Episode 4
The Beatitudes are Built on the Law of Love
This is part two of a series titled God’s Unique Love Called Charity, where we dive into what God has revealed about His remarkable love that surpasses human comprehension, with particular exploration about how charity is at the heart of Christ’s beatitudes. If you have not yet listened to or read part one, you are encouraged to do that first, as you will be able to follow along better.
Blessed are the Persecuted
After declaring the peacemakers blessed, Jesus stated, “Blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven” (3 Nephi 5:19; Matt. 5:10). Indeed, a little later the Savior admonished, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you” (3 Nephi 5:31; Luke 6:27-28).
Charity endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7; Moroni 7:9). Therefore, it will endure all necessary abuses to bring a soul to salvation in eternity (Alma 16:20 ; 2 Cor. 11:16-33), because it never ceases to recognize the worth of each soul (Joseph Smith History Part 15:31, John 3:16, Genesis 1:27, Matt. 10:29-31). The Savior is the ultimate example of this – He suffered and died because of the great love within Him (John 15:13). God’s unrelenting love and willingness to endure accusations, malice and spite is perhaps one of His most noticeable attributes when dealing with His children.
Of course, there is a balance that is required for justice, righteousness, holiness, and mercy. God cannot allow His children to suffer under endless injustices, or allow His purposes to be defeated by evil; otherwise even heaven would be transformed into hell.
Do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, nay, not one whit (Alma 19:16).
It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief (1 Nephi 1:17).
And seeing also that justice is an attribute of the Deity, he will deal with them upon the principles of righteousness and equity, and a just reward will be granted unto them for all their afflictions and sufferings for the truth’s sake. And as judgment is an attribute of the Deity also, his saints can have the most unshaken confidence that they will, in due time, obtain a perfect deliverance out of the hands of all their enemies and a complete victory over all those who have sought their hurt and destruction. And as mercy is also an attribute of the Deity, his saints can have confidence that it will be exercised toward them, and through the exercise of that attribute toward them, comfort and consolation will be administered unto them abundantly amid all their afflictions and tribulations (T&C LoF 4:17).
Charity compels the use of justice and mercy, both individually and collectively, because love is concerned for the individual and the group as a whole. Any parent knows that what is best for a headstrong child may be punishment and restriction for correction and their long-term well-being. This same principle is true for God’s children who reject Him and His path of peace. “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
Becoming Salt and Light
So far in the beatitudes, Jesus highlighted ways we should strive to allow love to shape who we are and how we act. In doing so, He said, we become the salt of the earth (3 Nephi 5:20, Matt. 5:13). Salt is still used as a preservative today. It keeps food from rotting and makes it palatable. In a very real way, taking Christ’s hand and following His paths of love and light preserve and enhance the light within us. By surrendering our wills to Him, we produce fruit that He cherishes (John 15:16, Jacob 3:28).
Perhaps that’s why Jesus next said, “I give unto you to be the light of this people… Therefore, let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven” (3 Nephi 5:21; Matt. 5:14-16). By following Christ’s path, we reflect God’s light into the world so that people in darkness can come to recognize God’s goodness.
If We are Salt… are Works Required?
Jesus’ admonition for us to be the earth’s salt also came with a warning: “If the salt shall lose its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out” (3 Nephi 5:20, Matt. 5:13). There is a common idea going about the Christian world that says, “Once saved, always saved.” The reasoning behind this is that salvation is a free gift, and since you didn’t need to earn it, there’s nothing you can do to lose it. This conclusion is drawn in part from Ephesians 2:8-9, which reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” It’s also drawn from Romans 8:35, 38-39, which reads:
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?… For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
These beautiful scriptures speak truth about our redemption through Christ – that no matter how we may try, we could never be good enough to earn salvation without an Eternal Sacrifice – i.e., a Lamb of God who willingly sacrificed Himself to satisfy the demands of justice (Alma 16:34; also Romans 6:23, Isaiah 64:6). Paul’s letter to the Romans also affirms that nothing is powerful enough to wrench us away from Christ. However, the scriptures do not say that we cannot leave Christ through our own choosing. On the contrary, not only do they assert that we can voluntarily leave the Savior after we have accepted Him, the scriptures repeatedly caution against it and describe how it can happen.
