If someone believes that they can lose their salvation because of their behavior, are they saved? Though they claim the name of Christ and say they believe he is their Savior, their salvation is not really based on Jesus at all but on themselves. Aren’t they the ultimate savior of their souls and not Jesus? And though they say that Jesus died for their sins, wouldn’t believing that you can lose your salvation because of something you did or did not do really be saying that because of sin you can go to hell? Thank you for any light you can shed on this. You are greatly appreciated.

I have heard all my life that Jesus (God and the Holy Spirit for that matter), wants to have a personal relationship with us. What exactly does that mean, both now and in eternity? I think I understand somewhat the idea of what kind of personal relationship He wants with us in the here and now. However, any verses you can lead me to that pinpoint what that relationship should be would be helpful.

I really do desire a personal relationship with Him. I want to give him the respect, praise, and honor that he deserves. Herein lies the problem, I also want to be able to treat him as my best friend too. I just don’t know exactly how to do that.

I’ve been listening to your teaching on the Book of Mark and find it fascinating. A big question though, you say that part of the ritual once a year was the sprinkling of blood on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies. The ark of the covenant was not in the temple during the time of Jesus so where did they sprinkle the blood? How did they complete their required sin offerings and sacrifices? In your teaching, you say that the last thing that Jesus had to do was sprinkle his blood on the mercy seat at the throne of God where the real arc is. Everything in heaven is real and on earth a shadow or copy of that in heaven. Could you expound on this more?

I can’t get this concept of beings saved. It’s hard for me, as I have had a hard life. I have prayed when in Juvenile, I go to a catholic church with my friend ( I am not catholic, but baptist and Jewish by race.) My friend and I talk constantly about Jesus. He bugs me about not being saved, but it doesn’t bother me. Don’t get me wrong, I want to be saved. But I don’t have the “feeling” inside me. What do you suggest for me?

I just have a short question. If we are saved totally by grace, what is the judgment all mankind will face at the end? Thank for your inspiration. I look forward to coming to this site every single day.

My job of ‘Religious Education teacher’, allows me to speak freely (ish) about Jesus – along with other world religions – to students that might not ordinarily hear about him. In the past I’ve thought of this as a blessing. Of late though, my job is becoming increasingly stressful with the demands and pressures applied by senior management. I have difficulty connecting at home and my spare time is taken up with extra work to meet deadlines; it feels like being on a treadmill that you can’t get off.

1 Corinthians 10:33 says we should not seek our own good, but the good of many so they can be saved. This suggests we should carry on regardless of our own feelings for the greater good. However, although I am telling people about Jesus in my lessons which I enjoy, my job interferes with my daily walk because it consumes my thoughts – both at work and at home to the point where my health and my relationship with Jesus are both suffering. What should I do?

I have been wondering how the idea of turning the other cheek would apply to Christians in Iraq, Syria, etc., and the Islamic State. Maybe the difference is that IS wants to kill them. I believe the Bible should apply the same to all Christians everywhere and that is why preaching prosperity doesn’t work. Can you shed some light on this?

Can you explain why there is two versions of creation in Genesis ? It says in the beginning etc and takes us to the creation of mankind then the seventh day and God rested. Then it starts another chapter explaining Adam, the Garden of Eden etc.

I recently heard an ‘alternative’ sermon regarding turning the other cheek. According to this teacher, if you turned the other cheek and caused someone to strike you with the back of their hand, it was actually an act of defiance rather than submission. He said Jesus was, therefore, teaching us to ‘stand up for ourselves’. I would be grateful for your thoughts.

I am going on my third layoff inside of two years. I was just laid off after seven months last Tuesday. I was told “last one hired, first one fired” although there was someone that came in months after me. I don’t understand why God would give me a job and then take it away. I need a job for so many reasons. I feel so lost and humiliated.