Atonement
“Christ’s infinite atonement declared your infinite worth.”
This quote comes from the Follow Him podcast. I do not remember which of their guests said this, but I have pondered the statement for several weeks. I want to share what I have learned.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are taught from a young age that Christ died for our sins. He experienced all of our pains, heartache, and sorrow. He did this so that we can have the opportunity to repent and become perfect in Christ.
The next stage of this thought was presented at church this past week. An awesome recent convert made the point that “even if you were the only sinner on earth, Christ still would have suffered for your sins.” That is a beautiful and true point. He loves us enough to go after and save that single “lost sheep.”
From there my mind realized this. Christ suffered for everyone so that I could be saved. Even if He knew that no one else but me would repent He would have still paid the price. This isn’t a novel concept; we’ve all been taught that the atonement is a gift that we choose to accept. But just this idea that even if He knew 100% with no doubt in his mind that out of everyone one who ever existed, only I would repent, He still would have paid the infinite price.
“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath arisen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” (D&C 18:10-16)
If you want to increase your sense of self-worth and confidence, study the gospel of Jesus Christ. Explore your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Learn who you are. You will learn that you are a son or daughter of God, and that you have divine worth and potential. But most of all, you will feel loved. There is no greater expression of love than the Atonement of Jesus Christ and God’s Plan of Salvation. (John 3:16, John 15:13)
