|
Q: I wish I had a strong faith like you do. Sometimes I really believe, but then I seem to drift away and my faith grows very weak. Is this just the way it is for most people? — Mrs. P.J. A: Dear Mrs. P.J., Many readers probably feel the same way you do, and I often get letters like yours. But God doesn't want our faith to be shaky and weak, and He wants to help us become strong in our faith. The Apostle Paul's prayer applies to us: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you" (Ephesians How can our faith become strong? Let me point out three ways. First, be sure of your commitment to Christ. Is your faith in Jesus Christ and what He did for you by dying on the cross for your sins? Sometimes a person's faith is weak because he or she has never clearly taken this step of commitment. By a simple prayer of faith ask Christ to come into your life today—and He will. Second, build your faith on the truth of God's Word, the Bible. The Bible is spiritual "food" given by God to strengthen us in our faith. Through it we learn of God's love for us—but apart from it our faith will always be vague and uncertain. The Bible says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). Finally, draw strength from other believers. If you're not active in a church, ask God to lead you to one where Christ is preached and you will have opportunities to grow spiritually—not just in the weekly service, but through Bible studies and other programs. Q: What does it mean to believe in Jesus? I have a high school friend who says I need to believe in Jesus, but when I ask her to explain she has a hard time doing it. Maybe you can help me understand. — M.F. A: Dear M.F., I'm thankful your friend is concerned for your spiritual welfare, and the reason (I'm sure) is because she cares for you and wants you to experience what she has experienced—even if she can't explain it. I hope you won't ignore what she is trying to tell you, for nothing is more important than knowing God. Let me use an illustration that might help. Suppose you were driving down an unfamiliar highway and came to a bridge across a deep gorge. Before you crossed it, you'd want to ask yourself two questions. First, do I really need to get to the other side? And second, can I trust the bridge to hold me? Now that's something like what your friend is trying to tell you about Jesus. You see, we are separated from God, and the reason is because we have sinned. In other words, there is a deep gorge between us and God—one too big for us to cross. And yet we need to get to the other side, because we need God. We need His help right now, and we need His eternal salvation. What we need is a bridge—and God has provided one, because He loves us! That "bridge" is Christ, who gave Himself to save us. Therefore, the Bible says, "he is able to save completely those who come to God through him" (Hebrews 7:25). I pray you will cross that bridge today by trusting Christ and committing your life to Him. Q: How can I get to know God? A: There is nothing more satisfying than to know God in a personal way. God loves you and gave His Son to die on the cross for you. He gave His life as a divine sacrifice that you might be forgiven of sin and have eternal life. Jesus said, "I am come that they might have [eternal] life" (John 10:10b). This is God's free gift to every one of us. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and deserve the penalty of sin, which is separation from God. When we realize that our sins separate us from Him, it is our privilege and responsibility to turn from sin unto Christ in true repentance, with faith in Him as Savior and Lord. In taking this step we become a part of God's family; see John 1:12. To receive Christ as Savior is a transforming experience. Not only do we gain a new dimension of joy, peace and purity, but we find all things become new; see 2 Corinthians 5:17. Q: How can you be so sure there is a God, since science hasn't proven His existence? A: The existence of God cannot be proven in a laboratory or through the complicated mechanisms of logic. Neither can love, nor beauty, nor happiness, but that does not mean they are not real. In the same way, just because you cannot "prove" that God exists as you can prove a chemical formula, it does not mean that He is not real. It only means you are using the wrong tools. Faith is not anti-intellectual. Mr. Graham has said, "Some of the finest scientists I have ever met are men and women with a deep faith in God, because they realize that science alone cannot explain where we came from or why we are here. They are convinced that science itself points to an all-wise and all-powerful Creator. As the Bible says, 'The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands' (Psalm 19:1)." We invite you to look beyond the physical world to the greatest evidence of all—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says we can know God is real, because He came into this world in the Person of Jesus Christ. If you want to know what God is like, look at Christ, who is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). We urge you not to let pride or anything else get in the way of discovering the new life He alone can give. When we open our lives to Jesus Christ, we are admitting that we do not have all the answers and cannot save ourselves. The Bible says, "The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). The Bible also says, "You can never please God without faith ... Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God" (Hebrews 11:6, TLB). You best demonstrate your faith in a bank by putting your money in it. You best show your faith in a doctor by trusting him in times of illness. You best prove your faith in a boat by getting aboard. You demonstrate faith in Christ by trusting Him with your life and by receiving Him unconditionally as your Savior. Q: What does it mean to "believe" in Christ? A: The word "believe" in the Bible means more than simply agreeing in our minds that something might be true. It means "trust"—that we believe so strongly in God that we are willing to commit our lives to Him and live the way we know He wants us to live. Suppose you were walking along a path and you came to a bridge which crossed a deep canyon. You might look at it and believe that it would hold you, and you might even see other people walking across it so you knew it would hold our weight. But so far your "belief" in the bridge is only in your head. When do you really believe the bridge will hold you? You only really believe it when you are willing to commit your life to it and actually walk across it. It is the same way with Christ. Yes, we can believe that God exists, but God wants us to come to know Him personally. And He has bridged the gap between us by sending His Son to remove the barrier of sin and become that "bridge." To believe in Christ is to commit our lives by faith to Christ—to trust Him personally as our Lord and Savior. Our prayer is that you will come to believe in Christ in that way. Q: What does it mean to be "born again"? A: Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Our first birth gave us physical life; the new birth gives us spiritual life and membership in God's family (John 1:13). To be born again is to have the Holy Spirit transform our hearts from indifference and hostility toward God to a love of God and a desire for righteousness and holiness. The only way one can come to God and experience what it means to be "born again" is through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ; read John 14:6. The Bible clearly teaches in Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5, and Romans 10:13 that salvation is a gift; it cannot be earned in any way. To receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord means more than accepting Him as a fact of history, a teacher, or an example. It means more than giving mental assent to the fact that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. It means that one turns from sin and with his or her whole heart trusts in Christ as personal Savior and Lord. God makes that one a new person; see 2 Corinthians 5:17. The Bible says, "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). Q: Does a person have to become emotional and cry to truly receive Christ as personal Savior and Lord? A: There are a variety of emotional responses when people come to Christ. Some people cry because of the joy they have experienced in the total forgiveness of their sins and the realization that they are now a part of God's family. Some people simply rejoice with feelings of lightheartedness as though a great burden has been lifted away. Others seem to experience and express very little emotion at all. The Bible says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Establishing a relationship with Christ is based upon faith and not feeling. God responds to faith whether tears are present or not. Emotion has a part in conversion, but simply because a person does not cry when repenting of sin and trusting in Christ does not mean that he or she has not been saved. Q: I'm a Christian. Will I lose my salvation if I sin? A: The person who makes a genuine commitment of his life to Christ becomes a child of God and a member of God's family (John 1:12). Just as an orphaned child is adopted into a family, so are we adopted by God and made a part of His family forever. And some day we will go to be with Him in heaven. