Find the Solutions in the Scriptures to Life's Challenges: Philippians 1-4

People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or through out the week.  

 Philippians 2:1-8, 14-15

Let nothing be done in strife or in vain glory.  Think of others before yourself.  

vs 2:  be unified

vs 3:  treat others better than ourselves

vs 4:  don't just pay attention to your own stuff, look around at others

vs 7: serve others

vs 8: be humble

vs 14:  do all things without murmurings or disputings.

I have had my eyes opened to this matter.  People complain to me about the way my husband is doing his calling.  I don't know why.  I am learning to not get my feelings hurt even though they are talking about my husband.  

We raise our hand to sustain people in their callings within the church.  We say that we will support them.  Complaining doesn't do any good.  It just hurts the person complaining.  If there is a real problem then go to the leaders and don't complain to others.  

Many youth feel that their parent's testimony is sufficient for them.  Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength.  

Philippians 2:12-15

We each need to have our own testimonies.  Our parent's testimonies will not carry us through difficult times or into heaven.  We each have to accept the gift of the atonement by believing for ourselves in the Savior.

vs. 12:  work our your own salvation

To work out one's own salvation is not to murmur belief in Jesus Christ or to sit idly by hoping that God's miracles will fall into our laps.  It is to perform daily and hourly the duty at hand.  We must progress with our faith, leaving the fruits of our labor.

There is the saying that says "Integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is looking."  It is somewhat easy to do the right thing and to depend on our parent's testimonies when we live at home and the structure of home is conducive to doing what is right.  Often times, when teens leave home for the first time they can go a little wild.  If the teen has their own testimony and it is strong then they tend to not stray when their parents are not around.  

An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does.

Philippians 3:7-16; 4:13

vs 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  

I think Paul is trying to tell each of us that the reward for following Christ is greater than the turmoil or struggles we will go through by following Christ.  

I know it is hard for those investigating the church to make this choice.  One of the key principles in the church is our families and being a forever family.  

How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3

vs 3:  feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

We can find the answers to everyday problems or questions in the scriptures.  This assignment showed three examples of modern day concerns that the scriptures written by Paul answered.  

Romans 12-16: Live as Saints Should Live

1.  In Romans 13:11 it says that our salvation is nearer than we believe.  We must continue in righteousness, keep the commandments, and endure to the end so that we can have eternal life.

2.  In Romans 12-13, Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation...

12:1  service
12:2  prove what is good
12:9  abhor evil.  have sincere love
12:13   given to hospitality
12:16   conform with humble hearts.  be not prideful
12:21   overcome evil with good
13:1  obedience to God
13:3   do good
13:8   love one another
13:9   love thy neighbor as thyself

3.  Paul gave a caution to judging.  In vs 14:11 he says that every knee shall bend and every tongue confess.  We will all stand before the judgement seat of the Lord.  We need to be careful not to judge others.  It is not our place but the Lord's.

We all have different opinions and different traditions or practices.  We need to remember that we are all children of God.  By reading D&C 38:25-27, we learn that we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord.

4.  Paul frequently used the term "Saints" to describe the members of the church in his day.

Faith, Grace, and Works : Romans 2-5

Faith, Grace, and Good Works all play a part in our salvation.  We can see this in Romans 2-5

Faith and Grace

2:11  no respecter of persons

3:22  faith of Jesus Christ

3:23  for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God

3:24  being justified freely by his grace

3:25  faith in his blood

3:27  law of faith

4:12  walk in steps of faith

4:16  it is of faith, that it might be by grace

5:1  justified by faith

5:2  by faith into this grace

5:9  justified by His blood

5:15  free gift; gift by grace

Works

2:6  according to his deeds

2:7  patient continuance

2:10  glory and peace, to ever man that worketh good

3:20  by the deeds of the law

3:25  declare his righteousness

3:21  we establish a law

5:3  tribulation worketh patience

5:19  by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous

In Romans 4:17-25, Paul chose Abraham as a model of Faith.  I think Paul chose Abraham because Abraham exhibited such great faith throughout his life.  Abraham had faith that he would have a son and his faith didn't waiver even though Abraham was old and his wife was past child bearing years.  Abraham was told to sacrifice his son.  Abraham's faith did not waiver.  He was willing to do what the Lord commanded even though, I am sure, it didn't make any sense based on the promises God had made to Abraham.

When I think of how these verses can apply to my life, I need to always remember that God fulfills his promises.  Always.  These promises are not necessarily fulfilled in my time but are in God's time.

In Romans 5:12-14, Paul talks about the Fall of Adam and why a Savior was needed for all mankind.  Before the Fall there was no sin.  In 2 Nephi 2:11 it states that there must be opposition in all things.  If there was no opposition then we would not have agency.  Because of the Fall, we are free to choose.  The Savior atoned for all of us.

In 2 Nephi 25:23 it states that we are saved by grace, after all we can do.  This is helpful in understanding how grace and good works work together.  Even if we had all the good works in the world, it would not be enough.  We are saved by grace.  All of us receive the gift of the Savior.  We are still required to do all we can do so that we can return to live in glory with our Heavenly Father. 

While studying these chapters in Romans, I learned a great deal about why we need grace, faith, and works.  I am thankful for the Atonement and that my Savior gave me the gift of eternal life and the chance to return to live with my Heavenly Father.  I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful that I can give my life to him and do my very best to live the commandments.

I have this quote in my entry way.

We are all children of our Heavenly Father.  He has given us a wonderful gift through our Savior.  We need to do our best and become all that we can so that He can smile and say, "Well done."

As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap : Galatians 6

In Galatians 6: 8 it says:
 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sowerth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

To paraphrase this in my own words:
   If we work for man and only for man, then we will have our reward from man.  If we work towards living a Christ-like life and following the spirit then we will return to live with God and have eternal life.

 Mosiah 18:8-10  corresponds with Galatians 6:2
   bear one another's burdens
   mourn with those that mourn
   comfort those in need of comfort
   stand as a witness

 D&C 1:10  corresponds with Galatians 6:7
   recompense unto every man according to his work

 D&C 58:26-27 corresponds with Galatians 6:10
   anxiously engaged in a good cause
   agents unto themselves