Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself

This week my posts have focused on the first and great commandment to LOVE GOD. Love is often described as a feeling, an idea, but without the active component of love it does not endure. This is true in God’s love for us, our love of God, and our love for others.

How would we know of God’s love for us, except that we experience it in the acts of sacrifice and care he bestows upon us. We know his love because of his constant reaching out to us, his endless long-suffering love toward us, and his daily striving with us.

Absent evidence of love, is there love at all?

This is how we should examine our love for God. When God commands us to love him, is he asking for us to have soft warm feelings of love and gratitude toward him, but without any of the tangible evidence of love in our actions? If we didn’t have the tangible evidence of God’s love for us, would we know he loves us? No! So too, we must act upon our love for God.

Love is more a verb than a noun. Without its active component it has no power, no abiding nature, and therefore it is dead. James says that faith without works is dead, this is also true for love, love without the works of love is not love at all.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15

This week my study and posts will examine the second great commandment, which Christ the Lord said was “like unto” the first, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” ( Matthew 22:39)

The Lord's expectations in relation to the second great commandment are the same as the first, namely, that love will be something that we do.

It is very common to think of love in relation to romantic love, and this is not a bad place to start, as the married relationship is the end to which the feelings of romantic love are given. Christ likens the married state and married love to the covenant relationship he made with his church and each of us. Marriage acts as the intimate school of love in this life and in the relationship we have the opportunity to develop the characteristics related to Godly love.

A favorite song of mine demonstrates the principles of action in the loving of a spouse.

Something That We Do

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
I still believe the words we said
Forever will ring true

Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn't something that we find
It's something that we do

It's holding tight, lettin' go
It's flying high and laying low
Let your strongest feelings show
And your weakness, too

It's a little and a lot to ask
An endless and a welcome task
Love isn't something that we have
It's something that we do

We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start

It gives me heart remembering how
We started with a simple vow
There's so much to look back on now
Still it feels brand-new

We're on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love's not just something that we're in
It's something that we do

We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start

Love is wide, love is long
Love is deep and love is strong
Love is why I love this song
And I hope you love it too

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn't just those words we said
It's something that we do

There's no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn't someplace that we fall
It's something that we do

(Songwriters: Clint Black / Donald Ewing Ii)

What is true in our marriage relationships, is also in our relationship with God and others, love isn’t someplace that we fall but rather it is something that we mindfully do. That love isn’t simply something we say, but something that we do. Love isn’t something that we’re in, but something that we do. Love isn't just something that we have, but something that we do. Love isn't something that we find, it's something that we do.

Love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart

Now that we’ve established in previous posts a firm understanding of what sin is, why obedience is necessary, and what our obligation to obey the law of the Lord is, let’s learn what the Lord has commanded us to do or not do. I will be organizing the rest of my posts in this study into categories of command. Starting in the order given in scripture. Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment in the law, and Jesus answered:

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” — Matthew 22:36-40

So let’s begin at the beginning and examine the commandment to LOVE GOD “with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” To do this we will need to examine the true nature of love and its connection to obedience to the law.

Many people view commandments simply as restrictions on a person's freedom. When a person views God’s commandments in this way they resist submitting to God’s will, acting in pride believing they know better than God. This attitude of defiance will continue unless a person comes to believe in God’s love for them and turns their heart to God.

Why is obedience about love?

Love is at the heart of God’s commandments. Out of God’s love for us he has given us commandments that will bring us joy, peace, and safety, if we willingly obey. When we believe in God’s omnipotence, then we accept that he knows what is in our best interest. When we believe in his love for us, then we can accept that commandments are meant to bless us rather than restrict us.

“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” — Doctrine and Covenant 130:20-21

When we act on our belief and obey God’s laws “he doth immediately bless” us. (Mosiah 2:24, Book of Mormon) Our experiences with the fruits of obedience draw us nearer to God and strengthen our love for him. John taught that obedience to God’s laws is the expression of our love for him.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” — 1 John 5:3

It is no wonder then that the commandment to love God contains the injunction “with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” It takes this kind of singular focus on God and our love for him, and faith in his love for us, to continue to strive to obey his commandments.

Our striving for obedience teaches us to rely upon Christ and his atoning power and grace to maintain ourselves in good works. In this way, obedience increases our faith and understanding of Christ’s atoning power, and draws our hearts nearer to him in love and gratitude.

