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"No Other Way," Alma 38:7-12

Alma 38:7-12

Alma counsels Shiblon to "bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love." (vs. 12) Not only is this a key insight to happy living, but this is a significant explanation as to why commandments, and why obedience matters. Being passionate about something is good, being driving and motivated to accomplish good works is important, but being filled with love, that is best.

In yesterday's study, we established how spiritual knowledge is a gift of God. In today's readings though, there is agency front and center as Alma explains that "never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins." (vs. 8) It strikes me as significant that though God's grace is a gift given, it means nothing to us until we actively turn to receive it. We still have to choose it. We have to want it.

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Come back to verse 9 tomorrow. I read this verse, and I realized this is why I have pursued the path which I have followed. It makes little sense, but it is true. 

Alma testifies "..there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ." This simple statement says so much to me. In part it says that the answer to life's challenges is in Christ; the world has its solutions, proposals and answers, and superficially these may work. The purpose of this life is to solve our challenges with Christ, not some other way, and in the end the only answer that will work towards our salvation is Christ! "He is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness."

As I said earlier, this gives credence to my life's path. I am where I need to be because of my faith in Christ, and that gives me a great deal of comfort.
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