I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn’t, than live my life as if there isn’t, and die to find out there is!


Monday, January 25, 2010

My Husband is Not a Christian. Should I Leave Him?

Millennium Prayer to World PeaceImage by Loci Lenar via Flickr
Question:  My husband of five years is not a Christian.  I thought he might change with my influence, but he shows no signs, and now I feel "unequally yoked." In view of 2 Corinthians 6:14 am I justified in seeking a divorce?

Answer: Absolutely not! The Scripture you referenced in no way suggests or condones divorce. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 admonishes us to be careful in entering into relationships, (all types not just marriage) and that we should enter into relationships with believers whenever possible.  If, for some reason we do not heed the admonition, God has provided ample Scripture to guide us in those relationships, once established, even if we are "unequally yoked." I think the Scripture that is applicable to your situation is 1 Corinthians 7:13,16. Go and read it, and while you are at it read Genesis 2:24.  Remember, your marriage was a covenant with God as well as with your husband. God does not honor divorce, and Christians should not consider divorce an option (or at least the very, very last option in cases of abuse or danger). God joined you together, and told you to stay together, so you better figure out how to do it. I will pray for your situation.


Relevant Scripture
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate." Matthew 19:4-6


Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

 
 

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Is the Trinity a Valid Christian Doctrine?

Luca Rossetti da Orta, The Holy Trinity', fres...Image via Wikipedia
Question: I hear Christians speak of the "Trinity" yet I cannot find the word in the Bible.  Does that mean it is an unbiblical doctrine?

Answer: You are correct in that the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, but the concept is clearly derived from Scripture, and is a biblical doctrine. Throughout the Bible references are made to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is but one God existing in three personalities (or persons). In fact, there is very strong biblical support for the doctrine of the Trinity.  Some of the Scripture supporting one God --
1 Corinthians 8:4, James 2:19, John 5:44, Romans 3:30 and more. On the one hand, the Scripture is clear that there is only one God; yet, it also is clear that there are three distinct persons who are called God in Scripture. God the Father -- 1 Peter 1:2 and others, God the Son (Jesus)-- John 20:28 and others, God the Holy Spirit -- Acts 5: 3,4. The concept of the Trinity carries through the entire Bible and I have given you a very small sampling of supporting Scripture. No, the word Trinity is not used in the Bible; Yes, the doctrine of the Trinity is a valid biblical doctrine.

Relevant Scripture
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19

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Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Monday, January 18, 2010

Is Jesus telling us to hate our families?

El Greco's Jesus Carrying the Cross, 1580.Image via Wikipedia


Question: I am having a little trouble understanding Luke 14:26. Jesus seems to be telling us to hate our families. Is this so?

Jesus' comments in Luke 14:26 are an example of hyperbole, a form of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus was setting up an extreme contrast to make a point. He was describing to His disciples the total love and commitment they were to have. In the Hebrew mindset of the time to "hate" simply meant to "love less." Jesus was saying that our supreme love must be for Him. Everything (and everyone) else must take second place. Measuring our love for Christ against all lesser loves may make these lesser loves seem like hate by comparison.


Relevent Scripture
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;" Matthew 10:37


If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left hand column.

Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Monday, January 11, 2010

If Jesus came to save us, what happened to all those in Old Testament times?

Golgotha Crucifix, designed by Paul Nagel, Chu...Image via Wikipedia

Question: I'm confused. The Bible says Jesus died on the cross for my sins.  What happened to all those people in the Old Testament who died before Jesus came?

It's important to remember that Jesus the Christ, the Lamb of God, died for each of us individually; His sacrifice was for all of us, including those in the Old Testament.  You can look upon this as sort of "retroactive" atonement. Remember God always had a plan of redemption for us, and that plan was laid prior to the foundation of the earth being laid. Jesus always was going to be the sacrificial lamb, from the beginning. So the Old Testament believers received the redemption and atonement in the same manner we have; by the blood of Christ. Their sins were imputed to Him beforehand. (see Romans 3:25 --best in the King James version) Christ died for our sins; past, present and future. In the case of the Old Testament believers, it's just past sins.

Relevant Scripture
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -- now that he has died as a  ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15


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Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Where do babies spend eternity?

Salvation for AllImage by rogiro via Flickr
Question:  My sister's baby boy lived just one year then died. Where will he spend eternity? What if he had died in the womb?

Let's start with your second question. First, it is important to know that even though a child in the womb does not "breathe" it is alive in the mother. Therefore it has a soul and a spirit as well as a living body in the prenatal state. This, in essence makes your two questions one. What happens to children who die before they are old enough to accept Jesus as their lord and savior?  Everyone needs salvation, even those too young to know it. We are all born into sin. However, those children who die prior to reaching their individual age of accountability are under the blood and saved by the blood of Christ.  Remember, Jesus died for all, including the children. Children who are to young to accept Jesus, and understand what they have done, will spend eternity in heaven with God. It is very important that just as soon as your children are old enough to understand, you lead them to Christ. See Mark 10:14


Relevant scripture
Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. Psalms 58:3

In the Grip of Grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left hand column.

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Monday, January 4, 2010

Was Jesus Simply Just a Good Moral Teacher?

Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator ...Image via Wikipedia
I have heard that Jesus was not really God, but was a good moral teacher who was trying to set an example for us. Is this true?

Absolutely not!  Jesus told us He is God in several places in the bible. In addition to the verse above, read John 6:29,40. Think about it for a minute; Jesus as only a good moral teacher does not make sense. If Jesus said He is God, and he is not, then he must have been a liar. If he was a liar, how could he have been a good moral teacher, since the act of lying reflects bad morals. Would someone who was just a teacher of moral values claim that the destiny of the world lay in His hands? Would he tell people they would spend eternity in heaven or hell, depending upon their believing in Him? I think not. Further, for Jesus to tell people that He is God, and the Savior of the world (Luke 19:10) when he really was not, would be the height of immorality. Yes, Jesus was (and is) a good moral teacher, but He also was (and is) God.

Revelant Scripture
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"  John 8:58


Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?   John 14:9

In the Grip of Grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left hand column.

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