This deep and abiding love of God is the only long lasting motivation to follow God’s commandments. For this reason the first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:3) It is no wonder that Christ taught that upon this law “hang all the law and the prophets.”

To LOVE God is to…

LOVE what God loves

WANT what God wants

DO what God commands

Here are some Scriptures passages that explain why:

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” — Matthew 22:37-38

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.” — Doctrine & Covenants 59:5

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always.” — Deut. 11:1

“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

“And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

“And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

“And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

— Mosiah 4:9-12, Book of Mormon

“And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit… Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” — 3 Nephi 12:19-20, Book of Mormon

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.” — Alma 13:28-29

“That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” — Moroni 7:13, Book of Mormon

“Be Ye Therefore Perfect”

Why does God command us to be perfect? And is it possible?

The simplest answer to the question is that God has commanded all things that are requisite to his plan to bring about the immortality and eternal life of man. The commandments set both the conditions as well as the road map to our eventual perfection and exaltation; they show us the path to becoming what we are meant to become.

What are we meant to be?

“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.” — Romans 8:16-17

We are children of God and joint heirs with Christ in the courts of heaven if we will meet the conditions and live the laws that govern that kingdom. If this sounds to you like a doctrine of works, don’t be deceived, there are many commandments and among the most important are ones related to faith in Christ and repentance through Christ. The acts of faith in God’s atoning power, his grace, and his mercy are at the center of his plan for the perfection of his children.

Perhaps another important reason for the capstone command to be perfect is to act as a reminder that we have an obligation to strive on in good works and not become weary in well-doing as we endure to the end in the straight and narrow. In our striving it becomes necessary for us to look to Christ and his strengthening and enabling power in order to abound in good works. On our own we simply cannot do it. This is what is meant in Ephesians 4:7, “Into every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” When you see that word grace used in scriptures, a good way to understand what it means is to substitute it for “the strengthening and enabling power of the atonement.” It is this power that sustains us in our path of discipleship.

So, is perfection possible?

All that God has commanded is possible and we must have faith and hope in our eventual perfection. We must humbly walk in our weakness relying upon the merits of Christ who is mighty to save and open our hearts to the word of God; feasting upon his word and laying hold of all that he has given for our progression from bad to good, and good to better, until the time when we all come to the “stature of the fullness of Christ.”

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

— Ephesians 4:11-15

“Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

“And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.” 

— Moroni 10:32-33

What Does God Expect of Us?

What expectations does God have related to our obedience and what is the purpose for obedience?

LOVE GOD….

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” — Mark 12:30

OBEY GOD…..

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15

ABIDE IN GOD’S LOVE….

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” — John 15:10

GROW IN KNOWLEDGE, JUDGEMENT, & THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS…..

“This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ…” — Philippians 1:9-11

REMAIN FREE TO CHOOSE….

“Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.” — Doctrine & Covenants 88:86

SERVE GOD, KNOW GOD.....

“For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” — Mosiah 5:13

LIVE FOREVER WITH GOD…..

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” — John 17:3



The scriptural passages that establish God’s expectation that the believers will be followers and keepers of his law are FAR TOO numerous to list here. But just to demonstrate how often God is clear about his expectations, here are scriptures from just one New Testament Epistle that communicate clear expectations from the Lord:

“Walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” — Ephesians 4:17-19

“Put off… the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” — Ephesians 4:22-24

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children” — Ephesians 5:1

“Now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” — Ephesians 5:8-11

“Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise… Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” — Ephesians 5:15-17

Are We Sinners of Saints?

When Paul says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) does he mean we are all sinful and will remain so while in this world?

This statement by Paul may leave some to wonder whether the daily striving to follow is futile if despite our efforts we remain sinners still. If we all come short regardless of our best efforts then why is effort required?

The answer should be an encouraging one. God himself, perfect and all powerful, has made declarations that certain faithful followers were “just and perfect.” Of Noah God said, “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9) With that description of Noah’s walk with God, did Noah come short of the glory of God? Assuredly yes! No human being in this fallen state is equal to the glory of God, yet a man who is a devoted disciple, walking with God in a covenant relationship, relying fully upon the merits of Christ, can be just and perfect in his generation (in their time and place), and it is to this that we aspire.

