Sharing in the Blessings: Faith, Not Merit, is the Core

Sometimes, when we’re deep in study, we focus so much on the *rules*—the traditions, the required efforts, the things we *should* do—that we forget the sheer, miraculous gift of it all. It’s easy to treat the gospel like a system of earning points, like a spiritual meritocracy. But when you walk through the scriptures with the Lord, the pattern that keeps repeating, the one that rings so true, is that nothing is earned.

It’s like that beautiful analogy Paul uses: sharing in the wealth through marriage. You don't magically become wealthy just because you sign the contract; you share in the blessings *because* of the covenant, sealed by the "I Do's."

This truth—that our blessings come by faith, not by works of law—is the bedrock of our discipleship. It’s the anchor for every returned missionary, every disciple learning to live out the gospel in the field, and every member here on the Sovereign.ink network.

The Foundation: Faith Over Works

Paul is crystal clear in Galatians. The blessings of righteousness, the endowment of the Holy Spirit—these are gifts received by faith. They are not commodities we accrue through perfect adherence to tradition or endless effort. And this is a profound comfort, isn't it? It means that while we are called to *maintain* our covenants by faith (we hang on to the blessings by continuing to believe), the initial gift, the divine endowment, is purely a gift.

Think about the covenants we make. Baptism, the temple endowment, the covenants we renew in our hearts—they are all moments where we are united to Christ. There’s no pre-nuptial agreement for the Spirit; it comes through the covenant of faith.

The Promise Extended: Abraham’s Blessing

What struck me most while reviewing this passage was how Paul takes the promise to Abraham—a promise of protection, a great nation, and blessings for all—and shows how it transcends cultural or ethnic boundaries. The promise, which the Jewish readers felt entitled to by lineage, was revealed to be something that could be accessed by *all* through Christ.

This principle is vital for us today as we serve as internet missionaries. We don't need to be from a specific background, or have a specific level of prior knowledge about the restored gospel to partake of the blessings. We are invited to share in the fullness of the gospel through the simple, powerful act of testifying of Christ by faith.

The true essence of the promise was that Abraham and his descendants were being blessed and preserved so that through them Jesus would ultimately come, and when He did, all of the spiritual blessings promised, would be available to all.

This understanding should empower every disciple. Our strength doesn't come from our accumulated knowledge or our perfect adherence to doctrine; it comes from our faith in the Atonement and the covenants we keep through Christ. It’s a continual invitation to keep learning, keep testifying, and keep sharing.

If you are feeling the weight of trying to "earn" your discipleship, I encourage you to lean into the simplicity of faith. Remember that every member can be an internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time.

💡 Mission Prep Skill Spotlight: When discussing the nature of salvation, don't get bogged down in legalistic details. Instead, pivot back to the "marriage analogy"—the covenant union. Keep it simple: "We don't earn it; we are given it through faith in Christ."

If you want to dig deeper into the covenants and the promises of the gospel, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings on the Abrahamic Covenant found in the Iron Rod. Check out the latest readings!

Want to practice walking through these deep doctrinal questions? I’d love for you to bring your toughest questions to Davee in our next study session. Or, if you prefer a structured setting, join a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week!

Come build up your testimony with us.