FDREL 212 - New Testament II Lesson 6 "Our Salvation is nearer than we beleive."

For my student choice assignment I chose option 1. It was a great reminder to me to endure to the end. I am a member of the church, but just going to sacrament meeting every Sunday is not enough. This section reminded me that I need to make a continual effort to increase my love for others and to live my life in a better way.

In Ezekiel 3:20 we are told that we must never stray away from the path of righteousness. We must always be striving to live the gospel in a more perfect way. As members of the Church we are blessed to have the gospels lead us through life and can partake in the ordinances we need or progression, but that does not mean that we have done so many good dead we can afford a little wickedness. We must focus on the Lord and turn away from evil. D&C 14:7 adds to this by saying that we must endure to the end. I know that this can be difficult but I also know that when we pray and ask for help the Lord is there to comfort and strengthen us.

Paul teaches us how saints should act

Romans 12:1 - Sacrifice our time and energy to service to others and the Lord
Romans 12:2 - Don't let the world change you and warp your perspective and motivations.
We need to let the Lord change our hearts and mind.
Romans 12:9 - Love with a sincere and pure heart. Don't put on a show, really love.
Romans 12:13 - Be hospitable to everyone. Don't let those in need feel alone.
Bring then in and make them feel safe and at home.
Romans 12:16 - Do not be prideful in yourself or your knowledge.
Concern yourself with helping others and meeting their needs
Romans 12:21 - Continue to do good and love. It will affect lives and make changes that you
may not even realize.
Romans 13:1 - Recognize the Lords power and follow it.
Romans 13:3 - Exercise righteous authority and do good.
Romans 13:8 - Stay out of debt of any kind, but always love those around you.
Romans 13:9 - Love thy neighbor and all that it entails.

Paul reminds us that we should not judge one another. It doesn't matter what our neighbor is doing or isn't doing, that is between him and the Lord. We are all at different points in our spiritual progression and so we need to make an effort to lift each other up instead of judging them. We will all be judged by the Lord and it is better to spend the time that we have encouraging others, then wasting is by tearing each other down.

When others have different practises or opinions this should not be a cause for contention. Paul teaches that everything we do we do in dedication to the Lord. As the church expands throughout the world we will meet people who may not do everything in quite the same way that we have grown up doing but that is okay because we are doing it with a sincere heart, and we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.

Paul constantly refers to church members as saints. We are all saints and that thought inspires me to act like a saint. I want to serve, and love those around me. I want to uplift and edify others. I think I have a new role model, in Romans 16:2 Paul briefly mentions a woman named Phebe. He only says that she was "a succourer of many," but it that is the only way an apostle would choose to describe me then I would happy.

I know that this church is true and that we are all brothers and sister. I know that the Lord is looking out for us, but he does a lot of his work through us. I want to be a tool in his hand and a daughter know for running to others in need of comfort.