Tag Archives: Sinner

Summary of Enos + Enos 1

Posted on by Standard Reply

Summary of Enos + Enos 1

                The Book of Enos… is the fourth book in the Book of Mormon….

Enos opens up speaking of the knowledge his father had taught him, Enos goes out to hunt and while hunting finds himself pondering the words spoken by his father concerning eternal life and the joy of the saints.

                “And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, know that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said: Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Enos 1:4-8)

                Here, Enos cried out to God for his sins to be forgiven. God answered his prayer, just like he answers all of our prayers. God forgave Enos of his sins, because of his faith in Jesus Christ. This is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Faith in Him!

After having felt this remission of his own sins, Enos desires this same for his people and asks God to deliver them from their sins as well. Enos desired that they would be spared and that the record which he had would not be destroyed; “…that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, the Nephities… that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites…” (Enos 1:13)

Enos goes on to explain how the Nephites had attempted on numerous times to reach out to the Lamanites to help them come unto Christ, but their labor was in vain. Enos explains that the Lamanites were “…a blood thirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness…” (Enos 1:20) Enos saw many wars and contentions between the Lamanites and the Nephites.

Advertisement

Hebrews 8

Posted on by Standard Reply

Hebrews 8: Christ Sacrificed for Sin

                Paul explains to the Hebrews that the Old Covenant has “…waxeth old [and] is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13) Paul urges the Hebrews and everyone who can read this letter (either then, or today) should; “…teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:11-12)

Essentially Paul has reminded us that God is merciful.  This means that is DOES NOT matter if we have sinned in the past, as long as we put it in the past. Those who come to Christ, will have their sins and wickedness be forgotten by Him.

1 Corinthians 10

Posted on by Standard Reply

1 Corinthians 10: Christ is the Rock

                Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Jews that traveled with Moses through the red sea on dry ground. He reminds them that they were all baptized and did all eat and drink from the “…spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4) Paul says that while many followed Moses, an equal number or more were not well favored in the eyes of the Lord. Paul reminds the Corinthians that “…we should not lust after evil things…” (1 Corinthians 10:6)

We also should not… worship idols, fornicate, murmur or tempt Christ as many of the Jews traveling with Moses did do. After having warned about committing sin, Paul reminds them (and us) that God “…will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) So is it wrong to Sin? Yes. Are we all guilty of Sin? Yes. Is there a way to overcome our Sin and become closer to Christ? Yes.

Paul tells us that as a body [group] of people who believe in Christ, when they partake of the Sacrament together, they become one Body… because they are all partaking of the same bread. Paul tells us that we should avoid meat that was offered as a sacrifice to an idol, for it had been offered to a devil. Finally, Paul explains that he is “…not seeking mine [his] own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33) Therefore, as an Apostle of the Lord he freely preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ without cost. He does it for the good of others and not himself.

Romans 3

Posted on by Standard Reply

Romans 3: Man is Judged by Faith in Jesus Christ

 

“What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision?” (Romans 3:1) Paul addresses the Romans and states that regardless of being a Jew or a Gentile, ALL are saved through the grace of Jesus Christ. He asks: what does it profit a man to have only the LAW, and not the FAITH? Man’s unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God. The law cannot save us from our sin and the penalty that accompanies it. Paul points out that “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (Romans 3:23-25)

Sinners (everyone) are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Because Jesus Christ Atoned for the Sins of ALL, we can be saved. However, we must understand what being Saved means.

What is Salvation?

Because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, everyone will experience a temporal death. However, through grace, which was made possible by the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, everyone will be resurrected and receive immortality. Resurrection alone does not qualify us for eternal life in the presence of God. Remember, Paul said; “…all have sinned…” (Romans 3:23), these sins make us unclean and unfit to dwell in God’s presence. For this reason, we are saved through Grace, ONLY after all we can do. After all, Jesus Christ died for us, the very least we can do is follow His law. Essentially, Jesus Christ unlocked and opened the door to Eternal Life, we however must make the choice to enter through that door. This is where Grace is a FREE gift from God, but Eternal Life and Salvation require our part. What is it that we must do? We must live by God’s law and we must follow in the steps of Jesus.

