The Gospel of Christ

Heyo—

I'm supposed to study and share once a week for my religion class, which is appropriately titled Christ and the Everlasting Gospel.

I spent a little time studying the passage in 3 Nephi 27 which describes the gospel of Christ. Some people love the gospel and struggle with the Church, but for me lately it has been the opposite. 

In verse 14 and 15, Christ describes why he was willing to be crucified—that he might draw all men unto him. That they might be judged according to their works. It reminds me of how the snake lifted up by Moses in the wilderness was a type of Christ. Literally all the Israelites had to do was look, and they'd be healed. Following Christ in that way isn't quite so easy, but in some ways the faith required is comparable. Either requires us to forsake cynicism or skepticism. 

In verse 16, Christ says, Whoever repents and is baptized, and endures to the end, will be held guiltless before my Father at the day of judgment. 

He doesn't say, Whoever believes and knows everything about the gospel and the Church by the time they're dead will be held guiltless before my Father at the day of judgment. 

If we can continue on in faith (hope), that's good enough. We don't need to have a sure knowledge of things to be adequate as the children of God. As long as we have done our best to receive Christ by repenting, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, we don't need to feel that we haven't been faithful or knowledgable enough. He simply doesn't expect perfection from us. And that is comforting. D&C 46:13-14 says that to some it is given to know that Jesus Christ is the son of God, while to others it is given only to believe, but that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithfully (hopefully). These concepts teach me to not hold myself to a higher standard than I can live right now, because God is okay with where I am, and He doesn't want me to be discouraged. He accepts the best we can give—and while I can't give knowledge or sometimes even belief, I can certainly give faith (hope) as I put in the effort to forsake skepticism and endure uncertainty.