“Whatever questions or problems you have,” stated Russell M. Nelson, “the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”

There has been, and will always be a positive influence for good, if we collectively follow Christian habits of daily prayer coupled with daily scripture study, by ourself and with family and friends. Those important routines help us to remember our relationship to our Father in heaven and his Son, Jesus Christ, and the immeasurable blessings we can access due to Christ’s life and sacrifice.

Many will say that claiming to be a Christian, or doing those routines above, doesn’t seem to help everyone, as their actions often don’t reflect what they should be. That criticism is valid, as everyone is still subject to greed, power and other lusts of the flesh, that are part of the temptations we deal with each and every day, whatever your religious persuasion is. Others can rightly point out glaring immoral actions, such as the Crusades or Spanish Inquisition, that were done under the guise of religion. Those examples doesn’t mean that Christ would approve of those agendas, nor that critics of Christianity should summarily dismiss anything religious, due to the misapplied actions of a minority.

The mother of John Wesley (1703-1791) the famous theologian and founder of the Methodist movement, reminded him how to determine if something he might be considering was proper or Christlike. She said, “Would you judge of the lawfulness of unlawfulness of pleasure? Take this rule: Now note, whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.” Good words for each of us to remember and a potent reminder to follow those time-tested Christian habits above, each and every day.

In spite of Christianity being demeaned, since it is supposedly based upon thousands of years of fables, is it not true that that it continues to be the solution when people are looking for answers that tear at our spirits? The animosity of some persons towards those who accept the reality of Jesus Christ and his teachings, and the persecutors’ continuous efforts to end such “foolishness,” by such believers, might do well to consider the words of the Pharisee Gamaliel, in a similar battle that was occurring between Christians in the first century AD and their tormentors at the time. Gamiliel stated, “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these [Christians], and let them alone: for if [their beliefs] or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38,39 [34-39]).

There will always be principles that people will be persuaded live by, so if we eliminate Christianity, with its imperfect people, what will take its place? Aren’t we already witnessing evidence of the absence of the doctrines so plainly stated by Jesus Christ? Should we continue in that downward spiral? The apostle Peter wrote, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). All the more reason for us to pray continually to be aware of and avoid the devil’s deceptions.

Let us rejoice in this celebration of Jesus Christ’s perfect life, that being his resurrection on that glorious Sabbath morning. He does live and one day, each of us will attest to that actuality.

— Lindquist is a

resident of Balaton