When we walk the covenant path we avoid many unforced errors in life.
With covenants, obedience to the gospel becomes rooted in our soul.
A second unique aspect of the covenant path is our relationship to Heavenly Father
Figuratively speaking the gate is so narrow that only one person may enter at a time (covenants are made individually)
Third unique aspect is about repentance
Fourth is blessings that come in specific gatherings.
When we speak of the gathering we are talking about the fundamental truth that every child of God deserves to hear the history.
If ye be Christ’s then ye are Abraham’s seed and heirs of the covenant.
“The ordinances of the temple and the covenants you make there are key to strengthening your life, your marriage and family, and your ability to resist the attacks of the adversary. Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.”
Russell M. Nelson
In tennis, there is something called unforced errors. These are things such as hitting a playable ball into the net or double-faulting when serving. Unforced errors are considered the result of a player’s blunder rather than being caused by the opponent’s skill.
Too often our problems or challenges are self-inflicted, the result of poor choices, or, we could say, the result of “unforced errors.” When we are diligently pursuing the covenant path, we quite naturally avoid many “unforced errors.” We sidestep the various forms of addiction. We do not fall into the ditch of dishonest conduct. We cross over the abyss of immorality and infidelity. We bypass the people and things that, even if popular, would jeopardize our physical and spiritual well-being. We avoid the choices that harm or disadvantage others and instead acquire the habits of self-discipline and service.
While many problems are unforced errors that doesn’t negate or minimize the challenges that come because of the skill of our opponent.
Some might say, “I can make good choices with or without baptism; I don’t need covenants to be an honorable and successful person.” Indeed, there are many who, while not on the covenant path themselves, act in a way that mirrors the choices and contributions of those who are on the path. You might say they reap the blessings of walking a “covenant-consistent” path. What, then, is the difference of the covenant path?
Actually, the difference is uniquely and eternally significant. It includes the nature of our obedience, the character of God’s commitment to us, the divine help we receive, the blessings tied to gathering as a covenant people, and most importantly, our eternal inheritance.
Living a covenant life is not the same as living a moral life.
- More than simply having good intentions, we solemnly commit to live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God.
- With covenants, we are intent on more than just avoiding mistakes or being prudent in our decisions. We feel accountable to God for our choices and our lives.
- We take upon us the name of Christ. We are focused on Christ—on being valiant in the testimony of Jesus and on developing the character of Christ.
- With covenants, obedience to gospel principles becomes rooted in our very soul.
- The covenants God offers to His children do more than guide us. They bind us to Him, and, bound to Him, we can overcome all things.
- Figuratively speaking, this gate is so narrow that it allows only one to enter at a time. Each one makes an individual commitment to God and in return receives from Him a personal covenant, by name, that he or she can rely on implicitly in time and eternity.
- God provides an almost incomprehensible gift to help covenant-makers be covenant-keepers: the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- Those pursuing the covenant path also find singular blessings in various divinely appointed gatherings.
- As a teenager, I was the only member of the Church in my high school class. I enjoyed the association of many good friends in school, yet I found that I relied heavily on this Sabbath gathering each week to refresh and renew me spiritually.
- The covenant people also gather to the temple, the house of the Lord, to obtain the ordinances, blessings, and revelation uniquely available there.
- It is only in pursuing the covenant path that we inherit the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the ultimate blessings of salvation and exaltation that only God can give.
- Paul explained: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. … And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Let us heed the prophet’s call to stay on the covenant path.
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