Recently we have been talking about the apostle Paul and his teachings. I have been learning that it was not always easy for him to preach to those who disagreed with his beliefs. I love how he often tried to find a common ground with those he met. He loved them, appreciated their truth, and shared what he knew with them. I have often found people wanting to go head-to-head with me and try to 'prove' something about religious beliefs (or rather they have found me). Through some of these experiences, I have found that Paul's approach really works! It really is better to start with (and often end with) the truths you agree on if you want to learn from each other.
Some dear friends of ours attend a Baptist church. One morning, a few years ago, I ran into the husband on my way to a meeting for Primary (the Sunday school program for children at our church). During our conversation, I mentioned where I was going and he seemed really interested. He asked a couple more questions and then said, "You know, I think it's really great that you are willing to serve in your church so much... but that is not what will save you. You Mormons have got it all wrong- it is grace that saves, not what you do!"
I was feeling a little anxious in that moment. I didn't know what to say, or how to engage with him. I wanted to show Christlike love.... I wanted to be honest, but not contentious. I said a silent prayer and then had an inspired thought on how to share what I knew...
"I agree with you! It is grace that saves! I don't serve because I think it will save me, I serve because I love my Savior! I just don't feel like I am really accepting His love and grace in my life if I am not trying to do what I think He would do"
And it's true!! It is because of my love and gratitude for my Savior that I have a desire to serve Him. It is because I accept His role in my life that I have a desire to become more like Him, and minister to others as He did. Especially in Primary. ;) I just know the Savior would never pass up an opportunity to serve and care for His precious little children.
Recently we talked as a family about James 2:26. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so Faith without works is dead." It is easy to say you believe in Christ. But when you really, truly believe in Christ, when you have faith and gratitude in His atoning power, it changes you. When you know that He is intimately involved in your daily life, and is the sole provider of your salvation, then sitting back and giving lip-service to Him just doesn't seem like enough. Service to Him and to God's children, covenants to become like Him, keeping the commandments He has given... these will not tip the scales of justice in our favor. They are not check-marks in some Heavenly to-do list. More than that, they are a sign of our love, gratitude and commitment to Him. When you love someone, it is easy to want to become like them.
What joy I felt as I bore testimony to this dear friend that not only do I believe in my Savior and His grace, but I was going to do my best to prove it as a sign of gratitude to Him! What tender mercies I felt as I realized that He was feeling joyful too. Then he agreed with me! He loved my reasons for serving. The conversation had quickly gone from a bit of a sneak attack, to a joyful sharing of faith... for both of us!
Not long after that, our friends invited us to attend a Sunday meeting at with their Baptist congregation. We were so grateful to attend and learn from their pastor and congregation. We learned some beautiful truths (for example, that the root of the word 'repent' literally means 'to turn back,' or to turn back to God), and loved spending time with our sweet, faithful, friends. We were able to learn and change for the better as we found common ground, and a little more one-ness in Christ.
What a blessing it is to know our Savior and to share good, uplifting truths with each other. We are not the church of Paul, the church of Apollos, or the church of Mormon... We are the body of Christ. And we need each other. I am so grateful that the spirit has seen fit to teach me that.
Deficits: Too many faults to save myself
Deposits: Grateful that Christ's grace makes up the difference, and that wonderful people help me to know Him better!
Balance: Richly blessed!
Bonus tidbit: A friend of mine shared this beautiful video, and I just love it! There is so much truth here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUT4trsrBCw&fbclid=IwAR0yKMP5z9y5RbXYv7EN--x0OlY6TepSdwzCLaZ2n9YtFsHhH3kQvYL0gfM&app=desktop
