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.