Finals

As we have been finishing our study of the Book of Mormon as well as the semester I have pondered the end of everything.  Obviously we don’t know when exactly the end of our mortal existence is but I have been thinking about what I have learned and if I have learned enough to pass.  What does the Lord put on His Final Exam?  Have I learned all that I need to be prepared?  Have I engraven the name of Christ on my heart?  This has lead me to read an amazing scripture, Moroni 10:32.

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.”

After reading this scripture it seems to me that this Final Exam of life isn’t only out of 100 points.  It does have an A or B or even an F beside its grade.  This exam isn’t going to affect a GPA or even have to be taken in a specific location with a date and time assigned to it.

This exam is over a lifetime.  Moroni uses words such as:  “come,” “perfected,” “deny,” “love,” and “grace.”  These are attributes and things we develop and show through our commitment to Him.  There is another point extremely important!  No one will or can get a 100%!  God puts an extreme curve on the Exam called “GRACE.”  We can not complete all the requirements without Him, He is the one that takes the missed questions and lifts our understanding to His.  We through Christ as an aid can and will do our absolute best we can.

Deception

I have been studying a few tactics that the Devil uses to deter us from our ultimate goal of eternal life.  In the book “Following Christ” it mentions three tactics he uses.  First, affliction then deception and finally iniquity.  I wanted to focus on the second, deception.

In Alma 12:9 there is an insight that helps illustrate this topic, it says:

“And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.”

It mentions quite clearly that the mysteries of God are revealed to individuals.  Although they must follow strict command from God that “they shall not impart.”  In other words they are to keep their mouths SHUT!  They can share with others what God has already revealed to the Church in the scriptures and through his prophets, but the rest is private.  Stephen E Robinson says, “keeping it private is a sacred obligation.”

This is such an interesting obligation, but really puts in perspective the line of authority of revelation from God.  We are to receive revelation from the Prophet as well as Stake Presidents and Bishops as well as personal revelation for ourselves.  Others cannot receive any such revelations for us.  It definitely can clear us so much confusion if others begin to teach things they have experienced or witnessed, we will know that they are not for us.  Satan uses this tactic so that there is almost confusion within the safety zone of the Church.  If he can’t get us from the outside he’ll get in and have us impose our opinion or point of view on others through “revelations.”  We are warned to stay away from those using our religion to alter us or our thinking.

This begs the question whether I am keeping my personal revelation personal.  Or have my personal revelations become public?!  This concept creates an almost more sacred feeling to my personal revelations and instructions from the Savior.  These personal revelations are like tiny treasures that accumulate throughout a lifetime.

Variety

Does following Christ make us all the same?  Does walking the same path to reach the same destination make each traveler the exact same?  I would have to say no!

Many times I look around and find myself in a place overflowing with good.  A place where the majority of individuals are striving for the same things.  I find so many similarities in everyone I tend to group them all together as a whole.  Yet we learn from the scriptures that we are each individually different.

There is a scripture that was shared in this past General Conference that I love.  It is found in 2 Nephi 26:33 and says, “...and he [Christ] doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.”

To me this scripture is a reminder that we are ALL not only invited to come unto Him, but that we are all different.  It is a simple invitation yet outlines so much more.  We can see that there is variety within all of God's children and that is good.  Christ doesn’t want us to change our differences and become a uniform people as to our situations/backgrounds.  

Elder Holland gives some great insight on this, “...it is by divine design that not all the voices in God’s choir are the same. It takes variety—sopranos and altos, baritones and basses—to make rich music.”  We are to work toward one purpose and goal as children of our Father in Heaven but to also maintain the “variety” that Elder Holland mentions.  

That begs the question, What makes ME different?  What can I bring to the choir?  How can my past or present situation bring variety to God's Kingdom?  I think it is something so important especially in our situation, studying at BYU, to bring our OWN voice to the choir.  We shouldn’t try and mold ourselves to what the world or others want us to sing like, but use our differences to uplift others.

True Happiness

This weekend has been jammed packed with spiritual insights from General Conference.  For the first time in my life I was able to attend Conference at the Conference Center in SLC and that was an amazing experience.

One of the many amazing talks that I heard that really stuck out to me was by M. Joseph Brough of the Young Men’s General Presidency.  He spoke of guidance, counseling and guiding the youth of the church to understand the world.  He emphasized in a scripture that really hit me hard, Alma 41:10.  The last part of the scripture is what I want to focus on.  It reads:

“Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.”

