborendum]

The following is a metaphor for a spiritual lesson that I gleaned from a common experience.

I tend to spend a lot of time listening to the proceedings before Judge Fleischer (a local judge in Houston).  I really identify with him.  All his questions, his reactions, his application of judgment and mercy, his eventual judgments tend to be spot on (in my estimation).

Recently, he had a man who had been in front of him for various alcohol related offenses.  He was told to take some classes, undergo therapy, and adhere to curfew and other restrictions.  And during this time he was to abstain from alcohol entirely.

Well, he took that to mean that if he did all that other stuff, then he could imbibe in moderation... ahhh... no... His ankle monitor with alcohol sensor alerted the court (which, BTW meant that it was NOT in moderation anyway).

When he was brought before Judge Fleischer (again) the judge was not happy.  After a tongue lashing from the judge, the defendant asked, "So even after I did all that other stuff, I don't get any credit for it?"  Well, he kind of missed the whole point.  The judge realized that everything he told the defendant went in one ear and out the other.  So, he just told the bailiff to take him away.

I consider this a lesson in the whole faith vs works argument.  It shouldn't be one or the other.  It is both.  They build on one another.

Edited December 27, 2024 by Carborendum

[NeuroTypical]

The notion of "I've done x and y, that's good enough.  The z I did shouldn't matter because of the x and y" is a red flag, depending on the severity of the z.

Edited December 27, 2024 by NeuroTypical

[Traveler]

9 hours ago, Carborendum said:

The following is a metaphor for a spiritual lesson that I gleaned from a common experience.

I tend to spend a lot of time listening to the proceedings before Judge Fleischer (a local judge in Houston).  I really identify with him.  All his questions, his reactions, his application of judgment and mercy, his eventual judgments tend to be spot on (in my estimation).

Recently, he had a man who had been in front of him for various alcohol related offenses.  He was told to take some classes, undergo therapy, and adhere to curfew and other restrictions.  And during this time he was to abstain from alcohol entirely.

Well, he took that to mean that if he did all that other stuff, then he could imbibe in moderation... ahhh... no... His ankle monitor with alcohol sensor alerted the court (which, BTW meant that it was NOT in moderation anyway).

When he was brought before Judge Fleischer (again) the judge was not happy.  After a tongue lashing from the judge, the defendant asked, "So even after I did all that other stuff, I don't get any credit for it?"  Well, he kind of missed the whole point.  The judge realized that everything he told the defendant went in one ear and out the other.  So, he just told the bailiff to take him away.

I consider this a lesson in the whole faith vs works argument.  It shouldn't be one or the other.  It is both.  They build on one another.

It is my opinion that even among Christians (disciples of Christ) there is a gross misunderstanding of mercy, justice and repentance.  Perhaps the most common symbol of this gross misunderstanding is the Pagan (worldly) notion of the judgment of souls after death by the scale of Mott.  Generally, the idea of the scale of Mott is that we are judged with our good deeds on one side and evil deeds on the other.  If the weight of one side is greater than the other the scale will tip to that side.  If it tips to the good side, then the soul receives the benefits of divine good.  If the scale tips to the evil side, then the soul receives the maledictions of demonic evil.

This whole idea of the scale of Mott gives rise to the concept of making it into heaven.  In essence, that something (usually something divine) outside of us will determine our eternal fate.  I believe that the restored truth is that we are given agency to determine completely by ourselves our own eternal circumstances.   That the final judgment of soles is merely a clarification of our the exercising of our agency.  We are told that all blessings are predicated on obedience to the laws that govern and define eternal blessings or maledictions.

I believe that if we are to have a healthy body then we must learn to be obedient to the laws of good health.  The same applies to wealth and even things like joy, happiness, liberty and so on.  In reality it is this discipline of obedience.  It is said that nothing of value is ever accomplished without discipline.

I would agree that faith and works are tightly coupled.  What I submit as that coupling is discipline.

 

The Traveler

[Vort]

19 hours ago, Traveler said:

This whole idea of the scale of Mott gives rise to the concept of making it into heaven.

I loved Utah. I loved living there. I loved the land, I loved the weather, and I very much loved the people. But one of the things I most definitely did not love was the widespread idea voiced among the Saints of whether one would "make it into heaven", as if exaltation and eternal life were a prize awarded to those students who scored best on their homework and exams. As much as I dislike and disagree with the non-Mormon caricature of Latter-day Saints as people who somehow believe they're earning their way into heaven, I have to admit that doctrines like "making it into heaven" very much give that appearance, and probably mindset.

[Traveler]

20 minutes ago, Vort said:

I loved Utah. I loved living there. I loved the land, I loved the weather, and I very much loved the people. But one of the things I most definitely did not love was the widespread idea voiced among the Saints of whether one would "make it into heaven", as if exaltation and eternal life were a prize awarded to those students who scored best on their homework and exams. As much as I dislike and disagree with the non-Mormon caricature of Latter-day Saints as people who somehow believe they're earning their way into heaven, I have to admit that doctrines like "making it into heaven" very much give that appearance, and probably mindset.

Utah has the best skiing.  I also love the Settle area.  I loved the northwest when I served my mission and Settle was my favorite.  It is true that Settle has a woke elitist attitude (among some) but the LDS members are incredible.  I would live near Settle of near Ashville NC in a heartbeat but my beloved prefers desert sun shine.  It would seem that this life demands sacrifices.

 

The Traveler