Teddy Bear Jesus

I heard the term Teddy bear Jesus the other day, for the first time, describing the way the world portrays Jesus.  I think it's an accurate description of the way the world wants us to see Him.  But it's certainly not an accurate description of how Jesus actually is.

The world wants us to think that Jesus is soft – a pansy, a pushover, all mercy and love and no law nor justice.  Jesus is not a teddy bear.  Jesus is not a pansy.  Yes, Jesus is loving and merciful, but Jesus also lays down the law and is just.

The example that immediately comes to mind is the woman taken in adultery.

John 8:3-11

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

The woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus.  He was reminded that the law of Moses called for her to be stoned to death.  But, Jesus came to fulfill the law of Moses and replaced it with a higher, holier law.  So when asked, Jesus told the adulterous woman's accusers that he who is without sin should cast the first stone.  Since we are all sinners, everybody left.  

Then, interestingly, Jesus told the woman that he did not condemn her.  Why?  Because the law already condemned her.  Committing adultery breaks God's law.  Laws demand justice.  Justice and mercy will be sorted out at final judgment when we face our Savior there.  But what did Jesus tell the woman immediately after He told her He did not condemn her?  He told her to go, and sin no more.  He did not immediately tell her she was forgiven, nor did He offer mercy – because at that point she was not yet repentant.  Mercy and forgiveness are certainly available to the adulterous woman should she choose to repent.  

My point is that just because Jesus did not immediately condemn the adulterous woman does not mean that she gets a get out of jail free card.  Justice demands that she be held accountable for her sins.  Mercy and forgiveness are available if she chooses to repent.  Jesus told her to go and sin no more.  He did not say that what she did was okay.  He was not a teddy bear.  He told her to sin no more.

But that's what the teddy bear Jesus mentality is – commit whatever sins you want (eat drink and be merry) and a loving, merciful Jesus will save you in the kingdom of Heaven.  That is Satan's philosophy and it is false.

I hate to break it to everyone who buys into the teddy bear Jesus philosophy – but there are laws, God's laws or commandments, that must be followed. When those laws are broken justice must be served.  Whether by suffering your own consequences or by forgiveness and mercy through repentance available through Christ's atonement.

I'm just so sick of people pushing the teddy bear Jesus agenda on everybody.  Even many members of the Church believe it.  I see it at church every Sunday i.e. parable hater.  People are so easily buffaloed by the philosophies of men. Satan is so pleased at how quick people are to believe his lies.

Jesus is not a teddy bear.  He is loving and merciful – but He is also just and fair.  His laws demand justice.  Thankfully, through His atonement, mercy is available to us through repentance.  The Scriptures explain this clearly and simply.

The prophet Alma explains it best in the Book of Mormon:

Alma 42:13-15

13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.

14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.

15 And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.

Alma 42:17-18, 21-25 

17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?

18 Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.

21 And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?

22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.

23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.

25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God. 

Mercy cannot rob justice.  That is why Jesus atoned for us.  His atonement satisfies justice while granting mercy through repentance.

The concept of a teddy bear Jesus actually spits in the face of His infinite atonement.  But that's exactly what Satan wants to do with his lies and evil philosophies.

That's my two cents.