It is such a simple phrase, “wickedness never was happiness.”  One that we have heard numberless times as members of the church.  Yet when he talked on this topic it took on a more significant meaning.  To me it teaches the principle that we will never reach a fullness of happiness or joy as long as we are disobeying the Lord.  No matter how big or small our disobedience is, we will not come to be truly happy.

He focuses on how parents and leaders of the youth need to teach them this principle through various methods.  A few he listed were, to let them be around you to see your example, connect them to heaven, and let them lead.

I currently am not in a position to teach the youth, but I am still fortifying my own personal testimony.  I then began to ponder on my own life.  What makes ME really happy?  What brings me true joy?  What are my true desires in life?  Are they uplifting?  As I pursue these things am I being 100% obedient?

After a personal examination I found some things that I can improve.  I asked myself if I have non disposition to do evil, or do I find pleasure in things in contrary to the Lord's will.  Obviously the natural man is part of this mortal existence, but I grew in my desire to do what will bring me lasting happiness.  I know I or anyone will never reach perfection in this life, but this scripture and talk do not only apply to the youth of the church but to each of us.

Wickedness didn’t bring happiness to those in The Book of Mormon, and will continue to drag us down more and more as we give in to temptations.  I found new found power and resilience to follow more closely the Savior's example as I read and pondered this scripture.

"...that shall ye also do..."

One of my favorite sections of the Book of Mormon is when Christ visits the Nephites in the Americas.  For me one of the most powerful chapters to relate this event is in 3 Nephi chapter 27.  I would like to emphasize mostly in verse 21 of the chapter.  It reads,

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do…”

As I read this verse it hits me hard to think that all Christ's gospel is, is to do as He did!  It is such a simple yet complex solution to our everyday lifestyles.   I for one find it extremely daunting and tiring at times to compare my every action to that of Christ and ask myself if I am doing exactly what He would do.

As I was studying this verse I did some research online to find some amazing material.  On the website BookofMormonCentral.org I found a section talking exactly about this verse!  It made me think more about what Christ really wants us to do in His church as well as in our own lives.  As the verse says we are to do what we have seen HIM do….if we really study Christ's ministry among the Nephites we can answer this question.  We can analyze what we do as members of the church and really understand why we do what we do.  Why do we read the scriptures, whey do we have FHE every week?  The article hits on this very point, and explains it way better than I can.  It says,

“For example, why do church members regularly attend sacrament meetings and bear their testimonies? That is what Jesus did on His first day in Bountiful, proclaiming “this shall ye always do” (3 Nephi 18:11; 3 Nephi 11:10–11).  Why do church members regularly read their scriptures? That is what Jesus did, reciting the words of Isaiah to the people and commanding them to “search these things diligently” (3 Nephi 23:1). Why do church members pray often in their families? That is what Jesus did, saying “as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church” (3 Nephi 18:16). Why do church members sustain living prophets and apostles? That is what Jesus did, declaring that the people should “give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen” (3 Nephi 12:1). Jesus’ visitation among the Nephites gives an extended portrait of his life and teachings.”

As you can see everything we do within as well as outside of the church is to follow Christ's example. I knew that we didn’t do things blindly, but it has been so heartwarming to me to see how perfect God’s master plan is.  How he chose and sent Christ to lay before us the way, literal instructions to success and not only point the way before us but hold our hand the whole way.

I am extremely grateful to know that my life has a purpose, my life has a plan.  We all can gain more direction in what steps we should take as we study more on Christ's life and teachings.  As President Nelson counseled in his last BYU devotional, we should all learn as much about Christ's life as possible through earnest study.  I know that to be true.

Power and Great Glory

In First Nephi chapter 14 verse 14; Nephi sees our day and says “...I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.”  In the world we live in we are combated and confronted by Satan on every side, there is almost nowhere to turn.  So like Nephi prophesied, we are armed with righteousness and power and with great glory to battle against the numberless attacks of the adversary.

The principle that stuck out to me is that this “power of the Lamb of God” descended on certain groups of people.  The scripture doesn’t say, “and the power descended upon every living soul” yet it uses descriptive adjectives such as: “covenant people” and “saints of the church.”  If we want this great power to protect and arm ourselves we should find out how to become the covenant people, and the saints of His church.  It is not merely being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints that guarantees this power.

President Eyring chimes in on this topic and comments that, “We also arm ourselves with righteousness and power as we ‘treasure up in [our] minds continually the words of life’ (D/C 84:85).”  We are to do the small and simple things in life; read scriptures, attend the temple, etc.

