No Problem

This is one post in an A-Z series of 26 where I am writing about living as a Mormon in the wilderness of Kuantan

No problem believing in Jesus and His power.

I have no problem believing in Jesus. All Christians readily believe that Jesus died and that by some unknown and quite remarkable, even astonishing power, he brought himself back to life from the dead. That is freely accepted without any doubt as an integral part of the atonement.

An artist's image of the resurrected Jesus emerging from his tomb

With that in mind, Christians readily accept that Jesus is thus now alive.

In the same record accepted as fact that Jesus, by some magnificent power was restored to life, we also read this resurrected Lord re-visited the earth and showed himself to various people.

Artwork displaying the account of the resurrected Jesus showing himself to his apostles

If these sensational events are widely and wholly accepted within Christendom, then how can we possibly attempt to limit Jesus and his marvellous power in these days?

We believe from the Holy Bible that he overcame death, lives now, and has the ability to appear on earth as an immortal being.

There is a resistance within Christianity, ironically against what we all believe about the Biblical Jesus - that he overcame death, lives today, and has the ability to appear on earth as an immortal being. Some believe all these things about Jesus yet dismiss them when they occur again.

I have no problem believing that Jesus appeared on the earth in 1820 to Joseph Smith as a living immortal being. I believe it because it is entirely consistent with the Biblical record of the abilities of Jesus the Christ and is within the realm of his possibilities. 

We know he has this power and we as Christians await with certainty for his arrival on the earth at a future time in an event we term the 'Second Coming.'

I wonder if the doubters of Jesus' power manifested in 1820 likewise doubt his most astonishing display of power - his resurrection - as recorded in the Holy Bible around AD34? For me, it is no problem. With an open mind, many simple yet compelling mysteries can be opened to our view.

No problem believing in Jesus and His power.

Atonement

This is one post in an A-Z series of 26 where I am writing about living as a Mormon in the wilderness of Kuantan

Considering that it is the most essential component of being a Christian, it is somewhat surprising relatively how little we know about the atonement of Jesus Christ.

The atonement of Jesus Christ is at the very heart of the message we learn, follow and share as Christians. We know what it is, but we struggle to grasp how it came to be.

The atonement is a series of events which can be separated into three main parts:

1) the suffering that caused Jesus to bleed form every pore

2) Jesus' death

3) Jesus' resurrection

Why was the atonement necessary?

Basically Adam and Eve messed up. Big time. There was a fruit that was keeping them alive indefinitely which they ate from the aptly-named Tree of Life. But as soon as they ate a forbidden fruit, it caused a change in their bodies which made them become mortal.

The atonement of Christ would act as the fruit of the tree of life which Adam and Eve once devoured. The atonement gives life indefinitely and reunites mankind with God and Christ. It enables us to live happily in a troubled world and points toward an eternal abode in the future.

Trying to fathom the details of the atonement
I can't comprehend how Jesus suffered in the terrible fashion he did on that historic night in Gethsemane. Nor can I come to terms with his awful death or begin to imagine by what power or phenomenon he was able to revive and become alive again.

Its implications for a life beyond the one we currently live are clear. But of the atonement's role in our everyday lives here and now? I spend significant time wondering about this. It may be fair to remark that every human endeavour which overcomes sin or struggle, and every genuine happiness, joy and contentment we feel here in a world that is punctuated by certain death, is directly attributable to the retrospective atonement of Jesus Christ.

As for a clear answer on how that is made possible - I don't know. And I'm fine with that. So I will keep searching.


How do you feel the atonement of Christ working for you?