That’s why Jesus warned, “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt shall lose its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out” (Matt. 5:13, emphasis added). He also warned about this in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Note that at the beginning of the story, the son was already in his father’s house – he was set to inherit everything, yet he rejected it so he could live a life of debauchery.
At another time Jesus warned His disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you… Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:1-3, 6, emphasis added). Unlike Matt. 7:22-23, this scripture makes it clear that disciples (vines) that are connected to Him (how else could they already have been cleansed?) may be discarded because they do not remain with Him – and the result is that they lose the life in Christ they once had.
The Book of Hebrews likewise warns of those who once knew Christ but fell away: “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come and then have fallen away, since they are crucifying again the Son of God to their own harm and are holding him up to contempt” (Heb. 6:4-6).
Here are other scriptures that warn about following Christ but leaving Him for a sinful life:
- The Parable of the Sower ( 13:3-9, 18-23; note verses 20-21).
- Gal. 5:4: You who want to be reckoned as righteous by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
- 2 Peter 2:20-22: For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘The dog turns back to its own vomit,’ and, ‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’[1]
This is why Jesus warned, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). But for those who leave, the Parable of the Prodigal Son provides great hope.
The Bible makes it clear that keeping God’s commandments – and all of God’s commandments are connected to His law of love – is necessary for salvation, because our falling back into sinful behaviors and continuing in them will remove us from the love of God. Let me make it clear: The necessity of keeping the commandments does not mean we are earning our salvation separate from Christ – it is true that you and I cannot be good enough to be saved on our own merits (Isaiah 64:6 NKJV). But the Bible makes it abundantly clear that keeping God’s commandments is essential to maintain God’s presence in our lives, and it is essential to come to know Him (John 17:3). Keeping God’s commandments is also how we show we truly love Him (John 14:15). This doesn’t mean it’s over if we sin again (remember, repentance is one of God’s most repeated commandments). It simply means that when we sin, we repent sincerely, become cleansed again through the blood of Christ, and continue our efforts, hand in hand with the God of Love (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV).[2]
Don’t Kill or be Angry; Reconcile
Jesus taught that the condition of your heart is supremely important to Him – so much so that He gives a new heart to His sincere followers (Ezekiel 36:26). So is it any wonder that Jesus not only taught us to not murder, but to not be angry with one another? But the Savior went beyond even that – he commanded us to attempt reconciliation: “Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, go thy way unto thy brother and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart and I will receive you” (3 Nephi 5:24-25; also Matt. 5:21-26).
If you are a parent and two of your children have an ongoing argument, what happens to your home? It begins to feel like a battle zone, with little compassion and kindness. When the battles continue for too long, love can even begin to fade or be forgotten as rancor and retaliation become the norm. This happens to families, neighbors, friends and nations.
Laying anger aside and seeking reconciliation can be one of Jesus’ more difficult commandments, but it is one of the most healing things you can do. It affects even your relationship with Christ, because it is part of God’s law of love. Who in your life needs an olive branch extended to them?
Honesty Removes the Need for Oaths
The beatitudes build on one another. After calling on His followers to be a light to world, Jesus specified several major ways to do that: don’t be angry; reconcile with others; do not lust or commit adultery. He then added one more way: don’t use oaths to certify the truthfulness of your words.
An oath was “A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary). A common way people use oaths today is to say they “swear to God.”
Instead of oaths, Jesus said, “Let your communication be, Yea, yea, nay, nay” (3 Nephi 5:29; Matt. 5:33-37). In other words, don’t use double-talk – say what you mean, whether it is yes or no. Let your word be so honest and honorable that there is no need question it. By doing this you show honor and respect to the God of Truth and Love. You also demonstrate love to others who are made in God’s image (Genesis 5:1-2), and you live out the Golden Rule by not seeking to deceive others.
Receive Evil, Return Good
One of the more radical teachings from the beatitudes had to do with how we should deal with persecution:
Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and to him that would borrow of thee, turn thou not away (3 Nephi 5:30; also Matt. 5:38-42).
This teaching of Jesus is not one that is discussed or often welcomed in Christian circles. Although I grew up surrounded by Christians, over and over I heard adults tell their children something like, “You’re not allowed to start a fight, but if that bully lays one hand on you, you have my permission to end it [through violence].”
