I don’t know that Christ was perfect BECAUSE he experienced all opposition; maybe it’s more accurate to say He’s perfect because He overcame the negative side of opposition that came His way — which is what is expected of us as well. Clearly we shouldn’t go out seeking opposition just to gain the opposition experience Christ overcame, but dealing well with what’s given us will prepare us to be perfected.
(continued)
Amy | Email | Homepage | 09.02.04 - 9:14 am | #

I guess I see “opposition” and “moderation” in separate spheres: opposition is something that comes naturally as part of being mortal on this earth, and we are to seek to overcome the negative side of it. Moderation is something we strive to achieve between the positive (not negative) things in our life — as you mentioned, family, Church, community service, etc.

Don’t try to find moderation between the light and darkness — seek all the light you can get, and find a balance between the different good lights that are out there.
Amy | Email | Homepage | 09.02.04 - 9:15 am | #

Amy
I hope I wasn’t confusing about Christ dealing with all opposition. I DON’T believe He was perfect for that reason only, but I do believe His overcoming all opposition is part of perfection.
I like what you said about finding moderation between the good things in life. I should have emphasized that. A difficult part I see is when people decide to live in these “bubbles” where they aren’t exposed to opposition enough and when time comes whn they do have to face the fire, they can’t handle it because they haven’t prepared for it. You know those people who’ve grown up in the easy life who’ve never had any real challenges? I pity them when time comes for them to live in Babylon.
Bret | Email | Homepage | 09.02.04 - 2:32 pm | #

Bret, I understand that you live in Rexburg and consider it a “bubble” but what do you mean when you say these people can’t “handle [facing the fire]“? Are you saying that they cower and run back to the bubble, or that they cry on their doorstep, or they break down and lose their testimony?

And what’s an “easy life…[with no] real challenges”? I consider myself as someone who has lived a relatively easy life with few real challenges (relatively), but I think I am handling myself in New York City pretty well. Your the one still living in the bubble

It seems that you are making a few sweeping generalizations without examples. Give me something to chew on.
Rusty | Email | Homepage | 09.02.04 - 3:37 pm | #

Opposition and moderation don’t seem to mesh for me. Yes there is opposition in all things but I don’t want to experience the results of what that means. I don’t think you have to cheat someone to know how to or enjoy the blessings of being honest.

If we make good choices we get the blessings, we don’t have to make bad choices to see the contrast.

As far as moderation yes in the sense you point out moderation is ok, but I want to be an extremist when it comes to keeping the commandments.
Don | Email | Homepage | 09.02.04 - 5:21 pm | #

Rusty,
I’m sorry. One of my greatest challenges in life is putting things into words that are clear in my head. The best example I can think of is my summer recently returned missionary roommate. Great guy,(and I don’t pretend to know who’s lived too easy a life and who hasn’t) but this guy lives in one THICK bubble. I just don’t seeing this guy as any real help to others in many ways. He shuts himself out so much to the opposition in the world that he cannot really relate to anyone. He doesn’t know what is going on in the world outside his bubble and doesn’t care to. I know many people that, if he tried to help them/sympathize with them, they’d be offended or turned off because they know he can’t really give them any real help.
It’s the people that live in their bubbles and, fearing penetration by outside influence, will not reach out to those in need the way they really need it.
The same can be said of those who can’t disagree without being disagreeable.
Does that m
Bret | Email | Homepage | 09.03.04 - 12:53 pm | #

And yes, I DO live in a bubble, but I do NOT plan on staying in it.
Bret | Email | Homepage | 09.03.04 - 12:54 pm | #

Bret,

I still don’t know if the answer to helping, sympathizing with, and relating to others is to expose yourself to more opposition — I mean, it doesn’t make sense that God would want your roommate to go out and have a nice NCMO just so he can help the guy next door who feels bad for doing the same thing.

That’s not to say, of course, that we can’t and shouldn’t expose ourselves to reality: being aware of other people’s problems and challenges, watching the news to realize some of the suffering that goes on in the world, recognizing the evils that exist in our day, etc.

To clarify, I think simply acknowledging opposition, rather than participating in it, can go a long (enough) way in what God wants of us in helping and relating to others.

Maybe that’s all you were saying anyway.
Amy | Email | Homepage | 09.09.04 - 9:49 am | #

Yes Amy, that is what I was trying to say but like I said before, I have a hard time putting into words what is clear in my mind. You do a better job of that then I.
Bret | Email | Homepage | 09.10.04 - 3:10 pm | #