Phillipians 1-4
Student Choice this week presented several questions about a few challenges of life and asked me to find a solution in the writings of the apostle Paul to the Philippians.
The overall solution Paul writes to the Philippians is to be united to each other, and to the Savior, and to serve and love others as Jesus did. In these passages he goes into some detail delineating how best to do that.
 |
| Attributed to Valentinde Boulogne (1591-1632) |
I discussed the questions with my husband, and we clicked on the link to a reference to a talk by H. Burke Peterson, “Selflessness: A Pattern for Happiness,” (Ensign,May 1985, 66), as he described a person that is 'selfless' - as was Jesus Christ. As always happens when we go the extra mile to learn gospel principles, we heard an answer to a persistent problem that troubles our hearts as the spirit bore witness of true principles. The answer came because the Holy Ghost comes and teaches us when we sincerely search and seek answers.
Seeking the spirit is a "REAL" solution to almost every problem - and Paul spells out this answer clearly - seek the will of God, sacrifice all things to follow his example and serve selflessly, and be diligent - THEN the Spirit will bear witness of true principles as we learn them.
Elder Peterson reminded us, "It is important to break the chains of 'self' that bind us. Sincere and sensitive acts in behalf of others are the mark of the selfless," and "after all is said and done, it will be the intent of the heart by which we shall be judged. However, let us be careful that we do not fill our hearts with unjustified excuses. Being selfless does not come naturally to most of us."
It is an easy, completely free service to find out what service opportunities you can volunteer for in your own local area.
Who needs you?
Saints should be united, and unselfish, and “esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (v. 3-4), serving and helping others, being obedient to the sacrifices God requires of us, “without murmurings and disputings” (v. 14) so we can be without “rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.”
Question: Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).
Paul’s instructions are to serve others and be selfless.
It’s good for a child to rely on parents as their parents rely on apostles and prophets, who rely on Christ. We each have a duty and responsibility to follow the good examples in our lives, willingly and by our own choice, because we want to. We then move from theory to application.
As we follow those examples we learn how to adapt to all the possible permutations and variable circumstances that arise, enabling us to extend true principles (learned in experiences of obedience) to encompass all possible problems independent of the examples we have had.
In the older NT Student Manual we learn: “To work out one’s salvation is not to sit idly by dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either for self or for others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1957, p. 7.)
In the older NT Student Manual we learn: “To work out one’s salvation is not to sit idly by dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either for self or for others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1957, p. 7.)
In contrast the newer manual reinforces: Paul pointed out, the Saints should live the gospel so that the saving work God was already doing within them would be manifest in all they did (see Philippians 1:6; 2:13). . . . Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expounded on this statement . . . “Man unquestionably has impressive powers and can bring to pass great things by tireless efforts and indomitable will. But after all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from the effect of our sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ” (“What Think Ye of Christ?” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 66–67).
Question: An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).
Paul teaches us to look to the future and “whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing" (v. 16). In other words to look ahead and work to obtain our goal to be with Christ. This investigator would not be seriously thinking of joining the church if s/he did not know in their heart it is Christ's church. When such a witness occurs, we know, and we know God knows we know. Then we can, in good conscience, only go forward.
In the New Testament manual (pp. 436-437) President Thomas S. Monson counseled: “There is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can” (“Finding Joy in the Journey,”Ensign or Liahona, Nov 2008, 85).
Philippians3:7-11 teaches, “what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him . . .That I may know him, and . . . might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
In the New Testament manual (pp. 436-437) President Thomas S. Monson counseled: “There is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can” (“Finding Joy in the Journey,”Ensign or Liahona, Nov 2008, 85).
Philippians3:7-11 teaches, “what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him . . .That I may know him, and . . . might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
In the commentary in the New Testament Student Manual for Philippians 2:1–8 Paul teaches that Christ humbled himself, and being obedient to the will of the Father he became a servant to mortals.
"Jesus Christ gave up His premortal status 'in the form of God' and was born into mortality 'in the likeness of men' (Philippians 2:6–7). In the Book of Mormon, the idea of Christ descending below all things is called 'the condescension of God' (1 Nephi 11:16; see also verses 17–33; Psalm 22:14; Isaiah 53:12)."
We also learned from Elder Tad R. Callister of the Seventy: “God the Son traded his heavenly home with all its celestial adornments for a mortal abode with all its primitive trappings. He, ‘the King of heaven’ (Alma 5:50), ‘the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth’ (Mosiah 5:3), left a throne to inherit a manger. He exchanged the dominion of a god for the dependence of a babe. He gave up wealth, power, dominion, and the fullness of his glory—for what?—for taunting, mocking, humiliation, and subjection. It was a trade of unparalleled dimension, a condescension of incredible proportions, a descent of incalculable depth” (The Infinite Atonement [2000], 64).
"Jesus Christ gave up His premortal status 'in the form of God' and was born into mortality 'in the likeness of men' (Philippians 2:6–7). In the Book of Mormon, the idea of Christ descending below all things is called 'the condescension of God' (1 Nephi 11:16; see also verses 17–33; Psalm 22:14; Isaiah 53:12)."
We also learned from Elder Tad R. Callister of the Seventy: “God the Son traded his heavenly home with all its celestial adornments for a mortal abode with all its primitive trappings. He, ‘the King of heaven’ (Alma 5:50), ‘the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth’ (Mosiah 5:3), left a throne to inherit a manger. He exchanged the dominion of a god for the dependence of a babe. He gave up wealth, power, dominion, and the fullness of his glory—for what?—for taunting, mocking, humiliation, and subjection. It was a trade of unparalleled dimension, a condescension of incredible proportions, a descent of incalculable depth” (The Infinite Atonement [2000], 64).
 |
| For unto Us a Child Is Born, by Lynne Millman Weidinger |
When we understand these truths, especially when we know with surety of them, we become willing to make sacrifices to willingly follow His example.
Question: How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3?
2 Nephi 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."
The point of all these questions and answers is to follow Jesus Christ. We do that best as we seek God, and allow the Holy Ghost to guide and direct us.
2 Nephi 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."
The point of all these questions and answers is to follow Jesus Christ. We do that best as we seek God, and allow the Holy Ghost to guide and direct us.
No comments:
Post a Comment