What Christians Do…Do You? 2 Timothy 2:19-26

2 Timothy 2:19-26
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Commentary:
In verse 19 We learn the foundation of God is sure or solid having his seal or approval.  The lord knows all  of mankind and which people in humanity are His already. And as we will see a bit latter He is not content with knowing whose are His, He wants all of humanity, not in any greedy senese, but because He knows what will make His children happiest and He wants to live with all his children  for e ternity. Our Father in Heaven doesn’t want to loose anyone.

In verses 20-21 The scriptures use a metaphor of  a great house being our world. Vessels  would be His children and the children  of  gold and silver could be people of high place and stature. The vessels of wood and earth may be the common man or the poor. Of all these people some honor The Lord while others do not honor the Lord. Be they rich or poor, bond or free.

Those vessels or children of God who honor Him are serviceable to the Lord. If the dishonorable will repent and cleanse themselves of unrighteousness then they to can become servicable to our Father in Heaven to the extent they can do every good work required of them in the service of our Heavenly King.

In verse 22-26 we are given further instruction as to what the penitent should do to keep on the side of honor and what the  those who are already honorable should do to stay that way.

The list is detailed: “Flee also youthful lusts”, “follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace”. The phrase “with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” shows that these virtues are what the honorable or those who seek and serve the Lord already do.

These verses go on to say “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” Thise phrase tells us that we are not to engage in strife or contention but follow after peace as has already been stated. 

Those seeking after the Lord must be gentle unto all men, teach the good word unto all men and also be patient with all men. No one said being a Christian was easy. We’re told that in meekness we must instruct those opposing the natural or base man. We Should not cease striving to help those in dishonour becasue we don’t know who “God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth”.

If we can help someone to the truth and to repentance then so much the better. If we can help others escape the snares of the wicked one or recover those already taken captive by the devil then we bring further honor to the Lord. Everything we do should be done for the glory of God.

Remember the resurrected Lord has made repentance possible, not just for you and me but for those who are being tempted and falling away from the truth. The atonement covers all men and not only do we need to help these people repent but also bring the gospel by teaching and instruction to those who don’t have it. We can do this by both word and example.

Christian and Religious Jewelry

HYMNS – A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

A poor wayfaring Man of grief Hath often crossed me on my way, Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer nay. I had not power to ask his name, Whereto he went, or whence he came; Yet there was something in his eye That won my love; I knew not why. Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered; not a word he spake, Just perishing for want of bread. I gave him all; he blessed it, brake, And ate, but gave me part again. Mine was an angel’s portion then, For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste. I spied him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; his strength was gone. The heedless water mocked his thirst; He heard it, saw it hurrying on. I ran and raised the suff’rer up; Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, Dipped and returned it running o’er; I drank and never thirsted more. ’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew A winter hurricane aloof. I heard his voice abroad and flew To bid him welcome to my roof. I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest And laid him on my couch to rest; Then made the earth my bed, and seemed In Eden’s garden while I dreamed. Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway side. I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, Revived his spirit, and supplied Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed. I had myself a wound concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up my broken heart. In pris’n I saw him next, condemned To meet a traitor’s doom at morn. The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored him ’mid shame and scorn. My friendship’s utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for him would die. The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill, But my free spirit cried, “I will!” Then in a moment to my view The stranger started from disguise. The tokens in His hands I knew; The Savior stood before mine eyes. He spake, and my poor name He named, “Of Me thou hast not been ashamed. These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto Me.” James Montgomery

Endure To Reign With Him 2 Timothy 2:12

2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.

Commentary:
The greek meaning for the word “suffer” is to endure, remain constant. So let plug that menaing into the verse and read it again.  “If we endure, remain constant, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”

As we live life and go through the many challenges that life brings upon us and remain constant and endure the trials then we will reign with of Mediator. If we don’t remain constant and if we don’t endure lifes challenges then it will be the opposite. Also if we deny Him He will deny us.

