I'll Never Make It To The Celestial Kingdom

"I'll never make it to the Celestial Kingdom."

Have you ever thought something like this to yourself?  I certainly have, and felt every word deep down in my chagrined soul.

Or how about, "I'm the world's worst parent."

Or maybe even, "Why bother"?

Sometimes it feels hard to measure up to or for me to even think about all the commandments and principles of the gospel which keep stacking up, especially when we're reminded they all count and "Be ye therefore perfect..." (Matt 5:48)

But then...I've never met anyone who is not a work in progress.  And I've even maybe met a few whose "in progress" part seems to be kind of dormant at the moment.  So how does this admonishment to "be thou perfect" apply to our lives, and if it doesn't...is there hope?

I recently came across a few verses which shed some welcome perspective on the gospel and the process of becoming who we're meant to be in the Lord's eyes.

Speaking of which, have you ever noticed while reading scriptures certain verses speak up for themselves and catch our attention?

10 And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better. (D&C 25:10)

In that moment this verse said to me, "Purposely make time for things of a better world, like prayer, scriptures, family spirituality, etc." And we do have to conscientiously "seek" these better things don't we?  Because they surely don't often fall into place by themselves.  Instead we defy gravity to make them happen. (Especially with teenagers.)

Is it time to add morning or evening prayers back in? Is it time to add scriptures or FHE or even church callings back in?  Is there someone who irritates you, and it's time to be civil and kind again?  We don't typically get to perfection all at once, but there are things we can do to take a step closer.

These next verses help sum these ideas up:

31 And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.

32 But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;

33 Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation [like negative thinking patterns and stirred hearts];

34 Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also [because no one is immune]. (D&C 20:31-34)

The idea from the previous two verses earlier in the post, of  "step closer" and "stepping back" to righteous habits, could also be described as the process of sanctification.

Sanctification: "Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy."

Ours is a life of becoming.  We're a work in progress.  So loving God with ALL our mights, minds and strengths ~ it's a process and a goal we work up to.  Step by step, part by part.

For my own understanding, I love the explanation of "Be thou perfect" was actually better translated "Be thou complete." In other words, becoming perfect was adding parts until we became the whole.  It was originally put forth in the scriptures as a goal, not as a prerequisite to be esteemed and loved by God today.

Wonderful Elder Nelson taught this idea in General Conference almost 20 years ago:

"In Matt. 5:48, the term perfect was translated from the Greek teleios, which means “complete.” Teleios is an adjective derived from the noun telos, which means “end.”  The infinitive form of the verb is teleiono, which means “to reach a distant end, to be fully developed, to consummate, or to finish.”  Please note that the word does not imply “freedom from error”; it implies “achieving a distant objective.” In fact, when writers of the Greek New Testament wished to describe perfection of behavior—precision or excellence of human effort—they did not employ a form of teleios; instead, they chose different words." (Pending Perfection, Oct 1995)

Try thinking of this process of sanctification and perfection as adding parts to complete the whole. Like Emma seeking things of a better world, piece by piece.  It helps me see this idea is not so far-fetched and entirely out of reach.

We keep adding parts (and re-adding parts we've let fall off), to move towards making the whole, or making it complete.  Until one day we arrive at the state of loving and serving God with ALL our hearts, mind and strength.

I couldn't help notice the solution the Lord gives to help this process along in verse 33:  "take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation."

It's the same solution Ezra tells us in lesson 2 was his personal doorway to everything else in the gospel.  Prayer is like the best part to add to the whole, and what leads to other things falling into their place more readily.  In fact, whether you're teaching or not, Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 2 on prayer is one you will not want to miss!  President Benson will have you wanting to pray 2-3 times a day and he gives his five-step formula for successful prayer.  You can also catch the highlights of the lesson on this blog too.

So back to Emma's question.  What is it I need to contemplate and strategize to add back in today?

The answer will be different for each one of us, and what's awesome is you'll know just what that part most needs to be right now.

Much love to you!