Choice 1: Romans 12-16. Live as Saints Should Live

1.    Review Romans 13:11 and look for what is “nearer.” Read Ezekiel 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; and explain in writing what we must continue doing to work out our salvation.

In Romans 13 the thing that is nearer is the salvation of those that have come unto Christ. Two of the things that we need to make sure to do can be found in Ezekiel. First we need to make sure that we do not die in sin because if we do then we will spiritually die also and not be able to recover, but only and this is where the second one starts to come into place, if we had been warned about it before. See we can only be held accountable for what we have done and not what we might not understand because someone that was supposed to teach us about it did not teach us the principle. This means that the person who does not teach is also responsible for the blood of that man. In other words we need to make sure that we are sharing the gospel and all that we know to be true or the Lord will hold us accountable for those actions. This is not all but we need to obey and follow the commandments that God has given. We need to do this while still enduring to the end and receive a confirmation of the Holy Ghost. These are the things that we need to continue to do in order to work out our salvation.

2.    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:

o       Romans 12:1 – we are to give service, keep our bodies clean and healthy so that we can offer them up for service of others to the best of our ability to which s one of the mercies of God that we should recognize.

o       Romans 12:2 – Do not follow the world but instead we need to be transformed and stand out from the world by showing in appropriate ways the things that are good and acceptable and perfect from the will of God.

o       Romans 12:9 – Dismiss anything that is evil and hold tight to the things that are good loving without holding back.

o       Romans 12:13 – Give of the things that you have to those saints that are in need even if they need a place to stay if you can

o       Romans 12:16 – Do not be proud but be the same in religion and doctrine from one to another and use the other knowledge to help each other out.

o       Romans 12:21 – Do not let evil things overcome us, but rather use good things to overcome those evil things.

o       Romans 13:1 – allow the priesthood to be felt in every home (Home teachers and worthy fathers)

o       Romans 13:3 – do not be afraid of leadership or of the power that will come with it because it is for good and people will praise you for it

o       Romans 13:8 – do not live in debt, only owe another man your love and to fulfill the second greatest commandment

o       Romans 13:9 – Do not steal, commit adultery, kill, lie, covet or envy, but instead love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.

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

o       What cautions did Paul give about judging?

    Paul cautioned the people to remember that they are not perfect either. In the beginning he talked about how there are those in the church and those not but we are all sick and do not have the right to judge over the different things that they have decided to do. We do not have the right and need to leave to the brethren that have different ideals to not be judged for only the Lord knows were there hearts are at and can judge them accurately. One of the things that he confirms is that there are other ways to save the souls and that this would not be possible if we had been judging them. This is done so that we can help bear one another’s burdens and be able to bear in completeness the power of the Holy Ghost.

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

One of the most important things that we can remember is that we do not have the same power that God does and do not fully understand the things that are going on in that person’s life. This can only be done by god and so we need to not only not judge them but help them that suffer and are weak. This will allow for us to help share the gospel light and strengthen and renew the teachings of the families.

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

The Lord says that we are to become like him in all ways and here in this scripture we can see that the Lord has treated all those that keep the commandments the same and will reward them the same. For this reason we need to be kind to others around us and treat them in the ways that we would want to be treated.

4.    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.

Paul refers to the Members in His times as saints. Just as with the member of the Church today do. I believe that this is setting us up in a way that the Lord would want us to do what is expected of us in His name. We are saints in the terms that we follow Christ.