But without faith it is impossible to pleas him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the Gospel. For, without faith, why would I seek Him or seek to emulate Him, or keep His commandments?
Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Faith in Christ is not a perfect knowledge of Him. Why would I require faith if I had an absolute knowledge? Faith in Christ is a hope that He not can, but will save me. Faith implies that if I keep his commandments, His grace is sufficient to save me. Faith is that spark that motivates me to righteousness.
How does one obtain Faith? Paul answers by asking How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? He starts out with the ultimate goal and works his way back. Faith is ultimately a gift from God. He must send messengers to preach the name of Jesus. There is then a seed that will begin to grow that will eventually lead us to prayer. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Another prophet, Alma, wrote if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
We are invited to experiment on his words. Jesus taught My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any many will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. The true test of any doctrine is to apply it.
Alma continues, Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown to a perfect knowledge.
After having endured the test of time, and having had to time to work itself in you, the seed, he explains, continues to grow. It grows into a tree, and as it grows, your faith increases, and eventually will bear fruit, and progress to a perfect knowledge.
However, like all real trees, this one requires constant nourishment and care otherwise it will die. And we cannot blame the seed, for we have already proven it was a good seed.
Faith implies more than simply believing. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James then continues What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Our faith is shown by our actions. The devil believes in God, and look where he is.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sermon on the Mount Part 1 of 3
In the beginning part of His mortal ministry, Jesus gave one of the most beautiful and moving sermons of all time. Only that of the Last Supper, in my opinion, can even compare. It is my desire to share some of my insights that I have gained and learned through my study of it. This is in no way comprehensive, and should be seen as anyone's opinion but myself. And allow me to throw in my standard hypocrite clause. I am not perfect, do not pretend to be perfect, so please feel free to brand me as a hypocrite if you feel I preach something that I could follow better. If perfection were the standard we held all preachers of righteousness to, only one Man would have ever taught. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have.
Today, I simply wish to discuss Matthew 5. It can be broken into 4 logical parts.
Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
James E Talmage, in his book, Jesus the Christ, (a great read by the way, if anyone is interested in a 900 page book on the life and mission of Jesus Christ) states this about being the salt of the world.
Salt is the great preservative; as such it has had practical use since very ancient times. Salt was prescribed as an essential addition to every meat offering under the Mosaic law. Long before the time of Christ, the use of salt had been accorded a symbolism of fidelity, hospitality, and covenant. To be of use salt must be pure to be of any saving virtue as salt, it must be salt indeed, and not the product of chemical alteration or of earthly admixture, whereby is saltiness or “savor” would be lost; and, as worthless stuff, it would be fit only to be thrown away. Against such change of faith, against such admixture with the sophistries, so-called philosophies, and heresies of the times, the disciples were especially warned.
He then calls his disciples the light of the world, and commands that they allow others to see this light that others may want to follow their example and possess this light. What more effective tool is there than living the values Christ taught in such a way that others want to follow your example? I truly believe we will be held accountable for the souls we could have helped save if we had but lived righteously.
Jesus then explains his role in relation to the Law of Moses. This is an interesting back drop; the Giver of the Law himself explaining His role to the people that had been living it for the past 1200 years. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
He then contrasts His law to that of Moses (which He also gave). His law was superior in every way. Under the Law of Moses, it was unlawful to kill; under his Law, to even be mad at ones brother was to be in danger of jeopardy. We are to do everything in our power to be reconciled with our fellow man. He even explains if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remeberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. To be at peace with God, we must be free of any offense against our brethren.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Under the old law, adultery was forbidden. Under the law of Christ, to look upon a person with lust has committed adultery in their heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. He is not advocating self mutilation, in another, similar address he says this instead For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross than that ye should be cast into hell. What he is really referencing is removing the things from our lives that cause us to sin.
The Law of Moses required those that made oaths to follow through. Under the law of Christ, one’s man word was to be considered his bond. Why would we swear by the heavens, when we did not control them, God did? Our word alone should be our bond.
The law of Moses dictated an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Jesus taught “whatsoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” He was not advocating that we do not defend ourselves, but I think that vengeance should not be the guiding force in our lives. We are to forgive and move on.
The heart of the Message, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?
If you only love those that love you, how are you any different than those that are wicked? They do the same.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
I have written on this before. To be perfect as the Father is something that simply will not happen in this life. To be perfect in this sense is to be complete, whole, fully developed. This life is a stage of learning. We need to exercise our faith in Christ, and be perfected in Him.
Today, I simply wish to discuss Matthew 5. It can be broken into 4 logical parts.
1. The Beatitudes
2. "Ye are the salt/light of the world"
3. Jesus and his relation to the Law of Moses
4. A comparison of His higher law to that of Moses
Jesus begins the Sermon with what is now known as the Beatitudes. He begins by saying "Blessed are the..." and names a group of people that are generally not thought of as blessed, and names a reward in contrast to their current state.1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
2. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
3. Blessed are they that which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled
4. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
5. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God
6. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
7. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
8. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.
Please note, that these blessings in their fullness will not be realized in this life. They will be given their full meaning in the Life to come. Those that are poor will inherit heaven; those that mourn, comfort; those that hunger, will be fed. God will recompense us many fold.Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
James E Talmage, in his book, Jesus the Christ, (a great read by the way, if anyone is interested in a 900 page book on the life and mission of Jesus Christ) states this about being the salt of the world.
Salt is the great preservative; as such it has had practical use since very ancient times. Salt was prescribed as an essential addition to every meat offering under the Mosaic law. Long before the time of Christ, the use of salt had been accorded a symbolism of fidelity, hospitality, and covenant. To be of use salt must be pure to be of any saving virtue as salt, it must be salt indeed, and not the product of chemical alteration or of earthly admixture, whereby is saltiness or “savor” would be lost; and, as worthless stuff, it would be fit only to be thrown away. Against such change of faith, against such admixture with the sophistries, so-called philosophies, and heresies of the times, the disciples were especially warned.
He then calls his disciples the light of the world, and commands that they allow others to see this light that others may want to follow their example and possess this light. What more effective tool is there than living the values Christ taught in such a way that others want to follow your example? I truly believe we will be held accountable for the souls we could have helped save if we had but lived righteously.
Jesus then explains his role in relation to the Law of Moses. This is an interesting back drop; the Giver of the Law himself explaining His role to the people that had been living it for the past 1200 years. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
He then contrasts His law to that of Moses (which He also gave). His law was superior in every way. Under the Law of Moses, it was unlawful to kill; under his Law, to even be mad at ones brother was to be in danger of jeopardy. We are to do everything in our power to be reconciled with our fellow man. He even explains if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remeberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. To be at peace with God, we must be free of any offense against our brethren.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Under the old law, adultery was forbidden. Under the law of Christ, to look upon a person with lust has committed adultery in their heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. He is not advocating self mutilation, in another, similar address he says this instead For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross than that ye should be cast into hell. What he is really referencing is removing the things from our lives that cause us to sin.
The Law of Moses required those that made oaths to follow through. Under the law of Christ, one’s man word was to be considered his bond. Why would we swear by the heavens, when we did not control them, God did? Our word alone should be our bond.
The law of Moses dictated an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Jesus taught “whatsoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” He was not advocating that we do not defend ourselves, but I think that vengeance should not be the guiding force in our lives. We are to forgive and move on.
The heart of the Message, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?
If you only love those that love you, how are you any different than those that are wicked? They do the same.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
I have written on this before. To be perfect as the Father is something that simply will not happen in this life. To be perfect in this sense is to be complete, whole, fully developed. This life is a stage of learning. We need to exercise our faith in Christ, and be perfected in Him.
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