Free forever

2 Nephi 2

There is so much crammed into this chapter. I can't even--I really don't think there is a more concise, accurate, and easy to understand explanation of the purpose of our mortal life anywhere else in the scriptures. He covers sin, death, the afterlife, and life as a probationary period, as it was for Adam and Eve. So cool.

I was struck by the word 'free' this time through. It's used multiple times.

4 And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free."
26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall, they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon...
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expeident unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil...

This plan was built completely around our freedom. It is in place, Christ died for us, so that we could stay free. We can choose to be captive, but it's completely up to us.

Lehi goes on to clarify our choices even more in v 28-29.
1. We can choose eternal life "according to the will of his Holy Spirit."
2. We can choose eternal death (spiritual death) "according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate to bring you down to hell...."

It's interesting for me to note the 'according to' statements in those verses. We can choose the Holy Ghost or our own carnal hungers and desires. When we choose to follow the Spirit, we are 'putting off the natural man':  We know that the will of the Holy Spirit is the same as that of the Father and Jesus Christ. That's a great reminder.

Everything the Spirit might prompt me to do or say or NOT do is what Jesus or Heavenly Father would prompt me to do or say or not do could they be here with me all the time. They can't be here, but the Spirit can be. I'm baptized. I can be obedient and always have him there. He will help me to keep my will aligned with that of the Godhead. But I have to choose that. Am I choosing that? This is where I've always lacked confidence...am I choosing to follow the Spirit? Am I even able to hear him? I think so, but at times like this when I'm feeling the Sunday evening "I don't want to go to work" blues in the dim light of my bedroom, I doubt myself. That's when I need to stop doubting, go to bed, and vow to listen hard tomorrow. I'll do that.