4/30/2018 - Section 93:2-18

April 30, 2018

Section 93:2-18

Light of Christ, Scripture Yet To Be Revealed, Obedience, Grace, Draw Near Unto Me,

In v 6 Christ speaks of John’s record of His ministry, telling us that “the fullness of John’s record is hereafter to be revealed.” I followed the footnote from that verse to John 20:30-31: “30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31. But there are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing he might have life through his name.” Bruce R McConkie felt that John the apostle wrote having John the Baptist’s writings, and thus, John the Baptist’s firm testimony, and someday the world will also have that. For v’s 6-18 promise that, and explain how even Jesus had to grow grace by grace in this world and “received not of the fullness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fullness.” (v 13) And then comes v 18—and it is for us: “And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fullness of the record of John.” WE are the ones who determine the extent of our blessings.

On page 218 of the student manual there is a wonderful section about “growing from grace to grace”.  If becoming like Christ “seems unachievable, we should remember that even Jesus did not have the fullness at first but achieved it by receiving grace for grace. The word grace is a translation of the Greek word charis, which has the basic meaning of “sweetness, charm, loveliness,” but which the New Testament uses in the sense of “good-will, loving kindness, favor” The grace of God is “the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of Christian virtues.” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon, pp665-66) In short, grace refers to the gifts and power of God by which we can be brought to perfection. To come to a fullness by moving from grace to grace means that as we obey the commandments, the Father gives us more and more power until we receive awfulness of power….To receive these gifts and power, we must submit to God’s will and obey His commandments. Non of us can become perfect through our own efforts alone. Moroni shows us how our personal efforts can bring the grace of God and move us step by step, from grace to grace, to perfection (see Moroni 10:32-33)