Friday, September 11, 2009
Progression
Doctrine and Covenants Section 93 is one of the most important revelations revealing that man can become like Christ through progression. We are told that as Christ progressed from grace to grace until he received a fullness of the Father, we can do the same,
D&C 93:19-20
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. 20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.
(click on image to enlarge)
The following two verses cause us to ponder their meaning,
D&C 93:12-13
12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace. 13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;
Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet give us a way to view these verses,
Luke's statement that "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52) speaks volumes. He developed in understanding and intellectual powers. He developed physically, such that his body would prove a benefit and blessing to his work. He developed in his relationship with God, line upon line, precept upon precept. Jesus did not receive the fullness of light and power and glory at the first of his life but received "grace for grace"; that is, our Lord was blessed by his Father as he continually gave of himself to others in service. He thereby progressed "from grace to grace," from one level to a higher, from a lesser spiritual endowment to a greater. (See D&C 93:12-20.) Finally, Jesus of Nazareth developed socially, "in favor with man." Jesus loved people, for people were his reason for being: his work and glory were to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39.) (Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet, eds., Studies in Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, p.156)
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2 comments:
I Love this scripture and blog! Thank you!!
This is a special date to me, too btw, b/c I received my Pat. Bless on this day (1984). That has been one of the greatest tools the Lord has given me for learning & increasing "grace by grace." I have had nothing but blessings as I have adhered to the counsel there.
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