From the baptism of Jesus stated in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; I learned that Jesus was born as a human being in order to be the perfect example for us. Although He never sinned nor needed forgiveness, He still asked John to baptize Him for us to do the same.

Connecting it to my own baptism, I think that my parents believe that baptism is essential for my salvation and receiving the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On April 1, 2001, I was baptized firstly because it is an act of obedience just like Jesus was baptized in obedience to His Father. Secondly, I can’t fully grow nor mature without being baptized. Thirdly, as a human being, I need forgiveness and baptism is the way to wipe away the Original sin – the sin that stained my soul because of the fallen nature I inherited from Adam and Eve. Fourthly, I was baptized in order to commit myself to Jesus. Lastly, I was baptized because it symbolizes God’s grace in my life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)As a human being, it is a mere fact that most of us wanted to have everything instantly without a single drop of sweat. Probably that’s why numerous cases of stealing are being reported every single day and the reason behind it is temptation.

Having a Fundamentals of Faith as one the subjects in our curriculum, I have learned that Christ also experienced being tempted in His life. His first temptation was the lust of flesh. I, as a SHS student, am loaded of school works. Every night I suffer in the four corners of my room trying to fulfill every single requirement given to us. Sometimes my body is screaming that I should sleep and just continue everything in the morning. I was always tempted to sleep but I know that there is a right time to do that. Pass the subjects now, sleep later. Second of Christ’s temptations is the pride of life.

Way back in Junior High School, I was often asked to be the representative of the school in art contests. Since I was consecutively winning at that time, I was tempted not to practice because I am very confident with myself but at the end I realized that I shouldn’t be complacent. Although I know my abilities, I should not abuse it by stopping myself from learning other things and improving it. The lust of the eyes is the third temptation of Christ.

As a teenager, I have a lot of things I want especially when I go to the mall. But because I am part of a middle-class family, I can’t afford to buy them all. There are numerous times that I was tempted to get a credit card but thankfully up to this date, I still don’t have one. I surpassed the temptation of being heavily in debt.

Because we are naturally weak, there are many temptations that we fall into but we should always remember and be thankful that we have a God who will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. From all the evil that surrounds us, we should always remember that we have a powerful weapon – the Word of God.