Philippians 1-4. Find solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges

·         People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15).

Paul counsels that we must shine as lights in the world. If we are busy being petty or complaining, our lights will be dim indeed. We need to serve with joy and not murmuring. Esteem one another more than ourselves. Treat each other as Christ would treat us, and humbly serve each other as we strive to be of one mind. Love one another.

·         Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).

Each one of us must do as Paul suggests and work out our own salvation. We must each keep the commandments and do all we can, and even after all that, we must have the saving grace of the Atonement to overcome our sins. Our parents can’t save us, and we alone can’t save ourselves. It is only through Jesus Christ that we will be saved.

·         An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).

As this investigator follows the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, he will be blessed beyond measure. Many have had to make this same choice, but Paul says, “…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things…” In my opinion, I think the family will eventually come around to at least be tolerant of his decision. I hope.

·         How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? 

As I write this assignment, I am searching the scriptures for answers to these life questions. This can help me know that the “words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”

Romans 12-16 Live as Saints Should Live

Romans 12-16 Live as Saints Should Live

Review Romans 13:11 and look for what is “nearer.” Read Ezekiel 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; and explain in writing what we must continue doing to work out our salvation.

We don’t know when Christ will come again, but we do know that it will be soon. In order to work out our salvation we need to continue to follow the commandments and repent or our sins in order to be prepared for the judgment day. We have been told and the responsibility rests on our shoulders to repent and live as righteously as we can each day to receive our salvation when the time comes.

2.    In Romans 12-13 Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation. Read each of the following verses and list what Paul taught would help lead to salvation:

·                     Romans 12:1—Our bodies, holy and acceptable to God

·                     Romans 12:2—A renewed mind, ready to know the will of God

·                     Romans 12:9—Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good

·                     Romans 12:13—Be hospitable in your service to others

·                     Romans 12:16—Work together with others, be humble toward them

·                     Romans 12:21—Overcome evil this good

·                     Romans 13:1—Submit to God’s power

·                     Romans 13:3—Do good

·                     Romans 13:8—Love one another

·                     Romans 13:9—Follow the commandments; love thy neighbor as thyself

3.    Review Romans 14:1-13; 15:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:

·                     What cautions did Paul give about judging? In these verses he was talking about practices that didn’t have a specific commandment attached to them such as eating different foods. The Jewish converts and Gentile converts ate differently and were starting to judge one another because of it. Paul warned against this practice. It was dividing the saints against each other. In chapter 14:19 he teaches, “Les us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” In other words, don’t pick on each other, find common ground and build on that as you lift and edify each other.

·                     People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember? We are all children of God, and everyone has problems that they are dealing with, and we also have our own way of doing things. This is not a bad thing. Diversity is important and makes the world a much more interesting place. Learning to celebrate differences can help us be less judgmental and will help us love one another.

·                     What additional insight comes from reading Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27? If we don’t love each other and treat each other with respect, we are not one, and if we “are not one, ye are not mine.”

4.    Review Romans 15:25-26, 31; 16:2, 15. Write the term Paul frequently used to refer to members of the Church in his day. Paul refers to the members of the church as Saints.

Romans 1. The Gospel of Christ is the Power of God unto Salvation

1.       Review Romans 1:3–4; Luke 1:31–32; 3:23–31. Explain in writing how Jesus Christ is both the son of David and the Son of God. If the Lord is both heir to the king (David) and to God, then in what ways can the Lord rightfully reign? Being the son of David, He was mortal; being the Son of God, He was immortal. Read John 10:17–18 and explain why it was essential for the Savior of the world to be both mortal and immortal.

Jesus is the son of David because Mary was his mortal mother. He is the son of God because Elohim is his literal father. Because he was heir to the throne of the king and the heir to God, rightfully he could run the government and the spiritual affairs of the people. Jesus had to be mortal in order to experience death and complete the Atonement, he had to be immortal to have power over his life, he has “power to lay it down…and power to take it up again.” (John 10-17-18)

2.    Review Romans 1:15–20 and answer the following questions in writing:

·                   How did Paul feel about the gospel? Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. He wasn't afraid to preach the gospel and call them to repentance because he knew that doing so would be a means to the salvation of all he could reach and their families.

·                   In what ways can you show you are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? I can show that I’m not ashamed of the gospel by living my covenants every day, every minute. No matter who is watching or not watching. I can follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost and live the teachings of the living prophets.

3.    Review Romans 1:21–32. Then respond to the following items:

·         Make a list of the people’s sins by using the verses and the footnotes.

·         Highlight the sins on your list that are still a problem today.

·         What reasons were given for why people commit these sins?

·         What does it mean in verse 25 when Paul said that people “worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator”?

1.    Vain imaginations

2.    Foolish heart

3.    Professing to be wise

4.    Idol worship

5.    Immorality

6.    Changed the truth of God into a lie

7.    Served the creature more than the creator

8.    Passions of dishonor

9.    Homosexuality

10. Unrighteousness

11. Fornication

12. Wickedness

13. Covetousness

14. Maliciousness

15. Full of envy

16. Murder

17. Debate

18. Deceit

19. Malignity

20. Whisperers

21. Backbiters

22. Hating God

23. Despiteful

24. Proud

25. Boasters

26. Inventors of evil things

27. Disobedient to parents

28. Without understanding

29. Covenant breakers

30. Without natural affection

31. Implacable

32. Unmerciful

33. Have pleasure in sin

They sinned because when they knew God, they did not consider Him to be God. They did not retain God in their knowledge.

In verse 25 the creature Paul refers to is man. They relied on the arm of the flesh instead of relying on God. 

Galatians 6. As ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap

Galatians 6. As ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap

Galatians 6:8:

“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Galatians 6:8 in my own words:

If we choose to do harmful things to our bodies, like use harmful substances, or view pornography, or engage in immoral acts, we will reap, or suffer corruption to our bodies, and give up our salvation. But, if we make healthy choices for our bodies, obey the commandments, and follow the promptings of the Spirit we will obtain salvation and everlasting life.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “If we indulge in drugs or pornography or other evils that the Apostle [Paul] called sowing to the flesh, eternal law dictates that we harvest corruption rather than life eternal. That is the justice of god, and mercy cannot rob justice. If an eternal law is broken, the punishment affixed to that law must be suffered. Some of this can be satisfied by the Savior’s Atonement, but the merciful cleansing of a soiled sinner comes only after repentance (see Alma 42:22-25), which for some sins is a prolonged and painful process” (“Be Not Deceived,” Ensign, Nov. 2004, 45).

	Mosiah 18:8-10 Bear others burdens, stand as a witness	D&C 1:10 Reaping what we sow	D&C 58:26-27 Engage in a good cause
Galatians 6	Vs. 2-5	Vs. 7-9	Vs. 9-10