ARMOUR OF LIGHT

 

 

“In this, the last great conflict between light and darkness, I am grateful for the opportunity to ‘endure hardness, as a [disciple] of Jesus Christ’ (2 Timothy 2:3). With Paul, I declare, ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light’ (Romans 13:12). I bear special witness that Jesus Christ ‘is the light and the life of the world; yea, the light that is endless, that can never be darkened’ (Mosiah 16:9)” (Elder Robert D. Hales, Out Of Darkness Into His Marvellous Light, May 2002, p 71).  

 

When writing to the Ephesians, Paul admonished them to put on the whole armour of God accentuating gospel principles which offer spiritual protection. He took this concept to a new level when he admonished the Romans to put on ‘the armour of light’ meaning ‘the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 13:14). The armour of God truly does protect us from spiritual darkness because each section of the armour deals with a gospel principle that counteracts sin. This is the greatest protection we can have. The ‘armour of light’ however suggests something more. It means bringing the light of Christ to the world to counteract the darkness.

 

We are in the winding up scenes of this world. The adversary knows this. He has been perfecting his craft for thousands of years and now more than ever, he has the most efficient tools to spread the darkness. These are his methods and his path to success:

 

HIS THREE DOCTRINES:

1. There is no punishment for sin;

2. There is nothing after death;

3. He does not exist.

HIS THREE LIES:

1. Just once won’t hurt;

2. No one will know;

3. Everybody is doing it.

HIS VALUE SYSTEM:

1. Selfishness;

2. Self-indulgence;

3. Immediate gratification.

HIS SALES TECHNIQUES:

1. Pacifying;

2. Flattering;

3. Lulling.

HIS GOAL:

1. To steal our spiritual identity;

2. To kill our faith in God;

3. To destroy our commitment to Christ.

 

The adversary is having enormous success but He can never win against ‘the light of the world’. His power is no match for Him who has conquered the power of sin and death. Now more than ever, we, the disciples of Christ and bearers of truth, need to wear the ‘armour of light’ and bring it to the world.  The more righteous we are, the more light we are endowed with until we come to that day when we become as glorious as the one who is the source of all light. Nephi saw the power of God in our day descending on the saints of the Church of the Lamb (1 Nephi 14:14).  And even though he said our numbers were few and that we were scattered upon the face of the earth, we were 'armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory' (v14)

 

In the words of Terri Savelle Foy: Satan has no power on his best day to take you out on your worst day……

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Heavenly Christ by David Beraru)

GOD THE SON

 

 

“Paul referred to Jesus Christ as ‘the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). Referring to the Saviour as our Elder Brother is indeed accurate in a sense, but it may inadvertently minimize the reverence we should give Him as our Saviour, as the Creator, and as God the Son. President M. Russell Ballard explained: “Some Latter-day Saints have tended to focus on Christ’s Sonship as opposed to His Godhood. As members of earthly families, we can relate to Him as a child, as a Son, and as a Brother because we know how that feels….for some it may be more difficult to relate to Him as a God. And so in an attempt to draw closer to Christ and to cultivate warm and personal feelings toward Him, some tend to humanize Him, sometimes at the expense of acknowledging His Divinity. So let us be very clear on this point: it is true that Jesus was our Elder Brother in the premortal life, but we believe that in this life, it is crucial that we become ‘born again’ as His Sons and daughters in the gospel covenant.” (Building Bridges of Understanding, Ensign, June 1998, p 67) (New Testament Institute Manual Gospel Library, comment on Romans 8:29)

 

I was baptised when I was 18 years of age. My parents disowned me and I had to leave home. Shortly after my baptism, I had a dream I was in a high rise building with my parents when a great commotion arose on the street. When we came down to street level a white matter akin to snow fell on top of us. We burrowed upwards to the top. When I got there I did not see my parents again but I saw whiteness everywhere and the Saviour coming towards me with out-stretched arms saying: “Where are my children?”. I knew when I woke up that the whiteness represented my baptism. I also knew what it meant for me to take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ. I now belonged to Him and He was my spiritual father and my God. 

 

For years now I have been collecting the Saviour’s names and titles from the scriptures. So far I have 108. My admiration of His godship has improved and increased more than I ever expected. Because of those titles and names I have received understanding of who He really is. Each of them inspires within me awe and respect. Yes, He is our Brother, our Saviour and even our Friend but He is also:

 

The King of Glory

The God of Israel

The Prince of Peace

The King of Nations

The Great Amen

Eternal Head

Lord Omnipotent

Alpha and Omega

The King of Zion

The Rock of Heaven

The Word of God

The Great I AM

Most High God

Eternal King

The Lord God of Gods

King Immanuel

The Eternal One

Everlasting King

King of Righteousness

The Lord of Lords

The King of Kings

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Christ the King by David Beraru)

THE MIRACLE OF SELF-FORGIVENESS

 

 

Paul, who considered himself ‘the least of the apostles’ and not worthy to be called such  because he persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9), stays with us long after we have studied his extensive gospel doctrine epistles, as a spiritual giant who outgrew his small physical stature. When I study his epistles I am amazed at the grand scale of his growth, the depth of his understanding of the doctrine of Christ and his repeated testimony of the only source of our salvation. He will forever be remember as a spiritual giant among men and here is why. Even though Paul testified about God’s grace vehemently and gave credit to it for what he became (1 Corinthians 15:10), he would have had to at one stage forgiven the man who misled him to offend God, and that man was himself. I believe he arrived at that place of self-forgiveness when he could in clear conscience say: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul, after years of unrelenting, selfless service became a beacon of hope for all sinners. 

