By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD

I. GOLDEN TEXT.

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

LESSON NOTES:

I. DOCTRINES DISAPPROVED.[1] The Bible teaches and demands doctrinal agreement and speaks of it as "The pillar and ground of truth" (1 Timothy 3:15. 4:13). In Ephesians 4, Paul stresses the unity of the Church of God and gives further emphasis in verse 14: “That we be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine." The apostle admonishes the Corinthians, that they "All speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among them" (1 Corinthians 1:10). In 1 Timothy 6:3-5, Paul gives a stern judgment. "If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself." Unity in doctrine then is evidently regarded as of the greatest importance to the well-being of the Church. Unity in doctrine, therefore, involves the confession of a common dogma. Dogma is defined as "Church proclamation, so far as it really agrees with the Bible as the Word of God." Therefore, anyone who teaches doctrine contrary to the dogma of the Church should be dealt with according to Titus 3:10.

Titus 3:10 ¹⁰A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

II. WHAT ABOUT THE FOLLOWING?

A. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST.[2] They appear to be biblical in their fundamental doctrines; with one major exception (which we shall see). However, the issue of the Law and the Sabbath has been controversial. Apparently they have updated their doctrinal statements regarding this. You can find information on them at: https://www.adventist.org/.

1. ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. [3] My responses are in red.

a. The sinful nature of Jesus while in the flesh. This is contrary to the teachings in Heb. 4:15; I Peter 2:21-22; I John 3-5. Their doctrinal statement does not reflect this.

b. The atonement was not completed when Christ suffered and bled on Calvary. This is contrary to the teachings in Heb. 7:27, 9:24-28, 1:10, 12, and 14. This is not Scriptural at all. The following is the Adventist statement:[4]

There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent. (Lev. 16; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Heb. 1:3; 2:16, 17; 4:14-16; 8:1-5; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; Rev. 8:3-5; 11:19; 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:11, 12)

c. Eternal life is only a future hope. This is contrary to the teachings in John 5:24. Their website does not reflect this teaching.

d. Eternal life is obtained by one's "perfect obedience" to the laws of Moses. This is contrary to the teachings John 6:47-60; John 3:14-15. 36; John 17:3. Apparently they have modified this belief; and are a little murky on how they describe this. If you dig deep you can see how they believe in the dietary laws:

We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Gen. 7:2; Exod. 20:15; Lev. 11:1-47; Ps. 106:3; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 10:5; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 2:4; 4:8; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; Titus 2:11, 12; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 John 2:6; 3 John 2.)

i. PAUL ALREADY HAMMERED OUT THE ANSWER TO THIS CONTROVERSY.

1 Corinthians 8:8-13 Contemporary English Version (CEV)[5]

8 But food doesn’t bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don’t eat, and we are no better off if we do.

9 Don’t cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. 10 You know all this, and so it doesn’t bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. 11 Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. 12 When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 So if I hurt one of the Lord’s followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live.

e. The law is still in force — that it has never been annulled. This is contrary to the teachings in Romans 6:14; 7:4-6. We teach Christ by His death perfectly fulfilled the law, and thus terminated it.[6] The language in their doctrinal statement is tricky here. It definitely can be interpreted this way. The Bible has already shown what legalities that Gentiles are to follow as this controversy also arose in the early church.

Acts 15:23-29 New King James Version (NKJV)[7]

23 They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

f. Only by observing the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath may one be "sealed with the seal of the living God" and experience true peace within his soul. This is contrary to the teachings in Hebrews 7:22. Matt 12:1-8; Mark 16:9; I Cor. 16:2.[8] Here also apparently they have updated their language.

2. THE BIBLE.[9] Seventh-day Adventists accept the bible as the only source of our beliefs. We consider our movement to be the result of the protestant conviction sola scriptura—the bible as the only standard of faith and practice for Christians.

3. GOD. God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.)

4. JESUS. God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1–3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5–11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2.)

5. HOLY SPIRIT. God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

6. SALVATION. In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, Substitute and Example. This saving faith comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 33:11; 36:25-27; Hab. 2:4; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17; 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10; Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev. 13:8.)

