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.These principles are foundational to the disciple of Christ. Without faith, for example, repentance nor the following ordinances can be possible.
This is the last entry in the listing on faith under the topical guide. This study has been eye opening and strengthening for me. I came to realize that I do have faith, but that I have many flaws and weaknesses. And while my weaknesses are troubling, I know that through the grace of Jesus Christ, in time, those weaknesses will become strengths.
I think the most difficult thing about having strong faith is actually self-discipline. It is easy to believe that He is all-powerful, and that He has the ability to help us. It is quite another to behave according to that belief. At times my faith has been challenged, I have felt the spirit of God working upon me to do things - often very simple things. But all too often I shrug them off because they may seem inconvenient, too simple to make any difference or even nonsensical.
There is great danger in shrugging off the workings of the spirit. For one thing, doing so is sin - any act that is contrary to the will of God is sin. For another, when we ignore those feelings, we bypass opportunities for growth. Most importantly and most devastatingly, ignoring promptings from the Holy Spirit makes it harder to recognize future promptings - we cannot feel them as strongly (Matt 13:15,1 Nephi 17:45), and ignoring the Spirit in the future becomes easier.
I see myself doing this and feel to grieve as did Nephi:
... Notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, ... 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. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. (2 Nephi 4:17-19)Living by the spirit is the ultimate test of faith. But as we do, our faith and trust in the Almighty will grow. This is the ultimate challenge of life. May the Lord give us grace to overcome our weakness and become strong is my prayer.
