In this time of Christmas, we are reminded of the important things in life for ourselves and most importantly toward others.
The following video is a message for Christmas, one of the heart and of the Spirit, godly in nature and a life message
If you wish to view this video directly on the YouTube site - http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages#p/c/4A73DDEE675FBC39
Let us briefly look at the focus of people in religious circles and what makes they faithful or not.
A person who reads the scriptures and from what is read, makes the effort to follow the teachings found in God’s word. Whether this be from the Bible or both the Bible and Book of Mormon, this person shows to be a good person doing good things. Assisting others, helping the hungry and needy, volunteers to groups that helps others as the sick, handicap, the less fortunate. Never seeking contention or endless argument or debate, but seeks edifying discussions that serves to strengthen or sustain good faith. Whether a member of this Church or not, this person shows the “spirit” chosen for their life and daily focus. For a good part of their daily life, they are peaceful and cheerful.
There are many other Christians who speak against the use of feelings in regards to faith and the discernment of truth. Some Christians use the Bible to deny the idea that impressions from the Holy Ghost are felt based on the idea that we cannot trust feelings. Others denounce the idea of feelings because it has no basis in fact or logic, claiming that feelings about Mormonism is far too subjective.
Bible passages used by others to discredit the use of feelings are, Proverbs 3:5 ; 14:12 ; 28:26 and James 2:24, to name a few. It appears that religious beliefs about feelings fall into two basic camps. The ones who deny feelings to promote facts and logic and the other camp that declares feelings as a means to determine if they are saved. Either way, when reading the beliefs of these two camps, I see that there is no real understanding of the scriptures and what God teaches about feelings.
Many of the members of this Church are converts and some of these converts came from both camps, the “fact” camp and the “feeling” camp. It is reasonable to believe that either convert would likely experience some degree of struggle with their past beliefs in the face of the doctrines and teachings of this Church. With the ties to their past still affecting them, it can be difficult to make the transition. The “fact” believers would have to learn the spiritual truth (facts) about feelings and the believers from the feeling camp would need to learn and develop a better perspective of “feelings” in reference to spiritual truth and the gospel.
I am sure that some members have faced some confusion between the meaning of “walking by the Spirit” (Gal. 5: 16, 25) and obeying the laws of God, when faced with the claims by other Christians that faith is the only thing required and there is no law, or that we are not under the law because Jesus nailed that to the cross. This can contribute to some confusion to those who are converts to the Church because for some or many, the influence from the world is still a factor in their lives and most other Christians are of the world. So is there understanding and resolution to these dilemmas?
Wonder what must be done to develop a relationship with God, even his Son and Saviour Jesus Christ? Having trouble with this development such that you may feel or believe that it is not possible or is an impossible task because everything about it seems insurmountable? Another troubling question some may ask is “How can mere mortals, especially those who believe themselves to be completely inadequate to succeed in this task?”
Hopeless? …as it may seem to be.
Have I painted the right picture of how many have felt or believed, maybe even experienced? I hope so, because that is the first step toward a successful relationship with the Father in heaven.
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