In his epistles, John testifies that different aspects of our discipleship are more integrated than we might realize. For example:
- “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3).
- “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1 John 4:7).
- “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments” (1 John 5:2).
I’ve found many similar statements of equivalence in these epistles. This diagram shows some of them:
On one hand, you could take this message as a warning: The gospel of Jesus Christ is not divisible. You can’t say, “I’m willing to love God and love His children, but I’ll take a pass on keeping His commandments and being born again.” It’s a package deal. You can’t experience any of these things without experiencing them all, to some degree.
On the other hand, this principle can give us confidence. Don’t know where to start? Start anywhere on the diagram. As you strive to keep God’s commandments, you’ll love Him more. As you love Him more, you’ll get to know Him better. As you know Him better, your love for His children will grow, and so on.
In one of Mormon’s epistles to his son Moroni, he outlines a similar virtuous cycle which happens as we begin to follow the Savior:
The first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;
And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God.
Moroni 8:25-26
You could certainly read that passage as a linear sequence of events, but I think it’s similar to the equivalences of John. Meekness, love, prayer, repentance, receiving the Holy Ghost, and remission of sins don’t entirely precede or follow one another. They come together, and they reinforce one another.
Today, I will remember the holistic nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will remember that knowing God, loving Him, living as He would have me live, and becoming what He wants me to become are all interconnected and mutually supporting.
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