How are "obedience" and "love" accurate gauges for measuring a genuine Christian?
A Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ, and tries to live as he lived. We cannot know a person's heart, only God and Jesus know those things. So all we can see are what's shown on the outside.
"Love" seems to be the easy one to notice and identify. You can know that someone loves you by the way they act towards you. Showing kindness, a comforting word, help with chores, or being a listening ear when someone is going through a rough trial.
But now that I've written that, what about people who find it difficult to "show" love? Does it mean they don't love you if they don't do those things?
I've decided no. People show love the best way they know how. If they are not talkers or communicative verbally, maybe they show love by working hard for their family every day. Maybe they keep the yard presentable or shovel snow when it's needed. Maybe they take care of home issues when they arise, and even though they don't talk to you much, they still love you very much.
Back to the question. When someone shows love to another, either verbally or through service, they are serving Christ. That is what He asked us to do. Love each other. If someone serves other people, he is being a disciple of Christ.
Obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, and to the commandments, are another way to show discipleship. It's hard to keep all of the commandments all of the time. Honoring your parents when you don't agree with them. Being truthful about every flaw you have casts YOU in a bad light. Sometimes we slip because we don't want to be uncomfortable or embarrassed.
By trying every day, people can become more like our Savior. We can never be like him all the way, by ourselves. But that's not the point. We try, and each try builds new or stronger connection synapses in our brains! That makes it easier for us to do it again next time. (Can you tell I just read an article on brain synapses and forming habits...)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Service
How does service also cleanse the soul of both the giver and the receiver?When someone serves another person, she helps them, on the surface. She offers a piece of her own self, a piece of her time, her substance, her love. She is willing to give up what she might otherwise have chosen, in the name of helping someone else.
When we give of ourselves, we can feel just a tiny bit how Jesus felt as he served everyone with whom he came in contact. He gave them a little piece of his goodness, a small sample of virtue. This builds feelings of goodwill, of self worth, and lifts the spirit of the receiver.
Somehow, it also lifts the spirits of the giver. By serving our neighbor, we share with them the attitude of sharing and gratitude. We allude to the thought that we think they are worth our time and our efforts. We honor them, and in that act we also honor our Savior.
At baptism, we all take upon ourselves the name of Christ. This means we are willing to stand up for good things, and not sit still when injustice occurs.
How is service, to or from others, blessing your life right now?
I was able to talk to the lady from the Salvation Army, about help they might need in the future. She outlined some of their needs, and I was able to pass those along to Frank. He told a scout about that need, and it may be able to work as an Eagle Project.
My neighbors share in the carpool responsibilities as we transport children to and from school activities every week. This lightens my responsibility load considerably.
My visiting teachers, Becky Cyr and Mischell Shapiro, are dedicated to...me! They check up on me, and bring me inspirational messages. Last month they helped wrap empty boxes to be used in the Ward Christmas party. They helped me with one of my responsibilities. They lifted my "burden."
Their service helped me feel "light." I think this is the strength the Savior wishes for us to have. We grow stronger when we try to live like Jesus Christ.
When we give of ourselves, we can feel just a tiny bit how Jesus felt as he served everyone with whom he came in contact. He gave them a little piece of his goodness, a small sample of virtue. This builds feelings of goodwill, of self worth, and lifts the spirit of the receiver.
Somehow, it also lifts the spirits of the giver. By serving our neighbor, we share with them the attitude of sharing and gratitude. We allude to the thought that we think they are worth our time and our efforts. We honor them, and in that act we also honor our Savior.
At baptism, we all take upon ourselves the name of Christ. This means we are willing to stand up for good things, and not sit still when injustice occurs.
How is service, to or from others, blessing your life right now?
I was able to talk to the lady from the Salvation Army, about help they might need in the future. She outlined some of their needs, and I was able to pass those along to Frank. He told a scout about that need, and it may be able to work as an Eagle Project.
My neighbors share in the carpool responsibilities as we transport children to and from school activities every week. This lightens my responsibility load considerably.
My visiting teachers, Becky Cyr and Mischell Shapiro, are dedicated to...me! They check up on me, and bring me inspirational messages. Last month they helped wrap empty boxes to be used in the Ward Christmas party. They helped me with one of my responsibilities. They lifted my "burden."
Their service helped me feel "light." I think this is the strength the Savior wishes for us to have. We grow stronger when we try to live like Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