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1). However, just because we have committed our lives to Christ does not mean we will no longer struggle with temptation, and sometimes sin. Even the great apostle Paul could say, "I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me" (Romans 7:21). When we do sin, God does not reject us or disown us. Our fellowship with Him may be broken, but our relationship is not; we are still members of His family if we have truly committed our lives to Christ. When we sin we should immediately turn to God, confess our sin honestly, ask His forgiveness—and then turn from our sin. The Bible promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). If we truly know Christ and are seeking to follow Him, we will not be complacent and unconcerned about sin in our lives. In fact, one of the signs of true spiritual life is the hatred of sin and the determination to conquer it. We will not continue to repeat the same sins over and over again, but will seek God's help (by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us) to overcome them. The Bible promises, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Indifference to sin in one's life is a sure sign of serious spiritual sickness, and may indicate that one has never truly invited Jesus into one's life as Savior and Lord (1 John 2:3-4). Q: How can I keep from letting my feelings overpower my faith? When I feel good emotionally, I have a strong faith in God, but when I get down it seems to vanish and I even wonder if God has abandoned me. Can I do anything about this? — T.C. A: Dear T.C., Most believers have experienced ups and downs in their faith, and often these cycles are connected to the way we feel—in other words, to our emotions. This has happened to some of God's most dedicated servants, including some in the Bible. During one dark time in his life, when his emotions got the best of him, Jeremiah cried out, "Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?" (Jeremiah 20:18). In the midst of his despair, Job cried out, "I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free reign to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul" (Job 10:1). But neither Jeremiah nor Job stayed this way, and both went on to have an even stronger faith. And that can be your experience also. What can you do? First, make sure of your commitment to Christ. If your faith in God is only a vague belief, it will not stand. But if your faith is in Christ, you have a solid foundation beneath you that will never crumble. Give your life to Him today. Then base your faith on facts, not on feeling. Base it on the fact that God loves you, on Christ's death and resurrection for you, and on God's promises in His Word, the Bible. Make the Bible your daily companion and your faith will grow stronger. Q: My cousin says he's an atheist and that only a fool would believe in God. What can I say to him to convince him that he's wrong? I am a Christian, but whenever we discuss religion I never know how to answer his arguments because he's very persuasive. — J.Y. A: Dear J.Y., Don't let his arguments shake your faith or make you wonder if he might be right after all—for he isn't. Remember: The Bible tells us that "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God' " (Psalm 14:1). You see, the problem for most atheists isn't a lack of evidence for God's existence. In fact, the evidence is so overwhelming that anyone who honestly looks at it with an open mind will conclude that God must exist. As the Bible says, "Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). What, then, is the problem for most atheists? In my experience the problem is their will—that is, they don't want to believe in God. They know that if they admit God exists, then they can't go on living any way they want to but must humble themselves before Him. And that is something they refuse to do. Pray for your cousin; only God can change his heart and show him his need of God. In addition, submit your own life more fully to Christ, and ask Him to help you be an example to your cousin. No one can argue with a changed life! Also, ask your local Christian bookstore to recommend books that answer the questions he is raising. Q: I pray often every day and try to stay focused on God, but sometimes I wonder if I'm just kidding myself. I want to have a strong faith, and sometimes I feel I do, but no matter how much I pray my feelings don't last. What am I doing wrong? — Z.J. A: Dear Z.J., It isn't wrong for you to pray frequently, of course; in fact, God urges us to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are dependent on God for everything, and one of the ways we acknowledge this is by turning to Him in prayer. But prayer by itself is like a diet without protein! Yes, prayer is important to our spiritual growth—but of even greater importance is God's Word, the Bible. You see, without the Bible we are in danger of making up our own ideas about God, and even wondering (as you do from time to time) if God exists or if it is all in our imagination. God has given the Bible to us to tell us about Himself, and apart from it we don't really know who God is or what He is like. Most of all, through the Bible we discover that God loves us, and He has shown us His love by sending His only Son into the world to die for our sins. Make sure of your commitment to Christ. Do you want your faith to grow? Make the Bible part of your spiritual diet every day, for the seed of faith grows best when it is planted in the soil of God's Word. The Bible says, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). Build your faith on its truth. Q: Where does doubt come from? Does it come from the devil, or do we have doubts because of something that's wrong in our hearts? I'd be interested in your answer because I've struggled with doubt most of my life, although I know I'm a Christian. — J.W. A: Dear J.W., The very first question in the Bible came from the mouth of Satan, and it had only one purpose: to sow the seeds of doubt in the minds of Adam and Eve and make them disbelieve what God had told them (see Genesis 3:1-4). It's no wonder Jesus called the devil "the father of lies" (John 8:44). Does this mean the devil is directly responsible for every doubt we have? Not necessarily; often doubts come from within our own hearts and minds. But in reality it doesn't matter where our doubts come from; the important thing is what we do with them. Some people, for example, savor their doubts and enjoy having them (although they may not even realize it). They aren't really interested in finding answers to their questions or having their faith grow; their doubts are simply an excuse to keep away from God. But others grow through their doubts. They take seriously Jesus' promise to His disciples: "Seek and you will find" (Luke 11:9). How should you deal with your doubts? First, face them honestly—and then commit them to God. Then saturate your mind and heart with the truth of God's Word, the Bible. I often say that the seed of faith grows best in the soil of God's Word. In addition, seek answers to your questions from wise and godly people. Q: More than anything, I know I need God. I've tried and tried to find Him, but I don't feel like I've been successful. Maybe God doesn't want me or something. What would you say to someone like me? — R.Y. A: Dear R.Y., The most important truth I could ever tell you is this: God loves you, and He yearns for you to come to know Him personally and closely. God's promise is true for you and for all who truly seek Him: "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3). How do I know God loves you? I know it because almost 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. He came down from heaven for one reason: to make it possible for us to go to heaven. He did this by becoming the final sacrifice for our sins. When He died, all our sins were placed on Him, and He took the death and hell we deserve. If you had been the only person on earth who needed to be saved, Jesus Christ still would have been willing to die for you. God loves you that much! What should you do? Simply respond to what Jesus did for you by asking Him to come into your life. If a friend came to your house and knocked on your door, what would you do? You would go to the door and open it, and then invite them in. And the same is true with Jesus. Right now He is knocking at the door of your heart. By a simple prayer of faith invite Him to come into your life—and He will. Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in" (Revelation 3:20). This is God's promise to you. Q: Do you think it's possible for someone who has a logical kind of mind to believe in God? I was trained as an engineer, and it's hard for me to have faith or to believe in something that I can't prove. — A.V.P. A: Dear A.V.P., Some of the most devout men and women I have ever known were also scientists or engineers. To them, there was no conflict between their faith and their reason—in fact, some told me they went hand in hand. Why was this? The reason, they explained, was because they had discovered that their minds were limited, and no matter how intelligent they were, they would never be able to understand everything. Instead of being proud and arrogant (as some intelligent people unfortunately are), they humbly realized their own limitations. But they also had discovered that faith in God is logical. They came to see, for example, that it's much more logical to believe God created this complex universe than to believe it all happened by chance. As the Bible says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made" (Romans 1:20). Most of all, they made the greatest discovery of all: God not only created us, but He came down to earth in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. He did this to show us His love, and as we give ourselves to Him, He enters our lives and begins to change us from within. Why not invite Him into your life today? Then ask Him to help you "Love the Lord your God ... with all your mind" (Luke 10:27). Q: Is faith something that some people have and others don't—just like some people have blond hair and others don't? I'd like to have faith in God, but I've almost decided that I'm never going to have it because I wasn't born with it. What would you say? — L.F. A: Dear L.F., Have you ever planted a seed? You probably have—but what did it take for it to sprout and grow? It didn't just happen; it took sun and fertile soil and the right amount of water. This is similar to the way faith grows in our hearts, for faith is somewhat like a seed. When we hear the Gospel, the Bible says God by His Spirit sows a seed in our hearts—the "seed" of faith. Jesus put it this way: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field" (Matthew 13:24). But how does that seed of faith grow? It grows only as we encourage it and provide the right environment for it. It grows only as we water and fertilize it. How do we do that? By letting God's Word—the message of the Gospel—fill our lives. The Bible puts it this way: "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Begin your journey of faith today by turning to Christ and asking Him to come into your life. Then nurture your faith by making the Bible part of your life every day. In addition, turn often to God in prayer; the Bible says, "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Most of all, seek out a church where Christ is honored and you can be strengthened through your fellowship with other believers. Q: A friend of mine admits she isn't a Christian, but she likes to talk about religion a lot, and I really think she's searching for God. Her problem, she says, is that she can't believe in a God who would send people to hell, because a loving God wouldn't do that. What can I say to her? — Mrs. T.R. A: Dear Mrs. T.R., The most important thing I can urge you to do is to pray for your friend, that God will open her eyes to His truth and help her understand her own spiritual need. Some people, I'm afraid, don't really want answers to their questions; they only use them as an excuse to avoid God. Let me suggest two answers you might give to her question. The first is actually a question: Does she believe there is such a thing as right and wrong? Is it wrong to abuse an innocent child, for instance, or to refuse to help someone who is starving? I suspect she would agree that these are wrong—but if so, then shouldn't we expect God to judge those who do them? Does she honestly believe that Hitler (for example) shouldn't be punished for his sins? But the most important thing you can tell her is that God doesn't want us to go to hell! Yes, in reality we all deserve nothing less than His judgment, for we have all sinned. As the Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). But God loves us, and the proof is that He sent His only Son into the world to die for our sins. We deserve to die for our sins—but He died in our place. He took the death and hell we deserve, and now by faith in Him we can be saved. Point her to Christ, for in Him God's judgment and love are reconciled. Q: Which is more important in religion, learning how to live in this life or preparing for the next life? I have a friend who is certainly a devout person, but all she seems to think about is Heaven. Frankly, I'm more interested in how faith can help me deal with my problems right now. — J.G. A: Dear J.G., Which wing of an airplane is more important—the right wing or the left wing? You know the answer: Both are equally important, and if either one is missing the plane simply can't fly. And the same is true with our faith in Christ. God is concerned about both this life and the life to come—and both are equally important in His eyes. If we concentrate on only one of these, our spiritual lives will be out of balance, and we won't be living the way God wants us to live. Nor will we experience the full measure of His blessing and joy. Yes, God is concerned about our lives right now, and when we give our lives to Christ, God comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. Why? So He can begin to transform our hearts and change us from within. The Bible says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3). No matter what problems you are facing, God wants to help you—and He will as you yield yourself to Christ. But someday this life will be over, and you and I will enter eternity—either with God in heaven or separated from Him forever in that place the Bible calls hell. Do you have the hope of heaven? You can, by committing your life to Jesus Christ. Q: A friend of mine got very interested in church a few months ago, and he even made a public profession of faith one night when the invitation was given to receive Christ. But now he says he wasn't serious and doesn't want anything to do with God or religion. How do you explain this? — N.McM. A: Dear N.McM., Only God knows a person's heart, and only God knows whether or not your friend was sincere when he made his profession of faith. Sometimes the seed of faith takes a long time to grow in a person's soul. At the same time, the Bible does warn us against false or shallow professions of faith—a "commitment" to Christ that isn't sincere and won't stand the test of time. Even in Jesus' day, many said they believed in Him and wanted to follow Him—but when they began to realize what Jesus demanded, the Bible says that "many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (John 6:66). This is just as true today as it was in Jesus' time. In one of His parables, Jesus compared the preaching of the Gospel to seed that is sown in a field (see Matthew 13:1-23). Some seed, He said, falls on the pathway and is eaten by the birds. Other seed falls on rocky soil and fails to take root, and still other seed is choked by weeds. But some seed, He said, takes root and flourishes. The same is true whenever the Word of God is preached; not everyone who hears it becomes a true believer. Pray for your friend—and learn from his example. Make sure of your own commitment to Christ, and don't let anything turn you away from Him. Q: I moved halfway across the country because I thought I could get a good job and meet lots of new people, but it isn't working out. I know I made a wrong choice coming here, but now I'm afraid I'll just make another mistake if I go somewhere else. How can I know what's the right thing to do? — G.N. A: Dear G.N., The most important advice I can give you is to seek God's will for your future. He knows what's best for you and He wants to lead you as you make