Eyring goes further to state that we are not alone in this battle.  He goes on to say that, “In our battle against evil, we must always remember that we have help from both sides of the veil.”  As I feel stressed and burdened and weighed down during my week it is extremely comforting and heartening to know how much help and POWER I really do have backing me up.  It is far greater than any temptation, attack, bad thought, or problem Satan can send our way.  We can rejoice to know that Christ and our Father in heaven will never abandon us, never.

Depths of Humility

Humility. In the 1828 Edition of the Webster Dictionary part of the definition states; “...a modest estimate of one’s own worth...a deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God, and submission to the divine will.”

We can read of a strong example of humility in The Book of Mormon.  In Mosiah 21:1-14 the King Limhi and his people have been enslaved by the Lamanites and are required to pay a high tax by the Lamanite King.  After a time the afflictions became almost unbearable and in verse five it says that the people claimed that there was “no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands….”  The Nephites then turned to war.  They wanted to fight their way out of the afflictions they were in, with their own strength.  After THREE consecutive lost battles the Nephites “humble themselves even unto the dust…”  I find this pattern so insightful and can be applicable to my own life.  It begs so many questions such as:  How did Limhi’s people humble themselves even to the dust?  Did they get liberated?  What was their process of change?

We learn in these verses a model on how WE as individuals and a people as a whole can humble ourselves.  After three consecutive losses at battle they had a change and  in verses 13-14 it states,

“13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies.

14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.”

A few things that jumped out to me were that they, “subjected themselves to the yoke of bondage…” and that “they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God…”  I found that humility is not merely subjecting yourself to others in bondage, or being weak and not fighting back.  It is much more than that.  Humility is understanding your reliance on God and submitting to his will.  And almost more importantly; as we submit ourselves we are to “cry unto (our) God...even all the day long…”  We are to rely on HIS arm, not ours in moments of affliction.  In this part of the Book of Mormon the people of Limhi had to pass through this moment; it was God’s divine will at that moment.

How many times do we, do I, find ourselves trying to rely on OUR own arm or strength, to be able to “pull through” the week or “ace an exam” without crying unto the Lord?  I find it a common pattern in my own life: studying, eating and social life all come before scripture study or deep personal revelation and meditation.  Just as the people of Limhi sometimes I try to fight harder and harder to keep my head above water, when all I have to do is counsel with my loving Father.  Just like the people of Limhi the Lord will help us “...begin to prosper by degrees in the land.”

Immediate Gratification?

Being self-reliant is more than merely having enough money to pay the bills and buy the groceries.  Self-reliance is a way of life; it is both temporal and spiritual.  We are to become better stewards of what the Lord has given us and like the parable of the Talents; we are to diligently seek to increase what he has given us.  When we become self-reliant we are able to not only provide for our own needs but also able aid in building the kingdom of God here on earth.

I am blessed to be apart of the Self-reliance program in my stake and we have been learning and applying principle of the gospel to become self-reliant.  This past week we were discussing budgets and how they help us be better stewards of our blessings.  We read a scripture in 2 Nephi 9:51 that says, “Do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.”  This scripture almost sounds common sense, but I started to ponder on what I spend my money on; what I spend my labors on.  Do they have worth?  Or are they just fleeting desires and appetites?

Many times I find myself wanting things now.  That is the world we live in!  Food now, entertainment now, gratification now, blessings now.  And there is an attribute that we can develop that will aid us in putting things into a real perspective.  That is patience.  President Uchtdorf in a talk titled “Continue in Patience” says something powerful, “Patience means staying with something until the end.  It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings.”

As we develop patience, and learn to delay immediate gratification of desires and appetites we will become more self governing and therefore be self-reliant.  Putting off buying or doing what you want now that may be of little worth for something much greater in the future is an essential principle to develop in mortality.  Patience not only applies to the principle of self-reliance but to almost every aspect of our lives.  As students we are practicing this principle.  We study, work, and put off many “entertaining” things the world has to offer with hope of better employment and greater happiness in an eternal family.  We should not lose this perspective and “labor for that which cannot satisfy.”  Patience is a principle of Godliness.

“When you factor in degree of difficulty, she beat you hands down.”

As Alma gives his last words of fatherly advice to his child he pinpoints an overarching dilemma in our own society.  In chapter 37 of Alma, Alma says, “...do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way…”  I feel many times in our society, speaking of the Mormon culture, we find ourselves going through the motions over and over.  We can fall into a rut and create a sense of false security.  We stubble because of the simplicity of the path, getting too focused on the small details.  I feel that we have to overcome this natural man instinct and continue to try and become something better tomorrow than we are today.

