Friday 18 September 2015

The Way of the Disciple

I love a section The Way of the Disciple from "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" by Dieter F. Utchdoft in April General Conference talk.

I would like to share with you what he says.
"Consider the following questions as a self-test:
Do you harbor a grudge against someone else?
Do you gossip, even when what you say may be true?
Do you exclude, push away, or punish others because of something they have done?
Do you secretly envy another? Do you wish to cause harm to someone?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to apply the two word sermon from earlier: stop it!
In a world of accusations and unfriendliness, it is easy to gather and cast stones. But before we do so, let us remember the words of the One who is our Master and model: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.”

Let us put down our stones. Let us be kind. Let us forgive.
Let us talk peacefully with each other. Let the love of God fill our hearts.
“Let us do good unto all men.”

The Savior promised: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. For with the same measure that [you use] it shall be measured to you again.”

Shouldn’t this promise be enough to always focus our efforts on acts of kindness, forgiveness, and charity instead of on any negative behavior?

Let us, as disciples of Jesus Christ, return good for evil.
Let us not seek revenge or allow our wrath to overcome us.

“For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Remember: in the end, it is the merciful who obtain mercy.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wherever we may be, let us be known as a people who “have love one to another.”

Do you try to be a disciple of Jesus Christ day by day?
Do you try to be a disciple of Jesus Christ night by night?
Would you do the things that you are doing now if the Saviour stood beside you?

Stay tuned until next time.

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