I Believe

A number of people portray a form of godliness that is contrary to Biblical truth; turn away from such people. According to a doctor, there are no drugs that are one hundred percent safe; however, there are occasions when their use is the lesser of two evils. Be strong and of good courage (faith) to cope in a dangerous world with all of its temptations and intimidations. Because of our “fallen nature,” we are all born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil and need to be redeemed. It is wise and beneficial to refrain from all kinds of sin (wrongs), especially those that produce deadly consequences in everyday living. Examples are the following: MONEY, the love of money meaning gain at any cost is a good thing; IDOLATRY, worshipping created things more than the Creator God; FORNICATION, premarital sex that is degrading and often results in sexual disease and abortion.

Many people have trouble understanding the prosperity of the ungodly along with the suffering of the righteous. Why would a loving God seem to endorse such a system? The answer to this paradox is not apparent in the present time but in the world to come, where hell awaits the ungodly and heaven awaits those whom God has redeemed through faith in Christ. God’s justice will prevail in His time. Our words should not be crude, obscene, foolish, bitter, false, or malicious; instead, they should be good, true, and gracious, so that they build up are hearers. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey the Lord, especially by their example and spoken words.

The Bible is not just a great book—it is THE Book! Its content is and will be forever. Those who abide by it are guaranteed salvation. The sin of pride (arrogance) was the very first sin and is still the most difficult one to overcome, but God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. There must be an authorized chain-of-command in any church body or other organizations for them to functions responsibly. The key is loyalty to God’s Word. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars, for those who do not love a brother or a sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they have not seen.

Self-reflection is always a good exercise. What I believe is a work in progress, not limited to these statements and subject to change. What do YOU believe?

Daniel Taddeo

Longtime Parma Hts. resident and educator in the Parma School district.

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Volume 8, Issue 12, Posted 6:53 PM, 12.04.2016