Too often as Christian’s we get caught up proclaiming ourselves hopeless sinners and then praising Christ for our pardon, but we must be very careful. “Focusing on [Christ’s] achievements rather than our failures does not give us one ounce of justification for undisciplined lives or dumbing down our standards. No, from the beginning the gospel has been “for the perfecting of the saints, … till we … come … unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13)

On the other hand, if you are using your aspirational desire for a more perfect walk with Christ to beat yourself up for all the ways you fall short, such behavior is neither productive nor righteous. “We should not demean or vilify ourselves, as if beating up on ourselves is somehow going to make us the person God wants us to become.”

– “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

When we do, we are giving into a clever deception of the devil and denying the power of Christ to change us if we walk humbly before him. And not just humbly, but disciples of Christ should be among the most optimistic and cheerful people in this world.

“Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” — Doctrine and Covenants 123:17

How can we respond positively to our shortcomings?

If at the end of your daily scripture study, “You are pretty certain you are not going to get good marks on your gospel report card, then the final commandment in the chain is sure to finish the job: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father … in heaven is perfect.” With that concluding imperative, we want to go back to bed and pull the covers over our head. Such celestial goals seem beyond our reach. Yet surely the Lord would never give us a commandment He knew we could not keep.

“Many who struggle with this issue: “I am just not good enough.” “I fall so far short.” “I will never measure up.”… Satan has somehow managed to make covenants and commandments seem like curses and condemnations… yet, we can pursue personal improvement in a way that doesn’t include getting ulcers or anorexia, feeling depressed or demolishing our self-esteem.

– “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

As was stated in a former post in this study, the purpose for the cleansing and justifying powers of the atonement is to bring the sinful man into a redemptive relationship with Christ, referred to as a covenant relationship, a relationship that has the power to make good men better until we are made perfect through Christ. During this life we can aspire to be the best versions of ourselves and be maintained in good works through daily reliance of the Holy Spirit, being cleansed when we come short through repentance. This person is what the scriptures call “a saint.” All faithful disciples of Christ should think of themselves as saints not sinners.

– What is a Saint?

A repentant sinner, living in a state of grace, bound in a covenant relationship with God, and striving to the end to be like Christ.

 

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him … ,” (Moroni 10:32, Book of Mormon). “Love God with all your might, mind and strength, then … by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.” Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven—we can’t “earn” it. Thus, the grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism. (“Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

“When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” — Genesis 17:1

Let us think on the great lesson learned from the great patriarch Abraham, who grew in faith until he came to trust that there was no commandment given of God that he could not follow. He came to view obedience as the way to increase in faith and knowledge. When commanded to sacrifice his son and heir to the promise, he did not shrink from obedience but went forth in faith believing that God would provide a way for him to obey even in this, and that in his obedience the Lord would reveal himself and his purposes. His commitment to perfect obedience is a testament and example to us all.

Surely, Abraham is among the greatest of God’s servants on earth, and nearly all of us come short of his righteous example, but he was mortal, and he did show us how to walk as mortal men in a covenant relationship with God.

“Every one of us aspires to a more Christlike life than we often succeed in living. If we admit that honestly and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites; we are human. May we refuse to let our own mortal follies, and the inevitable shortcomings of even the best men and women around us, make us cynical about the truths of the gospel, our hope for our future, or the possibility of godliness. If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete.” (“Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

Rather than proclaim ourselves hopeless sinners while praising Christ’s atoning blood, let us rather proclaim ourselves saints because of Christ’s atoning blood; and cheerfully walk with Christ in our striving to become like him in this life and to become perfected by him in the next life.

(The above post has several excerpts from “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually, By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../be-ye-therefore...)

Does the Atonement Save Us in Our Sins?

Can we simply say we believe in Christ, go on sinning, and expect that we are saved?

Consider that question when you read these passages:

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” — Ephesians 5:5-7

“Shall he save his people in their sins? …he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word… and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven.” — Alma 11:34-37

“Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.

“But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son; Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.”

— Alma 12:32-34

“I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.” — Moroni 10:30

“Can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God? …I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?” — Alma 5:18-20

“For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.”

“And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.”

“That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.”

“All kingdoms have a law given… and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.”

— Doctrine and Covenants 88:33-39

It is clear from scripture that those who profess belief must act in obedience to the commandments of God. It is through action that we give evidence of our love and faith in the Lord, and it is through our striving to be examples of the believers that the Lord’s atoning powers are manifest in our lives, through those powers we are changed, and without those powers there can be no victory over the natural man. Among the commandments with the power to change our nature, the command to repent is one of the most important.

