Sing Redeeming Love: Come, Follow Me Weekly Challenge (Alma 5-7)

Alma 5:26… if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

The redeeming power of Christ to pull us through the toughest moments is the climax of the supreme plan of salvation. “There is one thing which is of more importance than they all—…that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.” (Alma 7:7) “No man be saved except his garments are washed white … through the blood of him of whom it a has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.” (Alma 5:21) This is the power that sets us free, it cuts the chains that bind us through anxiety, depression , pain, sin, addiction, and weakness. “He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.” “He may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy.” (Alma 7:11,12) Redemption can’t be bought, traded or gifted—it’s free to all who will allow Christ into their hearts and lives. “He sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them.” (Alma 5:33) The power of redemption is the power to know the Savior and build unwavering trust in His ultimate love and attention in each of our lives. It is the power to follow him through the thick and the thin. It is the power to endure to the end, and to achieve complete peace and faith. It is through the power of redemption that we can shake off the world and are wrapped in the eternal arms of the savior while here on earth. “A mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.” (Alma 5:13) “the Lord God hath power to do all things which are according to his word.” (Alma 7:8)

Alma 5:7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.

The scriptures refer to Christ as our shepherd and we are his flock, if one of us is lost, He will do all in his power to rescue us. This power is the ultimate power, and can only be deflected by our agency. “The good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.” (Alma 5:60) We get to choose to allow the Savior to redeem us. There are only two folds, and two shepherds. “I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd.” (Alma 5:38-39) “Whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.” (Alma 5:40) “If a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him.” (Alma 5:41) 

We can know the Savior and for ourselves, and experience his redeeming love through repentance, prayer, and fasting. “I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit.” (Alma 5:46) Then we must be humble and teachable, begging and thanking the Lord for His Atonement, that brings us one with Him. “Ye had humbled yourselves before God, and that ye had continued in the supplicating of his grace.” (Alma 7:3) “Ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.” (Alma 7:23) This is where peace in Christ is found, “May the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever.” Alma 7:27)

Alma 5: 50 Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.

Questions to Ponder: (Alma 5)

1. Have ye spiritually been born of God?
2. Have ye received his image in your countenances?
3. Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
4. Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?
5. Have works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?
6. Can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands?
7. Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God?
8. Are ye stripped of pride?

-Written by Sherri Jorgensen