In my interpretation, the Centurion in Capernaum finds a balance many of us struggle with:

First, I see a man who is very aware of his shortcomings and sins:

“Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof.” (Matthew 8:8)

But he still approaches the Savior and asks for a miracle!

Christ then says, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”⁣ (Matthew 8:10)

Would you consider yourself someone who feels like you are constantly falling short of perfection?

Someone who easily feels unworthy?

Someone who thinks they can never do enough?

OR

Are you someone who brushes off their weaknesses a lot?

Someone who struggles with feeling lots of pride?

Someone who thinks they are sailing pretty smoothly?

I think one of the greatest mysteries in life is finding the balance between recognizing and understanding the magnitude of our weaknesses and not wallowing in feelings of unworthiness.

Not going too far either direction.

I think the Centurion got something right. ⁣

He allowed his weaknesses to humble him.

But he didn’t let them stop his approach to the Savior, filled with faith and ready for a miracle.

We need both!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Centurion’s balance first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

The idea that He is an understanding and compassionate God…

And the idea that He is a God of order and eternal laws.

I’ve seen this tension in my life a lot.

And two pretty dramatic instances of this jumped out to me in this week’s reading.

First, we have the Lord talking about baptisms for the dead.

The saints had heard Joseph preach about this idea, and immediately went to the river to get started!

The Lord shows these two tensions of understanding but still following eternal principles here:

“I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me; and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.

“But behold, at the end of this appointment your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me”. D&C 124:31-32

Can you see both sides of God there?

An understanding of the saints condition: without a dedicated temple, and with a strong desire to perform proxy baptisms.

He didn’t tell them they weren’t allowed to do them anymore, or that none of them counted.

But then we also see the rule: the absolute minute a temple baptismal font is dedicated, they have to be done there.

Fascinating, right?!

Okay but just a few verses later, we get ANOTHER example of this tension!

In D&C 124:49, the Lord tells the saints that He is going to revoke His earlier commandment to build a temple in Far West, because wicked men had prevented it.… and then He commands them to build a temple in Nauvoo right away.

He didn’t make them stick to this previous commandment, and promise the saints that they would be protected while they went back to finish the Far West temple.

He saw that it was no longer reasonable, but then immediately commanded them to get to work on a Nauvoo temple, with no excuse for weariness or financial distress.

I see both sides in God.

I know there are eternal laws, commandments, and principles to follow.

And I know that He perfectly understands my personal situation.

But I don’t ever want to use His compassion as permissiveness.

And I sincerely pray that I will never misinterpret that balance.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post God’s balance first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.