God's loves the sinner as He loves the saint. But too many erroneously believe that perfection is an absolute requirement to be worthy of God's love. Well we all sin. Not exactly breaking news of course. But sadly not all repent. Yet for all those who do, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, forgiveness always comes! The Lord wants to forgive us. He's waiting to release us from the shakles and pains of sin. Even in "punishing" us, He does so out of love. And as it is, He doesn't want to "punish" us, except where it will be for our learning and growing development.
I love this quote: "Christ did not wait to love us until we were perfect, had overcome all our weaknesses, or had fully developed our ability to love him. He loved us first and was willing to show that love by suffering in Gethsemane and dying on the cross for our sins, infirmities, and weaknesses." -Marleen Williams, Brigham Young University devotional address given on 4 May 2004.
Too many forget that God first and foremost is a God of love. He is also a God of mercy and compassion. But as an aspect of His love, He is also a God of justice. It is in employing justice that His love and mercy shine brightest—recall how the earth was cursed for our sake. "Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don't expect it and often feel they don't deserve it" -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, 2012 April LDS General Conference.
Sadly, an unfortunate consequence of sin emerges as many engage in deciding for others whether we are worth their time, in light of our past mistakes and choices. We can be too quick to determine our value and worth in eyes of those we encounter. Let them get to know you. Let them learn to love you. And then let them love you. "When the Lord requires that we forgive all men, that includes forgiving ourselves. Sometimes, of all the people in the world, the one who is the hardest to forgive—as well as perhaps the one who is most in need of our forgiveness—is the person looking back at us in the mirror" -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2012 April LDS General Conference.
While sin will continue to be an undesired and unfortunate aspect of our living in an imperfect world, we do not have to become enslaved to it. Some words of comfort come from Elder Orson F. Whitney: “Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can comprehend.”[1]
Echoing these sweet words, President J. Reuben Clark Jr. observed:
“I feel that [the Savior] will give that punishment which is the very least that our transgression will justify. I believe that he will bring into his justice all of the infinite love and blessing and mercy and kindness and understanding which he has. … And on the other hand, I believe that when it comes to making the rewards for our good conduct, he will give us the maximum that it is possible to give, having in mind the offense which we have committed.”[2]God further expresses His love for each of us in how these blessings are appropriately extended. They lovingly come only as we can best recognize, employ, and appreciate them. If we received all that we most desired when we desired, would we fully appreciate them? Would we know how to use them best? And would we recognize them as blessings? Conversely, our "punishments" for misdeeds, are to be used as life altering learning lessons, further strengthening us in avoiding sin.
“He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again” - President Thomas S. Monson. To fully feel Christ's love for you, to accept His atonement and resurrection in your life, love yourself again. Let go of your past. Trust that the future IS bright and is bright right now! Our Savior lived, died, and lives again for each of us. Now is the time to bask in His light.
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