Why do we fail to live the Gospel?

[prisonchaplain]

Protestants, Catholics, LDS...we often fail to live the gospel. We wax selfish and arrogant, we "cut corners" in our businesses and on our taxes...we fail. Why?

[bytor2112]

Because we're human? If we didn't fail...we wouldn't need to be saved. The idea i to learn from our mistakes and grow from them....hopefully in a positive direction.

[Snow]

Optics... or gravity, but I lean towards optics.

[Ammonite]

Any of us who live to an age of accountability have done so for a reason. With God there is no coincidence or happenstance and we need our earth life and specific circumstances of birth, family, religion, etc., to gain specific knowledge and experiences to overcome weaknesses that --as far as I understand prophetic and scriptural teachings-- we have always had.
I don't mean to suggest that certain people have always had a weakness for pornography for example, but perhaps some general propensity that leads to a specific worldly sin. In other words, we weren't even perfect before we came to earth but we wanted to be.
Therefore, God creates a plan and a way for us to achieve perfection. We come to the earth and through our sins and failings; learn humility and obedience (ideally of course). If we learn the lessons we need the atonement takes over and pays the price of our sins and we gain the highest reward God can give us—eternal life with Him in His presence and the gift of eternal marriage and eternal increase. If we don't, God has a backup plan. This is where I see that the multiple degrees of glory (and the degrees within degrees) are evidence of a wholly compassionate and loving God. Absolutely no one is left without the opportunity for some level of glory, even if they rebel against their Creator and His laws till death.

[Seminarysnoozer]

"Fail" sounds so final ... is the test over?

[glow_inthe_dark_girl]

Because it is easier to talk about the gospel than living it, I often see people giving some very "touching" talks in church and they don't do it, I remember this brither that even cried because he loves going to the temple , he said it in a conference and everyone was like "oh yeah.. he is right" turns out that the brother didnt go to the temple this trip... anyways, I think it's easier to talk and listen than do the actual work.. It's easier to stay at home resting than going and visit people that needs us, it is easier to stay in our comoftable every-day life than trying to see what God wants us to do.

[Justice]

PC, that's the billion dollar question.

Technically, I'm sure there are many answers. People have different reasons for making bad choices. But, I'll never forget a personal interview I had with an awesome individual. He asked me why people doin't do their Home Teaching. I think that question could be broad, anmd encompass everything you mentioned, PC.

His answer, as always, hit the nail on the head. He said, "Because they're not fully converted to the Lord."

[LostSheep]

Because failure is always the path of least resistance.

[prisonchaplain]

Perhaps if I fine tune the question...why do we fail so very often. Sometimes our churches/wards don't look much different than general society. Okay, we're not perfect. But whether you brag to have salvation, the restored gospel, or even the Holy Ghost--surely we have something that should make us better performers? No?

[candyprpl]

I think what Justice said is the truth. Conversion is an ongoing process and until we are fully converted (if that is possible in this life) then we will make mistakes -- mistakes that make us appear un-Christlike. I'm not sure I'm getting my point across very well.

Yes, we should be better performers and that is the conversion process in my way of thinking.