 

We are imperfect and we fall short of the glory of God. Even in our best effort we fail sometimes, we take our eyes away from Christ and we sink. We must call out to our Savior for his power and repent often. If we do this we can walk in a state of grace, clean from the burdens of our sin, and able to receive his greater light and grace in our striving to forsake our sins. With the strengthening and enabling power of Christ we can and will become a new creator, and we will be clean every wit, it not we cannot expect to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Is There a Difference Between Being Sinfulness and Weakness?

Weakness is a condition of the fall. In our fallen state our natures are subject to the weakness of this state. We are all weak because of the flesh, but unlike animals who are beholden to the dictates of the flesh, human beings are created higher than the beasts and endowed by their Father in Heaven with divine capacities to use their free will to choose holier ways. If we respond to our fallen weakness in pride and choose not to yield to God and his laws, then our weakness will become sinfulness.

Weakness makes us susceptible to temptation, but only when we yield to temptation and give the natural man power over our spirits (our divine nature) do we sin. Thus weakness is not the same as sin.

Notice in the following passage that the natural man is an enemy to God, but also notice that it is not the human soul (not our spiritual element) that is fallen.

“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.” — Mosiah 3:19, Book of Mormon

Because of the special capacities human beings have as children of God, created in his image, we are able through Christ to become a saint, to have our natures changed; or in other words to overcome sin through Christ and see our natural weakness loose power over our spiritual strength.

How is it done?

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” — Either 12:27, Book of Mormon

From these passages we learn that a person can be in a state of weakness without being in a state of sinfulness. We learn that there is a difference between weakness and sin, and that the fall, which brought us into this state of weakness was given to us by God that we might be humble and exercise faith in him; learning that his grace is sufficient to overcome our weakness.

“The Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things.” — Jacob 4:7

Weakness and sin are different but the cure is the same, if we turn to God for a remission of our sin and humbly walk in his way, then our weakness and sin can be overcome through Christ.

“God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty… That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

What is being sinful OR sinfulness?

Sinful at its simplest definition is to be full of sin.

Sinful: wicked and immoral; committing or characterized by the committing of sins.

Sinfulness: the fact of being morally wrong or evil.

Full of sin

Characterized by sin

Being sinful

When a person is full of sin, they live in a sinful state that impacts the formation of their thoughts, behaviors, and character; that is why they become characterized by sin, their very state of being is sinful.

The disciple of Christ can live in this fallen world and suffer the temptations of the flesh without being “full of” sin. A person committed to Christ can and will sin but that person will live in the active redemption of Christ.

How is it done?

It’s done through the powers of the infinite atonement of Christ. Through His atonement all who come unto Christ with a broken heart and contrite spirit, believing in Christ, will have their sins forgiven. This is the transformation that makes bad men good. Through regular, even constant repentance, and a sincere striving to “sin no more,” (John 8:11) the once sinful can be kept clean through Christ.

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” — Isaiah 1:18

“Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.” — Doctrine & Covenants 58:42-43

Why is it done?

The purpose for the cleansing and justifying powers of the atonement is to bring the sinful man into a redemptive relationship with Christ, referred to as a covenant relationship, a relationship that has the power to make good men better until we are made perfect through Christ.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." _- Matthew 16:24

The scriptures refer to a person who lives their life in the active redemption of Christ, as a saint. This disciple of Christ grows from “grace to grace” (Doctrine & Covenants 98:13) through the Holy Spirit, activating the sanctifying powers of the atonement. This grace strengthens and enables them to “do all things through Christ,” (Philippians 4:13) not the least of which is to maintain themselves in obedience to the commandments of God. This progression from bad to good, and from good to better, is why the Lord refers to his faithful disciples as righteous rather than sinful.

Christ’s atonement was not only that we might not suffer for our sins, but so that we might be full of His Spirit, having our characters molded in His image, that we may become able to stand against the fiery darts of the adversary while sojourning in this fallen world, walking uprightly before God, having our very natures changed through our daily walk with Christ.

Full of the Holy Spirit

Characterized by discipleship of Christ

Becoming righteous

The Greater Condemnation

In a previous post we learned that there are classes of sin that are particularly abominable in God’s eyes. And one of those is when a person who had knowledge and light, and walked in the Lord’s path, willfully turns away from the path and intentionally continues in wrongdoing—having a hostility toward God, denying his authority, and actively turning from His way. This type of wickedness comes under greater condemnation.

Disciples of Christ… must OBEY Christ!

