This week I studied Romans 9-16, Acts 21-28, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, and Philemon. For my class, I am working on showing more love to the world around me, so a lot of these verses I understood in the context of love. Romans 13:10 says that "love is the fulfilling of the law." The two great commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors. By loving others, we forgive them, repent of our own sins, and often express our love to them through words and actions. We must do all three of these things to love as Christ has. "Let love be without dissimulation,"(Romans 12:9).
I've noticed a recent surge of positivity and confident expression of love to others lately. I saw a video of a young man going around on Mother's Day to hand out bouquets of flowers to strangers as he walked around. Another person made a video aiming to compliment 10 people he saw on a walk around his city. There is so much love in the world, why not freely give it? Christ loves us enough to sacrifice himself, can I not love another enough to compliment their smile? I invite you to ponder who could use your love this week and find ways to love simply and daily.
Repentance is also important for showing love to others. We are in the world and of the natural man. We will make mistakes and hurt others, but it is our actions that mean more than words. When we realize we have made a mistake or been hurtful to someone, how do we go about fixing that? We need to repent daily to change our ways and to ensure we don't make the same mistakes. We can't expect the end to change without changing our ways. Jesus Christ offers us mercy. His arms are always open if we choose to repent. The Atonement enables us to repent, change, and become more like God to ultimately enter into His presence again. It is a gift, and Christ is the gift. 1 Timothy 1:15 says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." I am a sinner, but I am saved because of Jesus Christ's Atonement.
There is much more to love about these scriptures, but lastly I wanted to comment on Romans 10:15. "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" I would like to thank all missionaries who have served, are serving, or want to serve. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that it is true. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ has died on the cross to bear my and everyone else's sins so that we may be redeemed. I know that Joseph Smith has brought to pass the restoration of the true gospel of Christ and I love the gospel. I am so grateful for the gospel of peace and the glad tidings of good things. I am honored to have received my missionary call and to soon preach the gospel of peace to the people of Brasil.
Show some love this week, and don't ever forget that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and open to you always.
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