After All We Can Do

I love 2 Nephi 25:23 in the Book of Mormon which states:

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

I love this verse for a multitude of reasons.

First, it reminds me of the importance of writing. Not just any kind of writing, diligent writing. That implies hard work. It implies making writing a priority. It implies writing and rewriting and working to put the polish on the product so that it will resonate with those who read it!

Second, it helps me understand what it is important to write about, or why we write - to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ and be reconciled to God through Him. Only in and through Christ and the reonciliation that he offers through his glorious atonement can we be saved.

Third, this wonderful verse helps to keep things in perspective for me. After all I can do, striving to be faithful and true to God by keeping His commandments, serving my fellow man, etc., I cannot save myself. It is only by grace that we are saved. Not just any grace, the grace of Christ. Only through His marevelous enabling power can we be raised to a state whereby we can be saved in the kingdom of God.

How I love the savior Jesus Christ. I know He loves me! I know He knows and loves each of us! I am a weak man. I make many mistakes. How grateful I am to know that as I humble myself before God and seek reconciliation with Him through Christ, I can be made whole.

To those who know Christ, I invite you to continue in Christ. Continue learning of Him and continue striving to be like him.

To those who once knew Christ, but have turned away, I invite you to come back and be reconciled to God through Him.  Come back to the marevelous table that is spread before you and feast upon the joy and happiness that can only come by learning of and striving to be like Christ.

To those who don't know Christ, His invitation to all, as found in The New Testament, in Matthew 11:28-30, still stands today:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Author

Randy McNeely is a father of five, an aspiring author as well as a singer/songwriter. He has written several patriotic songs, children’s songs and multiple religious hymns, including Oh Jesus, Savior of Mankind, which won a Special Recognition award in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2008 Music Submission contest.