 

It reminds me of another sinner who did the same, Alma the Younger. In his day, Alma the Younger became a living testament of the Saviour's power of deliverance.  Not only because Christ forgave him for his sins and saved him from spiritual death but also because He freed him to become a great man.  After Alma came out of his three days of torment he immediately began to preach of Christ's mercy and His power to save (Mosiah 27:32). Nowhere in the scriptures does it say that he moped around and agonised over his past sins and felt bad about himself. He became a great example of someone who had his guilt ‘taken away from his heart, through the merits of God’s Son’ (Alma 24:10). Alma, who went about with the intent to destroy the Church became Alma who led the Nephite armies in battle, who sat naked with Amulek in dungeons, who was spat upon by the unrepentant, who dumbfounded an anti-Christ, who baptised thousands of souls unto repentance (Alma 4:4-5), who the Lord in the end took up unto himself (Alma 45:19). 

 

When you look at Paul and Alma, do you see broken men with a past or do you see  powerful servants of the Lord?  If you are still 'harrowed' up by your past sins, you are missing the person that you could be.  If you believe you are no good, the Lord can make nothing of you.  In this state you are not good to anyone, not to yourself, not to God, not to your fellowman.  If you have repented of your sins but can't let them go, you are giving them more power than you are giving God. The adversary wants nothing more than for your sins to continue to have power over you, even after you have forsaken them, because he hopes one day you will return to them.  Your forgiveness is not complete until you allow the Saviour to take away your remorse. The power of the Atonement can  complete this process.  The Saviour can extend mercy, He can forgive, He can make of you a new person, He can wipe your slate clean. Believe it, trust it, ask for it.  The Lord has work for you to do and He is waiting. 

 

 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Mortality by Joel Rea)

GLORIOUS GRACE

 

 

This will forever be my remembrance of Paul: “By the grace of God, I am what I am….(1 Corinthians 15:10). This is the humility of Paul, the greatest missionary to the Gentiles, the apostle of Jesus Christ, who considered himself not good enough to be called an apostle because he once persecuted the Church of God (v9), but who later became the most he could possibly become by the grace of God. There is no greater sign of humility than acknowledging the greater power and giving honour to His name. It is something Nephi, who gave us the greatest definition of grace, did repeatedly: “…..it is by grace we are saved after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).

 

When we are judged and found short of perfection, it is grace that will lift us the rest of the way to a full reconciliation with the Father. However, grace is not just a magic wand of perfection on judgment day. It has another role, that Paul so valiantly testified of. It is the role of strength beyond our own affecting change in us here and now. This, I believe, is what Nephi also meant. Elder Holland affirmed this: “The grace of God helps us every day. It strengthens us to do good works we could not do on our own. The Lord promised that if we humble ourselves before Him and have faith in Him, His grace will help us overcome all our personal weaknesses (Ether 12:27), (Jeffrey R Holland, The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Ensign March 2008). 

 

Grace enables the power of Jesus Christ to make of us something far greater than what we  were before. Through actively calling upon the power of the Atonement, we can access this power and rise above the natural man. And here is the good news: grace is a gift that does not need to be earned. It is freely given to all who accept Christ as their personal Saviour. 

 

Imagine if we came home being much greater than what we were before we started on this journey. I know of no greater way we could pay honour to the Saviour’s name. As Paul, we could then say, ‘His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain’ (1 Corinthians 15:10). And not only that but this also……’by the grace of God, I am what I am’…….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: His Grace is Sufficient by Greg Collins)

FOR OUR FREEDOM

 

 

Some of us live with what others would deem insurmountable mountains to climb whilst some of us live with what others would deem easy obstacles and trials. I don’t know why some are living under extreme earthly conditions while others appear to live in the lap of luxury but I do believe in the wisdom of God and trust that He has us all under His watchful eye. I believe He is the master architect and planner of our eternal welfare. 

 

The Greek word translated as ‘redemption’ means liberation through payment of a ransom. It was a term widely used anciently to refer to payment for slaves in order to set them free. Through the Atonement, the Saviour purchased our freedom from ‘slavery’ to sin and every effect of mortality, including death. There is no sin or condition of mortality that is bigger than the Atonement therefore there is nothing that we cannot be saved from. I think of Alma the Younger being 'in the darkest abyss', his soul being 'racked with eternal torment' (Mosiah 27:28,29). Amidst all that anguish of soul, Alma describes his deliverance with an interesting word. He says he was ‘snatched’ from eternal torment and everlasting burning. Imagine the Saviour's willingness to go to the fires of hell to deliver one of the vilest of sinners. To me this means He would go to the darkest abyss of eternity to rescue us from suffering. 

