Visiting Teaching Message: April 2014

26 March

Visiting Teaching MessagesApril’s message focuses on Jesus’ role as our Savoir and Redeemer and begins with this quote by D. Todd Christofferson:

“Redeem means to pay off an obligation or a debt. Redeem can also mean to rescue or set free as by paying a ransom. … Each of these meanings suggests different facets of the great Redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ through His Atonement, which includes, in the words of the dictionary, ‘to deliver from sin and its penalties, as by a sacrifice made for the sinner.” (“Redemption,” Ensign, May 2013, 109.)

I have to wonder if Mormons really understand the meanings behind the words they use. Jesus didn’t pay off our sin debt so we can work and struggle to keep from sinning again. They have this notion that through their obedience to the Mormon gospel they can stop sinning and keep themselves morally clean.

He is our Redeemer because He saved us from the penalty of our sins before and after anything we could ever think to do to make amends for our actions.

Gelatins 3:12-14 reads

“And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

He is our Savior and we are redeemed not after all we can do, but after all He has done for us.

In Christ,

Melissa Grimes (melissa@lifeafter.org)

Reference:

April 2014 Ensign “The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ Savior and Redeemer”

 

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