a journey to enjoy

Mindful Musical Meditation...Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings, and Continuo in D minor-Largo man non tanto

Prayers Answered...the little girl does not have those maladies but the parents are still concerned with her growing weakness, clonus, and pain.

Praying For...the parents to find strength and the correct path to take.

Matthew 5:17-48; Luke 6:29-32, 34-36

Studying the New Testament with  McConkie's Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Gospel Doctrine Testament Teacher's Manual, Jesus the Christ by Talmage, The Miracle of Forgiveness and Faith Precedes the Miracle by Kimball is helping me understand the life, message, and mission of Jesus at a whole new level. It's fascinating, testimony-building, and life-altering.

Jesus did not destroy the law that He created but fulfilled it. When a professor a student higher math, such as calculus, he does not destroy the four basic functions but builds upon them. "No one any longer needed to walk by the light of the moon, for the sun and risen in all its splendor." McConkie The children of Israel needed a law of performances, punishments, and fear to prepare them for a higher law; now Jesus offered a law of love. He fulfilled the Law of Moses through atoning for the sins of mankind. Animal sacrifices were now not necessary but a sacrifice of self.

Interestingly, Jesus told us to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, because they only focused on outward appearances of the law. They had no inner desire or faith and is why they didn't recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Jesus told us to live the higher law of loving. Certainly, we should not kill our fellow men, but loving our enemies and not getting angry without cause is the higher law. Just as looking on a woman with lust is kin to adultery, anger is akin to murder. But the murder we commit is  against ourselves. Unrighteous anger makes us servant to Satan, and we cannot serve two masters. To serve the wrong master brings about a spiritual death. When we find ourselves in this situation, which is all too common, we can repent, ask Jesus to allow His grace to help us overcome this character flaw, head off feelings of unrighteous anger, and forgive others thoughtless and sometimes evil actions. Instead of slaughtering an innocent lamb as an offering, we give Him all our sins.

Instead of oath taking, which was common under Mosaic Law, we should keep our word. Honesty is our oath now. If we say it will be done, we should do our utmost to make it so. Keeping our word, being honest, forgiving others, and brotherly love towards our enemies and all others helps us to attain the perfection Jesus spoke of in Matthew 5:48. Of course we will make mistakes, need repentance, need His grace, and need time to learn. With repentance and grace it is possible to obtain finite or earthly perfection, as we seek to adopt the character of Christ and strive to keep His commandments. We cannot obtain infinite perfection on earth, which is 'all the attributes of godliness in their fullness' and 'the same degree of mercy possessed by Deity.' It is a journey to enjoy.