If the freedoms we say we love were suddenly outlawed and the penalty for pursuing them was death, I wonder how many who now call themselves "patriots" and "faithful" would remain so? Patriotism and discipleship were not concepts created in comfort, and they do not exist to accommodate the comfortable; these things challenge us, require us to live for principles larger than ourselves to secure the highest joys in living for ourselves and all who follow after us.
If the time ever comes when others seek to legislate my love of God or my pursuit of happiness I hope I have built up the strength before then to continue to live for my patriotism and for my faith at the peril of my life through all my days and to have the strength to live or to die honorably in defense of these things. My belief will be stronger than death.
I get so disgusted with the political and religious games so many play; I recognize the freedom of all men to pursue their own opinions, but I regret that more do not stir themselves up to think and live for great things, content to dwell in the mire of mediocrity while thinking themselves prosperous.
If you and I are going to proclaim ourselves a thing we must be what we profess; our greatest sermons, our greatest laws must be written in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.
I know that the greatness of humanity originates from souls where integrity to God, all goodness, and a consuming, selfless love are enthroned and fearlessly defended.
The greatness of men will never die as long as individuals ally themselves with God and fight for the right of all mankind to seek the goodness of life.
- Justin E. Lehman
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
"I believe in Jesus Christ."
I believe in Jesus Christ. Five simple words; yet in application I have yet to meet anyone who fully measures up to their import.
To say one believes in Jesus Christ is not to imply a passive acceptation of Him as the Son of God but to affirm that one actively patterns one’s life in strict harmony with His teachings while also acknowledging all His Messianic claims.
What a challenge! Could it be discouraging: seeking complete personal integrity when saying those simple words? Perhaps, but not if those words are viewed in their proper light; for God gives strength in the midst of challenge, and the greater the challenge the greater one’s capacity for the receipt of hope and courage in the midst of all. The fact that these simple words are so exacting of all who would truly say them is part of what makes this integrity so worth striving for.
Today I celebrate Easter, among Christian holidays the most important, for without the events I commemorate this day Christmas would have no meaning, nor would any of the other events significant in my religious life – for all of them rest upon this foundation: that Jesus Christ was divine, that He suffered crucifixion as a willing sacrifice for the darkness of the world, and that three days after dying He was restored to life again with a body as tangible as ours, only His perfected and immortal. If this is true then this day recalls the most significant event in all the history of our world – nothing else has affected or will yet affect so many people.
If this claim of the divinity of Christ is true, and I fully believe it is, then my greatest opportunity, among the many good things I pursue and will yet pursue in life, is to seek to know this, to live in harmony with it, and to be able to say, before any audience – with all my life according, I believe in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps there are those who will read this who may wonder why this fact stirs me to such action; I’ll share just a few personal things that have changed for me because Jesus is the Messiah, because He conquered death and sin and pain for us all.
My perspective on suffering and challenge have been irrevocably altered by the example of this Man, who I look to as the most challenging example that can be emulated. This Jesus faced greater challenges than any other who has lived upon the earth, for, as my friend Isaiah wrote: “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (See Isaiah 53 in the Old Testament or Mosiah 14 in The Book of Mormon). The full meaning of those verses would take far more than a lifetime to discuss, but it is plain to me that Jesus, through means I do not understand, was able to be offered up in my place and in the place of all mankind, that He suffered the punishment of our sins, along with the pains and sorrows of life that arise from our other various choices and conditions, etc. As I know Jesus was willing to make that sacrifice for me and all others – all people in all ages – I am able to face my own challenges with the sure conviction that I do not face them alone, and I am able to share this knowledge with any other; Jesus becomes my Strength.
My understanding of death has been forever changed by the Hope of Christ. Since He overcame death through the power of God within Him, His word is that all mankind will overcome death and rise again in His appointed seasons, even as He, each to the immortality they have prepared for in their living. When family members and friends pass through death I know they are not lost, I know I will see them again and know them just as I knew them here, and I know we can enjoy immortality in the presence of God. Just to know that the potential for such a permanent state exists is inspiring. I am sad at the temporary distance from these, my friends and family, but that distance is bridged by Jesus, my “light beyond the veil of death.” (Hymns, No. 135, 1985 Edition). My family can endure beyond the change we call death and it will, if I and those I love seek to love God as He loves us, through His Power.