This moment in the Book of Mormon reminds me of another scripture and doctrine taught in Doctrine and Covenants.  In section 82:3 it states, “For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.” This is a basic yet overlooked doctrine that each of God's children is different, we have different lives, distinct roles and circumstances.  We are not judged nor taught the same, each individual is on their own journey here on earth.

This has made me ponder my situation in life lately; where I am at, my goals and aspirations, and what I am doing with the many blessings I have been given.  In a book that I love called, “Following Christ” by Stephene Robinson, the author illustrates a story from his personal life.  He talks about how as a child he competed in diving events, and at one event there was a young boy that attempted back flips, doubles and other more daring dives.  The author and his group of friends stuck to the basic jackknives, back dives, and focused on being ever so careful to arch their backs and point their toes.  While the other boy was sloppy and always made a big splash, the author and his friends were happy to see he consistently got lower scores.  At the end of the competition the announcement of the winner came as a surprise to the young competitors.  The boy with the flips won the event.  The author says, “certain that an injustice was being perpetrated, I stormed the scorers table and demanded an explanation.”  The response was “Degree of difficulty,” the scorer replied.

He goes on to explain that each of God’s children experience different trials in this life.  Enduring to the end is not about overcoming life's obstacles or even achieving the “LDS ideal” (pointing your toes and arching your back).  It just means not giving up, remaining faithful to the different covenants that each of have made with the Lord.

Let us not get caught up in the basic dives of life, worrying too much about the pointed toes or arched back.  But let us do things we have never done before, and not judge others in their circumstances along the way.  We have no idea what demons each individual is fighting and are in no place to pass judgement.  “For I never want to hear the Scorer (Christ) say to me, ‘sure, you had better form, but she had a harder life.  ...she beat you hands down.”

Trust.

Trust.  Can I be trusted?  By friends and family?  Even more importantly; can I be trusted by the Lord?  In 3 Nephi 27:16 the Lord is talking to the Nephites emphasizing in the fundamental gospel principles.  It is so clear on what we need to do to be held “guiltless” before the Father.  For me it gives me hope and breaks down what I should be doing here in my existence.

 I have been reading the book “Following Christ” and one part that really hit me hard is when the author talks about this passage and the meaning of enduring to the end.  He breaks down the word Faithful and mentions some of the Hebrew words associated with that word; and what he finds is insightful.  The words security, certainty, and guarantee all come from the same Hebrew root.  It is interesting to think about enduring and faithfulness and make connections.  It became evident that being faithful (enduring to the end) has little to do with our belief or even our activity in the church as it does with whether we can be trusted to do out part in the Kingdom of God.  This really made me think about how well I can be trusted by the Lord.  Am I one He can count on with whatever task He needs accomplished?

After some more study it became clear that this doesn’t only apply to “enduring to the end” but also every aspect of the gospel.  Even down to basic faith.  Faith is not a mere belief but rather an active commitment to a belief.  The scripture in James 2 came to mind, that even the devils believe and tremble.  Am I different than them?  I came to ask myself: I know God is there and lives but am I committed to that belief?  Am I committed and willing to do everything to build His kingdom here on earth?

I want to become a better servant and not only testify that God and Christ are there but show it through my level of commitment.  Be someone He can trust.

Can we achieve our dreams...on our own?

Can the computer type on its own?  Can the stove cook a meal by itself?  Can we achieve our dreams...on our own?

The first two questions seem so obvious!  The answer is “NO” yet the last question makes us scream “YES!”  As we read in the book of 2 Nephi this week I found a scripture that illustrates this concept so well.  Isaiah in chapter nineteen of 2 Nephi verse 15 says, “Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!”  

Here as I read the answers to these questions were more than obvious, but as I dug deeper and made the connection to myself and my life it took on another light.  Obviously an object or a medium can not do anything on it’s own; it has to be acted upon.  Likewise WE are a medium.  For who or whom?  The Lord!  We can do nothing of ourselves; until we are acted upon by an outside force.

I am one to set a goal and do everything it takes to get there.  I pride myself in my ability to do so.  This scripture really was like a slap on the face; as is being here at BYU.  It is not MY merits that have gotten me here to this school or gotten me any of my competitive recognition's.  It was Him, and His power.

As I read this scripture and think I feel a greater need of my Savior in my life.  I feel more humbled to know I can do nothing without him as well as strengthened to know I can do anything WITH Him.  I find this extremely applicable to us right now as college kids.  If the Lord needs us to succeed or fulfill some certain calling in life, He can open the doors necessary for us to get there.  As we do our part and remain humble the Lord will use us as a medium for good...to even achieve our dreams.

