You know what's sad? It's sad to me how only during Easter and Christmas time do we really, collectively, acknowledge what Jesus Christ did for all of us. We as individuals will celebrate His life, as well as His death for those few days during the year, and then forget about it until Sunday at church or the next time we have some life-changing event. Really that defeats the entire purpose as to why we strive to "always remember Him".
It should be the constant reminder of who He is and what He has done that motivates our thoughts and actions. As people we strive to control human behavior, but when it comes to Christ we know that He can actually change human nature. But our natures cannot be changed unless we allow the Savior into our hearts.
In 2 Nephi 33:1 it says, "for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." Christ has spoken and taught us the words of life, but the spirit can only bring it unto the door of our hearts. It is then our job to decide whether we will actually let it into our hearts. And that is what we are trying to encourage people to do, especially around this Christmas season. Christ is the ultimate gift. But we need to chose whether or not we accept Him and all the blessings that come with that or not. Hopefully the Lord will continue to soften people's hearts so we can share this wonderful message with them.
Jesus Christ invites all to come to know for themselves of the joy the gospel can bring. John 7:17 teaches us that if we do what the savior has asked (live his commandments) then we will know the doctrine and the blessings that come from it. Then we all know James 1:5 which promises us that if we pray and ask God for help or understanding He will give it to us. Those are only a couple of the ways that Christ gives us to come to know and see the blessings that come from living the gospel and taking advantage of His atonement.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 tells us how it is. God loves us enough to give His son as a gift to save each and every one of us. How blessed are we? We need to remember what God has given us and waht Christ has done for us, and find a way to give a gift back to Him.
The only thing that we can offer Christ that He hasn't already given us is our free-will. So thinking about that, what is your gift to Christ this year? Will you spend more time kneeling beside your bed in prayer? Will you serve the neighbor next door that you rarely see or talk to? Maybe you will strive to be a better home teacher. Or will you just strive to live a better life in the gospel during this next year? I encourage everyone to take some time to prayerfully consider what you would like to offer back to Him.
Well there is my quick little sermon on something and about someone I love. One of the most comforting and wonderful scriptures I think there is in the Bible is in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Jesus Christ has overcome the world, and he offers us the gift of redemption. So what will we give back to Him?
Love,
Elder Thayne
Zone Conference
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