Works of Righteousness

Paul concludes his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. In his counsel he states several principles that can easily be applied to our everyday life. 

Paul counsel us to treat those in bonds of iniquity and adversity with kindness and compassion. 

He shares that marriage is honorable and immorality is an abomination to the Lord. 

We should be content with the things that we have and not covet after those things we cannot have. We are blessed to always have the Lord with us and therefore do not need worldly things. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

All mankind is saved and sanctified through the blood of Christ.

Paul counsels us to submit ourselves and obey those who rule over us and finally he asks the people to pray for him and the apostles of Christ. 

Jesus is Greater Than Angels

Christ is greater than the angel's. He is the Son of God and angels are servants of the Lord and Son. He is also greater than Moses. While Moses was a faithful servant of the Lord and his people, freeing them from Egyptian rule and guiding them through the wilderness Christ is the faithful Son and therefore higher than Moses.

In the first chapter of Hebrews Paul teaches multiple truths about Christs mission here on earth. He teaches that Christ is the Son of God, that he is made in the Fathers image and that Christ created all things under the direction of his Father.

Jesus Christ was sent to this earth to make the single most powerful act of sacrifice for mankind. He came here to take upon himself the sins and pains and sicknesses of everyone who has ever lived in order for us to have the chance to repent of our sins and gain eternal life. He gave the gift of power over death. that we might all live again. 

Finding Solutions in the Scriptures to Live's Challenges

This week’s assignment was to look in the scriptures to find answers to problems that arise in many members’ lives in these modern times. It is fascinating to me how many answers there are in the scriptures, that a book written so many years ago is still applicable to each of us daily. 2 Nephi 32:3 says, “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do”. This scripture plainly demonstrates how important it is for us to take those things we learn from scripture study to direct our actions.

The assignment mentioned the habit many people have of arguing and complaining at church meetings, and throughout the week, about things that happen at church, but Philippians mentions that the saints should be on in mind, of the same accord and of one love. We should never esteem ourselves above another and realize that we are all only human.  We should conduct ourselves with humility and patience. The scriptures also share that we should “conduct ourselves blameless” that we will not be held accountable for those things done out of strife.

The second instance mentioned is the mindset many young people have that they do not need to work to gain their own testimony, that they can piggy-back off their parents testimony. However, in the scriptures we can learn that each individual has the responsibility to actively seek out, for ourselves, our own testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel. It is up to us to seek for our own salvation. The Institute Manual states, “To work out one's salvation is not to sit idly by dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either for self or for others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine." (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1957, p.7).

The third and final instance mentioned in the assignment is the dilemma many new converts encounter, the position they are placed in when family members and friends threates not to associate with those who are baptized into the church. Though extremely difficult, the scriptures encourage us to accept the light of Christ fully into our lives. If we lose the companionship of friends and loved ones, but gaining the knowledge of Christ and receiving the blessing of the gospel is worth much more than the association of people who would bring us down. If we trust our lives to the Lord he will guide and protect us and bless us for all of our sacrifices.

Colossians 1-4: Becoming New Creatures in Christ

In Colossians 1:13-27 Paul lists several names for Jesus.

                Verse 13: Son

                Verse 15: God, Firstborn

                Verse 16: Creator

                Verse 18: Head of the “body” which is the church, the beginning

                Verse24: Christ

In these versus Paul teaches that redemption comes only through Christ and his atoning sacrifice. He is the creator of all things, head of the church, the beginning of all things and the firstborn of our Heavenly Father. In Colossians 1:23 Paul states the things all people must do in order to receive the blessings of forgiveness and eternal life, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister”. This means we must be steadfast in upholding our beliefs and standards, persevere in all things, keep our sacred covenants and endure to the end.

Along with those things listed above we are also required to be “rooted and built up in him” (Col. 2:7). I think Helaman gives a beautiful explanation of what it means to be “rooted and built upon him”. Chapter five verse 12 states,

“12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall”.

These two scriptures plainly state that we must build our lives upon the teachings of Christ and his gospel. We should be firmly “rooted” in our convictions and strive to live our lives in accordance with all the sacred commandments and covenants.  If we are so “rooted” and righteously endure to the end he adversary shall have no power over us.

Following his call to endure, Paul then warns the saints of ways they might be misled by men “after the tradition of men”. He warns them to beware of men who attempt to destroy their faith by way of philosophy and deceit. In verse eighteen he also admonishes them to beware of men who distort the worship of Christ by the worshiping of angles and who are “puffed up” to the things of the world.  In 2 Nephi 9:28-29 a similar warning is administered. 

“28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.                                                                                        29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God”. 

Colossians three states several characteristics that Paul encourages us to “put on” or “put off”:

 “PUT ON”

Mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, charity, allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts and the words of Christ to dwell in you.

“PUT OFF”

Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication