Matthew 5: 21-22 says “You have heard that it was said to those of old “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Since God never changes, He never changes His rules. So did Jesus add to this law, or was He saying that God always meant that law to mean that?

In Rev. 3:5 it says that if people overcome God will not blot them out of the book of life. Can you comment on this verse and who are the overcomers this passage is talking about?

If I understand correctly, lust is a desire for something, whether it is a person, etc…so, with that, a so-called “crush” on someone would be lust. How do I differentiate between lust and “casually” noticing someone’s attractiveness? I’m not trying to justify any sinful behavior, but I would like to have that point cleared up. What scriptures address this issue?

I just read your weekly article,” What kind of life can we expect “. I agree with what you said, but I worry that I am being one of the greedy ones. When we give, in the back of my mind I am excited to see how God is going to bless me. Also it just makes me happy to give to others. I have never given without wishing it could be more. We own our farm and do not have any debt, so I am not looking for anything. I am just excited to see how God is going to work. Can you make sense of what I am asking?

I have a question about Matthew 8:5-13…verses 11-12 specifically. Before Jesus heals the servant, why does He say “I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”? Why will the sons of the kingdom be thrown out?

I once heard you must be baptized by immersion in water. As an infant, I was baptized Catholic. And I’ve also heard you cannot be baptized twice. Can you be born again without a baptism at the time you asked God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and through faith accept Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Have you heard of people using some letter supposedly written by Corrie Ten Boom to try and prove that the church will go through the tribulation? Why would people use Corrie Ten Boom as evidence that the church is supposed to go through the trib? Why wouldn’t they use just scripture? The letter claims that Christians in China were told they’d be raptured but were then persecuted by Mao; therefore the American church needs to be ready for persecution in the tribulation.

I was wondering if you believe that God enters into our suffering as well as having already suffered for our sins? If so, do you know how He does this? Does He feel our current pain and/or anguish right along with us, or is it a type of suffering that I might have with a friend, more like compassion?

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells his followers that if they do not show mercy to one another, God will not show mercy to them. He mentions that the sheep (mercy givers)will be separated from the goats, and that the sheep will go to heaven, and the goats to hell. Can you help me understand how this isn’t saying that our salvation is works related? If this parable is speaking of faith that leads to right actions, then my question would be, can a person truly be saved but not exhibit much mercy or right actions? How many merciful actions are enough to demonstrate true faith? Or does only God know this? I’m a little worried that I’m not demonstrating enough mercy and kindness to others.

I have a question about John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Peter two times, do you love (agapeo) Me? And Peter responds, Yes Lord, I love (phileo) You. The third time Jesus asks Peter do you love (phileo) Me, Peter responds, yes Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (phileo) You. So my question is why did Peter respond that he loved the Lord with phileo love? And why the third time Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him with phileo love not agapeo love?