In what ways do we deny Him? Some of the  thoughts I have on that subject is we can  deny him by knowing better and choosing to live life contrary to the gospel. Live a sinful life. Try living a good life but failing to repent out of pride, laziness or for whatever reason.

Not living the gospel when we know better. Salvation is offered to all men through our Saviors love. Saying no thanks to Him is to deny Him.

Online blog and nationally published news magazine are writting about the decline of Christianity in Western Civilization and in America. I fear that as Christians we are not doing our part to reclaim them. We need to reach out with love not judgement and encourage them to receive the eternal blessing of the Good News or otherwise known as the Gospel.  I don’t know it if will help or not (can’t hurt). To all you readers and participaters of this blog I ask you to email this url to all your friends and ask them to give it a look. We’re just talking about Christian Scriptures here nothing to offend anyone over.

Apostacy 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.

Commentary:
This passge of scripture is a the Aposlte Pauls second Epistle to the Thessalonians which is well after the resurrection of Christ and the organization of the Apostolic reign of the Church.

This Biblical passage speaks of an apostacy (which means a falling away from) of the Church presently constituted.

It starts off talking about the comming of the Lord. Since His first coming was already done and essentially over with this means that Paul is talking about the Second Coming of Christ.

The passage starts off with “Now we beseech you…”, what is being beseeched is that the Saints or Christians “be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word”.

Paul goes on to say “Let no man deceive you by any means” for that day (The Second Coming of Christ) shall not come, “except there come a falling away first”. The “falling away” is the apostacy. This would indicate that Paul, in his Apostolic capacity, was prophesying that there would be a falling away from the church that was then constituted under Apostolic reign.

Remember Paul was not one of the original Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. There were a few new Apostles but then eventually all the Apostles died off or we killed. They were not replaced. After sometime without the oversight of the Apostles, the Church which they had flourishing started to fall apart and splinter into different sects with different ideas on interpretation of the various books of scripture that were not yet compilled into what we know now as the Holy Bible.

It is truely a blessed miracle that enough books of scripture were preserved well enough to make it in to the Bible we now know. It is also sad as to doctrines and books that well may have been lost.

Mankind Is Not Saved By Grace But By Works…

Revelation 20:12-13
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Galatians 5:4
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Commentary:
I do believe that we are saved by grace. I deliberately made the title a little controversial because I want to get you attention. In the almost 100 posts on this blog I have not done that and do not plan on doing so very often. I’m sorry for it being a little tricky with the title.

However I did a post sometime ago about Grace Vs. Works and I got a response saying that it was all about grace. I replied to her to thank her for her comments and I asked he to respond to the very important scripture which is the first one listed. Revelation 20:12-13. This passage is emphatic that we will be judged by our works!

The main part of this post is about Revelations 20:12-13 and Ephesians 2:8-9. I included the other two passge of scripture to make a few points which are. We are commanded to be perfect but mortal men cannot achieve it. It is impossible. Unless Grace comes into play. If we strive to become perfect and fall short which we all will we can still make it with grace (which is Divine power or help).

Some Christians have the mistaken idea that we can simply accept Christ as our personal Savior and we are saved by grace, period. That’s why I included the other scripture which tells us it is possible to fall from grace.

But ulitimately it comes down to two scriptures: Revelations 20:12-13 and Ephesians 2:8-9. We have the Bible which consists of the Old and New Testaments. Can we say one verse is wrong because another verse is right. We have to take them altogether as one. Can you say that the Book Revelation is wrong and Epsitle to the Ephesians is right? No that simply isn’t true. So how can these seemingly opposing passages work together?

I think the key is found in a phrase from the passage in Ephesians which says “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The glory for our salvation goes to the Almighty. Since we are comanded to be perfect like Christ is perfect, no matter how hard we work, no matter what works we do, as a mortal we will end up falling short because we are human and we cannot meet the demands of divine justice.

