
For thousands of years, people have read Paul’s discourse on charity in 1 Corinthians 13 and have tried to apply it. Many, myself included, have struggled to have charity and have often come up short of doing it.
Moroni 7:47 and 48 contain some additional thoughts on charity and applying it into our lives.
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 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; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.
Charity is a gift we receive as we learn to follow Jesus Christ and as we love Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Filled with this pure love from Him and for Him, we find ourselves able to love others as He has loved us. We become able to forgive the faults of others and to make amends for our mistakes.
My experience of applying the principle into my life of praying for the gift of charity or love for others has been nothing short of miraculous. There are some for whom I have felt serious resentments for real or perceived wrongs they had committed against me. I have experienced that these negative feelings evaporated as I "pray[ed] unto the Father with all the energy of heart" to love them and to see them as God sees them; as His loved sons and daughters. At this point, when I strive to see others, as God sees others, I am more able to look beyond things that have caused, or do cause pain. Heaven knows, I have been the instigator of more than my share of pain and hurt to others.
Today’s invitation is to think of someone for whom I hold resentments and anger (Know), then to take some time today and pray to have God help me see that person as He sees them, as a loved son or daughter with flaws (Do)… Hey, that is someone just like me! A loved son of God with flaws. If God can love me, He can also love that other person… and so can I. I am just not perfect, so it doesn’t come naturally. I have to ask for it (Know) then put it into practice (Do).
* The premise of Journey Through Life is to share my personal experiences of faith and hope, and tie those to either a verse of scripture from one of many sources that people all over the world consider as inspired and holy, or a quote from Godly and inspired men and women from throughout history. From these experiences and sources, I will then issue an invitation to myself, and in turn the audience, to Do what is now Known.
I do not pretend to be an expert on doctrine or on any of the subject matters that will be shared. I only claim to be one of God’s children, walking through life, striving to do God’s will for me, and sharing what I experience.
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The key to knowing and doing, as with everything REALLY important, is Jesus Christ.