Last Sunday night we did an ASK ANYTHING night where the congregation could ask anything they wanted of some of the pastoral staff (and Nancy Muyskens a Christian counselor). Of course we had more questions...
than we could get to so I'll hang on to them and answer a few every week. Here ya' go...
Question: There are many "vain" Christians in the world. How can you be sure they are Christians and should we be spending time with those so called "believers"?
Answer: First of all, I'd be careful how you pay attention to the speck in other people's eyes. I've often found when I do, I neglect the plank in my own eye. I try to steer clear of people who lead me away from God, but I also seek to spend time with those I know God has put in my path. God is passionately in love with those close to Him and those straying away from Him. That said, Galatians 5 gives us some ways to discern. Paul writes:
16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. 18 But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.
Pay attention to the fruit I guess I'd say.
Question: Why was my child born with disabilities? Am I being punished?
Answer: We talked about this that night, but I didn't bring up the one text which is somewhat relevant to this question. Give John 9:1-3 a read. Short answer: God is not punishing parents of children with disabilities. Those in need are our greatest teachers. They are prophets. Listen to their lives and we'll hear God speaking to us.
Question: Is it a bad thing that I don't want to come to church right now? I that God and I are okay...I'm not worried about that. Someone mentioned it could be Satan at work. Your thoughts? Why would I come if I don't feel like being here?
Answer: My short answer is because we are better with you than without you. The gathering of Christians in worship is a powerful thing. You are changed by being with us and God. We are changed by you being with us and God. We need you. You need us. The Church does not exist just to get you right with God. The Church exists to do God's work in the world together. We can't do that if you are not a part of the community. As you probably know, we are the Body of Christ and every member is important. We are not designed to be separated. Here's a little prodding from Paul: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25).
Comments