The Church of Jesus Christ is a Chruch of Love. This is where the Principles of Charity is being taught correctly and seriously and has been applied by the members. This is where Pure Religion is practiced. For me, Charity is my ultimate covenant with the Lord even my baptismal covenant that qualifies me to be a member in the Fold of God. On the other hand the Principles of Charity helped me to stand in the midst of the greatest turmoil in my life today. By applying these principles it sustained me of endurance and see hope through faith...
The principles that I have learned last week Mar. 29 – Apr 4 was concluded in my Sunday classes which was Friday in the UAE Apr. 5, 2008 (days-off friday)
CHARITY is:
1 Corinthians 13
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Let me insert this passage about the pure RELIGION for additional insight.
James 1
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
It is suggested in the footnote to search for reference about Religion in the TG under Charity, So there is definitely a closeness of meaning between Religion and Charity and I notice that it commonly involves SERVICE and OBEDIENCE to God which is done out of LOVE. So to sum it up Charity or Religion is LOVE.
Now if you don’t have this in your heart what do you get?:
1 Corinthians 13:
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Let me add this again:
James 1
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
That is just one of the treasured knowledge to help ourselves pass the test for the purpose of life.
1 Cor 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
And it has always been taught to us in the church
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. (Book of Morm 7: 46-47) which makes this book unique and the most correct book.
These insights from the scripture helped me gain a deeper understanding about Charity and I believe that charity isn't entirely about Generosity. (which most people outside the church believes) Giving donations and all that stuff. But that is stated clearly in the scripture that it is the PURE LOVE of CHRIST which is generally consisting of all the Good things in this world narrowed to Sacrifice, Service, Patience, Obedience, Forgiveness and Understanding. or we may say it consists of all RIGHTEOUSNESS there is in this world.
Our lesson in the Relief Society today is: "Patience is the Gateway to the Virtue of Forgiveness, Tolerance and Faith" still it is connected to charity... And how?
The example of the way I bear the turmoil at my work situation best shows how I learned and developed the virtue of Forgiveness, Tolerance and Faith by Patience because of the principles of Charity. This should help me remember what I learned from the tribulation I had in my work situation as my first job in the UAE.
I figured this out: Charity or Pure Religion-I consider this to be my ultimate covenant to the Lord to become more worthy and qualified to be a member in the fold of the Lord. Or should I say since charity is the pure love of Christ I should also be Charitable as we are called the children of God and Jesus Christ is our perfect example and for me, to receive Him means to follow His example and be given the power and rights to be a legitimate daughter of God. (John 1:12)
And the Lord Said:
Matt. 7
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
My message to YOU is to seek to be always CHARITABLE. Never stop that unconditional kindness, love and obedience to the laws and commandments you are showing to everybody to keep ourselves unspotted from the world and not behave unseemly in the sight of God... Let your example shine to everyone around you with all these virtue that you possess and you continue to nourish. In Matt. 5:16; 3Ne. 12:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Let us be a window to His Love and a doorway to the Truth. Let us tell the world that we are Sons and Daughters of God by example and Love. That the world may know Him through Us that they may find His Kingdom on earth and will give them the desire to be called the Sons and Daughters of God too. So I should say this is our charge as LDS.... I suppose...if we don’t keep this covenant…if we don’t try our best. And I am more than happy to accept part and do my duty. What about you?
This builds a stronger testimony that I belong in the true church of God and what helped me realize it are the teachings and principles taught in the Church, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it is perfect, really really perfect as God is perfect who taught all His righteousness to his children and if we just apply every principle that we learn from him, I suppose we will become perfect in His sight as Christ commanded us "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" Matt. 5:48; 2 Nephi 12:48
In Jesus Name Amen..
Tags: Charity