Oct 4, 2020
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Hey guys! This week will be all about Christlike attributes and how we can develop them. Each day will focus on a different attribute.
The Enduring Power of Charity
Q: What does it mean, in practical terms, that Charity endureth forever? A: I think that to understand what Mormon meant when he told Moroni that "Charity...endureth forever" as it applies to us, we need to back up a few verses and look at the attributes of charity: Moroni 7:45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. When Mormon describes these attributes, he is not just describing the characteristics of an abstract principle, nor is he solely describing the attributes of Christ and His life. Mormon details the components of the pure love of Christ to the end that we can learn what it takes to shape our lives and our selves to resemble the life and person of Jesus Christ. Moroni 7:47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. The whole point of the gospel is to help us to become like Christ so that we can gain eternal life. The crowning principle of the gospel, and the most enduring attribute and quality of Christ's life is charity, and unless charity becomes our most defining attribute and quality as well we cannot truly become like Christ. Peter tells us that if we wish to become "partakers of the divine nature" we must progress in becoming like Christ until we reach the pinnacle of Christ-like development in which we too are possessed of the same love wherewith Christ loves. 2 Peter 2:2-7 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY. Note that charity is presented as the crowning virtue among virtues that define the divine nature of which we are meant to be made partakers. Charity is the greatest virtue to which we can aspire, and without it all other virtues, deeds, "righteousness", faith, and even the performance of great miracles, can only amount to nothing, and therefore cannot profit us. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Mormon elaborates on this principle and informs us Moroni 7:46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— (I wish to note here that Mormon uses a phrase in common with Paul when he says "charity never faileth". When Paul uses this phrase he uses a form of the Greek word "pipto" which means to fail, fall, or stumble. I only mention this because Peter uses a similar Greek word for the word "fall" in a verse at the end of this article.) Here Mormon explains that the supremacy of the virtue of charity stems entirely from the fact that all other efforts, such as the aforementioned faith, miracles, deeds and righteousness, must fail-and yet charity endures. This permanence is unique to the principle of charity-the enduring quality of the pure love of Christ. Christ endured what he endured, in spite of all of his faith, righteousness, miracles, and deeds, for no other reason than that he loves us. Christ chooses to extend his merits and mercy and grace to us, in extending His righteousness to cover our sins, solely out of His love for us and for no other reason. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 15:12-13 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 3:23-25 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; If we want to have charity, if we seek to become like Christ, our love has to endure the same way His love endured. Our love has to endure the crosses of the world, and despise the shame of it, and we have to be willing to lay down our lives for our God and our neighbors. 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. What joy was set before Christ, that he would endure the shame of the cross? Was it the promise of a place at the right hand of God? Not entirely. The joy that moved Christ to endure the agony of the garden and the torment and shame of the cross was the prospect of bringing us with Him to stand together at the right hand of the throne of God. Christ's joy, his work and his glory, comes from bringing to pass our immortality and our eternal life. Ether 12:33 And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. If we seek to become like him and obtain that eternal life which he has we must also be willing to endure what he endured. 2 Nephi 9:18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever. This presents us with a dilemma-how can we endure what he endured? We are mortal, frail, weak and imperfect-how can we endure what the perfect Son of God endured? How can we lay down our lives for our friends and for our God and in any way make that sacrifice equal the one that Christ made for us? The real answer is that we can't. But we can make our sacrifices for God and others RESEMBLE Christ's sacrifice. Notice that what Jacob said in 2 Nephi 9:18 is that we have to endure the crosses of THE WORLD, and despise the shame of it. What are the crosses of the world? Are they things like suffering, cruelty, envy, selfishness, wrath, inner evil, iniquity and lies? How can we endure such an onslaught? How can we endure and overcome these crosses of the world? Let's return to Moroni 7:45: And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity is the means by which we are enabled to endure, as Christ did, the crosses of the world and thereby are brought to sit "down at the right hand of the throne of God" to "inherit the kingdom of God". When we are filled with charity, we hope in all things, and hope enables us to "despise the shame" of the crosses of the world because "hope maketh not ashamed." Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Hope maketh not ashamed because if we are filled with God's love we have the power to Bear all things, believe all things, hope in all things, and endure all things. Nothing the world can do to hurt or destroy us can frighten or deter us because we are filled with the love of God. In this way charity, the perfect love of Christ, casts out all fear and shame. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 2 Corinthians 4:6, 8-10 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. When the light of God's love, His charity, "hath shined in our hearts", we are enabled to overcome all things that we must suffer as we bear "the dying of the Lord Jesus"-i.e. when we endure as He endured. When we do this, and are filled with Charity, "the life also of Jesus...[is] made manifest" in our lives. The quality of endurance that Mormon taught is the hallmark of Charity is what enables us to become more like Christ. When we endure tribulation and suffering for His sake, and act for the good of others purely out of love and for no other reason, we will be purified by this process. This purification process is a necessary alteration in our fundamental character that we must each experience if we seek to become something that even remotely resembles Jesus Christ when He comes and we see him as He is. Moroni 7:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. Obviously we aren't anywhere close to where we need to be if we want to "be purified even as he is pure." But don't let that discourage you. Remember that you are mortal and normal--perfect charity that endures forever is an attribute of Christ because he is perfect and he endures forever. For the rest of us that is the goal to strive for, even if we don't feel like we're very close to reaching it any time soon. I think we are blessed for doing the best we can to love God and our fellow man, and as we pray "unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love" (Moroni 7:48) The blessing that we are promised if we do this is that God will grant us the ability, as a spiritual gift, to develop more, and more enduring, charity. We have to pray for it because one: we don't have it, and two: We can only get it from God. How do we get God to agree to fill us with the pure love of Christ? We have to demonstrate our willingness and preparation for this blessing by gradually shaping our lives to resemble all of the attributes and qualities of Christ. Colossians 3:12-15 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. This is the soul of Gospel living, and the one way to obtain "the peace of God" to rule in our hearts. All commandments, laws, and the teachings of the prophets are fulfilled when we keep the simple commandments to love God with all our heart mind and soul, and to love our neighbor as our self. As we do our best to follow the simple principles of the Gospel, line upon line, precept upon precept, we will naturally progress in our ability to love God and others. If we will learn to love God and our neighbors, God has promised that He will come and dwell in us and fill us with His perfect love, and we will be made "partakers of the divine nature" and of eternal life. 2 Peter 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 1 John 4:16-17 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 2 Peter 1:10-11 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Are you a Child of God? Do you have what it takes to become a Son (or Daughter) of God?
I'm back! This is my first post in about a month. I have been busy with some changes in my life, and unfortunately it has taken me away from my loyal readers. I am extremely proud of this particular post, as I have been trying to set my thoughts on this subject to words for almost two years, without success. I hope that you will find it as edifying to read as I found it to be while writing it. We are all born “naturally” as natural descendants of Adam, who was God’s son. We are also the spirit sons and daughters of God. It is in this general sense that all men can be called children of God. However, this amounts to what is essentially an accident of birth, as far as we are concerned, because being born into this world a child of God (as a physical descendant of Adam) required no righteousness, devotion, or loyalty on our part (in this life at least). In any case our divine pedigree, in and of itself, is certainly no guarantee of salvation. We were placed on this Earth in order that we might have the opportunity, over time, to prove ourselves, and our loyalty, to God. We demonstrate this loyalty and love by steadfastly and valiantly keeping His commandments. Unfortunately, we each make mistakes, and commit sins and transgressions. In our “natural” fallen state, which comes upon us as a consequence of the fall of Adam and Eve, we become “carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good” and thus, through sin, we become estranged from our Father in heaven. If we persist in this willful defiance of God’s laws (to say nothing of His love for us), we will become estranged from Him to the point that we may become “an enemy to God” even in this life (see Mosiah 16). For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (Mosiah 3:19) It falls to each of us to choose to “yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit” which will direct us to take the steps necessary to “put off the natural man” and become reborn “spiritually” as the sons and daughters of God. Unlike the simple fact of our birth, This requires an active choice (and commitment to change ourselves) on our part. That is why Alma asks us in Alma 5 if we have “experienced this mighty change