The idea of offering someone to strike your other cheek after hitting you once already is absurd to most people’s minds. But it is exactly how God treats us. How often have we rejected God or forgotten Him altogether, shaken our fist at the heavens, taken His name in vain, or mistreated His children – the ones He made in His own image? But in return, God patiently waits for us to calm down and even reaches out to us – often through people or events. And when we finally come to our senses like the Prodigal Son, He welcomes us with open arms (Luke 15:11-32).
I’m not saying that we should just allow ourselves or our children to be pummeled, or to lay down and be doormats for bullies – and neither is Jesus. But He made it clear that seeking for peace under provocation and abuse is what His followers are to do. The path of discipleship taught by Christ is not an easy one, but it is one with lighter burdens than what the world offers (Matt. 11:28-30), and it is rewarding beyond anything we can imagine (1 Cor. 2:9).
Giving to the Poor
One of the most repeated injunctions in the Bible is to care for the poor (for example, Luke 6:38, 1 John 3:17, James 1:27, Deuteronomy 15:11, Proverbs 14:31). It is impossible to love someone and not want to help them when they suffer. Kindness and the desire to relieve others’ distress is a natural extension of charity. Charity and kindness seek to lift others regardless of our status in comparison to them. Charity treasures kindness and compassion because they are central parts of the golden rule (Matt. 7:12).
Judge Not
Only God understands the thoughts and intents of each person’s heart (T&C JSH 13:8), which is why Jesus admonished, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matt. 7:1-2 NKJV; also 3 Nephi 6:5). Joseph Smith amended this to, “Judge not unrighteously, that you be not judged, but judge righteous judgment…” (Matt. 3:40 RE). Justice vindicates the law of Love. Therefore, if you view life through the lens of love, you will be judging righteous judgment.
Unrighteous judgment condemns because of pride, carelessness and false beliefs. It does not take into consideration the worth of the soul it is condemning. The person who judges unrighteously ignores his or her own faults, which as the Savior pointed out are often far worse than the fault of the person being judged: “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?… Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (3 Nephi 6:6; Matt. 7:3-5).
In this analogy the Savior clearly taught that grievous sin makes us incapable of judging clearly and in a loving manner. Our hearts and minds become darkened, and truth and mercy flee. Or as the scripture says, “Light and truth forsake that evil one” (T&C 93:11); and we might add, they forsake those who prefer not to follow God. The writer of Proverbs taught it this way: “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4 NKJV).
Asking, Seeking & Knocking are Opportunities for Love
Jesus taught, “take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” (3 Nephi 6:3; Matt. 6:31 NKJV). Shortly after, He instructed the crowd, “Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you… If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in Heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.” (3 Nephi 6:7-8; Matt. 7:7-12 NKJV).
The promise is that a loving God provides for His children who petition Him in faith (Mark 9:23). After pointing out the goodness of God in giving “good things to those that ask” (ibid.), the Savior turned the principle around and instructed us to do similar: “Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.”
The law He was referring to was more than the law of Moses – it was God’s law of love. God’s prophets are messengers who speak messages from a loving God, “for God is love” (1 John 4:8 NKJV). As the Savior pointed out, love drives us to treat others the way we want to be treated – with respect, kindness, honesty, fairness, mercy, etc. We can see how God treats us, and then strive to treat one another in a similar fashion.
This is an interesting definition of love, similar to how James described a pure religion: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27).
Enter in at the Strait Gate
The straight gate and narrow path are gifts of love that allow us to live God’s law of love. The narrow path to God and eternal life is accompanied by the iron rod, or God’s word (1 Nephi 3:10). The narrow path is the path Christ laid out for us in His doctrine (3 Nephi 5:9) and beatitudes (3 Nephi 5:12-6:12; Matt. 5-7 NKJV). Chris is both the straight gate and the Gatekeeper:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 NKJV).
“Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel, and he employeth no servant there” (2 Nephi 6:11).
“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep… If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7, 9 NKJV).
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3 NKJV).
“When he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (Moroni 7:9; also 1 John 3:1-3).
