From: Paul Gage LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD APRIL 13, 2023 MID-APRIL Blessings to the Saints around the world, Easter is gone, but PRAISE GOD. JESUS IS ALIVE! For what purpose did Jesus come to earth, suffer and die for us, be resurrected and return to God? As mentioned in Matthew 2:4 “...for he shall save his people from their sins.” John 3:16 reminds us, however, that a person must believe on Jesus in order to have eternal life. To believe is more than just saying you believe in Jesus. In Mosiah 2:9-17 King Benjamin states; 9 I say unto you, If ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men, 10 And also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life (I mean the life of the mortal body), 11 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were, ever since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world; and this is the means whereby salvation cometh. Everything comes back to keeping God’s commandments. This has been the downfall of every generation from Adam until now, with the exception of Enoch and Zion. There are many ways we can and do sin, but perhaps one big thing is in our dealings with one another. We know Jesus came to save us from our sins but cannot save us in our sins. From Cain until now, even those who claim to be followers of Jesus, for the most part, refuse to follow God’s simple plan for reconciliation and the unity needed for Zion. In her book, “Living Water” Thelona Stevens told of a lady, who was her secretary, who carried a grudge for ten years over something that Thelona was not even aware of. The lady had carried the grudge for ten years while continuing to partake of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In Matthew 6:13 Jesus prayed, “Forgive us our trespasses , AS we forgive those who trespass against us.” Verse 16 goes on to tell us that if we forgive, God forgives, but if we do not forgive, God does not forgive. James Christenson in his book, “Zion in Our Time,” says “While the Zionic process is spiritual growth that happens in each of us, the growth is fed by physical acts.” This includes the physical act of seeking true reconciliation and forgiveness according to God’s Laws. This Law is explained in Matthew 5:25-26, DC 42:23, and DC 64 as well as other places. I really like Nephi’s response to mistreatment from his brothers in 1 Nephi 2:28-34, where he says, “I did frankly forgive them for all that they had done.” No grudges held, no bringing it up later, no harboring ill will. If we truly forgive, there can be no continuing to wallow in it as the lady did with Thelona Stevens. When we refuse to fully and completely forgive, we stay separated from that person, but also from God. In Enoch’s Zion, they were of one heart and one mind and dwelt in righteousness. This didn’t mean they never had problems, but they knew how to resolve them and continue in righteousness. That is what we are called to do…………………………... I would like to refer you to three articles in the last “Restoration Voice” March/April 2023. “A Transforming Repentance Is Needed” by Harold Velt, “Say Nothing But Repentance” by Edwin Spargo, and “Can We Escape Our Responsibilities?” by Harley A. Morris Sr. God be with yourselves |
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