 

Each of us lives in our own personal slavery. It’s called mortality. I live with the ‘inadequacy syndrome’. No matter how well I am doing, I can always see my faulty side much clearer than my good side. I sometimes fear I am offending God with my very being……..I am a slave to inadequacy and self-criticism....and other mortal weaknesses. Some of us are slaves to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness and a myriad of other mental disorders. All of these bring with them a degree of suffering, no less than more extreme conditions some of us live under. Our sufferings are personalised but our escape is assured. Whether it comes in this life or the next, we WILL be free because of the root of our salvation, the facilitator of our happiness, the well of living water, the fountain of all righteousness, Christ the King. 

 

I long to reside in Your presence;

To never know sadness

Or the wretched heat of my tears.

I know I will be safe there

Where fears cannot find me

And trials cannot scar me.

I know there will be safety

In the shadow of Your wings

My burdens You will lift

And wipe away my sins.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

HOW GREAT THE JOY

 

 

 

I have moved house 16 times in the past 28 years. Wherever I go in Sydney, I am met with memories. Over the years, I have suffered much from lack of ‘belonging’. As I reflected recently on the lone existence I have led, I realised that no matter where I live on this earth, I will always feel that I don’t belong. In that moment of realisation, my understanding was opened to a greater truth. I came to comprehend what it means to live in a fallen world, that to be cut off from God’s presence is the greatest tragedy there is. Cain considered his banishment from His presence more than he could bear (Genesis 4:13,14). I am beginning to understand what he meant, now more than ever as I have distanced myself from the world a great deal and have begun to yearn for my heavenly home. We, like the ancients, are strangers and pilgrims on this earth (D&C 45:11-13; Jacob 7:26; Hebrews 11:4-13). A clear reminder to us that we should not get too comfortable here. 

 

During my moment of reflection I also understood the need for the Atonement. I think the Saviour knew in the beginning what it means to be cut off from Father’s presence forever. I think this is why He yearned to save us from this devastation, hence so much emphasis on the sheep that are ‘lost’. A couple of years ago I had a revelation during which I was led to know that the Father loves His First Born Son the most because of what He has done for the rest of His children. Rightly so, because nobody deserves it more. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, I can now yearn for the eternal home and all the noble host of heaven I have left behind knowing that He has paved my way back.

 

How many tears will be shed on judgment day by ‘the lost’ when God’s presence is denied to them forever? Imagine how joyful will be some who enter His presence, to finally be home once again….but how much more joyful will be those who get there and bring somebody else with them…..(D&C 18:15,16)

 

I long to be where I once was,

 

A child in my eternal home.

 

I long to see the God of love

 

And with Him walk the heaven’s floor.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art by Greg Olsen)

THE INEVITABLE PRICE

 

THE INEVITABLE PRICE

 

Very often we get lost in our admiration of Paul the apostle and we miss the most important lesson we can learn from him, and that lesson is this: all our actions have consequences that cannot be escaped because what we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own.

 

Alma the Younger gave his son Corianton some interesting advice that we can relate to Paul. He admonished him to be merciful to his brethren and he shall have mercy; to deal justly and he shall have justice; to judge righteously and he shall be righteously judged and to do good continually and he shall have good rewarded to him…..and then he said summed it up beautifully: ‘for that which ye do send out shall return unto you again….’ (Alma 41:14,15). 

 

When the Lord said of Paul, ‘For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake’, He wasn’t kidding (Acts 9:16). Paul suffered five scourgings, three beatings with a rod, one stoning, one shipwreck, lengthy imprisonment, and endurance of peril, hunger, painfulness and weariness wherever he went but most of all, if you read the book of Acts, constant persecution by the Jews (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). And so you see, Paul the persecutor became Paul the persecuted…..

 

No wicked act committed against another will go unnoticed. Those who do not repent of unjust behaviour toward others will have to confront that accountability on that day ‘when the Lord shall come to ‘recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man’ (D&C 1:10). We mostly focus on Saviour’s mercy these days because we want to believe that we will be forgiven for anything and we overlook the fact that He will also come to execute justice for those whose lives and spirits were crushed and damaged by others.

 

There is another great lesson here. We cannot eternally live with the God of love if we do not love one another. We cannot live with the Saviour if we are not like Him. Love is central to His character. His love transcends our weaknesses, our flaws and even our sins. Paul learnt this lesson well. In extolling the high status of charity to the Corinthians he said: even if I speak with the tongue of angels and have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and knowledge and have faith to move mountains, and bestow all my goods to the poor and give my body to be burned and have not charity toward others, I am nothing…..(1 Corinthians 13:1-8). 

I kept my love close to my heart

Until it became too heavy to bear.

It overflowed my weakened arms

And scattered along humanity’s path.

Like crumbs from the table it fed a few,

The lonely, the weak and the weary

And gladdened my giving heart.

I spread my arms wide

And fed a throng for many years

Until each cared for soul

Paved the trail of my happy tears.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: As I Have Loved You by Greg Olsen)