False Prophets
Immediately after His warning to enter in at the straight gate, Jesus warned about false prophets who look like they’re part of the flock (they are dressed in sheep’s clothing), but are secretly there to devour the sheep. What is it that is so dangerous about them? Their fruits are anything but loving. Rather than feeding the flock and nurturing them, they lead the sheep of God’s flock away from the Good Shepherd, who is the straight gate. They do this for their own advancement, ignoring God’s law of love as they use His name for their own profit. They are reminiscent of the Savior’s condemnation of the leaders in His day: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matt. 23:13 NKJV).
Works of Love or Works of Self-Advancement?
Earlier we talked briefly about the need to continue keeping God’s commandments, especially after we are saved. Jesus warned, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in Heaven” (3 Nephi 6:11; Matt. 7:21-23 NKJV). However wonderful we may believe our works to be, God is more interested in our hearts – in who we are becoming. And if you believe your works deserve the praise of others, you would do well to examine yourself to be sure you are not taking glory to yourself for God’s work (see John 15:5, Isaiah 42:8).
So as the Bible teaches, faith without works is dead – it has no life; that is to say, it has no eternal life, or power that leads to salvation (James 2:14-26; Revelation 20:12). We must know God to be saved (John 17:3), but “How knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 3:13.3). John also said, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).
Then how do we come to know God? By keeping His commandments: “Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own” (John 7:17). And the most important commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and your neighbor like yourself (Matt. 22:36-40).
The journey to know God is actually laid out in what Christ called His doctrine: “Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me” (3 Nephi 5:9; compare Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:36-38). This doctrine is the path He laid out for His followers to know Him: First we learn about Him and have the Holy Spirit witness to us that Christ is the Savior. We will then desire to repent and be baptized according to His commandment. Then Christ’s sincere followers will be born again (the scriptures also call this “the baptism of fire” – 2 Nephi 13:2)[3] so our natures are changed and we no longer desire to break the commandments. As we continue living the commandments (all connected to the heavenly law of love) and repent as needed, we will continue in His grace and truly come to know the God of Love.
When speaking of our time, Jesus warned, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12 NIV; T&C 31:6).[4] Continuing to sin kills love, which shouldn’t come as a surprise because sin is doing things that are contrary to God’s nature – and God is love. Of course, we do not simply lose all love immediately – it’s a gradual fade into darkness. The more involved we become in sin, the less room there is for light and love within us. Alternatively, the more we are filled with light and love, the less we desire sinful behaviors and invite them into our lives. Of course, even with good desires, we are still imperfect and fall back into sinful mistakes. But once we are humble, we regret the behavior and continue our efforts – with God’s assistance – to continue on His path. Any message that says you have sinned too much, that the path of light and love is now beyond your reach – you can immediately know that is lie from the enemy of your soul. Remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son and God’s promise, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV).
A Sure Foundation
Jesus taught, “Whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock” (3 Nephi 6:12; Matt. 7:24-25). Building a foundation upon Christ is the way to receive love and charity. It is a sure foundation of strength and endurance, because charity never fails. Anything less, whether it be spiritual gifts or other attributes, will fail without the foundation of charity: “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10 NKJV; Moroni 7:9).
Hearing the Voice of Divine Love
Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Who, then, are His sheep? “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). Christ also said, “My elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts” (T&C 9:3). Christ’s sheep hear and respond to His voice of love and peace.
Jesus has sheep from all over the world: “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16 NKJV; 3 Nephi 7:3-4). God has a history of separating those who will follow Him from those who will not. Abraham, Moses and the Israelites, Nephites, Mulekites, and Jaredites are all examples. However, mostly He has required His sheep to separate themselves spiritually but not physically – that is, they are required to leave behind spiritual Babylon, or be in the world but not of it (John 17:14-19). In every case this is a difficult challenge for those who seek to follow God’s directions. But in each case the struggle and circumstances of His people are a gift from a loving God.
Other sheep, one fold. Christ is the Savior of every soul who has lived and will live on the Earth (Isaiah 49:6 NKJV; 1 Nephi 6:7). None are forgotten or neglected – including you. The path of each person’s salvation is lovingly prepared, wherever they are in the world, and whatever time they live. It is up to each person to accept the Savior’s invitation: “Come, follow me” (Matt. 4:19 NIV).
