I have been thinking about the word Saint since Sunday. I decided to look it up and ponder over what it means to be a Saint. Being a Saint means to become sanctified or to be made holy. So, then I began thinking about sanctification. Sanctification is the PROCESS of becoming holy. This lead me to further insights from the scriptures and also a talk by Dallin H. Oaks regarding how one becomes sanctified. Dallin H. Oaks said, Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call “the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10; 1 Ne. 20:10). Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become. Thus, becoming a Saint through Christ means to walk through the furnace of affliction and STILL have a testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have at times wondered if God is there, because I have had so many trials and there was no way a loving God would want his child to suffer. But, I have learned that this is how we become like Him. When we walk through trials and sorrow, we learn all the amazing Godlike attributes of faith, patience, long suffering, kindness, meekness, empathy, and the list goes on. But, in His love He sent a Savior who we are to follow and emulate, but also to turn to when the suffering seems too great. He suffered for us, so He would know how to succor His people. He overcame the world and so can we!! There are times in our lives when our hearts might fail us and some may choose to turn away from God because it feels as though it never lets up. These are the very times to not turn away from Him. We do not become Saints by turning away, but by believing in what we cannot see and pressing forward even when it may seem dark. There is a glorious ETERNAL life just waiting for us. And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength. -D&C 20:31 And although we will never reach perfection in this life, we are to walk with God and make every effort to become holy no matter what our circumstances. We may at times fear the unknown, but honestly it is not unknown to Him. Complete sanctification will come when one day we will stand before the judgement seat of Christ and if we have fought a good fight and not allowed this world to over come us, He will say, Well done, you have overcome the world as I did. And we will sit with Him in paradise. I know this with all my heart!
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 14:23:48 +0000
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