Thanks
4.9.11
Forgiving
Willingness to assume another's sin is an expression of sinlessness. To be Christian means to be like Christ, and what Christ did was take responsibility for all of the imperfection and sins of everyone that would come to mortality. By owning our sins, He owns our salvation. He gives it to us as we repent.
As He is the Author and Finisher of our salvation, we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling before God. We are at His mercy. In this position we are told by God to forgive all men. Since we are at the mercy of God, we aren't in a position to withhold mercy from others. If we seek justification by our obedience, we are fools because there are none that are perfect and thus no one can claim that they are deserving but God is merciful.
The Lord has made it possible for all to be forgiven, so when we withhold our forgiveness, we are saying that someone is unworthy of it. By what grounds do we have to with hold forgiveness? Let he that is without sin throw the first stone. We cannot judge others as anything but Christ Himself, as He said that what we do to the least we do it unto Him. So, when we withhold forgiveness we are withholding it from Christ, even though He was perfect, He still pleads with us to forgive all men as if it were He who was responsible for their sins, because He is, as the Lamb of God a sacrifice for the sins of all.
We lose ourselves if we save ourselves. If we withhold charity to others, we are withholding blessings from ourselves. It is liberating to forgive. Carrying the burden of a bitter grudge can only weaken our hearts because we are sinning when we don't forgive and sin keeps us from God which means we are ensnared by Satan. Ensnared by Satan means we are following Satan and thus nonredeemable by Christ as He won't force salvation upon us. Numbered among Satan means we have the total weight of our sin upon ourselves, instead of Christ. We must then suffer as Christ suffered for Mercy cannot deny Justice. Leaving Christ means leaving Mercy and thus left to suffer under the law which we broke and it is just as we are all sinners. Christ pleads with us to come unto Him so we can avoid hell and Justice. As he satisfied the demands of Justice by being the great sacrifice, He can offer us Mercy and salvation.
The second most important commandment is to love others and as we break it by being unforgiving that makes us guilty of a greater sin than whatever trespass against us. No grudge or trespass against us is more valuable than keeping the first and second commandments of God, which simply say to love and serve.
This also means we shouldn't think ourselves beyond His capacity to forgive. We need to forgive ourselves as much as others and seek favor with God. That is how our peace
comes.
As He is the Author and Finisher of our salvation, we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling before God. We are at His mercy. In this position we are told by God to forgive all men. Since we are at the mercy of God, we aren't in a position to withhold mercy from others. If we seek justification by our obedience, we are fools because there are none that are perfect and thus no one can claim that they are deserving but God is merciful.
The Lord has made it possible for all to be forgiven, so when we withhold our forgiveness, we are saying that someone is unworthy of it. By what grounds do we have to with hold forgiveness? Let he that is without sin throw the first stone. We cannot judge others as anything but Christ Himself, as He said that what we do to the least we do it unto Him. So, when we withhold forgiveness we are withholding it from Christ, even though He was perfect, He still pleads with us to forgive all men as if it were He who was responsible for their sins, because He is, as the Lamb of God a sacrifice for the sins of all.
We lose ourselves if we save ourselves. If we withhold charity to others, we are withholding blessings from ourselves. It is liberating to forgive. Carrying the burden of a bitter grudge can only weaken our hearts because we are sinning when we don't forgive and sin keeps us from God which means we are ensnared by Satan. Ensnared by Satan means we are following Satan and thus nonredeemable by Christ as He won't force salvation upon us. Numbered among Satan means we have the total weight of our sin upon ourselves, instead of Christ. We must then suffer as Christ suffered for Mercy cannot deny Justice. Leaving Christ means leaving Mercy and thus left to suffer under the law which we broke and it is just as we are all sinners. Christ pleads with us to come unto Him so we can avoid hell and Justice. As he satisfied the demands of Justice by being the great sacrifice, He can offer us Mercy and salvation.
The second most important commandment is to love others and as we break it by being unforgiving that makes us guilty of a greater sin than whatever trespass against us. No grudge or trespass against us is more valuable than keeping the first and second commandments of God, which simply say to love and serve.
This also means we shouldn't think ourselves beyond His capacity to forgive. We need to forgive ourselves as much as others and seek favor with God. That is how our peace
comes.
24.8.11
Jonah 2:8-10
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
17.8.11
Proverbs 28:27
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
14.8.11
Malachi 3:10
Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Faith
Faith is to trust in what we believe is true without a perfect understanding. To act against the opposition, the odds, the establishment, in essence to swim upstream is only possible by faith that what you're doing is right. The consequences are often far reaching and may take a very long time before people appreciate the faith of such individuals. Christianity didn't die with the crucifixion. Joseph Smith said that a religion that doesn't require the faith to sacrifice all things wouldn't last. Abraham had to prove he was willing to sacrifice Isaac for God, not so God would know but so Abraham could be strengthed by that exercise in faith. After that Abraham knew that no matter what God asks, He will return you a hundredfold if not more for whatever you offer.
Light versus Dark
The Gospel is one truth that illuminates in different spheres. Exactly as the light of the sun is reflected by the many things it touches.
Look at the beautiful landscapes, plants, animals, oceans, seas, and most of all- the children of God. The same sun shines on all of the distinctness of their shapes and forms and helps us to see things as they are in the temporal world. Just as the Gospel of Jesus Christ shines in one unified power of light and truth versus darkness and error.
The light always has dominion as the dark only enters once the light leaves. "For the spirit of God shall not always strive with man..." and once that light leaves our spiritual life begins to darken and we are as lost sheep and the good Shepherd cannot save us from the wolves, unless we cry out to Him for help.
The allegory of Lehi's dream showed that we all must press on through darkness. Many fell away in the darkness and finally arrived in a great and spacious building representing the pride of the world. Not unusual that the people in this place were pointing and mocking those that didn't wander. But, those that kept the commandments are represented those that stayed on the path and were able to enjoy the most precious of all gifts, the love of God. If we don't live God then God's love is something unenjoyable. The same light that sanctifies the righteous will damn the wicked. Our secret works will be found out when we are judged by Him who is all knowing and our final state will be set. Today is the day to start putting the house in order for when Christ arrives we will be able to say we were faithful over a few things, watchful and diligent, waiting on the Lord, despite those that ridiculed, we pressed forward and did not procrastinate our repentance.
Look at the beautiful landscapes, plants, animals, oceans, seas, and most of all- the children of God. The same sun shines on all of the distinctness of their shapes and forms and helps us to see things as they are in the temporal world. Just as the Gospel of Jesus Christ shines in one unified power of light and truth versus darkness and error.
The light always has dominion as the dark only enters once the light leaves. "For the spirit of God shall not always strive with man..." and once that light leaves our spiritual life begins to darken and we are as lost sheep and the good Shepherd cannot save us from the wolves, unless we cry out to Him for help.
The allegory of Lehi's dream showed that we all must press on through darkness. Many fell away in the darkness and finally arrived in a great and spacious building representing the pride of the world. Not unusual that the people in this place were pointing and mocking those that didn't wander. But, those that kept the commandments are represented those that stayed on the path and were able to enjoy the most precious of all gifts, the love of God. If we don't live God then God's love is something unenjoyable. The same light that sanctifies the righteous will damn the wicked. Our secret works will be found out when we are judged by Him who is all knowing and our final state will be set. Today is the day to start putting the house in order for when Christ arrives we will be able to say we were faithful over a few things, watchful and diligent, waiting on the Lord, despite those that ridiculed, we pressed forward and did not procrastinate our repentance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)