"But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.
Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent."
As I pondered over these verses I now believe the person being spoken of had full knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and then chose to turn back to their carnal nature and will. They openly rebelled against God, and his prophets. At that point the devil has all power over them. I would think then it would include blindness to their true state. When the prophet or church leader calls them to repentance they choose not to. I can see such a person then calling that oppression and doing all they can to fight against the church. This is such a slippery path one sets themselves on. The whole time the Lord's arms are stretched out still to them. Mercy and forgiveness will be extended when they desire to repent. Loving church leaders try to call them back but they are deaf to it. What a sad state to allow the devil to have all power over you. What a tragedy and loss. Sadly, in the end the judgment that will be held against them by the Lord will absolutely be just, for this is what they had chosen for themselves. This is why I have to be so careful to do the Father's will and not my will.
"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."
(Mosiah 3:19)
Day 1845
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