"No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

“Enduring to the end”...who, what, how, when??  These are all questions that arise in my mind when I hear members of the church throw this phrase around.  Is it really about passing through suffering?  Or drudging through this mortal life for a hope that God will open up the gates to his kingdom at the end of the road?

3 Nephi 15:9:  “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.”

With promises THIS great, I feel it is important to really understand the; who, what, how, and when behind the phrase “endure to the end.”

I have found it extremely interesting to read and actually do some study on this simple yet not so easy phrase.  Many times the phrase “endure to the end” is heard in pioneer stories of those that suffered, and brings to mind much persecution.  After reading a few scriptures in the Book of Mormon I noticed an interesting connection; that the word endure is refers to many times as “last” and or “continue.”  One of these circumstances is when Alma is talking to his son Shiblon he says, “will continue in keeping the commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end” (Alma 38:2).  Here the correlation between enduring and continuing faithful is extremely clear.

That puts something very clear, we are to continue...but continue in what?  We are to continue in the covenants we have made, remain FAITHFUL to the promises we have made with the Lord.  In the book “Following Christ”  Stephen Robinson expounds on this topic; “To endure to the end means we don’t let go of Christ; we don’t quit the Church and kingdom or lose our testimony because of life;s difficulties or temptations-we stay put.”

I find this extremely applicable to our lives in this stage of our lives, we have gained a testimony, made covenants and now we are constantly tested and expected to “endure to the end.”  For me this study has helped me to understand that I am NOT alone in this path, I have my God beside me and I have many promises and blessings upholding me.  I have to remain faithful and continue building the Kingdom of God, I cannot let go of Christ's hand and begin to wander in “forbidden paths” (1 Nephi 8:28).

Enduring is not so much a physical stamina, but of personal integrity.

Seeking and Listening to the Holy Ghost

This week I have been interested to learn more about truly seeking the Holy Ghost in my life, and then how to listen to those promptings.  There were a few scriptures that really hit it home with me but I’ll keep it to just one, Moroni 7:13 , “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”

Along with this scripture I watched a few videos by Elder Bednar and his wife, I think that the videos of the church are amazing and can explain things 120 times better than I can.  During one Face to Face devotional with Elder Bednar he said that we first need to be WORTHY of the Spirit, or be “good boys and good girls” and the Spirit will speak to us.  We need not worry if it is from God or our own mind so much, if it is a thought/feeling to do good then it is automatically from God or the Spirit.

I find that so amazing, so simple.  To know that we shouldn’t worry!  We can receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost whenever and about whatever as long as we are being good.  If we look back the doctrine that the Holy Ghost is a constant companion is evident throughout our lives, I mean how many times have you had a flashback of your mom telling you to say your prayers?!  THAT is the Holy Ghost, using your mothers voice and that memory already in your head to guide you in the right direction.

I think this is so necessary to understand in our lives today, especially while we are bombarded by so many other channels of communication nowadays.  There are so many distractions and people competing for our attention and focus, that if we lose perspective we can become farther and farther out of tune to the promptings of our Father in Heaven, even that still small voice.

I want to strive to be a “good boy” so that I too can have those subtle promptings as I take steps to become closer to my Father in Heaven.  

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

HIS redeeming power...

During my scripture study I came across a verse that really stuck out to me, it is found in 2 Nephi 2:3.  It states; “3 Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men.”  

Here Lehi is speaking to Jacob, his son, and to me it looks just like a normal fathers blessing stating that he will continue following in his brother's footsteps and prosper upon the land. As I read it again and again and finally found it in the book “Following Christ” it began to take on another meaning.  Lehi states, “wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer…” what a powerful statement, to me he is saying that Jacob is redeemed because his Savior was righteous, not because Jacob was righteous.

As I studied and read more and more the doctrine that I learned from this passage of scripture is that salvation or the redeeming power ONLY comes from our Savior Jesus Christ.  

As we follow the principles of the gospel including; faith, repentance, baptism, and reception of the gift of HG we take upon us Christ Himself.  We become joint partners, and in the book “Following Christ” Robinson explains it as a husband and wife who become one after marriage (last name).  This means that it is Christ's ultimate perfection and righteousness that determines the “new creature” we become therefore it is him that gives the verdict.  All we have to do is remain faithful to this contract we enter into upon baptism and we will be declared clean in the end.  I love how Lehi in this verse doesn’t tell him all the things he has to do and make a list for Jacob but knows that he will remain faithful because he has committed himself to the covenant with God.  

Each of us can take a step back and stop thinking we are going to mess up or become unworthy of this redeeming power.  Christ can take all our faults, sins, mistakes as long as we hold up our end of the contract.  He loves us and I know that 100%.  I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.