Real Life Application of Paul’s Teachings

This week we are studying more of Paul’s writings in my New Testament class. We are supposed to find solutions to common problems from the advice of Paul. Here are the problems: 

#1. People sometimes argue and complain about petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week. 

Paul’s advice: (Phillipians 2: 1-8, 14-15) Be of one heart and one mind and esteem your brother as yourself. We should all treat each other with the respect that we desire for ourselves. Let nothing be done in strife or vain-glory, but instead let’s treat each other even better then ourselves.  Do all things without murmurings and disputings that we may be a light to the world, blameless and harmless, sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked world.  In other words, let it go, and if it must be discussed, discus it in a manner that respects the worth of those with whom you have a difference of opinion. Doing so will set us as a church apart from the rest of the world and we will be behaving as Christ behaved, He who was on the level with God, yet lowered himself willingly for our sakes. 

#2. Many youth feel that their parent’s testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents they rely on them for all of their spiritual strength.

 

Paul’s advice: (Phillipians 2: 12-15, Life and Teachings of Christ Institute Manual commentary “Work Out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling”, based off of Phillipians 2: 12) It is a great blessing to be born into a home where you have faithful parents leading the way! Timothy was blessed with such great ancestors and it clearly lit his path towards Christ. However, salvation is an individual matter. We will not be saved because of our parents’ faith, just as we will not be condemned because of our parents’ mistakes. We must each individually work out our salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. That means that it takes effort, not just dreaming, to achieve exaltation. We must make a daily concerted effort to do good works and to move towards the brighter way. If we do this, coming to Christ with humility, acknowledging our weakness and our need for grace in all things, we will attain our salvation. Let your parent’s be your example, but you must build your own faith, too.

#3. An investigator is considering joining the church but his family will no longer associate with him if he does. 

Paul’s advice: (Phillipians 3: 7-16, 4: 13) This is such a difficult position to be in, but the choice to make is easy. If you gain Christ, you gain the whole world, even if you lose it. By joining the church you are committing yourself to the giver of all things, he who is mindful of your needs and who understands your situation. Nevertheless, sometimes we are called on to make sacrifices, and when we do so we are blessed in such a way that we realize how small the sacrifice was for the gain that was given to us. You can do this, and live a new life that God wants you to live. God will give you the strength to do all things he requires of you.

#4. How is this assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? 

2 Nephi 32:3 tells us that we can find the answers to all things in the word of God. This shows you that in numerous situations the answers can be found in the scriptures. It make take a little digging, but it’s in there.

Overall, I think these are some very good questions to get us looking into how the scriptures can really be translated into real life help for our problems. What do you think?