Colleen Harrison, in her wonderful book He Did Deliver Me From Bondage gives a wonderful analysis of this chapter in which she pointed out that I was spiritually dyslexic. When it came to the gospel I had it all backwards. The way I approached keeping the commandments, accessing the Atonement and generally living my life had the cart before the horse. I thought I had to perfect myself and then and only then could I worthily approach the Lord. It was like waiting for the tumor to go away and then going to the doctor.
Here King Benjamin points out that we must apply the Atonement to our lives by repenting, receiving a mission of our sins and then trusting in God by praying in humility faithfully, then He will prepare and assist us in doing all else that is required of us. I was going about attempting the "all else" and neglecting the fundamental fact that Jesus is the only name by which I might receive salvation. I was essentially trying to save myself, no wonder I was failing and frustrated. Thankfully, I have now discovered that He is my strength and my song and that I accomplish nothing of value in my life, my family or the kingdom without His grace and assent. If we willingly acknowledge our own nothingness and seek His aid, we can do all things that are expedient in Him. If not we are on our own and He neither ratifies our labor, nor counts it toward our salvation. If He were to do so He would be allowing us another means by which we can obtain eternal life. A thing He cannot do.
On this wonderful, blessed Christmas day, I am thankful beyond measure that he condescended to come to earth to do for me what I cannot do for myself. He suffered so very much that He might recover us and bring us home. Blessed be the name of the Lord for it.
2 comments:
I too am a follower of Colleen. I enjoyed Mosiah 4 on Christmas Day. I chose this for my journal..
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
Remember, remember, remember….
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