What has the Lord said about the righteous who turn away from the path of the Lord in rebellion and sin without repentance?

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against… all men… who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” — Romans 1:18

“He that hateth reproof is brutish… A man of wicked devices will he condemn… A man shall not be established by wickedness…” — Proverbs 12:1-3

“Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation…” — Helaman 14:19, Book of Mormon

“Let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation…” — Moroni 9:6, Book of Mormon

“For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.” — Doctrine & Covenants 82:3

“When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.” — Ezekiel 18:24

“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.” — Ezekiel 18:21-22

It is important to emphasize in this area of study that no matter how far a person has fallen Christ’s arms are reached out still. The entire story of the Bible illustrates the long-suffering love the Savior has for all mankind. Whether you have been lost in the fog of ignorance, strayed from the path, or willfully rebelled against God, there is a path of repentance and forgiveness for you.

Iniquity

Iniquity is a word that is sometimes used synonymously with sin but the more prevalent use of the word is set in the context of the collective sins of a people, most often in reference to the sins of the people of God when they turn away from him and abominations and wickedness becomes widespread within the nation.

Most passages containing the collective meaning of inquiry, the people have ripened in sin unto destruction and the judgements of God have come upon them. The descriptions of a people in the state of iniquity are ones of widespread sexual sin and violence.

Scripture Passages that Teach About Iniquity

Abominations

In this study of Sin & the Law, it is important to look at the language the Lord uses to describe sin. Other words used in scripture to describe sin are: Abomination, wickedness, and iniquity.

Do these terms have specific meanings that further help us understand what sin is and how it affects our relationship to God? In this post we will begin to examine these ideas by looking at the word: Abomination. Here I will site an article from a blog: Be Stirred, Not Shaken. The author of the article: What Are Abominations Before the Lord? Does a very good job analyzing the use of the word in scripture and defining the basic ideas that define the word in this way:

The words “abomination” and “abominable” are used over 170 times in the KJV. The most prominent word translated “abomination” is to ebah to ebah, and signifies that which is disgusting morally, an abhorrence. Three are from the same root word (shequets, shaqats, shiqquts) and mean roughly the same thing— filth, figuratively or literally an idolatrous object, detestable thing. Two other words (ba ash and piggul piggul) are only translated abomination once or twice, but more often words like stank, loathsome, and abhor are used when translating them.

Abomination is used to speak to behaviors God finds detestable. Things he says he “hates,” and thus they are particular sins that we should hate.

This list can be grouped into these major ideas:

1. Worshiping other gods
2. Polluting God’s ordinances, sacraments, and worship practices.
3. Sexual sins
4. Taking advantage of people, particularly children, the poor, elderly, or others over whom you have power
5. Wickedness—that is, actively turning from God’s way

Abominations are often associated with what the Lord calls wickedness. Wickedness seems to imply not just wandering away from the Lord’s path on accident, but being intent on continuing in wrongdoing—having a hostility toward God and actively turning from His way. This is the unrepentant sinner. It’s no wonder that God calls this attitude an abomination, as it mirrors the rebellious attitude of Satan.

For more from this blog: https://bestirrednotshaken.com/topic-studies/abomination-bible/

Why Keep the Commandments?

In this study it is my desire to search out those things God has commanded us to do and not to do, so that we might have greater knowledge and understanding of the Lord’s path and hopefully a greater desire to obey his commandments.

But why? What benefit is it to know all the things I shouldn’t do? Or for that matter all the things I should? Isn’t blissful ignorance better?

1) To Bring us Nearer Unto Christ

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” — Galatians 3:25

We are brought unto Christ in two ways, knowledge of his ways that we gain in obedience to his laws and dependence on his grace as we struggle to maintain good works and learn that only through his grace (enabling and strengthening power) can we do all things. The Book of Mormon explains this same teaching with the plainness that is characteristic of the Book of Mormon.

“And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled. Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” — 3 Nephi 12:19-20

2) To Come to Know God

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” — John 17:3

“For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” — Mosiah 5:13, Book of Mormon

“Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” — 1 John 2:3-4

3) For the strengthening of faith, peace, and happiness that obedience brings.

“O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” — Isaiah 48:18

“I would desire that ye should consider the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” — Mosiah 2:21

Have you ever noticed how many signs are posted along roads and highways? Some signs provide directions to help drivers travel where they want to go. Other signs promote safety by showing speed limits or warning messages about road conditions. If drivers decide to ignore road signs, they can put themselves and others at risk. Heavenly Father’s commandments are a little like road signs. When obeyed, the commandments direct you on the path that leads to God’s presence. They instruct you on how to find peace and joy in this life. God’s commandments can also help you avoid many of the spiritual and temporal dangers in this world.