Jesus Christ was the only one able to meet the demands justice requires and he did so, for all of humanity.

We will be judged by our works as taught by the Book of Revelation. Each of us will be judged by our works and earn a certain level. No matter if you we Adam, Abraham, Joeseph, Peter or Paul you will come up to a level that is short of the glory of God. And without grace we would never get to live with God.

So the summation is that we are required to do good works because it is how we will be judged but even after that we cannot boast and say I and I alone worked my way up to Heaven. That cannot happen. Grace made up the difference and got us the rest of the way up. If we relied on Grace alone we would get very far becasue we did not demonstrate our faith by our works and therefore we have no real faith and with out faith no grace.

Ephesians 2:8 says at the beginning, “For by grace are ye saved through faith”. Which means we have to have faith to be saved by grace. Consider the bolded potions of this reference in James:

James 2:10-19
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

If you disagree with me and I’m sure there are plenty, let me know through posting a comment. But please respond how Revelation 20:12-13 and James 2:10-19 fits into all of this.

Thanks and God bless.

 

 

Are We Christians? 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23

1 Thessalonians 5:12-23
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentary:
I was reading somewhere and come across this quote from Ghandi, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”  Thankfully not ever christian fits Ghandi’s observance. But he brings up a good point. The Scriptures are full of lists of Christian virtues by which we can measure ourselves. When we do make the comparision?

Lets use this passge of scripture for an point of reference to measure ourselves to see what kind of christian we are.

Comfort the Feebleminded. The Greek version of this phrase is the faint-hearted, despondent. Do we comfort the feeble minded? Do we take time out of our day to do so? Are we looking to do so?

Support The Week. It’s one thing to support the week when the oppotunity is placed before us but do we go looking for it?

Be Patient Toward All Men. Are we patient towards are fellow men all the time? We’re at a resturant and we are not getting the service we want or expect. We’re paying good money for the food and experience. Are we patient when things don’t go right. does paying someone money give us the right to be rude and overly demanding?

None Render Evil For Evil. We shouldn’t try to get even with someone who has wronged us. Others scriptures tell us to pray for them which do bad to us.

Ever Follow That Which Is Good. We we find joy and pleasure in evil things? We should always be looking for that which is good and prasieworthy and support such things. The righteous cannot find joy in things that are wicked.

Rejoice Evermore. Do we rejoice in the Gospel according to what we have with the Holy Bible and Christian Scripture? Do we rejoice the potential savation wrought for us by the Atonement of our Savior?

Pray without ceasing. Do we pray without ceasing? Can we be full, drawn out in prayer continuosly while we are at work? While we are asleep? While we are in conversation, etc.? If we agree that there are various levels or degrees or prayer than I say that we can pray with ceasing. We have our formal prayer in private, we have our family prayer, we have our prayers at Church. We have our silent private prayers while our mind is doing the talking to an ever listening Father and Heaven. We have quick prayers when we find ourself in distress. Not all prayers use the same words or share the same urgency but they are to the same Father in Heaven. If we are participating in all those forms of prayer and if our mind is always on the lookout for help from our Creator then I think we can say we pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks. Do we continually pratice the “attitude of gratitude”? Do we preceed our meals with a prayer of thanks. Do we feel we earned that raise or do we feel to thank God for the raise. We worked hard and got a promotion. Do we feel good about our hard work and long hours or do we acknowledge Him from whom all blessings flow? It may appear that we paid the price to earn or gain something but in truth we owe all that we have to the merciful grace from our Father in Heaven.

Despise not prophesyings. This is an interesting point. So many Christians feel that we have a Bible and that we need no more than that. Yet this phrase from this passage of scripture we’re studying indicates that it’s an ongoing thing and that we should not dispise it. What do you think it means.

