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Question

 

Gramps,

I struggle with feelings of unworthiness. How can you be forgiven for sins that are committed all the time? The scriptures are clear that a man returning to sin is like a dog eating his own vomit.  And Hebrews 10:26 is a good quote.  If we have free agency, then we choose to sin every time. I don’t see how I can ever be completely forgiven.

Virgie

 

Answer

 

Virgie,

What you are feeling is something anyone who has been honestly seeking to come unto Christ will feel at some point in their lives. A great Book of Mormon prophet also felt similar, let’s review Nephi’s thoughts from the Book of Mormon as he shares all the wonderful things God has done,

“Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

 

I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.” (2 Nephi 4:17-18)

Even Nephi’s soul did sorrow, did weep, did grieve because of the sins that easily beset him; however, Nephi provides us with some further insight,

“nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.” (2 Nephi 4:19)

As with Nephi, we need to remember in whom we trust — Jesus Christ — and that His mercy, His grace, His love are for all those who believe on his name.

You have shared the following verse of scripture, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” and this is a very important verse to ponder and consider its meaning. Let’s first review the word “willfully.” Willfully denotes choices that are done deliberately. This is often referred to as “open rebellion” in scripture, and is often the mind frame of individuals who want God to save them “in their sins” rather than from their sins.

Remember, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not for the “whole” as the “whole” do not need a physician. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for those who are “sick” — even like Nephi. We are individuals who have recognized our need for Christ’s atonement, and that without Christ we are nothing. The real question we should ask ourselves, “Are we seeking to do as the Lord commanded”? Are we seeking to keep, not willfully disobey, the commandments? Do we expect God to save us in our sins, or do we hope and pray that God will save us from our sins as we make honest attempts each day to come unto Christ? If we want God to save us in our sins then we have need to fear and tremble, but if we want God to help us to overcome our weaknesses through faith in Jesus Christ, then we have no need to fear. We qualify for God’s grace, God’s mercy, and God’s love as we continually strive to keep his commandments, and to do those things he has commanded us to do, even when we fall short.

The Lord bless you Virgie to never give in to the buffetings of the adversary, to never give up, and to never surrender to despondency or discouragement. Let us though make the choice to be like Nephi by remembering in whom we trust — Jesus Christ — our Lord and Savior.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

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