Although the scriptures are from ancient times, we can still
use them to find solutions to modern life challenges. For example:
Example 1: People
sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings of
throughout the week.
Solution: Philippians
2 teaches us that we must be unified and love one another. We shouldn’t let petty issues create strife
or think that we are better than each other.
It says we should “do all things without murmurings and disputings.”
Example 2: Many youth
feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on
them for all their spiritual strength.
Solution: Philippians
2 states that we must “work out your own salvation” and shine as a light to the
world. President David O. McKay shares
additional insight on this topic:
“An outstanding doctrine of the Church is that each individual carries the responsibility to work out his own salvation, and salvation is a process of gradual development. The Church does not accept the doctrine that a mere murmured belief in Jesus Christ is all that is necessary. A man may say he believes, but if he does nothing to make that belief or faith a moving power to do, to accomplish, to produce soul growth, his professing will avail him nothing. ‘Work out your salvation’ is an exhortation to demonstrate by activity, by thoughtful, obedient effort the reality of faith. But this must be done with a consciousness that absolute dependence upon self may produce pride and weakness that will bring failure. With ‘fear and trembling’ we should seek the strength and grace of God for inspiration to obtain the final victory.
“To work out one’s salvation is not to sit idly by dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either for self or for others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1957, p. 7.)
Example 3: An investigator is considering joining the church, but his
family will no longer associate with him if he does.
Solution: The
blessings of the gospel are incomparable with things we may lose to obtain
it. Philippians 3 discusses this and
says “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that
I may win Christ.” We “can do all things
through Christ which” strengthens us.
The scriptures teach us that as we “feast upon the words of
Christ” through study, we will know what to do.
This is true for any decision, situation, or challenge that we will ever
face. I’m grateful for the strength and wisdom
that the scriptures provide and that we have them available to use as a
resource in our lives.