My understanding of love has been transformed by my knowledge of Jesus, of what He did; I do not speak, here, of romantic love, but love of God and all mankind. From Jesus I’m learning a love that is stronger even than death itself - the love He demonstrated, a love so powerful that it proves not only transformative in my own life, but in the lives of others with whom I am privileged to associate. Jesus taught the world a higher standard of love, the most exacting definition I’ve ever come across – such as the love, not mere toleration, even of one’s enemies, in addition to all others we may be more inclined to love; that is a tall order indeed! Though I’m far from perfect and struggle everyday to live up to this and the other standards He set, still I have seen miracles occur even in the pursuit and sharing of this love – what a thing, then, attaining this love must actually be! To have the pattern set of loving everyone, regardless of whether they are reciprocal or wholly antagonistic in response, to have my consciousness opened to that opportunity by the Light of Christ, that is a priceless joy to me.
Those are a few real changes that have come to me since I chose to pursue discipleship to Jesus Christ – there are many more that I cannot write, because God has changed my life through this choice; many of my current friends never had a chance to know me before I began this process with full personal intent, but I assure you there would be little of who you know to be Justin Lehman here today if I had not found my life through His life and through His seeking after me, to find me, rescue me, and bring me safely Home when I was lost even to myself.
Now, I’ve spoken in very sure language, and that may trouble some, but why not speak of these things as they really are? I have not, in this life, looked on Jesus, though I have seen His influence illuminated in various ways and degrees in many and much around me throughout my life; yet, having not seen, I have approached God, the Father of us all, in prayer, in study, and in the patient implementation of the example of His Beloved Son, Jesus, and God has seen fit to give me a living conviction of what I have written here, and far more than this through the power of the Holy Spirit. As sure as I know anything, I know that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world, of both individuals and nations – that He is our Great Peacemaker; I know the Way He outlined in His living is the only way to pure happiness that cannot be destroyed by any exterior influence – I know He is my Key to the Gate through which I find my Victory, now and forever. I know what I know of God because He has taught me concerning Himself and His work as I have struggled on to come to know Him and follow His son, who He sent to show me and all mankind the Way to perfect Peace.
This day will soon pass, much like any other, but the spirit and power we remember this day is bigger than any day or series of days, and it will be so for us as individuals if we are willing to allow it to work within us. After Easter is over and done where will our thoughts be; what will we say; what will we do so we, with those rare souls who truly live, may say – with all our life supporting our words – I believe in Jesus Christ?
I invite whoever reads this, even if it is only my own eyes that consider this, to take measure of his or her life and consider whether there can be greater happiness, greater service to render, greater peace to be obtained through the conflict by bringing the substance of our lives into alignment with the simple phrase, validated by the events we celebrate this simple Easter day: I believe in Jesus Christ. Even now, God whispers to me through His Holy Spirit as I write, and I feel the warmth and peace of His influence: These things and more will come to all brave enough to pursue the Course which Jesus marked with His every thought, word, and deed. I know the course I must pursue, and I hope many, if not all, who read this will come and travel the same Path, for Jesus alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” that is most beautiful, and most desirable for us all.
Come, my friends, and follow Him with me, that we may truly believe in Him.
- Justin E. Lehman; 8 April 2012 – Easter Sunday
To say one believes in Jesus Christ is not to imply a passive acceptation of Him as the Son of God but to affirm that one actively patterns one’s life in strict harmony with His teachings while also acknowledging all His Messianic claims.
What a challenge! Could it be discouraging: seeking complete personal integrity when saying those simple words? Perhaps, but not if those words are viewed in their proper light; for God gives strength in the midst of challenge, and the greater the challenge the greater one’s capacity for the receipt of hope and courage in the midst of all. The fact that these simple words are so exacting of all who would truly say them is part of what makes this integrity so worth striving for.
Today I celebrate Easter, among Christian holidays the most important, for without the events I commemorate this day Christmas would have no meaning, nor would any of the other events significant in my religious life – for all of them rest upon this foundation: that Jesus Christ was divine, that He suffered crucifixion as a willing sacrifice for the darkness of the world, and that three days after dying He was restored to life again with a body as tangible as ours, only His perfected and immortal. If this is true then this day recalls the most significant event in all the history of our world – nothing else has affected or will yet affect so many people.
If this claim of the divinity of Christ is true, and I fully believe it is, then my greatest opportunity, among the many good things I pursue and will yet pursue in life, is to seek to know this, to live in harmony with it, and to be able to say, before any audience – with all my life according, I believe in Jesus Christ.
Perhaps there are those who will read this who may wonder why this fact stirs me to such action; I’ll share just a few personal things that have changed for me because Jesus is the Messiah, because He conquered death and sin and pain for us all.
