| Response |
Being sorry for our sins is only part of the process to receive forgiveness. The scriptures make it very clear that one must have enough faith in Christ and in his atoning sacrifice, wherein he paid for our sins, to fully repent. A full repentance means we must not only have the sorrow, but then make amends for damage the sin has caused others such as return a stolen item or apologize or even answer to the law . Of course, repentance has not really occurred if we do not refrain from repeating the offense and in some cases confessing appropriately to God and even an ecclesiastical leader. Even then, forgiveness only takes place as part of the covenant of baptism and the spiritual cleansing offered through the reception of the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands of one who holds true priesthood authority. "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38; see also Acts 8:17-20) Paul adds "...he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)
The greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal life (life in the presence of God forever) is not free, but requires that we prepare ourselves to dwell with God though our faith, repentance, baptism and with the help of the Holy Ghost, endure in righteousness. Only then will the suffering of Jesus Christ redeem us from our sins. Without his grace, no matter what we did, we could never rid ourselves of the guilt of sin, but Jesus offers this redemption to those who will follow his example and teachings.
There are those who quote the passage:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8 - 9) and claim that all we have to do is believe.
Though it is true that salvation is a gift of God, we must prepare to receive that gift by following Jesus:
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:17 - 26)
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
One more thing; we must be willing to forgive to be forgiven:
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14 - 15)
All of this sounds hard to do, but I believe it will be more than worth the commitment and the effort: "But, behold, the righteous, the saints [his true followers] of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it [repent], they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:18)
I believe this is worth a lifetime of effort.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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