Robinson - Believing Christ: A Practical Approach to the Atonement - 1990

The speaker reflects on the humorous thought of how their old primary teachers would react to their current position, leading into a deeper topic.

First Point: God cannot look upon sin. - Reference to Doctrine and Covenants, Section 1, Verse 31: "For I, the Lord, cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." - Implication: God is unable to tolerate sin at any level.
Second Point: Humanity's sinful nature. - Statement: "I sin, and so do you." - Conclusion: Without a solution, humans cannot dwell in God's presence due to sin.

The purpose of the talk: to discuss the atonement of Christ as the means to resolve the dichotomy.

Anecdote about the speaker's son, Michael (aged 6 or 7). - Incident: The speaker was stern with his son for a perceived terrible action, sending him to his room. - Realization: After hours, the son asks, "Dad, can't we ever be friends again?" - Reflection: This mirrors our relationship with God when we sin and feel distant from Him.

Acknowledgment of sins and emotional repercussions. - Metaphor: Describing the feeling of sin as akin to having "drank raw sewage." - Call to God: "Oh, Father, can't we ever be friends again?" - Scriptural Assurance: Reference to Isaiah 1:18, emphasizing redemption: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." - Paraphrase: God offers forgiveness regardless of the past.

Definition of faith. - Belief in Identity vs. Capacity: Believing Christ is not just recognizing his divine identity but also trusting in his ability to save from sin. - Illustrations of common doubts encountered as a bishop: - Questions from church members doubting their worthiness due to sin. - Examples: - "I punched my ticket wrong." - "I'm just an average saint." - Response to a member feeling unworthy: "None of us are celestial material," emphasizing the equality of imperfection.

Discussion of the pressure to be perfect causing despair. - Assurance: Christ can change and redeem us, highlighting the comfort found in His atonement.

Story from ten years ago regarding the speaker’s wife, Janet. - Janet experienced spiritual burnout, feeling overwhelmed by obligations. - Key moments: - Acknowledged her limitations and feelings of failure. - Felt she could never achieve perfection, hence gave up. - The conversation revealed her lack of understanding of Christ's true role as a savior.
Importance of Understanding Christ: Knowing Jesus as an adviser vs. understanding Him as the Savior.

Reference to the Book of Ether, Chapter 3, Verse 2. - Acknowledgment of his imperfections and need to approach God despite weaknesses.

Reference to the Savior's teachings in the New Testament. - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (True fulfillment comes from desiring closeness to God).