This is part 2 of a potential 8-entry post about how we can come to know God and enjoy our relationship with Him, what He expects of us, how He continues to guide us now just as He did during Bible times, and how we can have peace in this life and prepare to live with Him again as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God's plan for us to follow while we're on earth is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we live the gospel, we will become more like our Heavenly Father, we will find true purpose in life, and we will be happier.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a lifestyle. We begin by learning about what Jesus has taught us to do. We then try to change what we're currently doing or not doing to fit with what He taught. As we do so, we learn that we can trust Him. We can then make promises to God that we are willing to follow Jesus Christ. We make those promises when we are baptized. By keeping the promises we make when we're baptized, we are blessed to have the Holy Ghost to guide us at all times. The Holy Ghost will help us know how we can be more like the Savior. We then try to serve and help others as God would want us to. We do our best to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
We may feel that we don't know enough, don't really believe enough, or have messed up too many times to follow Jesus Christ. But, the gospel was designed for imperfect people! Us making mistakes is just a reality of life. There is nothing limiting us from receiving the blessings of the gospel besides our own decision not to live it or to give up trying because of despair or frustration.
When we make mistakes, disappoint ourselves, or leave God for awhile, we can begin again by trusting that Jesus can and will forgive and help us. And He will. Knowing or hoping this, we repent - we try to change, we try to live Jesus' teachings, we ask for forgiveness. We make promises with God, or we renew those promises by going to church and taking the sacrament. We try to listen to the Holy Ghost and live Christ's teachings, including His invitation to keep on repenting. We can start living the gospel at any point in our lives, no matter where we are or what we've done or what we know. The perfect starting point to begin to follow Christ is wherever we are right now.
When we make mistakes, disappoint ourselves, or leave God for awhile, we can begin again by trusting that Jesus can and will forgive and help us. And He will. Knowing or hoping this, we repent - we try to change, we try to live Jesus' teachings, we ask for forgiveness. We make promises with God, or we renew those promises by going to church and taking the sacrament. We try to listen to the Holy Ghost and live Christ's teachings, including His invitation to keep on repenting. We can start living the gospel at any point in our lives, no matter where we are or what we've done or what we know. The perfect starting point to begin to follow Christ is wherever we are right now.
Living the gospel helps us understand ourselves and it makes our relationships with others better. We become more like God, so we can love even more. Life becomes even more full and meaningful when we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Us making mistakes is just a reality of life." Perhaps even one of the purposes of life?
ReplyDeleteFor sure! Our mistakes are some of the greatest teachers we have! :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the message of hope. Indeed, the Atonement is infinite. We can't wear out our welcome with the Savior. He will never forsake us or turn His back on us.
ReplyDeleteKeep the messages coming.