these decisions. The Bible's words are true: "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless" (Psalm 18:30). How do you find God's will when you face a decision? First, make sure of your relationship to Him. By nature, we are all separated from God because of our sins—but Christ came into the world to save us from our sins and bring us back to God. Have you trusted Him as your Lord and Savior by inviting Him into your heart? Don't let another day go by without Christ in your life. Then ask God to guide you as you make this decision. God loves His children, and He wants to help us and guide us. Make this decision a matter of constant prayer, and ask God to make His way clear to you. In addition, seek the counsel of some godly people (perhaps in your church) who know you and can help you sort through your options. God's Word, the Bible, will also help you make decisions by teaching you what God considers important. The Bible tells us to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). Make this your goal, and God will direct your path. Q: Why don't preachers talk more about our human potential, and how we can use the good within us to create a better world and overcome our problems? I think we need more optimism today, not this constant talk about how bad we are or how hopeless everything is. — R.R. A: Dear R.R., You are right up to a point: We do have a responsibility to work for a better world, and to use the abilities God has given us to turn back evil. In the midst of some very difficult and discouraging times, God told His people to "seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you" (Jeremiah 29:7). But have you ever asked yourself why our world has so many problems? Why do we have so many wars and conflicts? Why can't people seem to get along? Even our best efforts at peace often lead nowhere, and human history is littered with the wreckage of broken dreams and shattered promises. Why is this? The reason isn't just because something is wrong with the world (although that's part of the problem). The real reason is because something is wrong with us—within our own hearts and minds. The Bible says, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" (James 4:1). Our basic problems are spiritual, and that is why our greatest need is to turn to God. Only He can change our hearts—and He will, as we turn in faith to Christ. Have you discovered this in your own life? Don't let pride or anything else keep you from Christ. He wants to change you from within—and then use you to help change our world. Q: I used to believe in God but I don't anymore. Our 6-year-old boy died of leukemia last year, and I can't believe in a God who would do that to us. I'm willing to listen to what you'll say, but I admit I'm bitter and can't see any reason to change my mind. — Mrs. A.B. A: Dear Mrs. A.B., My heart goes out to you, for I doubt if anything is more painful and heartrending to a parent than losing a child. Over the years, I have seen it happen to some of my closest friends, and I know the heartache they have suffered. But the most important thing I can say to you is that God's heart goes out to you. God knows what you are going through, and He understands the emotions that have overwhelmed you. After all, God knows what it is like to lose a child, for His only Son was nailed to a cross. The Bible says, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8). Even if you don't believe in Him, that does not alter His love for you. No, I don't know why things like this happen, nor will we ever fully understand them until we get to heaven. But I do know this: God didn't cause your son's leukemia, nor did He take delight in His death. We live in a world that has been touched by evil and sin, and life is often hurtful. Jesus wept as He stood by the grave of His friend Lazarus (see John 11:35). I also know this: It is far better to turn to God when tragedy strikes than to turn away from Him. God loves you, and He wants to comfort and help you. His promise is true: "I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow" (Jeremiah 31:13). Don't turn away from Him, but by faith open your heart to Christ. Q: I really want to believe in God and in Jesus, but I just can't conquer my doubts. Whenever I think I've put them behind me, then I start wondering if I'm just kidding myself and maybe God doesn't even exist. How can I get out of this rut? Or are some people just naturally doubters? — R.B. A: Dear R.B., Yes, perhaps some people are more inclined to be doubters. After the resurrection, Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, had the same facts the other disciples did, but unlike them he refused at first to believe. But when he saw Christ, his doubts vanished and he immediately exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Notice what changed Thomas: It wasn't his feelings, but the fact that Christ was alive and cared about him. And the same can be true for you. You see, often our faith is based only on our emotions; sometimes we feel God is near us or we feel we believe in Christ—but other times we don't feel that way. But feelings are not a reliable guide to the truth! Our feelings come and go—but the facts remain the same. What am I saying? Simply this: Put your faith in Christ, and keep your focus on Him as He is revealed in the pages of the Bible. In other words, don't trust your feelings, but trust the facts—the fact that Christ was God in human flesh; the fact that He died on the cross for you; the fact that He rose again; the fact that He promises to save all who turn in faith to Him. Begin by asking Christ to come into your life—and He will. Then take time every day to pray, and to read His Word, the Bible. When you do, your faith will grow and your doubts will fade. Q: I don't believe any religion has all the answers, and in fact, I don't have much use for any of them. I know some religions do some good, but I've seen too many hypocrites to believe religion makes any difference in most people's lives. I know I'm a free thinker but it's the only way that makes any sense to me. — J.I. A: Dear J.I., I appreciate your honesty, even if I can't agree with all your conclusions. Now I hope you will use your honesty in another way—by honestly examining Jesus Christ and being willing to go wherever that examination takes you. You see, the Bible makes a very startling claim. It tells us that God—who created the whole world, including you and me—has come down to this planet and shown Himself to us. He did this in a way that staggers our imagination: He became a man. This man (the Bible says) was Jesus Christ, who was both fully man and fully God. The Bible puts it this way: "In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). He proved this by rising from the dead. Do you want to know what God is like? Don't look at human institutions or organizations; they are fallible, and sometimes they do things that are wrong. Instead, look honestly at Jesus Christ as He is found in the pages of the New Testament. When you do, you will discover not only that God exists, but also that He loves you and wants you to be part of His family forever. God has promised, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). This will become true for you, as you open your heart and life to Christ. Q: I am 6 years old and I want to write a letter to God. Where can I write Him so He will get it? I want to ask Him a question. Will He write me back? Thank you. — B.D. A: Dear B.D., I'm glad you want to tell God your thoughts—and I hope you will always want to, even when you grow up. I'm afraid many adults forget God when they grow up, but I hope you won't. But you don't have to write a letter to God to ask Him your question—and the reason is because you can talk to Him and tell Him what you're thinking. This is what we call prayer. Prayer is simply talking with God and sharing our thoughts and worries with Him—and when we sincerely do that, He has promised to hear us. The Bible says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14). You see, God isn't just another person—even a great person—who lives somewhere on this earth. God is far greater than we are, and even if we can't see Him, He inhabits the whole universe. In fact, He made you and me, and everything we see around us. I know that is hard to understand—but that's how great God is! But let me tell you something else about God that is also very important: He loves you. That is why you can pray to Him and know that He will listen. He also has written a "letter" to us: the book we call the Bible. Ask your parents to get a Bible story book for you (perhaps at your local Christian bookstore), and as