Other Characteristics Work Hand-in-Hand with Love
When Jesus was about to leave the Nephites for the first time, He told them, “I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all the words which I… speak unto you” (3 Nephi 8:1). We are weak when we cannot understand words of truth. What is the solution Christ offers? “Go ye unto your homes, and ponder on the things which I have said, and ask of the father, in my name, that you may understand and prepare your minds” (ibid). There was no condemnation in these words – only a loving desire for each person to grow, from He who already walked the path we need to walk.[5]
After the resurrected Savior announced to the Nephites that He needed to leave, “he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears and did look steadfastly upon him, as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them. And he said unto them, Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you” (3 Nephi 8:2). He then proceeded to heal all that needed healing.
The Lord made it clear that He had other work He needed to accomplish, but love and compassion compelled Him to make extra time because they wanted Him to stay. He had been teaching the law of love, and then demonstrated it powerfully, although their healing would not have been possible unless they had sufficient faith. Love is the foundational characteristic of Deity, but other characteristics and attributes are still required. They work together in harmony and fullness to make God who He is.[6]
After healing every person in the crowd who desired it, Jesus was “troubled” because of the wickedness in those descended from Israel. Love causes us to mourn for the pain of others, including their foolish mistakes and willful sins. When Christ was troubled for others’ sins, He set the example by kneeling and praying to the Father for them (3 Nephi 8:4).
Next Jesus broke and blessed bread and gave it to the 12 disciples He chose. “When they had eat and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude” (3 Nephi 8:6). The sequence of this is symbolic. We need to first go to God and be filled before we are able to give to others! If I don’t possess love – including for myself – how can I possibly give it to others? How can I let the light of God’s light shine in a darkened world if I don’t possess that love?
Jesus warned, “Ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation, for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (3 Nephi 8:8; Luke 22:31 KJV). We can become like chaff, or like salt that has lost its savor, by becoming impure. God can only trust His servants who possess love and are humble. The commandments are all based on the law of love, and if we will not keep them, we can lose the love we have. After His warning to “watch and pray always,” Jesus told the Nephites about ways they should hold up lights and keep their lights bright so others will come to God: family prayers, praying for others and allowing others to join in worship (ibid). If done in the way God desires, these are all acts of love.
It is fascinating that Jesus offered a version of the great intercessory prayer both while in Jerusalem and while visiting the Nephites in Bountiful. Christ prayed that His followers would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:11, 20-22; 3 Nephi 9:3-4). This is His desire for all of His children, and a requirement for all those whom He has chosen.
What Would a Community of Love Look Like?
James’ letter in the Bible is all about living with charity. The ways he encourages his readers to live stem naturally from a heart filled with charity for others and a faith in Christ. He speaks of the necessity for Christians to clothe and feed the poor, to treat all people equally, not committing murder or adultery, not gossiping or injuring one another with our words, being humble and not engaging in angry disputes, not judging neighbors, etc. (James 2:1-13; 3:4-10; 4:1-12). How much do our neighborhoods resemble this? How much do our Christian communities resemble this?
For most of us, we have lived in homes and communities so far from what James described, it is hard to imagine what it would even look like if everyone loved each other. But the Book of Mormon described just such a community. They had been visited, taught and blessed by the resurrected Savior. As a result, each person submitted his or her heart to God and was filled with God’s Spirit and love. This is part of the description:
There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore, there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free and partakers of the Heavenly gift… And they were married and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.
And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people; and there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness. And surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God (4 Nephi 1:1-3).
The love among them removed the inclination to harm one another, which created communities that resembled heaven, and assured the people were heirs in God’s kingdom.
How do I Obtain Charity?
Charity will allow us to stand boldly before God at the judgment day because it is what makes us most like God (1 John 4:16-17). We can develop all gifts of prophecy, speaking with the tongue of angels, and possess depths of knowledge, but without God’s gift of charity we will be found lacking (1 Cor. 13:8-9) because we will still be ungod-like.
This is why Mormon urged, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:9, emphasis added).
