Lessons on the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles
Lesson No. Thirty-One
Grace Makes Individual Salvation and Family Exaltation Possible
Grace – “A word that occurs frequently in the New Testament especially in the writings of Paul. The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ (Bible Dictionary, Grace). That Paul frequently used the word “grace” in his writings is an understatement. I counted 98 times the word “grace” was used in the 14 Pauline epistles of the New Testament, and we need to remember that writings of and about Paul comprise most of the New Testament after the resurrection of Christ.
To understand the important doctrine of grace, as taught in the New Testament, we need to not only know the meaning of this word, but more importantly we need to be able to apply it to our individual lives. To do this, the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, particularly those found in the Book of Mormon, are indispensable.
Furthermore, to better appreciate the matchless blessings that the grace of the Lord Jesus makes possible through His atoning sacrifice we need to remember what President Russel M. Nelson has taught for many years. He reminds us that: “In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter” (Salvation and Exaltation, Ensign, May 2008)
Through the unconditional aspect of grace, made possible by the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, all mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. (See Ibid). Resurrection and immortality are free gifts of grace given to everyone and received by all. (See 1 Corinthians 15:22; Alma 11:41-45). Universal resurrection and judgment of all mankind is the unconditional aspect of the Atonement:
In the resurrection our body and spirit are permanently restored one to another. The grave delivers up our body and we become immortal. Paradise and hell delivers up our spirits.
All are judged according to our works and the desires of our hearts. (See 2 Nephi 9:12-15; Alma 41:3-5).
The conditional aspect of grace is also made possible by the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.
Salvation and redemption from individual sins is a gift of mercy offered to everyone on the conditions of faith in Christ and repentance of our sins: (See Alma 12:32-34; 34:15-16; 42:22-24)
Prayer and scripture study leads to faith in Christ sufficient for repentance. (See Bible Dictionary, Prayer; Helaman 15:7)
Through grace we receive the enabling power of Jesus Christ which is necessary to fully repent and make any and all changes that are required to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation. Even though we cannot make these changes on our own, we must give our own best efforts. (See Bible Dictionary, Grace)
Repentance, baptism, and obedience are the gate to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (See 2 Nephi 31:17)
The Holy Ghost brings a disposition to do good and a desire to be obedient to our covenants. (See Mosiah 5:2-5)
Through obedience and service we come to know the Lord and take upon us His name and His nature. (See Mosiah 5:7-13)
Grace is the spiritual power and celestial currency the Lord gives us as we labor to serve and support our families and to build up His Church. (See Mosiah 18:24-26; 27:5)
Grace enables us to endure to the end, be perfected in Christ, and sealed up to exaltation. (See Mosiah 5:15; Moroni 10:32-33)
The grace of Jesus Christ makes individual salvation and family exaltation possible – My testimony of the matchless grace of the Lord Jesus is beautifully expressed in His parable of the vine and branches:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman…Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in me.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing…
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:1-14).