THE PATH TO DIVINITY

 

“The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ’, is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once.

“It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not’. It is his love for us that is not ‘puffed up…., not easily provoked, thinketh no evil’. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things’.

“It is as demonstrated in Christ that ‘charity never faileth’. It is that charity – His pure love for us – without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of His love at the last day – the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise – surely it shall be well with them…”  (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Christ and the New Covenant”[1997], 336-37)

Charity or the pure love of Christ is unique to the Saviour. It is called ‘pure’ because this kind of love has no ulterior motive of self-interest. It is pure because it is selfless. Cast your mind on the Saviour’s mortal life and His atoning sacrifice. None of it was about Him but all about saving us and bringing glory to the Father.

This kind of love cannot be developed but can only be bestowed on the true followers of Christ so that they can become sons of God and be like Him when He returns. Why do we need to be like Him? So ‘that we may be purified even as He is pure’ (Moroni 7:47,48). Without this purity we cannot be where God is.

I have been thinking a lot about the Second Coming lately and I have written somewhat about the parable of the Ten Virgins. The more I contemplate this parable the more I can see what the Saviour meant by saying to the unprepared Five that they didn’t know Him (JST Matthew 25:11 or Matt 25:12a). Consequently, they never became like Him, a requirement Moroni spoke of.

I rather think that the prepared Virgins were His true followers who were endowed with His pure love and this is why I think that. In 1 Peter 4:8, it says that ‘charity covers a multitude of sins’ but JST says ‘charity PREVENTETH a multitude of sins’ (JST 1 Pet 4:8a). Think about it, the Saviour was sinless because He possessed this pure love. Speaking of the Father, He said: “I do ALWAYS those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Why? Because He loved the Father.

Possessing the pure love of Christ means possessing a love for God which means much greater obedience than we are capable of on our own. Possessing the pure love of Christ also means no trespass against our neighbour and greater charity toward our fellowman. It means no contention, no hate, no wars……it means a perfect society…..like the one He will bring with Him.

The arrival of the Bridegroom will not be “a scrutiny of churches, but of individuals in the Church” (James Talmage, Marriage Feast, the Called and the Chosen, “Jesus the Christ”, p 543). Only half of us will be at the Marriage Feast and the path to it is paved with love…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)