you read it you'll discover just how much God loves you, and how you can love Him in return. Q: Recently, a Christian friend of mine said he didn't like to use words like "luck" or "lucky," but I didn't find out why. What do you think he meant? If something good happens to me, I don't see what's wrong with saying I've been lucky, do you? — C.J. A: Dear C.J., I suspect the reason your Christian friend doesn't like to use words like "luck" or "lucky" is because they imply that our lives are ruled by chance. But Christians don't believe their lives are ruled by luck or chance; they believe God is in control. Think about it: If life is random or ruled by chance, then it doesn't really have any higher purpose. In fact, if you take it to its logical conclusion it means we are here by accident, and everything that happens to us is strictly accidental and has no meaning. Or we may decide we are ruled by fate and have no control over our destiny. Like the writer of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament, we'll be tempted to look at life and say, "All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 2:17). But God tells us otherwise! God created us, and He put us here for a purpose. He loves us, and He cares what happens to us! Life's greatest joy comes from discovering His purpose for our lives, and then (with His help) fulfilling it. What is God's purpose for us? Simply this: that we would live for Him instead of for ourselves. This happens as we give our lives to Christ and learn to walk with Him every day. Don't trust "luck" to give you happiness; instead, turn to Christ and put your future into His hands. Q: I wish I had a stronger faith in Jesus but I don't. What is your prescription for a strong faith? Or is it something that some people have and others don't? — R.G. A: Dear R.G., God wants us—every one of us—to have a strong faith in Him. He wants us to have a faith that doesn't waver or come and go, and one that will be strong enough to see us through life's trials and temptations. Have you asked Him for this kind of faith? Faith, however, doesn't just happen—any more than a strong body just happens. To have a strong body, you need to eat well, and you need to avoid things that could harm you or make you sick. You also need to exercise and take care of your body. The same is true with our souls. We need to avoid things that will harm us or make us spiritually sick, and we need to exercise our faith and put it into action. Most of all, we need to "eat" the spiritual "food" God has provided for us. What is the "food" God has given us to strengthen our faith? First, He has given us His Word, the Bible. In it He tells us what He has done for us, and how we are to live in return. Then God has given us the privilege of prayer, so we can come into His presence and share our deepest concerns with Him. He also has given us other believers, who can encourage and guide us. The Bible says, "Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). Make sure you have committed your life to Christ, and then make use of the spiritual "food" God has given you to grow in your faith. Q: I grew up in a Christian home, but over the years I drifted away from it and don't believe in God at all now. My question is this: Once a person is a convinced atheist, is there any hope of becoming a believer again? I don't see how it's possible, but I'd be interested in your answer. — A.McD. A: Dear A.McD., Yes, of course it's possible for a convinced atheist to become a believer—if they aren't close-minded. Unfortunately, in my experience many convinced atheists don't have an open mind, and aren't really willing to reexamine the evidence honestly and fairly. I hope that won't be the case with you. I could, of course, give you a number of reasons why it makes sense to believe in God; you probably already know them. But the most important thing I can do is urge you to look at Jesus Christ—not through the "lens" of your past experiences, but through the "lens" of the New Testament. Before you begin reading it, I challenge you to pray something like this: "God, I don't even know if You exist—but if You do, show Yourself to me." God will answer that prayer. Why do I urge you to look at Christ? The reason is because He made a very startling claim about Himself: He said He was God in human flesh. "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find" (Matthew 7:7). Don't let anything keep you from seeking God, for He loves you, and coming to know Him will be the greatest discovery you will ever make. Q: Why is it so hard to be a Christian? I made a decision for Christ several years ago, but it's been an uphill battle ever since trying to keep my feet on the straight and narrow, and I can't say I've always won. Why is it so hard to do what's right? — N.J. A: Dear N.J., One reason is because you and I are part of a much larger spiritual battle—a cosmic battle between God and the devil. The Bible warns, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against ... the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). Never forget: Satan is absolutely opposed to God, and his single goal is to stop God's work—including His work in our lives. When we come to Christ, we change sides (as it were), moving our citizenship from Satan's kingdom to God's Kingdom. Now our goal is to follow Christ and become more like Him. But this doesn't mean Satan is going to leave us alone! He may even redouble his efforts once we come to Christ, trying to lure us back or get us to compromise our faith. The Bible says, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). What is the solution? First, don't give the devil a toehold in your life! If old "friends" drag you down, stay away from them. If old habits have you in their grip, ask God to help you replace them with new ways of living. In addition, learn to walk with Christ every day through reading the Bible, prayer and fellowship with other believers. Finally, don't rely on your own strength to win the battle but on Christ and His strength. Q: I started reading your column recently, and I've noticed that you often tell people they need to make a commitment to Jesus. What exactly do you mean? Is this kind of like getting married, or something like that? — Mrs. J.F. A: Dear Mrs. J.F., Yes, in some ways making a commitment to Jesus Christ is similar to getting married. There are differences, of course—but both involve a decision to leave our old ways of living and commit ourselves completely to someone else. Let's look at some of the parallels. Before we'll ever get married, for example, we first have to want to be married—in other words, we have to admit that our life will be better off sharing it with someone else. The same is true of Christ. Before we can ever turn to Him, we have to realize we need Him. We have to admit that we have sinned and need God's forgiveness, and that our life will be better with Christ—both now and eternally. Then, before we get married, we'll ask ourselves if we truly love the other person—and more important, if they truly love us. The same is true of our relationship with Christ. Once we understand how much He loves us, we'll realize that He will never let us go, and we'll respond with love for Him. He loves us so much that He was willing to give His life for us. The Bible says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Finally, marriage involves commitment—and so does our relationship with Christ. Have you committed your life to Him? If not—or if you are unsure—turn to Him in repentance and faith, and commit your life to Him today. Q: My relatives all call me the black sheep of the family, and I guess they're right since they are Christians and I rejected religion years ago. But now that I'm older I'm beginning to think about God a lot, although I'd never admit it to them. Is this common when a person grows up in a religious home but then rejects it? — Mrs. S.J. A: Dear Mrs. S.J., It isn't as common as I wish it were—but yes, people who rebel against God early in life sometimes do stop to think about the path they've taken, and eventually turn back to God. I pray this will be your experience. One reason some people turn to Christ late in life is because they realize how empty their life has become. Could this be true of you? The devil promised them a good time; the Bible says sin has its pleasures "for a short time" (Hebrews 11:25). But if they are honest, they eventually realize that a life without God leads only to boredom, emptiness and despair. Most of all, it leads to Hell. The Bible warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Have you ever asked yourself why you turned against your family