Submit at all times
Your desires must be uniquely focused on the purpose and priorities of God at all times. A part-time purpose is no purpose at all.
Submission to God is a full-time endeavor. Being a disciple2 and friend3 of God is a full-time job.4 There are no breaks, exceptions, or time off. When it comes to submission, sometimes isn’t good enough. Those who submit sometimes might feel like they know the Lord, but he will tell them he doesn’t know them.5 In place of the commendations they expect, they will receive terrible punishments.699
Those who are inconsistent in their submission to God have not actually submitted to him, and cannot receive or retain the blessings of those who have.700
Submission to God is without time limit.701 Disciples of Christ work at his purpose for as long as it takes.702 When the Lord hung on the cross, he did not impose time limits, but was willing to remain for as long as it took to accomplish the Father’s will. Those submitted to the Lord follow his example, living their lives in complete devotion to his purpose until they are taken.
The Lord gives us daily opportunities to take up his purpose. He teaches us how he is, so that we can choose to be the same way. He gives us uncountable opportunities, day after day, to choose the eternal joy of all mankind over our own immediate comfort and pleasure. He gives us daily experiences to fill out and expand our understanding of how godliness looks and feels at every scope of existence under the guidance of his Holy Spirit.
Footnotes
- 1. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God (John 3:19-21) ↩
- 2. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23) ↩
- 3. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) ↩
- 4. Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times; (D&C 59:11) Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. (Psalms 106:3) ↩
- 5. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23) ↩