BUILT ON LOVE

 

I awoke early this morning with thoughts of the Second Coming. I reflected on how much warning to prepare we are getting from the Church leaders.  It occurred to me that some of us are prepared even now and are anxious to meet the Saviour while some of us will be desperately rushing about to ‘take up our cross and follow Him’ in hopes that our ‘death-bed repentance’ will consider us prepared.

To take up one’s cross means to forsake the world, deny yourself all ungodliness and every worldly lust and to keep His commandments (JST Matthew 16:25-29). I wonder if this can be done effectively in one day, one week, one year even. It’s like that silly question we are asked in Sunday School sometimes: “If you knew that Jesus was coming tomorrow, what would you do today?” 

What could you do today??? Nothing!!! What could you possibly accomplish in one day that would make up for years of not doing it??? It takes time for a man to evolve into who he should be and even longer to become like Christ….and this is what the aim is, that ‘when He appears we shall be like Him’ (Moroni 7:48).

To become like the Saviour, it is imperative that we get to know Him. Consider the parable of the Ten Virgins. The five foolish virgins ran off to buy oil for their lamps at the very last minute before the bridegroom came. They considered that only the oil was needed for entrance to the feast. In reality, there was much more….. they were meeting the bridegroom who said to them: “Ye know me not” (JST Matthew 25:11 or Matthew 25:12, footnote a)….and if you don’t know me, how can you be with me???

Elder Bednar outlined what is needful for us to come to know the Saviour: 1. Exercising Faith In Him; 2. Following Him; 3. Serving Him; 4. Believing Him (“If Ye Had Known Me” October GC 2016)

I have pondered on the requirements for the entrance to the wedding feast and wondered what would be at the root of them. I think it has to do with the Saviour comparing His coming to  marriage. What is marriage built upon? Love.

“He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me…..if a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:21-23)

Everything Elder Bednar suggested would develop in us love for Christ. How long do you think it would take us to accomplish that? A week, a month, a year? How about one day???

He will come and He will expect the bride to be ready….and He will know who loves Him…..for God will not be mocked…..

I would gladly give you some oil

Your empty lamp to fill,

If you could glean the sweat

From my furrowed brow

As I worked on the oil press

So diligently until now.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Filling Her Lamp by Dan Burr)