and rejected God? There may be many reasons, of course—but I suspect one of the strongest was simply rebellion. You wanted to run your own life, and you didn't want your family or anyone else (including God) telling you what to do. But was that logical? No, of course not. God is speaking to you right now; don't shut Him out. Instead, realize that God still loves you, and Christ died to forgive you. Don't let pride or anything else keep you from Him. Q: I've started teaching in a special school for mentally handicapped children, many of whom have a very difficult time learning. Does God expect them to understand all about Jesus and the Bible before they can go to heaven? I don't see how they ever could, and it worries me. — Mrs.V.McC. A: Dear Mrs.V.McC., God knows the limitations of these dear children, and you can be sure that He loves them and accepts them just as they are. After all, none of us are saved because we understand everything there is to know about Jesus or God. We are saved only because we have faith—and sometimes our faith is very small. The little children who crowded around Jesus didn't have any profound understanding of who He was or why He came, and yet He welcomed them and told His disciples, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14). Jesus said God even rewards faith that is no bigger than a mustard seed (see Matthew 17:20). I believe God has much to teach us through children with special needs. For example, they know what it means to depend totally on others and to trust others for their needs—just as we should trust God totally and completely. In my experience, they also can be very loving toward others—just as we should be if we are following Christ. These children you seek to help every day may not always understand everything you try to teach them—but they will learn from your example. Ask God to help you be an example to them of Christ's love and mercy. Q: I've just finished my first semester of college, and I admit it's been a difficult time for me spiritually. The problem is, I'm in a large state university, and there are very few of us here who want to follow Jesus. What advice would you have for someone in my position? — D.W. A: Dear D.W., Jesus never promised His followers that they would have it easy, or even that they would be in the majority. In fact, as a Christian you will often find yourself in the minority—as you do now. But don't let that surprise you or discourage you! When Jesus died on the cross, most of His followers fled, and after His resurrection only a handful of disciples gathered to await the promised coming of the Spirit. But Jesus' final promise to them is just as valid today as when He first spoke it: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). You are never alone when you know Christ. My first advice would be to take time each day to be with God. Even if it's only a few minutes at first, set aside a definite time in your schedule to pray and to spend time in God's Word, the Bible. The Bible says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Then seek out other Christians. You need their fellowship—and they need yours. Most university campuses have Christian groups that are linked with others around the country; your pastor will know their names. They also can help you deal with some of the intellectual challenges you may be facing, and help you witness for Christ to those around you. Q: Does anyone have the right to say that someone else isn't a Christian? Someone in our church said this recently about another person in our church, and I admit I got upset at them because I don't think it's up to us to make that kind of judgment, do you? — Mrs. Y.M. A: Dear Mrs. Y.M., No, I don't; God alone knows a person's heart, and only He knows if a person is sincere in their commitment to Christ or if they are only pretending to be His follower. This is what Jesus meant when He warned His disciples, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Matthew 7:1). Only God has the right to judge us concerning our eternal salvation, and ultimately we are accountable to Him alone. The Bible says, "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:12). This doesn't mean, of course, that we are to be naive or undiscerning toward people who may be out to harm us. The Bible tells us to avoid evil people—and in order to do that, we have to exercise good judgment. The Bible says, "The wise in heart are called discerning" (Proverbs 16:21). But this is different from judging their relationship with God. At the same time, don't fall into the same trap this person did; in other words, don't unconsciously let yourself become this person's judge. Instead, ask God to give you an opportunity to share your concern with them. The Bible tells us to speak "only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29). Q: How can I know if I'm really a Christian? I honestly believe I gave my life to Jesus a few months ago after one of your telecasts, but I'm not a very emotional person and I don't really feel any different. Have I been deceiving myself or something? — D.Z. A: Dear D.Z., No, you haven't been deceiving yourself—but the devil certainly will try to deceive you into thinking you have been. One of his oldest tricks is to try to get new believers to doubt their salvation—to doubt that God has really forgiven them, and that they are now part of His family forever. But don't listen to him! If you honestly opened your life to Christ as best you knew how, and you sincerely committed your life to Him, then your sins have been forgiven and God has made you His child forever. Jesus' promise is for you: "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life" (John 6:47). The Bible also says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). In other words, trust God's Word, and not your emotions! Emotions have their place; God gave them to us, and they can bring us great joy (as well as sorrow). But emotions come and go, and they are not a reliable gauge of our standing with God. The night I came to Christ in an evangelistic meeting I felt very little emotion. But down inside I knew something was different, and in time I learned to trust God's Word, and not my emotions. Thank God for sending His Son into the world to die for you. Then make it your goal to grow closer to Him through prayer, the Bible and the fellowship of a church where Christ is preached. Q: Do you think the time will ever come when everyone on earth will believe in Jesus? If so, it must be very discouraging to be an evangelist, because most parts of the world aren't Christian, and they don't seem to want to change. — K.Y. A: Dear K.Y., Jesus' command to His disciples has never been revoked: "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15). No matter how difficult it may be, these are our marching orders until Christ comes again—and someday they will be fulfilled. But God never promised that everyone on earth will come to believe in Jesus. After all, even in societies where the Christian faith has been widely preached (such as our own), many still chose to reject it. The same is true wherever the Gospel is preached; some will believe in Jesus and become His followers, while others will reject Him. Jesus once compared the evangelist to a farmer sowing seed. Some of his seed falls on hard or poor soil and dies, and only a portion will bear fruit (see Luke 8:1-15). So it is with the "seed" of the Gospel. At the same time, God is at work in a remarkable way today, and in spite of the barriers many are coming to Christ all over the world. Last year, for example, over 1 million people professed faith in Christ through the telecasts our organization was able to beam to various countries. Pray for God's work around the world, and pray for those who seek to share the good news of Christ's love with people who don't know Him. Many Christians today live in hard places, but God is still at work and using them for His glory. Q: Why do some people seem to have faith in God for a time, but then they turn their backs on it? Our son was active in church during his teen years and apparently gave his life to Jesus, but now as an adult he doesn't have anything to do with God. Why did this happen? — Mrs. A.M. A: Dear Mrs. A.M., Your son knows better than I do why he turned away from God—although many young people follow the same path. Thankfully, for many it's only a temporary detour, and as they grow older and see how serious and complicated life is, they realize they need God after all. But whatever your son's reasons, the ultimate problem with most people is that they want to run their own lives instead of allowing God to run them. To them, it