in [our] hearts”. And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? (Alma 5:14) And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. (Mosiah 27:25-26) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) When a man is truly born of God he becomes a new man, wholly converted, and his nature is totally altered to one that more closely resembles Christ’s nature. His old self, or his old life of sin, is crucified with Christ, so that he can become free to “walk in newness of life” (see Romans 6). He will no longer have any desire to sin (he retains the capacity to sin (along with his agency), but a man that is truly born again is sanctified by the blood of Christ, and in this state he is so filled with the love of God and a love for mankind that he “cannot look upon sin save it were with abhorrence”(see Alma 13:12). In this state he righteously exercises his agency to elect not to sin, because he truly desires to love and serve God, and to sin would run counter to his heart’s desire). Both the Apostle John and the apostle Paul taught this principle clearly in the following passages of scripture: 1 John 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Philippians 2:13-15: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 1 John 3:1-3, 9-10 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 5:2-5, 18 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. It is only through the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we who are lost and estranged from our Father in heaven through sin and transgression can be reconciled to Him and so no longer be counted His enemies, as Paul explains in Romans 5:8-11: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. God, in his infinite love for us, has promised us more than mere reconciliation. Through the merits and mercy and grace of His son Jesus Christ and the gift of his atonement, we can be adopted into the family of God and so truly be counted as sons and daughters of the Most High God. Furthermore, Christ has condescended to elevate those who become true sons of God to the status of “joint-heirs” with him, to be “glorified with Him” purely as an expression of His grace. If we accept and live the gospel, Christ has made it possible for us to inherit all that He stands to inherit (which is all that the Father has, according to Christ’s own words in John 16:15). The apostle Paul testifies of this in Philippians 2:5-6; Galatians 3:26-29, 4:1-7 and Romans 8:14-17: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. “In the important doctrinal discourse known as the ‘King Follett Sermon’ the Prophet Joseph Smith, referring to those who ‘shall be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ,’ described joint-heirship as inheriting the same power, the same glory, and the same exaltation, until an individual ascends to the station of Godhood and rises to the throne of eternal power sharing the rewards with all the faithful who have preceded him. A joint-heir legally inherits and shares all equities and gifts in equal interest with all other heirs. Nothing is excluded nor adjusted in value between the participating joint-heirs. . . . “If we are led by the Spirit of God in our lives, we are promised heirship with him and joint-heirship with Christ our Lord in the great estate of God’s kingdom and glory. We ‘suffer with Christ’ as we sacrifice the things of the world and yield complete obedience to every truth, principle, and ordinance of the gospel plan. Whatever we contribute in honest tithes and other contributions along with unselfish participation and service to our fellow men to build the kingdom of God on the earth, increases our personal joy and happiness in heirship with Christ the Lord.” (Delbert L. Stapley in Conference Report, Apr. 1961, p. 66.) The choice and opportunity to change our nature and become a true son or daughter of God (and a joint-heir of glory with Christ) can only come to us through and as a result of the redemption of Jesus Christ and our willing obedience to the saving principles and ordinances of His gospel. …Hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer; The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God…(D&C 34:1-3) Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom. (D&C 25:1) This process of conversion and sanctification by which we become the sons (and daughters) and heirs of God begins at baptism, and is intended to continue throughout our entire mortal existence (if not beyond). “An heir is one who is entitled to inherit from a progenitor or others, property, titles, or other benefits. But heirs in an eternal sense involve more than inheritance, and must be designated on the basis of righteousness and obedience to divine law. All mankind are God’s sons and daughters in the spirit, but only those who qualify themselves by baptism, priesthood, and faithfulness may become his heirs in the ultimate sense and inherit the fulness of that which he may bestow. (Compare Moses 6:64–68 ; D&C 84:31–34 .)” (The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, 327) We are expected to not only be baptized, but beyond that we are required to endure steadfastly, which means that we must continue to grow and to progress and eventually to purify ourselves, “even as He is pure”, through the gospel (and grace) of Jesus Christ, until (or in anticipation of) that day in which “He shall appear”, in the hope that in that day “we shall be like him”. Which “hope maketh not ashamed ; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (See Romans 5:5). Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (See 1 John 4:17-18).