Paul ends this chapter by asking; “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:31) What does he mean? He means that we should throughout either the Law of Faith, but have both. Faith without works is dead! The Book of Mormon helps us to understand a little more about grace; “…we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God, for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (Book of Mormon; 2 Nephi 25:23) 

John 9

Posted on by Standard Reply

John 9: The Miracle of Seeing

                Jesus passed by a man who was blind from birth, the Apostles assuming that this ailment was brought on by sin, they ask Jesus; “…Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents…” (John 9:2-3)

Jesus explained that the works of God would be made manifest in him, and Jesus reached down and spat into the ground and mixed it up with His finger to make clay. Jesus then applied the clay to the man’s eyes, by way of anointment, and commanded the man; “…Go, wash in the pool of Siloam…” (John 9:7) and the man went and came seeing! The scribes and Pharisees immediately questioned the man as to his miracle and wondered where Jesus was. They gathered together and exclaimed; “…This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was division among them.” (John 9:16)

The Jews go and question the blind man again, and some decide that he might be lying. So they call his parents and ask them if he was born blind. His parents answered in a comical way; “…We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.” (John 9:20-21)

So the Jews gather the man in for questioning again and he answers in a very simple way; “…Whether he [Jesus] be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25) The Jews argue with the man and ask him how it was done that he could see. The man tells them that he had already explained once how Jesus did it, and yet they kept asking. He accuses them of not listening and for chastising the Lord, when they knew not God. He explains; “If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:33) The Jews were angered and cast the man from their presence, saying; “…Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?” (John 9:34)  Why did they cast him out and tell him he was a sinner? It is simple; they themselves were sinners and couldn’t admit the truth he was speaking.

When Jesus heard that he was cast out he goes to comfort the man and ask him if he believed in the Son of God. The man ask who the Son of God was, and when Jesus tells him that it is Him, he worships Him. Jesus explains; “…For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” (John 9:39)

John 8

Posted on by Standard Reply

John 8: He that is without Sin, cast the First Stone!

                Jesus leaves and goes into the mount of Olives, before returning to the Temple to teach those gathered. Shortly after being in the temple, the scribes and Pharisees bring in a woman and throw her before Jesus saying; “…this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” (John 8:4-5) It is clear that the scribes and the Pharisees were only trying to tempt Jesus and catch Him in a trap. Jesus however, stooped down and began to write on the ground with His finger as if He did not hear what they just said. This angered the scribes and the Pharisees and they persisted in asking Jesus what He thought of the woman and the sin she had just performed. Jesus said to them; “…He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7) Upon hearing this and after the conscience of their own guilt they began to leave one by one, until only the woman and Jesus were left. When Jesus saw that no one else was around, He lifted up His head and asked the woman; “…Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?” (John 8:10) The woman responded; “…No man, Lord.” (John 8:11) Jesus then tells her; “…Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

Jesus takes the opportunity to teach those who had gathered; “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) The Scribes and the Pharisees attack Him for bearing record of Himself, Jesus explains that even if He bears record of Himself, it is still true. He explains that the Father bears record of Him and He bears record of the Father. He reminds them that in their law; “…the testimony of two men is true.” (John 8:17) The Scribes and Pharisees foolishly ask where His Father is, and Jesus explains that if they knew the Father, they would have known His Son also.

Jesus tells them; “…When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things.” (John 8:28) Essentially we learn here that Jesus is the Son of God, and being so means that the Son and the Father are two separate and individual beings, one in purpose. Jesus tells those gathered that if they follow Him, they shall be set free. This, asking how they could be free if they were never in bondage confused some. Jesus explains; “…Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34)

Even so, many sought to kill Jesus. Saying that they were the children of Abraham and because of Abraham they were children of the Father. Jesus tells them; “…If God were your Father, ye would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? …Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:42-43)

                The Scribes and Pharisees then say that Jesus has a devil inside of Him (which makes no sense, He just said that the Devil was evil, and evil spirit would never say such a thing) Even after Jesus explains that He doesn’t have an evil spirit, they persist. Jesus tells them that if anyone follows Him, they shall not see death. Jesus of course was speaking of Spiritual Death, but the Scribes and Pharisees said that he definitely has a devil, asking Him; “Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?” (John 8:53)

Jesus explains that “…Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56) The Jews were angry at this point and asked Jesus; “…Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” (John 8:57) They just didn’t get it, because they did not believe that Jesus was the Christ, nor the Son of God. Jesus answered them, saying; “…Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58) The Jews were even more angered and picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus escaped.

So who is I AM? In the Old Testament we read about the God of the Old Testament, known as Jehovah, who said he was the great I AM. When Moses was speaking to God and asking Him who he should tell his people that sent him; “…God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM… Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you…” (Exodus 3:14-15) Therefore, the reason Jesus knew Abraham, is because He was His God. He was His Father, and Jesus Christ’s Father was God the Eternal Father.