7. THE LAW. The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Savior. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, and its fruit is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow human beings. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. (Exod. 20:1-17; Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 19:7-14; 40:7, 8; Matt. 5:17-20; 22:36-40; John 14:15; 15:7-10; Rom. 8:3, 4; Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 8:8-10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3; Rev. 12:17; 14:12.)

8. THE SABBATH. The gracious Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom. The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Lev. 23:32; Deut. 5:12-15; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Matt. 12:1-12; Mark 1:32; Luke 4:16; Heb. 4:1-11.)

9. SECOND COMING. The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Savior. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, and its fruit is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow human beings. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. (Exod. 20:1-17; Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 19:7-14; 40:7, 8; Matt. 5:17-20; 22:36-40; John 14:15; 15:7-10; Rom. 8:3, 4; Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 8:8-10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3; Rev. 12:17; 14:12.)

B. CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS (THE MORMONS). This is one of the wealthiest religious organizations in the world. Information can be found on this organization at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng.[10]

1. THE 13 ARTICLES OF FAITH.[11]

1 We ^Believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be ^punished for their ^own sins, and not for ^Adam’s transgression.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all ^mankind may be ^saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ^ordinances of the Gospel are: first, ^faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, ^repentance; third, ^baptism by ⁱmmersion for the ^remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ^hands for the ^gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be ^called of God, by ^prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same ^organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, ^prophets, ^pastors, ^teachers, ^evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the ^agift of ^btongues, ^cprophecy, ^drevelation, ^evisions, ^fhealing, ^ginterpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the ^bible to be the ^word of God as far as it is translated ^correctly; we also believe the ^book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has ^revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet ^reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; thatZion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We claim the ^privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the ^dictates of our own ^conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them ^worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being ^subject to ^kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in ^obeying, honoring, and sustaining the ^law.

13 We believe in being ^honest, true, ^chaste, ^benevolent, virtuous, and in doing ^good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we ^hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to ^endure all things. If there is anything ^virtuous, ^lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

2. THE BIBLE. They are not biblical in the sense that they accept the Bible as the Word of God; but place the book of Mormon on the same level.

IT’S THE WORD OF GOD, A SACRED VOLUME OF SCRIPTURE, AND REQUIRED READING FOR A HAPPY LIFE. ALONG WITH THE BIBLE, WE ALSO FIND INSPIRATION IN OTHER BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE UNIQUE TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER TO TEACH US IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST.

THE BOOK OF MORMON SUPPORTS THE BIBLE AND OFTEN CLARIFIES THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST. IN THE BIBLE, BOTH MARK AND LUKE TELL THE SAME STORIES ABOUT JESUS, BUT YOU CAN LEARN MORE WHEN YOU GET INFORMATION FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES.

TOGETHER, THE BOOK OF MORMON AND BIBLE CONTAIN THOUSANDS OF YEARS’ WORTH OF INSPIRATION, GUIDANCE, AND INSTRUCTION. BY STUDYING BOTH BOOKS, YOU CAN GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE WANTS FOR YOU.

THE BOOK OF MORMON CONTAINS SACRED WRITINGS FROM FOLLOWERS OF JESUS. JUST LIKE GOD SPOKE TO MOSES AND NOAH IN THE BIBLE, HE ALSO SPOKE TO PEOPLE IN THE AMERICAS. THESE MEN, CALLED PROPHETS, WROTE DOWN GOD’S WORD. THEIR WRITINGS WERE EVENTUALLY GATHERED INTO ONE BOOK BY A PROPHET NAMED MORMON.

GOD PROMISES US THAT IF WE READ THE BOOK OF MORMON WITH AN OPEN HEART AND MIND, HE WILL REVEAL TO EACH OF US ITS DIVINITY AND ITS TRUTH THROUGH INSPIRATION FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.

3. THE TRINITY. They have a very unusual way of describing the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. My emphasis below is in red.

The Holy Trinity is the term many Christian religions use to describe God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Latter-day Saints believe very strongly in all three, but we don’t believe they’re all the same person. We do think they are one in purpose. Their purpose is to help us achieve true joy, in this life and the life to come (which we also believe in).

