"The Lord Works From the Inside Out"

The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums.… The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature (Ezra Taft Benson, Born of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6).

I love this quote because it is so true.  The world can take a person out of the "slums" by giving them a "chance" but they could always return to the "slums" not knowing better or because something wrong happened to them outside of the "slums" or because they miss the "slums" or they "justify" the "slums." Slums could mean greed, immorality, any weakness, any sin.  But ONLY through Christ can the "slums" be taken out of someone and then they leave the "slums" forever without returning to the slums when they keep Christ in their lives.  It is important to keep Christ in our lives by prayer, scripture study, having an eternal perspective, loving our family, service, going to church, and creating an uplifting environment that doesn't let the "slums" sneak back into our lives.  I hope this make sense.  God lives and is our Heavenly Father who loves us all individually.  Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Brother.