A Different Jesus….

When I was in the process of converting to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the number one thing I heard from other people was, "Oh them? They believe in a 'different Jesus'!" For a while, I didn't understand this statement, but as I learned and grew spiritually I became aware that the phrase "different Jesus" alluded to the LDS understanding of the relationship between Faith, Grace, and Works. So many who are not LDS are under the misconception that we believe our good works are what allows us back into God's presence. This could not be further from the truth! It is through the Savior's Grace, his atoning sacrifice, that we make our way back home! No amount of kindness or charitable actions will do this for us!

I am going to confess something here, before I took this class I never read anything in the New Testament besides the four gospels and Revelation closely. I know, I know. I'm awful. But I am learning so much! This week we were assigned to read Romans 1-8 and boy did I get confused! It took a lot of close reading, a lot of repeated close reading of those eight chapters to really understand what was happening and what I was meant to learn from it. Here is what I have.

In Romans, Paul defines what the Gospel is and summarizes the laws that require obedience to for full salvation. Romans also explains the Law of Justification, how people are justified through faith AND works but most importantly through the blood of Christ.

In Romans 3, Paul states that all men sin. And we know from scriptures through out the Bible that no unclean thing can enter into the Kingdom of God. So no man (or woman ;) ) can be saved by works alone! Another component is needed! And that other component was provided by the one man who did live a sinless life! The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is that other component! He allowed himself to be crucified for us. His grace, his love, becomes the source of our justification. Hence the common phrase, "Saving Grace."

President Joseph Fielding Smith, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, stated that:

 "There is a difference between the Lord Jesus Christ and the rest of mankind. We have no life in ourselves, for no power has been given unto us, to lay down outlives and them again. That is beyond our power, and so, being subject to death, and being sinners---for we are all transgressors of the law to some extent, no matter how good we have tried to be---we are therefore unable in and of ourselves to receive redemption from our sins by any act of our own. This is the grace that Paul was teaching. therefore, it is by the grace of emus Christ that we are saved. And had he not come into the world, and laid down his life that might take it again, or as he said in another place, to give us life that we may more abundantly we would still be subject to death and be in our sins…So it is easy to understand that we must accept the mission of Jesus Christ. We must believe that is through his grace that we are saved, that he performed for us that labor which we were unable to perform for ourselves, and did for us those things which were essential to our salvation, which were beyond our power; and also that we are under the commandment and the necessity of performing the labors that are required of us as set forth in the commandments known as the gospel of Jesus Christ."(Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:309-11.)

In his talk, "His Grace is Sufficient," Brad S. Wilcox is quoted as saying, "Christ asks us to show faith in Him, repent, make and keep covenants, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. By complying, we are not paying the demands of justice—not even the smallest part. Instead, we are showing appreciation for what Jesus Christ did by using it to live a life like His. Justice requires immediate perfection or a punishment when we fall short. Because Jesus took that punishment, He can offer us the chance for ultimate perfection (see Matthew 5:48, 3 Nephi 12:48) and help us reach that goal. He can forgive what justice never could, and He can turn to us now with His own set of requirements (see 3 Nephi 28:35)." 

I try to do good things, not because I think that will get me into heaven. I try to be a Good Samaritan because that is what I believe my Savior would have me do. He would have me clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and give of my excess. Christ has asked us to "Love one another, as I have loved you." To me, this is what Good Works mean. 

Our Good Works are not what get us into Heaven. Bringing a meal to friend is not what is going to open those pearly gates for me! So why do it? Why do I make brownies and bring them to my neighbor? Why do I offer to babysit for parents in my congregation without any compensation? Because I am trying to be like Jesus. Not because I think those acts are what is going to get me into heaven!

When I first joined the Church, I believed in Christ. Now after four years, I not only believe in him and believe in his message, I believe him.