Luke 7

Posted on by Standard Reply

Luke 7: Follow Jesus Christ

                After Jesus had finished speaking with those gathered, He traveled to Capernaum, where He is asked to heal a centurion’s servant. The centurion tells Jesus that He doesn’t need Him to come back to his house, because he is not worthy of the Lord to enter into his home.  But the man still believed that Jesus could heal his servant, and Jesus did. The servant was healed and Jesus proclaimed that the Centurion had great faith.

Jesus then travels to the city of Nain. When Jesus arrived He noticed a funeral procession, where a young man had died and his mother was distraught. Jesus saw her, and had compassion on her. Jesus the goes and commands the boy to arise, and he does. Jesus brought the young man back from the dead. The people who witnessed this great even were fearful; nonetheless they were filled with a sense of joy that God had sent such a great prophet to be among them. Jesus tells the witnesses to spread what they saw far and wide. The news spread throughout all of Judea.

Some of the servants of John the Baptists come and speak with Jesus and ask Him; “…Art thou he that should come? Or look we for another?” (Luke 7:20) Jesus explains to them that it is Him who was to come after John the Baptist and while healing the sick, blind, lame and deaf He tells the messenger to relay what they saw to John. So the messengers depart. Jesus then explains to those gathered that John the Baptist was the one who was sent before Him, to prepare the way.

Jesus explains that there is “…not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…” (Luke 6:28)

Those who heard Jesus, the publicans justified God by being baptized by John. But the Pharisees and lawyers “…rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” (Luke 6:30)

Why did the Pharisees and lawyers reject the baptism of John? Because they did not understand the word of God! Instead they were not baptized by the proper authority, which is extremely important in baptism, for without the proper priesthood authority one will only get wet.

One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and while eating a sinful woman came and anointed Him with alabaster oil. She also washed His feet with tears and dried them with the hair on her head. A Pharisee in the dinner party took no time to criticize Jesus ; “…This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39)

Jesus then turns to Simon and says; “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefor, which of them will love him most?” (Luke 7:42) Simon tells Jesus that he supposes the one who owed the most would be happier and love the creditor more. Jesus explains that Simon is correct and continues; “…Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me not water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet…” (Luke 7:44-45) Jesus finally tells Simon that he failed to do many things, but because the woman was a sinner she loved much when her sins were forgiven. Jesus tells the woman that she is free from her sins and that she is forgiven. He tells her; “…Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

Proverbs 13-14

Posted on by Standard Reply

Proverbs 13-14

Chapter 13: Evil Pursues the Sinner

This, like many of the Proverbs has many words of wisdom, here are the ones I think are most important, followed by my thoughts.

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” (Proverbs 13:7)

                Sweet and simple… MONEY is not everything. You can be happy with money or without and sad with money or without money.

                “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” (Proverbs 10:10)

                When people “have to be right” and cannot swallow their pride, you will have arguments.

                “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” (Proverbs 13:11)

                Money gained through unethical or immoral means will really have no value. However, money that is earned through ethical and moral means will mean something. Essentially, having money is not a bad thing; it is what you chose to do with it that makes you a good or bad person. If you worked hard for your money, it is yours to keep!

“Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.” (Proverbs 13:21)

                Anytime you sin, evil is drawn in and will surround you.

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…” (Proverbs 13:22)

                A good man will leave behind something of himself to his children and grandchildren. I don’t believe that this has to just be money… it could be a life lesson or some sort of family heirloom or tradition.

“He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” (Proverbs 13:24)

                Those parents who refrain from disciplining their children are bad parents. If a child does not hate or despise their parents at one point in their life, then they have failed. Sometimes parents have to be tough… even if that include a smack on the head or a spanking. There is a difference between tough love and abuse. Good parents know that sometimes you have to do these things.

Chapter 14: Truth and Lies

“A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies… knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceives not in him the lips of knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:5-7)

                Those who are going to lie, are going to lie. If someone is doing that and is acting foolishly… don’t converse with that person… go from them!

                “Fools make a mock at sin…” (Proverbs 14:9)

                We see a lot of this in the modern world, those who say that the Bible is silly or that religion is silly… or even that God doesn’t exist. One person who does not find this mocking to be amusing is God, so we shouldn’t give into those fools.

                “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” (Proverbs 14:15)

                This is something very interesting and I find to be a great principle in the LDS church… One of our fundamentals states: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may” (Articles of Faith, 11)

                Right there it states that men are free to choose. We shouldn’t believe every word, we should question and question some more. Then we can know for ourselves and not follow what someone else tells us.

                “A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.” (Proverbs 14:25)

                Many churches out there are sadly built for gain. This does not discredit good churches with good church-goers. But those who are “true” witnesses will not speak lies and will only have a desire to save souls.

                “Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.” (Proverbs 14:33)

                If you are among fools, you too will become one or be known as one.