"So, you have heard me talk about the gospel before, right? Well, what is it? I think that you have made up your mind in the past that the gospel isn’t for you, that you don’t “fit the mold” and that you don’t think that living the gospel looks that fun anyway. Here’s the problem, I don’t think you have any idea what “the gospel” even is. Sure, you know a few things that are taught in the gospel, but since you have never seen the bigger picture, the gospel to you looks like a big list of do’s and don’ts, a bunch or restrictions on life. Am I right? Good guessing, huh? It’s actually not guessing at all, it’s experience. See, I have been where you are in my past. I have looked at things in very much the same way that you look at them. I only now understand how sadly limited my vision was.
You know how when you and I used to go up way high in the mountains and we would see some pretty amazing views, and experience some pretty cool stuff? Imagine seeing that view and having those experiences and then trying to explain it to someone who has never left their basement, and who doesn’t believe that such things exists. What if you told them how it feels to ride that motorcycle or that snowmobile, to smell the trees, to taste those huckleberries, to breathe that crisp air, and to feel that warm sunshine on your face, to swim in that water; and they said that they don’t believe you! What if you wanted to prove it to them, and so you said, “Look, all you have to do is stand up, put on some shoes and I’ll show these things to you,” and they responded, “See! Now you are trying to control me! You want to take away my freedom to sit in this dark basement my whole life! You are just judging me! You ask too much! I am just not like you, I don’t like to stand up; I don’t like to wear shoes! Now you’re giving me a bunch of do’s and don’ts! It’s just a bunch of restrictions! This “mountain experience” is just not for me, and is just something that you are making up anyway! I just don’t fit the “mountain experience” mold.” Can you imagine how hearing that would make you feel? In the mind of the guy in the basement the “mountain experience” is just what he can currently see while sitting in his dark basement (i.e., standing up, finding his shoes, putting on his shoes, tying his shoes, walking to the door, work, work, work, BORING, etc.); but to the person who has been to the top of the mountain, those little “do’s and don’ts” are WAY WORTH IT. Those little do’s and don’ts are NOT the “mountain experience” at all! They are just the small things that allow me to get to the “mountain experience.” He sees the big picture. Well, here’s the point: the gospel is like that “mountain experience” but only a million times better! And please believe me buddy, your view right now is very limited. You are in a basement and are missing out on a whole world of awesome things that you would absolutely LOVE! The gospel is freedom, it is liberating, exciting, and happy! It is REAL! It is life! It is EVERYTHING!
I know that someday you and everyone on earth will get a view of what I am talking about. You WILL one day step out of that basement and walk out into the sunshine and fresh air where you will see for yourself that the “mountain experience” was really there the whole time. When this happens to you, I know with 100% certainty that you will of your own free will choose the gospel over the basement. I KNOW IT! It will be like Heavenly Father will just lovingly stand you up, help you find your shoes, help you tie them, help you walk and help you open the door. You will see that you have made the wrong choice by disbelieving and staying in the darkness of your basement all these years, and will want to make up for lost time by living the gospel (i.e. enjoying the mountain experience) like a pro. The only question is this: when will you do it? When will you make the necessary changes that allow you to get up from that chair, untie the ropes of bad habits that dangle around your ankles, put on some shoes, walk to that door, turn that knob, and hop on the machine that will take you to the top? It is not a question of ‘IF’ you will love it, it is only a question of ‘WHEN’ you will do it. Will you try to do it at the end of a harsh life filled with darkness, regret, addiction, shame, poverty, a horrible marriage and messed up kids? Or will you do it NOW when your future still awaits? The clock is ticking man, and making changes is ALWAYS easier now than later. ‘Later’ is just an excuse that Satan likes you to use so that he has more time to try and convince you to stay put, more time for him to try and entertain you and cloud you into forgetting the whole idea about the “mountain experience,” and more time for him to try and get you to tie some more ropes of addiction around your ankles. Trust me, the sooner you run from that prison you are in, the better."
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(New Testament | Romans 8:24 - 27)
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(New Testament | Romans 8:24 - 27)
Hope On!
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