Have any of you ever read The Continuous Atonement by Brad R. Wilcox? It's an absolutely brilliant book (Yeah, I like the Atonement if none of you can tell!). In it, Wilcox really helps the reader by seeing how the Atonement of Jesus Christ has a personal, real relevance for all. If you ever get the chance to read it, I would highly recommend it.
Today, I want to quote him on something that is rather, well, humorous. My companion, Elder Russell, and I now quote this section of the book with laughter because it makes sin sound...
...funny!
Before you think I'm a blasphemous son-of-a-gun, let me explain to you. Wilcox makes a brilliant mockery of sin. He takes many of the common excuses that we have for sin and puts them in the context of touching a burning stove. Please, take a gander:
(I put * next to my personal favorites.)In the context of touching a hot stove, consider some of the most common excuses for sin:
Just one touch won't hurt.
I'm afraid if I take my hand off I won't be able to leave it off.
I deserve this.
The only reason I feel pain is because of my Mormon culture.
But I was born with the desire to touch the stove.
It's my parents' fault. They're the ones who bought the stove.
I just need to adjust to the burning rather than try to overcome it.
I want to be excommunicated so it won't hurt when I touch the stove.
No one told me touching the hot stove was bad.
*It may hurt, but at least I'm touching it with someone I love.
It's not like it's totally wrong. It's a gray area.
Everyone else is touching it.
I'll touch it if I want. It's my right. Nobody is going to tell me what to do or not do.
Stove? What stove? I don't see any stove.
I just don't care anymore. I'm numb to it.
I know it's wrong, but I'll move my hand tomorrow.
You can't go without touching the stove all the time.
I've blown it now. I might as well touch it more.
*Those who don't touch are so old-fashioned.
*At least it's just my hand and not my whole face.
How will I know it hurts unless I touch it myself?
*At least the other stove touchers accept me and don't judge.
There are others who touch it more than I do.
If God didn't want me to touch the stove, He wouldn't have given me a hand.
Tell me that you didn't chuckle at all. Well, don't tell me that. I hope that you did, chuckle, however. These excuses, though, are true! How pathetic do they sound? Really? Seriously?
Our excuses will do us no good come Judgement Day. The Prophet Alma taught:
14 For our awords will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and thebmountains to fall upon us to chide us from his presence. (Alma 12:14)
Good point. It doesn't matter what excuses we give here. All of our excuses are pathetic, really. When we stand before God to be judged, can you really picture yourself saying, "It's your fault. You gave me the hand!" It's really just not going to cut it.
However, that doesn't mean repentance is easy! It is worth it though. Repentance is a difficult, often painful process that brings joy - infinitely more joy than sin ever will.
And we can talk about repentance through the Atonement another day. I just wanted to share that.
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