Nearer to God

Review Romans 13:11 and look for what is “nearer.”

 "Our Salvation is nearer than we believed" is what Paul said in Romans 13:11. Which means wevmust do more than just accept Christ into your heart to receive salvation.

Read Ezekiel 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; and explain in writing what we must continue doing to work out our salvation.

 In Ezekiel 3:20 it talks about a man who was righteous, but began sinning and turning away from God. It said that this man would die in his sins. Then in D&C it talks about how we need to keep the commandments throughout our life. We need to endure to the end as the scriptures say. We should always follow Christ and keep His commandments even until the day we pass from this earth.

 In Romans 12-13 Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation. Read each of the following verses and list what Paul taught would help lead to salvation:

        Romans 12:1 "Present your bodies a living sacrifice"

        Romans 12:2 "Be not conformed to this world:" also be changed and do what is good to God

        Romans 12:9 Always look for things are righteous and despise things that are bad.

        Romans 12:13 Give to others as they need. If we have an excess of things we should share what we have with those that aren't.

       Romans 12:16 We should be united as a membership in the church

       Romans 12:21 "overcome evil with good."

       Romans 13:1 We should be humble and realize that all power comes from our Heavenly Father.

       Romans 13:3 Do good things

       Romans 13:8 As I have loved you, love one another

       Romans 13:9 Keep the ten commandments.

  Review Romans 14:1-13; 15:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:

     What cautions did Paul give about judging?

We shouldn't judge others because everyone will stand before the judgement seat of Christ. It really isn't our place to judge anyone at anytime. It is wrong to judge or think things of others. That is God's job so we should leave that to Him.

 People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember?

I think the greatest thing to remember is that everyone will be judged according to what is fair to them. God knows the hearts and intents of all people.

 What additional insight comes from reading Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27?

We should treat everyone equally, just because someone isn't a member of the church or doesn't live the teachings of the church doesn't mean we should ignore them. We should treat everyone the way we want to be treated and the way Christ would treat them.

 Review Romans 15:25-26, 31; 16:2, 15. Write the term Paul frequently used to refer to members of the Church in his day.

He called them Saints.