Through Christ, all Things are Possible.

3 Nephi 27:13-21

This week, in class, we learned about how much the Savior truly helps us. Sometimes I feel as if every blog I post is the same, but I think that's because the overarching topics are often so similar. We are helped, because we are loved. How great that knowledge is. Anyways, in 3 Nephi 27 it talks about obedience, sacrifice and agency. In verse 13, Christ says that he "came into the world to do the will of [his] father, because my father sent me". I love that he says he came, because his father sent him. How often do we do things solely because we've been asked? There's always an alternative motive that drives us to do things, more than just because we've been asked. From Christ's example, I will strive to do things when people ask me, for them and not 'secretly' for myself.

Sacrifice is obvious throughout this chapter. Jesus Christ was lifted up upon the cross by men for what reason? Why such an intense sacrifice?? Couldn't Heavenly Father asked his Son to do something less traumatic? I believe that he could have, yet Christ's obedience and willingness strengthens my testimony in Purpose. In verses 14 and 15, it says that he was lifted up upon the cross "that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil". This purpose behind Christ's sacrifice leads to the theme of agency. When verse 14 and 15 says that we will be "judged of our works", what does this mean? Because of Christ's sacrifice, we are able to repent and be baptized in his name and then endure to the end. As we do this, or works, we can choose to draw near to the Lord, or choose a path that leads us further from Christ. With either choice, we will eventually be brought to Heavenly Father where we will be judged. Verses 13-15 and 16-21 have an interesting distinction. 13-15 goes over Jesus' Atonement, Judgement and Resurrection-which Christ does completely alone. 16-21 goes over our agency-which is our part, yet he is still helping us. We are never alone. We are to learn, yet we won't ever truly be alone.

I know that by living an obedient life we can be truly happy. The word happy comes up a lot in my blogs. I know that that's because through Christ, I am happy. Because he has given me the agency to choose to be happy, and with that agency I will choose to be happy. Being happy is the least I can do to show my gratitude for the sacrifice of my Savior.