Abstain from all appearance of evil. Is it right to keep company in a situation where the participants are using drugs, drinking to get drunk etc, even if we ourselves are not doing any of that? Someone could see us from a distance and make a fair assumption that we are involved. Whatever example we may have been to that person is shot. When we take upon ourselves the name of Christ we make a promise to look after mankind and do whatever we can to help. Part of that is being an example. If we loose the opportunity to be an example then we have hurt a chance we may have had to help.

For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. These things we have reflected on are the of God and christ concerning us. If we are always striving to do these things then we can be seen as Christians and what Ghandi said will not be the case with us as we really live our religion.

Set of Instructions to Follow 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

1  Thessalonians 5:8-11
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Commentary:
In this passge of Holy Writ we are counseled to be sober, to have faith and love. We are further counselled to have a hope of salvation. We should not participate in wrath. Our hope of salvation comes from the Savior who died for us so that we might live with Him in a coming day.

We are to comfort one another and edify each other. This counsel or inspired advice is designed to help us so live that in the end we shall be worthy to live forever with Him who paid the price, even our Lord and Savior.

We are fortunate indeed. We were sent to earth to receive a mortal body and to live in a corrupt world. We were given the charge to live righteously and gain the knowledge, experience and worthiness to come back and live with our Father who art in Heaven and with His Holy Son.

But we were given many things to help us along the way. We were given an eternal and infinate Atonement through Jesus Christ. We have been given holy scriptures which teach us the things we must do to live with Him again. We have been given the Holy Ghost after proper baptism as a guide and comforter.

We have been given every needful thing for us to fight the good fight, to finish the race and be found worthy to live with our Creator once again. This passge of scripture is just one of thousands of verses designed for our welfare.

Singing, Hymns Spiritual Songs Colossians 3:16

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Commentary:
There are scriptures that talk about singing praises to the Lord. This one is a little different in that it talks about using psalms and hymns to teach and admonish one another. Spiritual songs and hymns are a great way to teach truthes because our hearts are more open when we feel the music and we are in a different state to learn than when we are sitting listening to the speaker at the pulpit. With singing we are participating.

What is your favorite Psalm, Hymn or Spiritual song?

How To Be Holy Like God and Christ Colossians 3:8-17

Colossians 3:8-17
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

commentary:
The entire third chapter of Colossians should be read, understood and felt. We will only touch on a few things in this commentary. Read and ponder the entire chapter on your own. Don’t rely solely on this commentary. The doctrines taught here are to vast and deep for a simple commentary.

What strikes me about this chapter and especially verses 8-17 is the fact that it pretty well lays out a detailed list of things we shouldn’t do and things we should do. To follow after our Savior there are things not to do and things to do. By following these lists we can become Holy like our Father in Heaven and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ our Messiah.

This list is not complete. We need to consider all that Christian Scriptures teach to have a full and complete list. But this list, if applied in our lives, would make us far more holy than we are now.

What we shouldn’t do:
We should not participate in anger. We should not suffer wrath to be in our heart. We should not have malice toward anyone. We should not blaspheme anything sacred or holy but treat such things with deep respect and holiness. 

The scriptures repeatedly teach us not to take the name of the Lord Thy God in vain. It’s one of the Ten Commandments. We know swearing or using cuss words is wrong. But verse 8 teaches us “But now ye also put off”…”filthy communication out of your mouth”. In other words, we should refrain from filthy speech. I will not enumerate filthy words as an example of what not to do. I submit that if you approach this with true humility and a sincere desire you’ll know what is filthy speech.

We are taught in verse nine not to lie. Now here’s a phrase I am not absolutely sure about but I think I understand. Please correct me if I am wrong. The phrase is “put off the old man with his deeds”.

I think that phrase refers to the old man of sin. If we repent we are putting off the old sinful man and the deeds that made him sinful. We are made new again at baptism and we are made new again when we are repentant.

Silver Cross Necklace

What we should do:
Be merciful to all. Be kind to all. Be humble in our mind. Have the qualities of meekness and longsuffering. Be
forbearing towards one another. Be forgiving to yourself and others. Not only be forgiving but forgive them which you may quarrel with. Win or lose, above all forgive. Is our forgiveness complete? Weigh it against this phrase “even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye”. We need to forgive as Christ forgives.

