Shibon was a never-do-it-oncer. He was that classic
young man raised in the church with obedience that comes naturally in a society
filled with good role models. Shiblon has been steady and faithful unto
God (v.2); he commenced in his youth to look to the Lord. On his mission
to the Zoromites he has been faithful, diligent, patient and long suffering
(v.3). He has been raised well and had made good choices.
Alma, in verse 6, feels to tell his son that he (Alma) has been born of God. He tells his son that he had to cry unto the Lord for mercy, receive a remission of his sins and find peace to his soul. He emphasizes the importance of Jesus Christ being at the center of Shiblon's faith (v.9), not extolling Christ as one of Shiblon's virtues but as counsel for Shiblon to learn wisdom (v.9)
It's as if Alma sees what Shiblon lacks and is gently persuading him to add the mercy (v.8), the saving power (v.9) and centrality of Christ - being the life, the light and the word of truth and righteousness - as new additions to his son's belief system.
Alma counsels Shiblon to be temperate (v.10), not be lifted up in pride (v.11), that he not boast in his own wisdom nor in his much strength (v.11). It's almost as if Alma sees the direction a young man raised well will take if Christ doesn't become the center. Strict observance can unwittingly become pride, the very thing that was to be avoided. If this happens, the mark is missed and the whole of being raised in strict obedience is lost.
Alma counsels his son to take of stand for righteousness (boldness in v.12) but not overbearance; to bridle his passions, be filled with love and refrain from idleness. He then tells Shibon what prayer isn't (v.13). As Alma is speaking of the wickedness of the Zoromites, it's as if he sees something that needs correcting in his son. Alma senses that Shiblon believes he is 'better' than others because he has done all the outward commandments since his youth (see v. 14). Alma's counsel strikes to the heart of the matter that plagues all who have outwardly obeyed yet never felt mercy: judging oneself as better than others. "Rather say, forgive thy unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy" (v.14)
I can imagine seeing the obedient young person, like Shiblon, saying, "but, how can I be unworthy? I have obeyed all the commandments from my youth! I don't get it. This doesn't make sense." Alma goes on and says, "acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times", re-enforcing the fact that Christ paid for all our sins and we will forever be unworthy creatures. There's no changing this. To believe otherwise denies that atonement and suggests that we work our way back to heaven. Then why obey? Why do good works?
Embedded throughout Alma's counsel to his second born son is the need to live a Christ-centered life. We change and become better people because Christ paid for our sins in the first place. He loved us first. This should cause us great humility. Alma was trying to teach his son, and all of us, that we choose to change and progress by and through the grace of God because we love Him and want to be like Him. Any other motive breeds pride. We know we are running on that other motive when we can't see or comprehend our own unworthiness.
Unworthiness, in a scriptural sense, is our acknowledgment to our Savior that he has paid the price so we can return. Mercy has satisfied the demands of Justice. This unworthiness produces an attitude of humility, contriteness and a broken heart. It is the foundation on which all other gospel virtues hinge.
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Posted By NelsonFamilyBlog to Scott's Life at 10/28/2013 07:37:00 AM
Alma, in verse 6, feels to tell his son that he (Alma) has been born of God. He tells his son that he had to cry unto the Lord for mercy, receive a remission of his sins and find peace to his soul. He emphasizes the importance of Jesus Christ being at the center of Shiblon's faith (v.9), not extolling Christ as one of Shiblon's virtues but as counsel for Shiblon to learn wisdom (v.9)
It's as if Alma sees what Shiblon lacks and is gently persuading him to add the mercy (v.8), the saving power (v.9) and centrality of Christ - being the life, the light and the word of truth and righteousness - as new additions to his son's belief system.
Alma counsels Shiblon to be temperate (v.10), not be lifted up in pride (v.11), that he not boast in his own wisdom nor in his much strength (v.11). It's almost as if Alma sees the direction a young man raised well will take if Christ doesn't become the center. Strict observance can unwittingly become pride, the very thing that was to be avoided. If this happens, the mark is missed and the whole of being raised in strict obedience is lost.
Alma counsels his son to take of stand for righteousness (boldness in v.12) but not overbearance; to bridle his passions, be filled with love and refrain from idleness. He then tells Shibon what prayer isn't (v.13). As Alma is speaking of the wickedness of the Zoromites, it's as if he sees something that needs correcting in his son. Alma senses that Shiblon believes he is 'better' than others because he has done all the outward commandments since his youth (see v. 14). Alma's counsel strikes to the heart of the matter that plagues all who have outwardly obeyed yet never felt mercy: judging oneself as better than others. "Rather say, forgive thy unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy" (v.14)
I can imagine seeing the obedient young person, like Shiblon, saying, "but, how can I be unworthy? I have obeyed all the commandments from my youth! I don't get it. This doesn't make sense." Alma goes on and says, "acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times", re-enforcing the fact that Christ paid for all our sins and we will forever be unworthy creatures. There's no changing this. To believe otherwise denies that atonement and suggests that we work our way back to heaven. Then why obey? Why do good works?
Embedded throughout Alma's counsel to his second born son is the need to live a Christ-centered life. We change and become better people because Christ paid for our sins in the first place. He loved us first. This should cause us great humility. Alma was trying to teach his son, and all of us, that we choose to change and progress by and through the grace of God because we love Him and want to be like Him. Any other motive breeds pride. We know we are running on that other motive when we can't see or comprehend our own unworthiness.
Unworthiness, in a scriptural sense, is our acknowledgment to our Savior that he has paid the price so we can return. Mercy has satisfied the demands of Justice. This unworthiness produces an attitude of humility, contriteness and a broken heart. It is the foundation on which all other gospel virtues hinge.
--
Posted By NelsonFamilyBlog to Scott's Life at 10/28/2013 07:37:00 AM
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