Jacob 4:7-13
I have been somewhat remorse as of late because of my personal failures to draw closer to my Lord. Knowing that I've received some significant spiritual instruction as of late, I think that the thing that has concerned me the most is my own obvious ingratitude towards Christ. I guess what I'm trying to express is that I feel that I have been taking for granted my Advocate before the Father, because He seems to always be there, whether or not I fully recognize His help. Reading these verses in Jacob has helped me to remember how absolutely essential Christ and His atonement really are.
What's even more interesting is the way in which Jacob words it. "For why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him..." (vs. 12). What strikes me about this passage is the use of the word "perfect " suggesting that a knowledge of Christ's involvement in my life can be much more than just a passing awareness. The question that I am asking myself now is: how? How to attain to a perfect knowledge of Christ?
President Thomas S. Monson offers this solution: "Let us follow [Jesus Christ]. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude," ("The Divine Gift of Gratitude", Oct 2010 General Conference, emphasis added).
I suppose what I am missing is the conscientious connection that my actions are the means by which a perfect knowledge of Christ is to be obtained. For as I do the things that Christ has taught, and regard my actions as reflections of the teachings of Christ, then will I become more intimately His disciple and His friend.
Now the final question I ask myself is this: do I have the faith to believe that it is just that simple? Do I want to believe in Christ? Of course I do. The use of the word "perfect" also provides a measuring stick for me to look to. If my knowledge is not yet perfect, then there is still room for growth in these matters. And I am not yet as I ought to become.
I have been somewhat remorse as of late because of my personal failures to draw closer to my Lord. Knowing that I've received some significant spiritual instruction as of late, I think that the thing that has concerned me the most is my own obvious ingratitude towards Christ. I guess what I'm trying to express is that I feel that I have been taking for granted my Advocate before the Father, because He seems to always be there, whether or not I fully recognize His help. Reading these verses in Jacob has helped me to remember how absolutely essential Christ and His atonement really are.
What's even more interesting is the way in which Jacob words it. "For why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him..." (vs. 12). What strikes me about this passage is the use of the word "perfect " suggesting that a knowledge of Christ's involvement in my life can be much more than just a passing awareness. The question that I am asking myself now is: how? How to attain to a perfect knowledge of Christ?
President Thomas S. Monson offers this solution: "Let us follow [Jesus Christ]. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude," ("The Divine Gift of Gratitude", Oct 2010 General Conference, emphasis added).
"Ye are my afriends, if ye do whatsoever I bcommand you.
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you afriends; for all things that I have bheard of my Father I have made cknown unto you." (John 15:14-15, emphasis added)
I suppose what I am missing is the conscientious connection that my actions are the means by which a perfect knowledge of Christ is to be obtained. For as I do the things that Christ has taught, and regard my actions as reflections of the teachings of Christ, then will I become more intimately His disciple and His friend.
Now the final question I ask myself is this: do I have the faith to believe that it is just that simple? Do I want to believe in Christ? Of course I do. The use of the word "perfect" also provides a measuring stick for me to look to. If my knowledge is not yet perfect, then there is still room for growth in these matters. And I am not yet as I ought to become.
In reviewing yesterday's post, it has had a resonating effect on my morning's preparations for the day. Yesterday, I stated how my knowledge of Christ's involvement in my life can be much more than just a passing awareness. Even the phrase "Christ's involvement in my life" has me looking at the definition of atonement differently. I had been taught and have been always aware that atonement had to do with our being one with Christ, or at-one-ment. But I suppose that I have grossly under-appreciated that Christ has a personal involvement in all the blessings that I do so freely enjoy, most importantly, peace of conscience.
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