We Need the Physician

In the New Testament we read of a time when Jesus sat and ate with publicans and sinners. When the scribes and Pharisees saw this they wondered, "How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?" (Mark 2:16). The Savior's reply to them was, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17). I love the simplicity and beauty of His answer.

Every one of us, who is of sufficient accountability (age and understanding), sins against the commandments of God. We all need the Atonement of Jesus Christ; we all need to be saved.

Mormon, a prophet from The Book of Mormon, taught how we can be cleansed from our sins and thus able to dwell with God once again.

"And 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).

To put our faith in Jesus Christ we must act in faith by repenting of our sins and being baptized. As we humble ourselves through repentance and baptism we will receive the special gift of the Holy Ghost which will bring us hope and love. As we continually repent, pray, and keep God's commandments we will be judged righteous and worthy to live with our Heavenly Father again- which is where I want to be when my life on Earth is over.