The Savior Redeems Us From Our Sins: Not In Our Sins!

TheDsicipleMD

I’ve seen it hundreds of times on television. An athlete scores a touchdown, hits a home run, wins an Olympic medal, or wins some athletic event and then, points to heaven, or crosses themselves identifying Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. I have listened to hundreds of them give glory to Christ over the years, while others of the Hollywood establishment pay homage to His name while accepting awards. I am in no position to judge the personal nature of their devotion or commitment, but it seems that for many, recognizing Jesus Christ as their personal Savior is all that they think is needed. I say this because, according to the lives that they are reportedly living, obedience to His commandments is not a part of their daily devotion to him.

I was reading  this week and came across an insightful scripture. In the fifth chapter of Helaman, words of advise are written that were given by Helaman to his sons, Nephi and Lehi. Part of Helaman’s advise is quoting words Amulek spoke to Zeezrom. Which, in part is “that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.”

Note that the Lord came to redeem his people “from their sins”, “not in their sins”. What does that mean? Well to me it is made clear that repentance is needed when Amulek says, “he hath sent angles to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance.”  In other words, “repentance” is required in order to save our souls. Now, back to the celebrities I have mentioned. You can state that Jesus is the Christ and believe in his atonement, but that will not save you “in your sins.”  Only “from them”, if, and only if you repent. And repentance means an abandonment of that sin. Once you repent, then and only then, will it “bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls.” All the belief in the world will not save us “in our sins.” But, knowing that all of us sin, the Savior through the atonement, which is brought into power by our repentance, will save us “from our sins.”

Pointing to heaven and acknowledging our Savior in our moments of glory is a fine gesture, but it won’t save us. Living the commandments and exercising repentance when we fall will!

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