Continuing from a previous post, ‘As Obedient Children II’, Neal A. Maxwell wrote:
“Submitting, but only episodically, is a tell tale sign. Such reluctance is evidence of weak faith. So is putting off obedience. Sufficient submissiveness to kneel now means that we will not be strangers to that posture later when “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ” (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10; Doctrine and covenants 76:110; 88:104). It will take no faith to renounce worldly things when these are among the ashes of a melted planet (3 Nephi 26:3; Doctrine & Covenants 43:32, Ether 4:9).
Meanwhile, spiritual submissiveness brings about the wiser use of our time, talents, and gifts as compared with our laboring diligently but conditionally to establish our own righteousness instead of the Lord’s (Doctrine and Covenants 1:16). After all, Lucifer was willing to work very hard, but conditionally in his own way and for his own purposes (Moses 4:1).
Those who insist on walking in their own way will find that all such paths, however individualistic in appearance, will converge at that wide way and broad gate—where there will be a tremendous traffic jam.
Are we really ready, therefore, to accept the reality that there is only one Name and only one way whereby we can obtain salvation? (2 Nephi 31:21). Bending the knees of intellect, then, requires us to:
yield ourselves to God, . . . as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6:13)
fast, and pray oft, and [to] wax stronger and stronger in [our] humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto filling [our] souls with joy and consolation,
yea, even to the purifying and sanctification of [our] hearts, which sanctification cometh because of [our] yielding our hearts unto God (Helaman 3:35).
yield [ourselves] unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary (2 Chronicles 30:8).
Giving place in our souls and in our schedules, making room for God’s words and work (Alma 32:7; see also 1 Nephi 21:20), requires intellectual submissiveness. It requires us to be responsive to all entreaties from the Lord, rather than being dependent upon thunderbolts to move us, or upon being commanded in all things (Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28). Submission requires sufficient dedication and perspiration to “try the experiment” of His gospels goodness (Alma 34:4), to begin to follow Him in earnest.
When Jesus said, “Come follow me,” it was an invitation, not a taunt. Moreover, His firm footprints are especially recognizable. They reflect no hesitancy, and no turning aside; they lie in a straight path. The prints are also sunk inerasably deep into the soil of the second estate because of the heavy burdens He bore. A portion of that depth is attributable to us, individually, because we added to the heaviness of His pressing yoke.
Yet how can we have the necessary faith to be submissive if we are filled with sharp doubts and nagging questions?
~Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (deceased), from his book ‘Not My Will, but Thine’ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1988) 13-15
The first post of this series can be found at: ‘As Obedient Children’
