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A review by papidoc
The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox
4.0
Wilcox's memorable insight regarding the continuous atonement is perhaps best captured in his analogy of a young Priest offering the sacrament prayers. They are among the few prayers that must be repeated perfectly, word by word. Yet what happens when the one offering the prayers doesn't get them right? The expectation of perfection cannot be lowered, but the one giving the prayers is given a second chance...and a third, fourth, or fifth, or however many times are needed. No matter how often he blows it, when he finally does get it right, it is accepted and counted as perfect. Similarly, we are given many opportunities to start over, and though perfection is our ultimate goal (Matthew 5:48), for now, in this imperfect and mortal life, we must be satisfied with progress in that direction.
That continuity of progression is reflected in Wilcox's discussion of the continuous atonement. For example, he quotes Elder Bruce C. Hafen: The Savior's gift of grace to us is not necessarily limited in time to 'after' all we can do. We may receive His grace before, during, and after the time when we expend our own efforts." Like another he mentions, I have often felt that the Savior will only help me after all I can do, and yet I know full well that rarely, if ever, have I really done all I could do. The problem is, I need Him now, not at some hypothetical future time when I have done everything possible on my own. Wilcox points out that Satan tempted Christ with the word "if," but that his attacks on us more often begin with the words "if only." Those words, and the discouragement that all too often follows them, can quickly drive the Spirit away. No matter how meager our offering, perhaps it is acceptable to God because (as Elder Gerald N. Lund wrote) "He is more concerned with the offerer than the offering." Or, as we are taught in Hebrews 12:2, we shouldn't give up, God isn't finished with us yet, for He is the "finisher of our faith."
The Continuous Atonement is comforting and thoughtful, and I recommend it.
That continuity of progression is reflected in Wilcox's discussion of the continuous atonement. For example, he quotes Elder Bruce C. Hafen: The Savior's gift of grace to us is not necessarily limited in time to 'after' all we can do. We may receive His grace before, during, and after the time when we expend our own efforts." Like another he mentions, I have often felt that the Savior will only help me after all I can do, and yet I know full well that rarely, if ever, have I really done all I could do. The problem is, I need Him now, not at some hypothetical future time when I have done everything possible on my own. Wilcox points out that Satan tempted Christ with the word "if," but that his attacks on us more often begin with the words "if only." Those words, and the discouragement that all too often follows them, can quickly drive the Spirit away. No matter how meager our offering, perhaps it is acceptable to God because (as Elder Gerald N. Lund wrote) "He is more concerned with the offerer than the offering." Or, as we are taught in Hebrews 12:2, we shouldn't give up, God isn't finished with us yet, for He is the "finisher of our faith."
The Continuous Atonement is comforting and thoughtful, and I recommend it.