Do you believe in me? You use this term in a specific spiritual sense, but also in everyday speech. Saying, ‘I believe that is true’ implies a step removed from things you know as firsthand knowledge. The Bible invites you to believe in me, but I also said at the end of my earthly ministry that this is life eternal, that you may know the One True God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Things that you believe on the basis of convincing evidence are still indirect and second hand. My invitation to you is to relationship, that you may know the things you have believed. Come taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Do you see equality as an essential human right, necessary for a just and fair society? Do you see those who see themselves as being treated as less than equal grasping to obtain equality? Equality sounds appealing but it turns out to be a slippery concept if you try to pin it down. No two people are the same, so you have to modify the definition of equality to apply it to them. Who would have a stronger claim on equality than me with the Father? Yet I did not consider equality a thing to be grasped but humbled myself and took on human form. Neither do you need to grasp for equality. 

David wanted to build me a temple, but I chose Solomon for this task. Do you think these are the only two people who considered this question? I posed a rhetorical question that if I inhabited the heavens, how would you build me a house? Do you think that you build churches for me? I don’t need a roof over my head, or walls, or a place to sit. The church building is for your comfort and convenience as a place to meet. You know that the church is not a building, but a body of people united for the common purpose of seeking me. If you come together for this purpose I will come and be present among you wherever you meet. 

Do you think that prejudice is undesirable, and strive to be free of it? Yet if you abstain from certain practices commonly considered as bad habits, do you find it easier to be judgmental toward those who practice them? In so doing you make a distinction between yourself and others, and create a separation. You may think that you are honoring me in the practices you choose and  the practices you abstain from and you may be right. You can also honor me by accepting your brother who makes a different selection of what to do and what to avoid. Love one another and let every man answer to his own master.