sounds attractive to be independent and in control, because then you can do anything you want. Jesus warned that sometimes God's Word takes root and begins to grow, "but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Mark 4:19). And you can be sure that Satan will do everything he can to reinforce this, whispering into our ears that nothing could be more boring or restrictive than following Christ. But it isn't true! The Bible warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 16:25). Pray for your son every day, and ask God to convict him of his sin and help him realize the emptiness of his life apart from Christ. God loves him, and someday the seeds that were planted in his heart years ago will begin to bear fruit. Q: I have prayed and prayed for God to help us get out of debt somehow and bless us with more money, but He doesn't do anything. I hate living like this. Why doesn't God do something? Is He punishing us? — Mrs. N.McM. A: Dear Mrs. N.McM., No, God isn't necessarily punishing you for something you did wrong. We live in a fallen, sin-scarred world, and, because of this, life isn't always the way we wish it were. At the same time, God often has lessons to teach us when we face problems and adversity. He also can use life's hard experiences to knock the rough edges off our lives and change us into the people He wants us to be. Have you ever stopped to ask God what He wants to do in your lives through this experience? The psalmist prayed, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths" (Psalm 25:4). What does He want to teach you? I can't answer this question for you—but I urge you to seek it with a humble heart and an open mind. Perhaps He wants to change your attitude; perhaps He wants to give you new goals in life. Whatever it is, put Christ first in your life, and then ask Him to help you trust Him and not let the things of this world crush your spirit or dominate your thinking. The Apostle Paul said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Philippians 4:11). Then get practical help for your financial problems. Perhaps a wise businessman in your church or a nonprofit financial counseling agency in your community can help you find ways to tackle your debts and budget your finances. God often answers our prayers by bringing people into our lives who can help us. Q: Is it true that you aren't really saved unless you know the exact date you gave your life to Jesus? This worries me, because I'm not sure I really know when I "crossed the line" and became a Christian, because I was very young. But I do believe in Jesus and am trusting Him for my salvation. — T.S. A: Dear T.S., Many people know exactly when they responded to God's call and gave their lives to Christ. In my own experience, I can still vividly remember the night I went forward at an evangelistic meeting and committed my life to Jesus. But this isn't always true. My wife, Ruth, for example, grew up in a fine Christian home; her parents were medical missionaries in China. From early childhood she heard the Bible and learned about Jesus' love—and as a result she can never remember a time when she didn't believe in Jesus and have faith in Him. Yet Ruth to this day is the strongest Christian I have ever known. You see somewhat the same pattern in the Bible. Paul had a very decisive conversion experience; on the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and from that moment on he dedicated his life to Christ's service. But Peter, on the other hand, wavered in his faith, and the Bible doesn't tell us exactly when he "crossed the line" and decisively committed his life to Jesus. The most important question for you (or anyone else) is this: Are you now trusting Jesus Christ alone for your salvation? Do you know that if you were to die tonight, you would awaken in Christ's presence? The Bible is clear: "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:12). If you are trusting Christ, your salvation is secure. Q: Is it wrong to have questions about God? I am a Christian, but sometimes things happen to me that make me doubt my faith, and I begin to wonder whether or not I'm really on the right track. — F.G. A: Dear F.G., God wants us to trust Him completely and totally—and when we doubt, we aren't trusting Him as we should. The Bible warns that the person who constantly doubts God and fails to trust Him "is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does" (James 1:8). At the same time, God understands our doubts, and the most important thing I can tell you is that He wants to take them away and increase our faith. Do you remember Thomas, who was one of Jesus' closest disciples? When others told him that Jesus had been raised from the dead after His crucifixion, Thomas refused to believe it. He declared, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it" (John 20:25). How did Jesus respond? He didn't rebuke Thomas or tell him just to have more faith. Instead, Jesus came to him and showed him that He was alive. The response was immediate: "Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'" (John 20:28). Tradition says Thomas became an evangelist and preached the Gospel as far as India. When doubts come, don't let them take root in your soul. Instead, turn them over to Christ. Most of all, saturate your heart and mind every day with the truths of God's Word, the Bible. Satan will try to turn you away, but in Christ "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). Q: I believe in Jesus and want to follow Him, but I admit that I'm strictly a "work in progress." My faith isn't as strong as I wish it were, and sometimes I do things I know I shouldn't. How can I develop a strong faith? — J.N. A: Dear J.N., Faith doesn't come to any of us easily or automatically, any more than a garden or orchard grows easily and without careful attention and hard work. But God's plan is for us to grow in our faith, and not be stuck in the same spiritual rut all our lives. Jesus Christ came into the world so our sins could be forgiven and we could go to Heaven. But He also has a plan for us right now: to grow in our faith and in our relationship to Him. How does this happen? The Bible says, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). Just as a baby will never grow unless he or she is given nourishing milk, so you and I need spiritual "milk" to nourish and strengthen our souls. If we neglect the spiritual "milk" God offers us, our spiritual lives will be weak. What is this "milk"? First, God has given us His Word, the Bible. Make the Bible part of your life every day. Even setting aside five minutes at first to read through one of the Gospels or Psalms will help you to grow spiritually. God has also given us other believers to encourage and help us. We aren't meant to be spiritually isolated; we need the church, and we need other believers. Finally, God has given us the privilege of prayer. Make each of these part of your daily life, and you will grow spiritually strong. Q: We had our first child a few months ago, and to be honest, it's been a very sobering experience for me. How can I be a good father? My own father was always busy with his job and never spent much time with my sisters and me, but I'd like to do better. — N.S. A: Dear N.S., I'm thankful you want to be a good father, and there's no better time to be thinking about this. I hope your letter will cause other new fathers to ask the same question, particularly as we celebrate Father's Day in the United States. How can you be a good father? The first step is to realize that God gave this child to you, and you and your wife are only stewards or trustees of this little one God has entrusted to you. The Bible says, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3). Thank God for your child every day, and ask God to help you be the best parents you can be. Then, ask yourself why God gave this child to you. Certainly, one reason is to provide for his or her physical well-being; no one is as helpless as a baby. But God also gives children to us to help them grow mentally and emotionally—which is why there is no substitute for spending time with our children and letting them know, often and openly, that we love them. Most of all, God entrusts our children to us for their moral and spiritual growth. Will your child learn what is right and wrong from you, and that Christ is the only sure foundation for life? Make sure of your own commitment to Christ, then ask God to help you point your child to Him—both by your teaching and your example. Q: I really want to believe in God and follow Jesus, but I just can't seem to make myself do it. What would you suggest I do? Have you ever met people like