I have an on-going battle or conflict in reconciling the doctrines of grace and forgiveness with the call to holiness (1 Peter 1:15,16 – But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”) I understand that even that work needs to be exacted by the Holy Spirit’s work in my life. It’s just so easy to fall into legalism. Do you have any insights?

I’m leading a study using AW Tozer’s book The Pursuit of God. Tozer deals with some pretty heavy things in our lives that rival God’s rightful place, covetousness, self-life, etc. My apprehension, now that we’re on the 3rd chapter, is that the group may not agree with his approach – heavy on the experiential as opposed to the positional-only stance of being in the presence of God. Are you familiar with this author and book?

I pray God’s richest blessings on you and your family. Peace!

My question is on 1 John 4:12 where it states no man has seen God… but how do we reconcile this with what Jesus told Philip in John 14:9. This is how I interpret or understand this seemingly contradiction. 1 John 4 is a chapter that speaks to having love for one another and for God, verse 7 states that “beloved let us love one another for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God”.

This is conjecture but could John have meant here that the un-regenerated man void of the love of God has never seen Him. I feel that every time I look at one of my brothers or sisters I should see God/Christ in them. Remember to be re-born by the Spirit is to return to the original image that God created us to reflect and that is His image.

Thank God for you Jack, that people like my self can ask questions and get Spirit filled answers in return

After true salvation has genuinely taken place in a persons life,is it possible for that person to take a 15 to 20 year vacation,or until even Death, from hearing or reading or taking in some form of the word of God?

I went through a Dark period of a couple of years where I fed myself with nothing but the world. It had gotten Dark enough where I came RUNNING back to the Light. I didn’t like living without the Gospel or at least hearing the Word of God. As believers, can we truly get saved and then not feed our Souls with the Word in some form?

In other words, feeding on the Word in some form or fashion. If we did take a break from the Word for so long, would not God Chastise us or make things happen to bring us back? Or, a Saved Individual just lives a Defeated life when they don’t Fellowship with God’s Word any longer? Does this have to do with those believers that just do not bear much fruit at all in their whole life?

Our bible study group is studying the 2nd book of Kings. Could you tell me what book is referred to when it says “The rest of the events of (name of King) and his deeds are recorded in the Book of The History of the kings of Israel, (or Judah)”.

We don’t know if it is referring to these books, or another.

I feel extremely blessed to have found GTF and you. My question concerns the mind and how many times various ‘stuff’ pops in there in short time spaces. I have made Proverbs 23:7 and Jeremiah 17;8 my daily theme as best as my mind will allow. My question is when the Rapture occurs so fast and there is a foul thought in my mind how do I get forgiveness before being in the presence of our Lord? I wrestle with this of thing sort constantly. I hope you can help. Thanks and may God Bless You.

Thank you for all the work you do. I started listening to your Olivet Discourse today, taking notes and hoping to teach it to a small group in my home.

I was wondering if you have a favorite version of the Bible, and if so, could you let me know what that is. There are a lot of Bibles out there with Scriptures left out, and gender bias and all that new-fangled stuff. So if you have a favorite please let me know, I respect your advice. Do you know anything about the Holman Bible?

God in three Persons. Is each part of the Trinity called a “Person” because each one has a distinctive personality or is there another reason? How can you call a Spirit a Person?

What do you think of the curent trend in some churches to have people that are called by others and themselves as “Prophets, and Apostles?” They use Ephesians 4:11 and following as their basis. I believe it is called the “Five- Fold Ministry.”

I don’t want to “quench the spirit”, and I know the “gifts” are forever, or until Christ comes, but I’m so uncomfortable with people who call themselves a “Prophet” or an “Apostle.” I believe in the gift of prophecy, and that the gifts are for today, but isn’t there any biblical distinction twixt someone who operates in the “gift of prophecy”, and the office of a “Prophet?” Likewise, I know scripture lists more apostles than the 12 disciples, but I’ve been taught that apostles have seen the risen Lord. Then I’ve heard that “Apostles” are merely those who are “sent out” to establish churches.

You’ve helped clarify so many things, I hope you’ll take a stab at this one.

I know as Christians we are to not put all of our focus on the things of the world because our treasures are in heaven but is there anything wrong with wanting nice things such as new clothes, a new house, family vacations, etc? I tithe more than 10% of my monthly income but feel guilty about going on a vacation or buying new clothes or wanting a bigger house. Thanks for your response.

Three sources I have looked at place the beginning of the conquest of Canaan as about 1400-1406 B.C. They also place the date of Ruth as being in the latter part of the judges. One says 1000 and two others say 1100B.C. That would give 300 to 400 years between the time Rahab was taken out of Jericho and the life of Ruth and Boaz. What am I missing?