Knowing What I Believe

I was born and raised an Adventist. I never questioned the religious beliefs and practices of my church, thinking they were the “norm” and that everybody believed the same things, did and didn’t do the same things, and worshiped on the same day (Sabbath).

It was only in high school that I started asking questions and sought out serious answers to the reasons behind such beliefs and practices. It was only then that I had a need to.

I went to a Roman Catholic school during my entire high school life. All the while my classmates would ask me questions that at that time, I didn’t quite know how to answer.

Why don’t I eat pork?

Why can’t I come to school on Saturdays?

Why can’t I join them go disco dancing or clubbing?

Why can’t I drink alcoholic beverages, or even softdrinks?

Why can’t I smoke cigarettes?

Why didn’t I pray the rosary, memorize prays, or repeat my prayer over and over?

Why didn’t I believe in Mary’s (the mother of Jesus) immortality and mediation for mankind?

Why don’t we have statues of saints in our churches?

The list was endless. And shake my faith it did—in a good way because they motivated me to seek Bible-based, history-verified, and scientifically-proven answers for myself.

Today, I’d say I can pretty much “defend” my faith (although I don’t have the Bible memorized the way some people do). I know now why I believe what I believe. And I know now why I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that those beliefs are all strictly Bible-based.

Written by hand on November 17, 2007 at 12:12 A.M.

Unequally Yoked = I Do?

Cecile asked me so many things about my religion’s particular beliefs and practices that same Thursday afternoon. More than just giving her a list of the “do’s” and “don’t do’s,” I tried my best to tell her why in the most understandable, logical, and practical ways (I even whispered a silent prayer for wisdom and divine guidance before I answered her questions).

She asked me if my religion would permit me to marry someone of another religion or denomination. Or, if they first had to “convert” to Seventh-day Adventism.

First, religion does not save a person. Only Jesus Christ can save someone from eternal death. (“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12; “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5)

Second, not all Adventists are sincere and 100% committed to their relationship with God. They should be. However, some are just Adventists by name.

Third, there are those of other religions and denominations who are sincere seekers of the truth, whose sole desire is to find it and draw near to God. They honestly follow all the light that they have received from Him thus far.

Only God can see and know who is truly in a person’s heart.

Having said all that, one must remember what the Bible has to say about such grave matters with eternal consequences as that of love, courtship, and marriage: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14; “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Amos 3:3)

In a married couple’s life, religion will play a vital role in determining their future peace and happiness together. It will either bond them closer together—or pull them further apart, depending on how incongruent their religious beliefs are.

Thus, if one marries someone of an entirely different set of religious beliefs and practices, this will surely add strain to the marriage relations. It is best then to avoid such unnecessary tension to a marriage relation by refraining from marrying someone who holds different values and beliefs—especially religious ones.

Married life is hard enough as it is without adding that factor to the equation.

Written by hand on November 16, 2007 at 11:31 P.M.

Time Reserved for Preparation

Having told my friend, Cecile, that the Sabbath is from sundown-to-sundown, she later asked me if I could watch a movie with her on a Friday afternoon.

This is what I told her:

Technically speaking, the Sabbath only officially starts when the sun sets on a Friday and it only officially ends when the sun sets on a Saturday. However, the Bible calls Friday the Preparation Day. (“Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour.” John 19:14; “On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate . . . .” Matthew 27:62; “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.” Matthew 28:1)

Friday, especially the hours after noontime, are to be used to get one’s self ready for the oncoming Sabbath. Being ready not only means being physically prepared to spend the Sabbath in worship and communion with our Maker and God. More than just that, it means preparing one’s mind to worship the Lord.

If I were to watch a movie with her on a Friday, particularly in the afternoon, I’d probably spend the Sabbath thinking of that movie still. Thus, it would intrude on the sacredness of my Sabbath worship. It would distract my mind from God and draw it towards earthly things.

Written by hand on November 16, 2007 at 11:06 P.M.

A Whole Lot of Eating Going On

Yesterday, my original plan was to attend a basic stock market investing seminar. I had to postpone that to another day since I had to drive my dad to Sampaloc SDA Church. I decided to get the result of my fecalysis after safely leaving my dad at the church’s gate.

So I traveled to Taft Avenue via U.N. Avenue since the lab was along Taft, near the corner of Padre Faura. It took me about 10 seconds to get my stool exam result and about one minute to urinate in their restroom.

My classmate-turned-friend, Cecile, texted me then, asking where I was. Too lazy to text out a reply, I gave her a call instead. It turned out she got off work early that day. We had a class together at 6:00 P.M. but, it was only about 3:30 P.M. then. It was much too early to go to our campus where the parking is quite steep.

She wanted me to meet her at Robinson’s Manila to eat and watch another movie with her. I said I wanted a full vegetarian meal at a nearby hospital (MAMC).

We met, instead, along Taft Avenue, near the corner of Pedro Gil. I drove to Donada Street and parked at the NPUM compound. At the MAMC cafeteria, I ordered my vegetarian budget meal (one cup of rice plus two viands) costing 50 pesos. Cecile didn’t want any so she watched me eat as I heartily chowed down my food. She did taste a little bit of it, said it was all right, and then left it alone again.

As I ate, she asked me all sorts of questions about food and drinks—why I eat and don’t eat certain foods; why I drink and don’t drink certain drinks; and why I do my best to eat and drink only those that would bring me good health.

There are two answers to her questions regarding food and drinks. One: the Bible says it is God who owns our bodies, that we are only stewards of it and therefore must care for it as it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.) Two: scientific research has verified the writings of Ellen G. White, particularly about health. Healthwise, certain food and drinks will only do our bodies harm. They will only lead to diseases and even premature death. It’s true we will not live forever on this earth, for death is just around the corner. However, why should we cut short the life that God has given us by consuming harmful food and drinks?

Two minutes after I finished eating, we headed back to the car. I drove straight to our campus building and parked the car at Basement level 5. Then I accompanied Cecile to the third floor podium for her food. We went around the different food shops, finally stopping at Mexicali for a burrito and bottomless iced tea. This time around, she ate; I watched.

Afterwards, we went to the restroom to brush our teeth before quickly heading off to class—we were late almost 30 minutes!

Written by hand on November 16, 2007 at 8:28 P.M.