2 Nephi 25:21-31
The premise for these final verses of chapter 25 is found in the end of verse 20:
These verse that follow talk about Nephi's efforts to persuade his children to believe in Christ. He said that he "labored diligently to write, to persuade [his] children, and also [his] brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God;"(See verse 23).
This same verse then concludes with this defining, doctrinal statement: "For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
Nephi goes on to make a very interesting set of observations, comparing and contrasting faith in Christ to the deadness of the Mosaic law, and explaining why it is that they put so much emphasis on teaching Christ to their children.
And it is in verse 25 that we read, "we are made alive in Christ because of our faith, yet we keep the law because of the commandments." At first glance, this seems contradictory, as do many doctrines when viewed superficially. But Christ himself said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." These verses of scripture were penned during the period in which the Law of Moses had been given, and was in effect. Nephi understood the "deadness" of the law, which in and of itself had no saving power. Yet the purpose of the Mosaic law was to point the people to Christ, and his higher laws of the Gospel.
The law of Moses was a lesser law given to a people who wouldn't abide the greater law. Thus we see Christ himself repealing that law in the Sermon on the Mount with such phrases as "It hath been said in olden times (insert a Mosaic law), but I say unto you (insert Christ's higher law)."
The premise for these final verses of chapter 25 is found in the end of verse 20:
...yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.Then in verse 21, Nephi explains that this is the reason that the Lord had promised him that the things which he should write would be preserved and made available to future generations.
These verse that follow talk about Nephi's efforts to persuade his children to believe in Christ. He said that he "labored diligently to write, to persuade [his] children, and also [his] brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God;"(See verse 23).
This same verse then concludes with this defining, doctrinal statement: "For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
Nephi goes on to make a very interesting set of observations, comparing and contrasting faith in Christ to the deadness of the Mosaic law, and explaining why it is that they put so much emphasis on teaching Christ to their children.
And it is in verse 25 that we read, "we are made alive in Christ because of our faith, yet we keep the law because of the commandments." At first glance, this seems contradictory, as do many doctrines when viewed superficially. But Christ himself said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." These verses of scripture were penned during the period in which the Law of Moses had been given, and was in effect. Nephi understood the "deadness" of the law, which in and of itself had no saving power. Yet the purpose of the Mosaic law was to point the people to Christ, and his higher laws of the Gospel.
The law of Moses was a lesser law given to a people who wouldn't abide the greater law. Thus we see Christ himself repealing that law in the Sermon on the Mount with such phrases as "It hath been said in olden times (insert a Mosaic law), but I say unto you (insert Christ's higher law)."
Comments
Post a Comment