Redeem Them From Their Sins

 

I read a great chapter of the Book of Mormon this morning.  Nephi & Lehi, the sons of Helaman, were getting ready to preach the gospel full-time.  There is a lot of chaos at the time and this is what they decide will be the best help to these people.  As they are preparing for their ministry among the Nephites and Lamanites, they recall the words of their father in relation to such work.  One part especially stuck out to me.  Speaking of the people whom Lehi and Nephi will teach, and all of God's children, Helaman says that Christ "should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins" (Helaman 5:10 italics added).  This inspired statement tells us how repentance works. 

Christ will receive us if we come unto Him

To truly repent we must do our best to stop doing what we know is offensive to God.  We must press forward with faith in Christ to overcome the problem that is holding us back.  Just as in the parable of the prodigal son, Christ is willing to help us and wants us to return to Him (see Luke 15:11-32).   But we need to be willing participants in our own repentance and salvation.  In this way Christ saves us not "in" but "from [our] sins".

I know that Christ lives and repentance is real.  Our Savior's atonement is what makes it possible.  I know that God loves each of His children.  He is willing to forgive us if we come to Him in sincere repentance and forsake our sins.