An Old Cowboy Song

Sister Christine Masters, Full Time Missionary   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

When I was young, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans sang a cowboy song called “The Bible Tells Me So.”

I remember some of the words. “Have faith, hope, and charity. That’s the way to live successfully.  How do I know? The Bible tells me so.”

After all these years, I would have to agree emphatically.  The triad of faith, hope, and charity is one of the central points of the gospel message.  “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity.”  1 Corinthians  13:13

How do we view each other?  Are we quick to judge prior to accumulating all the facts?  Our Savior said, “Judge not.” Matthew 7:1   He further said, “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considereth not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Matthew 7:3

When we recognize that each of us has imperfections, we must strive to view the imperfections of others with the pure love of Christ.  After all, they are our fellow travelers through this mortal life and we have a divine mandate to uphold, encourage, and support them. Charity, or the pure love of Christ, is the opposite of criticism of another’s actions, words, or appearances.

True charity is love in action. Charity is the patience we display when someone disappoints us.  Charity resists the urge to criticize others.  Charity is working hard not to be easily offended.  Charity is giving aid to the physically and spiritually afflicted.  Charity is looking beyond another’s physical appearance to their true character.  The need for charity is everywhere.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is love.”  1 John 4:7-8

News-Reporter    Cambridge, Idaho   August 2014