Did you catch that? Charity is a gift from God, and it’s obtained by seeking it with all your heart. How the gift of charity is bestowed is not exactly stated, but some scriptures suggest it is not something that will be given all at once. While grace is given freely to those who believe and accept Christ (this includes forgiveness and receiving and living with the Holy Spirit), we do not become spiritual giants overnight.
The scriptures speak of spiritual growth that continues gradually: “Whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10). Paul referred to this scripture in his letter to the Corinthians, telling them they were spiritually immature and not yet ready for higher truths. He explained, “And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people but rather as fleshly, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still fleshly. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not fleshly and behaving according to human inclinations?” (1 Cor. 3:1-3).
So spiritual growth is a gift, but it is something that happens with time and nurturing, not all at once. Why would charity be any different? Like any love, it must be nurtured and protected against judgmental thoughts and attitudes that would make our hearts unfit to receive and retain it (see Luke 8:4-15).
Indeed, the prophet Mormon outlined a hierarchy of ascending attributes that allow a person to eventually be ready to receive the gift of charity. These include meekness, humility (what he called lowliness of heart), faith in Christ, and hope (Moroni 7:8).
How, then, do we obtain this gift of charity? We return to the counsel to “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:9). God answers prayers and will set you on your journey, which will require not only giving your heart to God, but allowing the voice of His Spirit to guide your journey, step by step. Your journey to obtaining God-like love will look different than others. But it is one that only you and God can make, and it will be worth every effort.
And because of your diligence, and your faith, and your patience with the word, in nourishing it that it may take root in you, behold, by and by, ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure. And ye shall feast upon this fruit, even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst (Alma 16:30).
Conclusion
This is the path of life God laid out for His children. It is a series of choices that either bring us closer to God’s love, joy, peace, and all that is good, or choices that draw us closer to fear, pride, unhappiness, emptiness, and all else that is dark and evil. As John wrote:
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him… So we have known and believe the love that God has for us (1 John 4:7-9, 16)
I hope you found this message about God’s love resonate within you. Perhaps you found yourself saying, “Yes, I want that at well” as we discussed the beauty of God’s love or the changes He makes to those who follow Him. If that is the case, you are invited to follow the path that Christ set out for those who believe in Him to repent and be baptized or rebaptized (3 Nephi 5:9, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:36-38). Baptism is offered free of charge, with no expectation of donations or joining a church or organization. To receive baptism as part of your commitment to following Christ, visit BornOfWater.org, click on Request Baptism, and you will be contacted by someone authorized to perform baptism.
[1] Compare with Luke 11:24-26.
[2] Salvation by faith alone is a hotly contested topic among Christians, which is unfortunate because it is central to salvation. It is just one evidence of the alarming state of Christian churches today, that they cannot agree on such an essential topic as how to obtain salvation through Christ (Ephesians 4:4-5). For a good overview of how the earliest Christians viewed the interplay of faith and works, read chapter 6 of David Bercot’s book Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up. God will send messengers (Romans 10:14-16) so we can hear His words and develop faith, but after hearing those messengers, each person must ultimately go to God, ask Him 1) to confirm what has been learned, 2) to guide your understanding, and 3) ask Him to speak to your mind and heart through His Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27). This is a continuing process as we walk hand-in-hand with Christ.
[3] The Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 9 and 4 Nephi 4:1) shows the Nephites being born again and becoming the children of God, “filled with the holy ghost and with fire” (3 Nephi 9:2).
[4] Several Bible versions translate this verse to read, “Because of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.” The Greek word is ἀνομία (anomia), which can also be translated as “iniquity” or “sin.”
[5] Christ walked the path each of us should walk, but He did it without error. He demonstrated how each person can walk her or his path laid out by God, which is why Joseph Smith referred to Him as “the prototype or standard of salvation” (Lectures on Faith 7:9). He “continued from grace to grace until he received a fullness” (T&C 93:4; Testimony of St. John 12:10) – that is, he grew “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 12:6; Isaiah 28:10-13). Thankfully, we are not expected to perform our tasks flawlessly. While we are meant to grow line upon line in love, truth and light, the grace that comes through Christ allows us to be forgiven, receive strength and the help of heaven – all provided when we sincerely ask. See Matt. 7:7-13.
[6] The Lectures on Faith do an excellent job of describing God’s characteristics and attributes.