We don’t have to wear Christian jewelry but it serves as great reminder to the types of things we are talking about in this article. We can use all the help we can get to remember on a daily basis, right?

For most Christians the cross necklace is a great way to wear a token of your faith. Sterling silver cross necklaces come with a wide selection and are the most highly reflective o all precious metals and sterling silver cross necklaces are very afordable. You could buy five or six silver cross necklaces for the price o one gold cross necklace. Sterling silver cross necklaces go with everything unlike gold cross necklaces.

Sterling Silver Cross Necklace

Remember in 1 Corinthians 13, the great chapter on Charity which is the pure love of Christ. It was emphatic on Charity being the greatest of all virtues spoken of in that chapter. In verse 14 it is about as emphatic on charity. “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness”. If we can perfect our Charity (or Christ like Love) then we can become perfect. Thank goodness for repentance to help us along the way. Thank heaven that because of Christ satisfying the demands of justice we can have grace to help us in our quest for true Charity.

We are also taught to have peace in our hearts but not just any peace, the “peace of God rule in your hearts”. Peace comes by our closeness to God and these virtues taught in this scripture passage will surely help. We need to be thankful. Thankful for what? The answer is everything. Some one coined the phrase “An attitude of gratitude. We are to be grateful to our Father in Heaven, our Redeemer and for everything we have. 

We are taught to let the wisdom of Christ be in us. Rely on His wisdom over the wisdom of the world.  We should sing in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, “with grace in your hearts to the Lord”.

Sterling Silver Cross Necklace

This choice passage of holy scripture needs to be understood and felt and practiced. It won’t happen all at once but it can happen over time and with effort. The blessings that will come will make it worth the effort. 

Avoid Philosophy & Traditions of Men Colossians 2:8

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Commentary:
This important scripture warns us not to be decieved by the philosophies, vain deceits and the traditions of men based on worldly wisdom not inspired from Christ.

Why would someone who would even care about being decieved by the traditions and philosophies of men, allow themselve to be lead away from things inspired of the world and not of Christ? I would really like some feedback on this. It is important to cover all the bases of being misled so that we can avoid being misled.

The ideas that come to me are as follows:
1. Some just do not know the words of Christ like they should. Where do we find the words of the Lord? In the Holy Scriptures. Do we only rely on what we are taught? Do we rely only on what is preached to us? We shouldn’t! What we learn at sunday services should only be a minor portion of what we learn about the gospel.

We should read regularly from the Christian Scriptures. Daily would be best. Read through the Bible and when we’re done, read it again and again and again…. We shouldn’t just read it, but we should ponder verses that seem to jump out at us. Liken the scriptures to us. Inject ourselves into the acriptures and aply them to our daily living. We need to understand the scriptures for ourselves by the influence of the Holy Spirit. Our understanding should not be limited to by teachers and preachers.

2. When we come across philosophies and traditions we need to measure them against what the scriptures say. If it doesn’t fit within the sacred text of holy scriptures reject it. the vain deciets of men may sound nice and feel good but if it is contrary to the standard works of the scriptures then it must be rejected if we don’t want to be mislead.

3. If we are daily reading from the scriptures then we should feel good about ourselves and have confidence, after all we are created in the image of God. We are physically like our Heavenly Father. Our Redeemer sacrificed His life for us because of  His love for us. These types of teachings are true and should make us feel good about ourselves.

Why is this important? Often those most likely to be overcome by the traditions and teachings of men after the influence of the wisdom of the world is because they have low self esteem. If you read regularly from holy writ then you know you are a spirit child of our Heavenly Father and it is in the grand design of our Lord for us to be happy and not carry around the burden of sin. Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

This is a good start in avoiding the worldly inspired philosophies, tradions and deceits of men. Am I missing something that can help others avoid being misled?