My perspective on suffering and challenge have been irrevocably altered by the example of this Man, who I look to as the most challenging example that can be emulated. This Jesus faced greater challenges than any other who has lived upon the earth, for, as my friend Isaiah wrote: “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (See Isaiah 53 in the Old Testament or Mosiah 14 in The Book of Mormon). The full meaning of those verses would take far more than a lifetime to discuss, but it is plain to me that Jesus, through means I do not understand, was able to be offered up in my place and in the place of all mankind, that He suffered the punishment of our sins, along with the pains and sorrows of life that arise from our other various choices and conditions, etc. As I know Jesus was willing to make that sacrifice for me and all others – all people in all ages – I am able to face my own challenges with the sure conviction that I do not face them alone, and I am able to share this knowledge with any other; Jesus becomes my Strength.
My understanding of death has been forever changed by the Hope of Christ. Since He overcame death through the power of God within Him, His word is that all mankind will overcome death and rise again in His appointed seasons, even as He, each to the immortality they have prepared for in their living. When family members and friends pass through death I know they are not lost, I know I will see them again and know them just as I knew them here, and I know we can enjoy immortality in the presence of God. Just to know that the potential for such a permanent state exists is inspiring. I am sad at the temporary distance from these, my friends and family, but that distance is bridged by Jesus, my “light beyond the veil of death.” (Hymns, No. 135, 1985 Edition). My family can endure beyond the change we call death and it will, if I and those I love seek to love God as He loves us, through His Power.
My understanding of love has been transformed by my knowledge of Jesus, of what He did; I do not speak, here, of romantic love, but love of God and all mankind. From Jesus I’m learning a love that is stronger even than death itself - the love He demonstrated, a love so powerful that it proves not only transformative in my own life, but in the lives of others with whom I am privileged to associate. Jesus taught the world a higher standard of love, the most exacting definition I’ve ever come across – such as the love, not mere toleration, even of one’s enemies, in addition to all others we may be more inclined to love; that is a tall order indeed! Though I’m far from perfect and struggle everyday to live up to this and the other standards He set, still I have seen miracles occur even in the pursuit and sharing of this love – what a thing, then, attaining this love must actually be! To have the pattern set of loving everyone, regardless of whether they are reciprocal or wholly antagonistic in response, to have my consciousness opened to that opportunity by the Light of Christ, that is a priceless joy to me.
Those are a few real changes that have come to me since I chose to pursue discipleship to Jesus Christ – there are many more that I cannot write, because God has changed my life through this choice; many of my current friends never had a chance to know me before I began this process with full personal intent, but I assure you there would be little of who you know to be Justin Lehman here today if I had not found my life through His life and through His seeking after me, to find me, rescue me, and bring me safely Home when I was lost even to myself.
Now, I’ve spoken in very sure language, and that may trouble some, but why not speak of these things as they really are? I have not, in this life, looked on Jesus, though I have seen His influence illuminated in various ways and degrees in many and much around me throughout my life; yet, having not seen, I have approached God, the Father of us all, in prayer, in study, and in the patient implementation of the example of His Beloved Son, Jesus, and God has seen fit to give me a living conviction of what I have written here, and far more than this through the power of the Holy Spirit. As sure as I know anything, I know that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world, of both individuals and nations – that He is our Great Peacemaker; I know the Way He outlined in His living is the only way to pure happiness that cannot be destroyed by any exterior influence – I know He is my Key to the Gate through which I find my Victory, now and forever. I know what I know of God because He has taught me concerning Himself and His work as I have struggled on to come to know Him and follow His son, who He sent to show me and all mankind the Way to perfect Peace.
This day will soon pass, much like any other, but the spirit and power we remember this day is bigger than any day or series of days, and it will be so for us as individuals if we are willing to allow it to work within us. After Easter is over and done where will our thoughts be; what will we say; what will we do so we, with those rare souls who truly live, may say – with all our life supporting our words – I believe in Jesus Christ?
I invite whoever reads this, even if it is only my own eyes that consider this, to take measure of his or her life and consider whether there can be greater happiness, greater service to render, greater peace to be obtained through the conflict by bringing the substance of our lives into alignment with the simple phrase, validated by the events we celebrate this simple Easter day: I believe in Jesus Christ. Even now, God whispers to me through His Holy Spirit as I write, and I feel the warmth and peace of His influence: These things and more will come to all brave enough to pursue the Course which Jesus marked with His every thought, word, and deed. I know the course I must pursue, and I hope many, if not all, who read this will come and travel the same Path, for Jesus alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” that is most beautiful, and most desirable for us all.
Come, my friends, and follow Him with me, that we may truly believe in Him.
- Justin E. Lehman; 8 April 2012 – Easter Sunday
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