“Oh to Know and Understand” cji 3/31/13
How often one must ponder the Scriptures in
understanding the full importance of the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. The wonder and impact in each of our lives and what it means in the
eternities. The magnitude is overwhelming – as he saved from Spiritual death
every living soul ever to come into mortality – all not lacking even one no
matter when or where they were born or lived. How many one might guess have
received this sacred blessing who have never heard or will hear of Him in their
lifetimes? Countless billions comes to mind – while only a very small
percentage have been given the chance to come to know him and through him the
Father who’s will he did in every action of his ministry.
Too many stop simply at being ‘saved’ which all
are with the exception of those who deny the Holy Ghost or commit murder (or
the shedding of innocent blood). The Scriptures teach us much more than just
being ‘saved’ but how we can each earn eternal life. Too often the worldly
cares and meaningless tribulations overcome or otherwise distract us in our
study and learning curve of eternal life. Many times the teachings of others
who are trying to make sense of the Scriptures confound and confuse those who
allow them to think for them – rather than doing one’s own homework. Many
forget that in the 3rd and 4th Century – St. Augustine
and Origen both admitted that didn’t know what much of the Scriptures meant so
they applied the learning to men/women to make sense for themselves and ultimately
for millions upon millions of others.
Soon the universities and divinity schools were
teaching the doctrines which were convenient to these two fathers of the
Eastern and Western Christian Churches instead of the Scriptures. They would
mix in the rhetoric and Greek philosophy in with the Scriptures. So much
history and changes have thus taken place that the simplicity of what the
Savior and the Prophets have taught are no longer either simply or clear,
concise and common sense.
Let it suffice our Lord and Savior came and did
all he was commanded by his Father – he did it voluntarily for our benefit – up
to and sacrificing his life to remove spiritual death from the world. He did it
for every person born into mortality – all – in toto’ none excepted. Thus we
can almost never be found thankful and obedient enough (in our eyes) except in
full obedience to the Commandments, Statutes and Laws as established by our
Heavenly Father and our Savior, his only begotten Son!
Thus when we consider the Easter Season – let us
remember the real and true purpose of what took place and why. May we be found
in full understanding by having applied ourselves to reading, pondering,
praying and seeking to understand as James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him.” And verse 6, “But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with
the wind and tossed.”
This is my prayer for each of us that we might
do so – and know for ourselves what the Scriptures teach and want us each to
know! I testify that Jesus is the Christ – the Son of our Heavenly Father – who
came to remove spiritual death from the world so that someday we might all
return onto Him if we are willing to earn this in our eternal salvation. In his
name – even Jesus the Christ – amen – c/ork
“Oh to
Know and Understand”
cji
3/31/13
It is
all just there if we will read
our eyes
opened into the eternal
plain
and precious truths revealed
precept
upon precept if we but seek;
Oh for
each of us to be humbly meek
having our
testimonies forever sealed
understanding
we too can be eternal
oh to
know and understand and heed!
Copyright
© 2013 – cji
