James D. Lee, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Computer and information Sciences, spoke on the desire to become better christians, saints and disciples of Christ in his devotional address Tuesday, November 6. “Over the years, I have learned that becoming a number one Christian is not simply something that I would like to do, but it is something that I need to do if I want to return and live with Father in Heaven again…. it is something that requires a lifetime of effort, lots of repenting, learning along the way, overcoming challenges and obstacles, loving and serving each other and most importantly, taking advantage of the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
Brother Lee first taught that in order to be on the path of righteousness we must be consciously making decisions that reflect the Savior. “We are here to make choices and we will make many, many choices throughout our lives. When we are young, our parents help and encourage us, sometimes strongly encourage us, to make good choices. As we get older, though, we must learn to make those choices for ourselves.” Lee later continued, “As part of God’s plan for us, we were sent from His presence to this earth to receive a physical body. His plan required that we be given our agency. In order for us to become like Him, we must choose for ourselves, between good and evil.”
He further detailed how the power of the scriptures in our lives can lead us closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Making time each day for scripture study will strengthen us in our resolve to keep the commandments. Additionally, in the scriptures, we can ponder the teachings of Jesus Christ and learn more of him and what we must do to become like him. As we study the scriptures and the teachings of the living prophets, the Holy Ghost can bear witness to us of the truthfulness of what we are studying.” He continued to say, “The scriptures, living prophets, and the Holy Ghost are necessary and invaluable tools in helping us to become like the Savior. Our desire to become like him is also important. As we learn of him and his ways, we will try to be more like him.”
In emphasizing the importance of being true disciples of Christ, Brother Lee taught that, “Making the covenant to be a disciple of Christ is the beginning of a lifelong process, and the path is not always easy. As we repent of our sins and strive to do what He would have us do and serve our fellowmen as He would serve them, we will inevitably become more like Him. Becoming like Him and being one with Him is the ultimate goal and objective—and essentially the very definition of true discipleship.”
In closing Brother Lee left the audience with a promise and challenge. “Heavenly Father knows you and He loves you. He wants you back with Him. Through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, he has made it possible for you to overcome the natural man and to become all that he needs you to become. If we will do all that we can, if we will keep loving and serving each other, keep getting up each time we are down, repenting quickly and day by day overcoming the world, becoming more and more like His Son, His promises to us are great.”
See the complete Devotional address from November 6, 2012.
University Devotionals are held each Tuesday at 11 AM in the Cannon Activities Center. Previous Devotionals can be viewed or read at devotionals.byuh.edu.