Living outside the protection of God’s law is not bliss. Walking in the peace of his path brings immeasurable blessings.

“There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.” — Isaiah 48:22

The commandments are evidence of God’s love for you. Choosing to keep the commandments brings blessings and joy into your life. Obedience to the commandments will also prepare you to return to live with God forever. God’s universal and perfect love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan, including the fact that His choicest blessings are reserved for those who obey His laws.

What is Sin?

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” — James 4:17

What do we learn about sin from this scripture?

1) To commit sin is to willfully disobey God’s commandments or to fail to act righteously despite a knowledge of the truth.

2) Our ability to sin is connected to our knowledge of what sin is, therefore, our coming under the condemnation of sin is a result of our knowledge of what is right and wrong.

Expanded Q&A:

1) Is sinful behavior only a sin if you believe the behavior is sinful?

No. What is wrong is always wrong, regardless of whether you know it is wrong or even believe it is wrong, but your accountability to God for your actions is limited by your knowledge.

An example would be: Gravity will make you fall whether or not you know that gravity will make you fall, but if you are a young child who believes he can fly off the deck like a bird and you get hurt when you hit the cement below, the adults who have care of you are less likely to be angry at your foolishness than if you did the same foolish act at an age when your knowledge should have prevented it.

2) If a person doesn’t know something they are doing is wrong, then are they free and clear of the consequences of their actions?

No. Actions against God’s law lead to painful consequences for everyone who breaks these laws, regardless of their knowledge of God or their belief in him. However, those who have the greater light will receive the greater condemnation before the Lord when they sin against that light.

An example: Regardless of whether or not you know the spiritual consequence of sexual promiscuity, your life will suffer because of it. The natural consequences of possible physical disease, the emotional damage of choices related to unwanted pregnancies, the diminishing ability to have healthy attached relationships, etc., these will come as consequences to all who engage in this unhealthy and dangerous behavior. For those who had knowledge of the serious sinfulness of sexual impurity and promiscuity outside marriage but willfully sins against that knowledge, will not not suffer these earthly consequences but they will suffer even greater spiritual consequences and must stand before God under a greater condemnation if they do not repent.

Other than Jesus Christ, each person who has ever lived on earth has broken the commandments of God or failed to act according to knowledge of the truth. The Apostle John taught: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

The Light of Christ “lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:9), even those who have not studied the laws of God, reject his authority, or deny his existence have some knowledge of what is right and wrong. Their consciousness may have become less sharp and their spiritual eyes may have darkened, some may even become “past feeling” and “without natural affection,” but at some point in their lives, and at moments in their downward path, they had moments of choice aided by the conscience and clarity of the light of Christ.

Daily Manna: Sin & The Law

The next scripture study I would like to do here Ponder the Path & the Facebook Group the Daily Manna will focus on answering the question “What is sin?” And, what do the scriptures teach us about how God expects us to respond to sin in ourselves and others?

As Christians we praise God for our redemption from sin, but do we KNOW what sin is and do know when we sin? Do we know that we are supposed to forsake sin? Do we hate sin and love righteousness? Do we know how to forsake sin and become saints through Christ? Do we even believe it is possible?

Sin is rampant in our times and sadly not just among the non-believers. It is apparent that in a nation where a majority profess belief in Christ the fruits of the faith are in short supply. In fact, the rise of non-believers in our society is a natural result of the inattention of Christians to the adherence of their faith in past generations, and the further decline of our civilization will not halt so long as the believers remain in sin.

It’s for this reason that I believe we need a scripture study on key concepts related to sin and obedience, sinfulness and righteousness.

Let’s start this study defining some key questions:

• What is sin?
• What is being sinful? OR sinfulness.
• Is there a difference between being sinful and mortal weakness?
• Is mortal weakness the same as sin?
• When Paul says “we all fall short of the glory of God, does he mean we are all sinful and will remain so while in this world?
• Does the atonement save us in our sin or from our sin? What’s the difference?
• What expectations does God have related to our obedience, the purpose for obedience, and principles of turning away from sin through the grace of God?
• Why does God command us to be perfect? And is it possible?

Let’s get started!!