me? — G.F. A: Dear G.F., Yes, I've met a number of people like you—many of whom later became strong believers. And the reason they did was because they weren't content to stay spiritually cold and stagnant, but they stepped out in faith and committed their lives to Christ. May this be true of you. Have you ever asked yourself what it is that holds you back? Is it some sin—a habit you don't want to give up, or a relationship you know is wrong? If so, stop and realize what it will cost you to hold on to it. At the moment, it may seem like you would be giving up something that makes you happy—but in reality that isn't true. Sin cuts us off from God‐and it also destroys our lives. The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Or perhaps you don't understand just how much God loves you, and what Jesus Christ has done for you. We can never save ourselves; we aren't good enough. But God loves us; He loves us so much that He was willing to send His only Son into the world to die for us. The Bible says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Don't let anything keep you from Christ. Instead, ask God to open your eyes to His love—and then respond by opening your heart to Christ. Make your commitment to Him without delay. Q: I know I ought to witness more for Jesus and tell others about Him, but I'm rather shy and I just can't do much. God must be very disappointed in me. How can I overcome this? — H.T. A: Dear H.T., You are right up, to a point; God wants every believer to be a witness for Christ to those who do not know Him. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. ... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16). But witnessing for Christ isn't just a matter of speaking to others about Him—although that is part of it. We also witness for Christ by the way we live—and this often makes a greater impact than our words. After all, we may tell someone that Jesus can change their life—but how do they know it's true? They will know it's true when they see it in our lives. They will realize that if Christ can change our lives, He can change theirs as well. Do others see Christ in your life? Do they see His love and compassion as you deal with other people? Do they see His patience and peace as you face difficulties and hardships? None of us is perfect—but ask God to bring you closer to Himself, and to change you from within. Ask Him also to fill you with His love, and help you to begin to see other people through His eyes. Then ask God to help you tell others about Jesus whenever He opens the door. All around you are people who need Him, and yet are reluctant to admit it. Ask God to help you overcome your natural shyness and point them to Jesus. Q: I heard you say once that the older someone gets, the harder it is for them to turn to God, but I don't agree with that. I'm in my 60s, and although I'm not a religious person right now, I'm sure I could turn to God any time I wanted to. — D.R. A: Dear D.R., That may seem true to you, but why gamble with your soul? Why delay coming to Christ and making sure of your salvation now, while you know you can? No one knows how much time they have left in life, and whether their life will come to an end slowly and gradually, or suddenly and unexpectedly. You may think you control your future—but in reality you don't. You could be like the man in Jesus' parable who decided he would take life easy and enjoy his pleasures for years to come. But all his plans came to nothing: "God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you'" (Luke 12:20). Why does it become harder for someone to come to Christ as the years go by? The main reason is because the more we turn away from God, the more insensitive our hearts grow to Him. The Bible warns, "A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1). God loves you, and He doesn't want you to spend eternity apart from Him. He loves you so much that Christ was willing to die for your salvation. By a simple prayer of faith, confess your sins to Him today and ask Him to forgive and save you. You will never regret making your decision for Christ. The Bible says, "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Q: I want to be a better person, but every time I try I get sidetracked and end up failing. God must be very disappointed in me, but I just can't seem to get my life headed in the right direction. What suggestions do you have? — T.B. A: Dear T.B., The most important thing I can tell you is that God not only wants you to become a better person, but He also wants to help you achieve it. In other words, you don't have to change your life through your own strength (as you've been trying to do). In fact, you can't change it on your own—not completely. But with God's help, you not only can start moving in the right direction, but you can also stay on the right path. The Apostle Paul's experience can become yours: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). How do you begin? First, by a simple act of faith commit your life to Jesus Christ and ask Him to come into your life—and He will. When we honestly turn our lives over to Him, He comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. We are no longer alone! God is with us, and as we follow Him, He begins to transform us from within. The Bible says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). Ask God also to lead you to a church where you can hear God's Word and be surrounded with people who will encourage and help you spiritually. Satan will do all he can to discourage you and pull you down—but this won't happen if you build your life on Christ. Make Him the center of your life today. Q: Does God ever give people a second chance? I turned my back on God over 50 years ago when I was a teenager, although I felt He was calling me. I know I should have committed myself to Jesus, and my life would have been a lot different if I had. Will He give me a second chance, or is it too late? — L.K. A: Dear L.K., It's never too late to turn to God, because God still loves us—even when we are rebellious and want nothing to do with Him—and He still wants us to become part of His family forever. The problem is, the longer we turn our backs on God, the easier it becomes to stay away from Him—and the harder it becomes to hear His voice. But your letter suggests to me that He is still calling you, and that down inside you know you need Him. Don't make the same mistake you made over half a century ago and turn away from Him again! Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, NLT). How should you come to Jesus? First, come by faith, believing that Jesus came from heaven to save you from your sins by His death and resurrection. Second, repent of your sins, asking God to forgive you for turning your back on Him all these years, and telling Him that from now on you want to live for Jesus. Third, commit your life to Christ every day, asking Him to help you be His follower. Thank God also for His patience with you, and for giving you a second chance to repent and turn to Him. Most of all, thank Him for Jesus, and for the hope we have of heaven because of Him. Q: I'm like that man in the Bible who told Jesus he believed, but he needed help to overcome his doubts (if I remember it correctly). Sometimes my faith is strong but sometimes it's weak. How can I have a stronger faith? — W.K. A: Dear W.K., You're probably thinking of a man whose son had been taken over by an evil spirit. One day, he brought his son to Jesus and asked Him to heal him if He could. Jesus replied that all things were possible if we believe, and "Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24). His exclamation was actually a prayer for help—and Jesus responded to his prayer by healing his son. The most important thing I can tell you is that God wants you to have a strong faith. He doesn't want us to be spiritually weak and wavering! And because He wants our faith to be strong, He has given us everything we need to make our faith grow. Just as we need food to grow strong physically, so we need spiritual "food" to grow strong spiritually. What is that spiritual "food"? First, God has given us His Word, the Bible. The man with the sick son listened to Jesus' words—and his faith grew stronger as a result. Make the Bible part of your life every day. Then God also has given us the privilege of prayer. This man cried out to Jesus—and Jesus answered. Bring your concerns to God every day, and learn to trust them into His loving hands. Finally, God has given us other believers to encourage and help us. Ask Him to lead you to a church where this can happen. Make use of God's spiritual "food," and your faith will grow strong. |