4. JESUS.[12] Unscriptural teaching is listed in red.

Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take upon Him the sins of everyone who would live on the earth so we could be forgiven. This sacrifice on our behalf was possible because of Jesus’s divinity and His perfect life. Jesus was a master teacher and a servant to all. But He was infinitely more than that. When He asked the Apostle Peter, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15–16).

Jesus’s mission in coming to earth was to save us from our sins. He was willing to suffer and sacrifice Himself to pay the price of our mistakes so that we could repent and be forgiven.

Many Mormon beliefs about Jesus Christ are similar to other Christian beliefs about Him. But Mormons also believe many pure and precious truths about the Savior that are unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Like most Christians, Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Creator of the World. However, Mormons hold the unique belief that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two distinct beings. Mormons believe that God and Jesus Christ are wholly united in their perfect love for us, but that each is a distinct personage with His own perfect, glorified body (see D&C 130:22).

Mormons believe that all men and women ever to be born, including Jesus Christ, lived with God as His spirit children before this life. God wanted each of us to come to earth to gain experience, learn, and grow to become more like Him. But God also knew that His children would all sin, die, and fall short of His glory. We would need a Savior to overcome our sins and imperfections and reconcile us with God. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was chosen to be this Savior long ago during our premortal life with God. We shouted for joy when we were presented with God’s glorious plan for His children (see Job 38:7).

Mormons also believe that through His Atonement, Jesus Christ suffered beyond description in Gethsemane and on the cross for the sins of all mankind, so that He could aid us perfectly in all our afflictions.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again so that all humankind could be resurrected and one day return to live with a loving Heavenly Father. As the only person who has ever lived a completely sinless life, the Savior was a perfect sacrifice, a lamb without blemish. Unique to Latter-day Saints is the belief that after Jesus Christ’s death, He visited His people in the Americas (see John 10:16; 3 Nephi 11).

5. THE HOLY GHOST.[13]

After a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders lay their hands on the person’s head and, in a sacred priesthood ordinance, confirm him or her a member of the Church. As part of this ordinance, called confirmation, the person is given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

6. SALVATION.[14] Doctrinal error is highlighted in red.

Salvation from Physical Death. All people eventually die. But through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected—saved from physical death. Paul testified, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). In this sense, everyone is saved, regardless of choices made during this life. This is a free gift from the Savior to all human beings.

Salvation from Sin. To be cleansed from sin through the Savior’s Atonement, an individual must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 2:37–38). Those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Ghost through the proper priesthood authority have been conditionally saved from sin. In this sense, salvation is conditional, depending on an individual’s continuing in faithfulness, or enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God (see 2 Peter 2:20–22).

Individuals cannot be saved in their sins; they cannot receive unconditional salvation simply by declaring a belief in Christ with the understanding that they will inevitably commit sins throughout the rest of their lives (see Alma 11:36–37). However, through the grace of God, all can be saved from their sins (see 2 Nephi 25:23; Helaman 5:10–11) as they repent and follow Jesus Christ.

This rebirth occurs as individuals are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It comes as a result of a willingness “to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days” (Mosiah 5:5). Through this process, their “hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, [they] are born of him” (Mosiah 5:7). All who have truly repented, been baptized, have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, have made the covenant to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ, and have felt His influence in their lives, can say that they have been born again. That rebirth can be renewed each Sabbath when they partake of the sacrament.

Eternal Life, or Exaltation. In the scriptures, the words saved and salvation often refer to eternal life, or exaltation (see Abraham 2:11). Eternal life is to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and dwell with Them forever—to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom (see John 17:3; Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4; 132:21–24). This exaltation requires that men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, and that all Church members make and keep sacred covenants in the temple, including the covenant of eternal marriage. If the word salvation is used in this sense, no one is saved in mortality. That glorious gift comes only after the Final Judgment.

VI. PRAYER FOR SALVATION. As we close, if you have not received this Jesus pray this simple prayer:

"Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender my life to Jesus today.

"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name, Amen."