Sorrow, Love, Justice, and Choices

Sorrow and love by themselves cannot overcome Justice. They cannot prevent the consequences of laws. Even God’s love, which is mightier than any of our love, could not save us without a payment of Justice. Love must be translated into the necessary action. That is how love saves us: not by allowing or condoning sin, but by overcoming it. God’s love manifested itself in the sending of The Son, and by the suffering, death, and resurrection of that Son.

Even then, even after Christ suffered and paid the price for sin, we are not fully saved if we continue as we please. If we choose our own way and do our own thing.

Jesus did not say, “I love you so you can keep doing what you are doing.” He called people to repentance. He asked them to change, to be born again, to become new creatures. He requires even now that we strive to repent, to give up our own will, and to instead do what the Father asks of us.

Jesus sorrowed for Jerusalem, but His sorrow alone could not save those who lived there nor save the city. Likewise, parents and friends may sorrow for the sufferings and trials of their loved ones. But their sorrow alone cannot undo choices or make them good or right. Condoning sin or immoral behavior does not bring happiness. But repentance and the atonement of Jesus Christ can.