Mormon Dilemma 886 Surrendering to Christ

Ensign, “The Great Plan of Happiness”, November 1993; “…When we have done all that we are able, we can rely on God’s promised mercy. We have a Savior, who has taken upon him not just the sins, but also “the pains and the sicknesses of his people … that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:11–12). He is our Savior, and when we have done all that we can, he will make up the difference, in his own way and in his own time.” – Dallin Oaks

Matthew 20:17-18; “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death”.

Are you prepared to be condemned?  Are you totally surrendered to Him and on your way to Jerusalem?  This isn’t a rhetorical question; on the contrary, this is the real thing folks! 

Melissa sent me the devotional she read the other day from Oswald Chambers and in turn I wanted to share it with you today! The topic was on surrender – 

“If we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us— totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our surrender will never even enter our mind, because our life will be totally consumed with Him.” 

If Jesus surrendered Himself totally for the sake of man what else could be left for us to do? 

The other day I mentioned that Mormons are always focused inwardly while propagating the gospel of Mormonism. Their gospel isn’t about Christ Jesus and Him crucified, rather, it’s about their works for salvation and then Jesus’ two cents worth after they’ve given their last farthing. 

Focusing on our works and what we must do takes our focus off God and erroneously places it upon ourselves. 

Just how does this Mormon Jesus take our illnesses upon himself and “succor” us? Does he provide comfort after all we’ve done while lying on our death beds or during the times we’re grinding our teeth at 5 pm when the kids are screaming and the dog is barking incessantly? 

As Pastor Chambers stated we won’t ever be totally surrendered to Him until we stop thinking about ourselves and if we’ve done enough.  Jesus’ total surrender for us means there are no conditions. Jesus’ mercy doesn’t come into effect after all you can do.  It goes into effect because you have nothing to offer. 

Forget about the mystical barges carrying Jaredites to Chile and bag the idea that you’ve done enough proxy works in the temple this month – Christianity isn’t about you.  Christianity is about Christ, thus the name.