If you remember the time when the gospel were taught to you, there were Principles, ordinances, commandments and laws that were introduce. There were time that you feel uncomfortable to accept sometimes too difficult to observe. But when you accept the invitation to be baptized you covenanted with God (not with men) to keep or observe those teachings and Doctrine and endure.
The message that I want to share is simply obedience to the sacred covenants we have made.
I remember a story in the New Testament of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) that says this -
The message that I want to share is simply obedience to the sacred covenants we have made.
I remember a story in the New Testament of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) that says this -
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
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| Ananias and Sapphira on the Brescia Casket, late 4th century |
The story is not actually clear if we don't know or understand the context. But the point of the story is that God loves generosity, He blesses them, but not shallow or light performances, he curses or punished people who kept not his words. Which means it's not ok to say "it's just a small thing" or "God understands it. The only thing that Godrequires on us is as simple as obedience.
Though we may sometime fall short or made a wrong choices. God prepare always a way to help us in the right path -
Doctrine and Covenants 105:5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
Christ also shows us an example of obedience, and because of that example, salvation was now available to everyone who are willing to make sacred covenants with God -
Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
God promise us abondance and not just temporal blessings also salvation -
Doctrine and Covenants 138:4 That through his atonement, and by obedience to the principles of the gospel, mankind might be saved.
I remember how the stripling warriors were saved during their battle -
Alma 57:20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.
After all the blessings or abundance that we received, or maybe the knowledge that we know about the salvation of the Lord, what would be the best response as a follower of Christ?
Mosiah 2:22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
In this I share in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.