Fruit Meet for Repentance

"Repent".... all throughout the scriptures we hear this important word. It is a foundation principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After Jesus was baptized, Satan tried to thwart Christ's mission but to no avail.... triumphantly our perfect Savior escaped the snares of the adversary and the first thing Jesus began to teach was repentance.

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."- Matt 4:17

Why is repentance such an important thing? And what did Christ mean when He told the Pharisees and Sadducees to "Bring forth fruit meet for repentance."?

What do we think of when we hear the word "repent"? I believe how well we understand the doctrine of repentance will greatly determine our personal application and affections for it.

What feeling does it provoke... difficulty, uncomfortable, hesitation, condemnation of others, ridicule of self, or on the other hand, does it induce feelings of peace, gratitude, an assurance of God's love, Christ, the Atonement, hope and confidence?

Our 4th Article of Faith states:
"We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are:
First - Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Second - Repentance
Third - Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
Fourth - Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

I submit to you that repentance is not a one time thing in our life. I submit that is the reason why Christ used the word "fruit" with repentance. A tree doesn't grow to bring forth one fruit but many, a whole harvest and year after year it does. Even within one fruit is the potential for so much more.

Today I read an article given years ago by one of the 12 Apostles, Neal A. Maxwell:

This is just a portion of it but you can see all of it here.... in fact I encourage you to read ALL of it. :)

"For some months, I’ve tried to emphasize repentance, one of the most vital and merciful doctrines of the kingdom. It is too little understood, too little applied by us all, as if it were merely a word on a bumper sticker. Since we have been told clearly by Jesus what manner of men and women we ought to become—even as He is (see 3 Ne. 27:27)—how can we do so, except each of us employs repentance as the regular means of personal progression? Personal repentance is part of taking up the cross daily. (See Luke 9:23.) Without it, clearly there could be no “perfecting of the Saints.” ( Eph. 4:12.)

Besides, there is more individuality in those who are more holy.

Sin, on the other hand, brings sameness; it shrinks us to addictive appetites and insubordinate impulses. For a brief surging, selfish moment, sin may create the illusion of individuality, but only as in the grunting, galloping Gadarene swine! (See Matt. 8:28–32.)

Repentance is a rescuing, not a dour doctrine. It is available to the gross sinner as well as to the already-good individual striving for incremental improvement.

Repentance requires both turning away from evil and turning to God. (See Deut. 4:30; see also Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Repentance.”) When “a mighty change” is required, full repentance involves a 180-degree turn, and without looking back! ( Alma 5:12–13.) Initially, this turning reflects progress from telestial to terrestrial behavior, and later on to celestial behavior. As the sins of the telestial world are left behind, the focus falls ever more steadily upon the sins of omission, which often keep us from full consecration.

Real repentance involves not a mechanical checklist, but a checking of the natural self. Often overlapping and mutually reinforcing, each portion of the process of repentance is essential. This process rests on inner resolve but is much aided by external support." - Neal A. Maxwell

Read the whole article here!

Selfishness

I have felt the chastening of the Spirit to disolve all selfishness from my heart to which I am so easily inclined.


I am eternally grateful for the example of the selfless life the Savior so constantly lived. I am so thankful for the selfless sacrifice of the Atonement so I can be healed of my cankering selfishness.


Today I read a wonderful discourse by Neal A. Maxwell called, "Repent of our selfishness" given in April of 1999. These are a few bits and pieces from it.



“Our love of God must be pure, without selfish intent.”

“Selfishness is really self-destruction in slow motion.”

“No wonder the Prophet Joseph Smith urged, “Let every selfish feeling be not only buried, but annihilated”

“Surging selfishness, for example, has shrunken some people into ciphers; they seek to erase their emptiness by sensations. But in the arithmetic of appetite, anything multiplied by zero still totals zero!”

“By focusing on himself, a selfish person finds it easier to bear false witness, to steal, and covet, since nothing should be denied him.”

“In contrast to the path of selfishness, there is no room for road rage on the straight and narrow way.”

“Meekness is the real cure, for it does not merely mask selfishness but dissolves it! Smaller steps could include asking ourselves inwardly before undertaking an important action, Whose needs am I really trying to meet? Or in significant moments of self-expression, we can first count to 10. Such thoughtful filtering can multiply our offering by 10 as a mesh of reflective meekness filters out destructive and effusive ego.”

“We can also meekly let our ideas have a life of their own without oversponsoring them. Rather, let the Spirit impel our worthy ideas.”

“No wonder we have been told, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and this includes self-worship! (Ex. 20:3; emphasis added). One way or another, the grossly selfish will finally be shattered, whimpering, against the jagged, concrete consequences of their selfishness.”

“Strange as it seems, when severely selfish people are no longer little in their own sight, everybody else shrinks! (see 1 Sam. 15:17).”

“A narcissist society, in which each person is busy looking out for number one, can build neither brotherhood nor community. Aren’t we glad in this Easter season and in all seasons that Jesus did not selfishly look out for number one?”

- Neal A. Maxwell http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/EmailArticleProcess?action=view&cmlId=400049&locale=0&emId=790404746