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Characteristics of Christ
One of the first steps of knowing the Lord is understanding his character and attributes. The Lord has prepared opportunities for us to learn about his character. Revelations through the ages to prophets ancient and modern reveal the truth about his character.
In order to have sufficient faith in him to attain eternal life, and all of its attendant blessings—including obtaining the Second Comforter—we must first know who Christ, our Savior, is. We must thoroughly understand him, and believe that he has the power and ability to save us. “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in Heaven and in Earth; believe that he hath all wisdom, and all power, both in Heaven and in Earth.”
Though there are many characteristics of God and his Son, Jesus Christ, we will only focus on six. These six characteristics are highlighted in Joseph Smith’s teachings on the subject of faith found in the Lectures on Faith. Joseph taught the foundational principle of faith in the School of the Prophets, and that by understanding these six fundamental characteristics of God, one can come to have sufficient faith in him to be saved. Those characteristics include the following:
First, That he was God before the world was created, and the same God that he was, after it was created.
Secondly, That he is merciful, and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that he was so from everlasting, and will be to everlasting.
Thirdly, That he changes not, neither is there variableness with him; but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday to-day and forever; and that his course is one eternal round, without variation.
Fourthly, That he is a God of truth and cannot lie.
Fifthly, That he is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him.
Sixthly, That he is love.
Lectures on Faith 3.13-18
The following sections will highlight each of these characteristics through scriptural reference to created a deeper base for understanding the Lord that we may have sufficient faith in him to secure the promises of eternal life.
The Eternal Nature of God
One of the foundational characteristics of God is his eternal nature. “I am endless,” the Lord said, “for endless is my name,” He existed as God before this world was created and will continue to exist as God after the world has ended. Let us be clear here. When speaking of God’s eternal nature, we are speaking of Jesus Christ as well as God the Father, for they are one. “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also,” the Lord told his disciples. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” So, to speak of the character of one is to also address the character of the other. They are the same in likeness and every other aspect.
Jesus Christ is the God of the Old and New Testaments. He is also our God today. And he will be our God forever. He does not replace the Father, but has become one with Father, just as we can also become one with him and with Father.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.
He lives as he has ever lived, even from the foundations of this earth. “The Son was with God, and the Son was of God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.” Jesus Christ was with the Father from the very beginning, and he will continue…. [Continue reading here.]
Find out how to come closer to Christ here here.
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