Live as Saints Should Live

Choice 1: Romans 12-16. 

1.    Review Romans 13:11 and look for what is “nearer.” Read Ezekiel 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; and explain in writing what we must continue doing to work out our salvation.

In Roman 13:11 it talks about how our salvation is nearer than we believe. When we commit sins we need to repent in order to enter into heaven. We also need to keep the commandments and endure to the end.

2.    In Romans 12-13 Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation. Read each of the following verses and list what Paul taught would help lead to salvation:

o       Romans 12:1 Sacrifice ourselves to the Lord and be worthy. 

o       Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the world but live above it. 

o       Romans 12:9 Stay away from evil and cleave to things that are good. 

o       Romans 12:13 Be hospitable to others!

o       Romans 12:16 Keep righteous thoughts and be of one mind. 

o       Romans 12:21 Overcome evil with goodness

o       Romans 13:1 Be subject to the Lord

o       Romans 13:3 Do good deeds! 

o       Romans 13:8 Love others

o       Romans 13:9 Keep the 10 commandments.

3.    Review Romans 14:1-13; 15:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:

o       What cautions did Paul give about judging? When we judge we should do so righteously. 

o       People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember? We should know that everyone has a right to their own opinion and we can't force them to believe as we do. 

o       What additional insight comes from reading Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27? It tells us to treat others with love and to be charitable. 

4.    Review Romans 15:25-26, 31; 16:2, 15. Write the term Paul frequently used to refer to members of the Church in his day. He refers to us as saints. Saint means to be "free from blemish." We need to strive to be clean so that we can return to our Father in Heaven. 

Baptism

Choice 3: Romans 6. Baptism

1.    Review Romans 6:1–13 and answer the following questions in writing: 

o       What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?

We must die unto sin and yield ourselves to the Lord. Before we are baptized we need to give ourselves to the Lord and his gospel and attempt to sin no more. 

o       What events from Christ’s life are symbolized in baptism?

Christ's death was symbolized and his Resurrection. It is to symbolize a "newness of life." 

o       Considering this symbolism, why couldn’t someone be baptized by sprinkling?

Sprinkling isn't as symbolic as being put under the water. It symbolizes death and being resurrected. 

o       What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the “newness of life”?

We can maintain the newness of life by being like Christ. When we strive to be like him we are able to resist temptations and sins. 

o       According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?

The natural man is what will die at baptism. We are to become a "saint through the atonement of Christ."

2.    Study Romans 6:14–23. Write a paragraph that describes how we know whose servant we are. Then write a statement identifying the true source of freedom.

We know whose servant we are through the deeds we do. If we are acting righteously we are servants of the Lord. If we are committing sins we are a servant to the devil. 

The source of freedom is righteousness. The commandments the Lord gives are there to grant us more freedoms and allow us to walk uprightly before the Lord. 

Forgiveness

Review 2 Corinthians 2:1–11; Matthew 6:14–15; Doctrine and Covenants 64:9–10. Then respond to the following questions:

·      What were the people of Corinth commanded to do “if any have caused grief”?
If any were to have caused grief the people were to forgive those involved in order to be kept from sorrow. Paul is testing their obedience to the Lord. 

·      What blessings do we see if we forgive?
If we forgive others then we too will be forgiven by the Lord. It is required that we always forgive others. 

·      What is the danger in failing to forgive? 
If we do not forgive then we cannot be forgiven by the Lord and will be condemned. Failing to forgive others is a greater sin than what was done to you. 

The Impact of Example

This week we have Paul speaking to those who live in Corinthian.  We will be discussing what the Lord requires of us, his servants. 

In Chapter 4: 2 Paul says, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." The Lord needs his servants to be faithful to Him and his gospel, to be good examples to those around them. 

In verses 9-17 the Lord names those specific examples of the times. The apostles are those people. Paul is to be an example to men. Is verse 16 he says, "Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." Paul sends Timotheus, an apostle, to teach them and be an example unto them. 
In this group it is stressed for them to be examples to the believers because they are held in high esteem and they had to go through so much at that time. 

In Alma 39: 11-12 Alma is chastising Corianton for being a bad example even though he knew better. Because the people saw his iniquities they would not listen to the words of the Prophet. We can't just know something is true we have to act in accordance with that knowledge. 

In 3rd Nephi Chapter 8:1 it shows the awards we get from following what we know. We are trusted, we can work miracles, and we can be "cleansed every whit from iniquity."

Be ye an example of the believers! It is our duty to God to be examples to others. We have made covenants with him and if we keep them we can be greatly blessed!