Do you see your body as a burden and a hindrance to your spirituality? This has been a common false view for centuries, that spirit is disembodied pure transcendent essence, and the body is vulgar, base and vile. This is not Christian thinking. Do you remember that in the fullness of time I came as a man, in the flesh, and that I had no form or comeliness that men should desire me? If a body was good enough for me it is for you too. Is your view of yourself in need of redemption? Make peace with your body. Realize that it is not your enemy, that you may have an integrated view of your whole being, and serve me with joy in the temple I have given you. 

Do you have any fair-weather friends? This uncomplimentary term refers to friends who are only with you in good times. Conversely, how many people do you know that only have a foul-weather God? How many people pay no attention to me until they see suffering and injustice and wonder how I could permit it? I will grant you that these are difficult questions, but not all people are perplexed by them. If you want to understand don’t be so selective in seeking me. Those who walk with me and seek me constantly in good times and bad are not distraught and confused in difficulties because they know the comfort of my presence in them. 

Do you have unanswered questions about your faith? What about unquestioned answers? I invite you to prove all things and hold fast that which is good. The answers that other people give you about your faith questions may be correct, but even so it is not the same as engaging with the questions yourself. I invite you to seek, ask, and knock and promise that you will have the answers you seek. This is better than letting someone else take your faith journey in your place. In some traditions the asking of difficult questions is discouraged, but you don’t get this from me. The truth is robust and sturdy and will hold up under scrutiny. 

Salvation is a central concept in your faith. You are to receive it and to declare it to others. Yet you are not to say even in your heart, who shall ascend into heaven and who shall descend into hell. It is important, but you are not to presume to make this determination that only I can make. How then are you to occupy your mind and your time? You are to do and to teach all that I have commanded you. You are to declare the good news of the gospel to every creature. You are to let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify me. Do this and let me make the determinations only I can make.