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My question about the meaning of “losing one’s faith,” as opposed to having doubts, has come to the forefront again. It relates to the reader’s question, and your response, to how a minister of the Gospel can be “left behind.”

I believe our Lord’s death fully satisfies God’s requirement for perfect justice. I believe His resurrection proves the Father’s acceptance of His sacrifice in that respect. I believe it is the only thing that does meet that requirement. There is no other way to live in the eternal presence of God.

I know God will not deceive me. But, I know, also, that scripture is full of examples where He has allowed men to deceive themselves. So, what is the difference between believing and trembling, as the devils do, and believing and being saved, as the Church does? Are the “left behind” preachers/teachers “certain” they are saved? Will they be truly surprised when they don’t go up in the Rapture?

Will Jesus tell me that He never knew me? How can I be certain, despite my acknowledgment of my sins and my prayers for forgiveness in Jesus’ name, that, somehow, what I have done, am doing, is genuine enough? God does not tell me. He has never given me the Blessed Assurance despite my prayers for more than 60 years.

I am unable, so far, to overcome my doubts, not in His promises, but in my self. How can I “let go and let God”?

If we’re saved by grace alone, why do we need to believe in Christ? Doesn’t grace alone mean all people should be saved regardless of their response? Isn’t the act of believing a “work” in itself?

Also, why did Jesus leave earth after he was raised from the dead? I think if he had stayed it would have allowed more people to believe and be saved. It seems to me that the information about being saved is not clear enough for many people to understand. But perhaps that is the plan- to only save a small percentage?

My question is: what are some things we can do as laypersons to counter or protect ourselves from being misled by these so-called factual shows on TV?

I know turning off the TV is probably number 1 on the list but these shows prove that people have a thirst for Biblical knowledge especially as it concerns end time prophecy. How can they protect themselves so that shows that say “Jesus was probably not a carpenter” will not cause them to question their faith or the truths in Gods word?

After reading your commentary on Hebrews (which in my opinion is your best one yet) a question came to mind. In Hebrews 11:39-40, the writer says “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” When it says “only together with us would they be made perfect” doesn’t that hint at the old testament believers being resurrected along with the church at the rapture?

Normally, I see old testament believers being resurrected at the end of the tribulation along with martyred tribulation saints since that is where Daniel seems to put the resurrection. However, the Hebrews passage seems to say that old testament saints are “made perfect” along with church believers. Why the apparent contradiction?

There is a bit of a discussion in a Bible study group I’m in on the topic of Jesus’ ancestry, and part of the discussion focuses on Mary’s ancestry. Your website asserts that “Mary and Joseph were both of the tribe of Judah and descendants of David”, and “Mary’s line was through Solomon’s brother Nathan (Luke 3:31).” Since Luke 3:23 begins Jesus’ lineage with “He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, “, how can this be said to be Mary’s lineage?

I’ve always believed without too much critical analysis what your website says, but now I want solid Biblical underpinning.

Are Matthew 22:34-40 and Luke 10:25-37 the same story told from different perspectives or two separate stories? Jesus goes on with the Good Samaritan parable in Luke but, the story ends with the greatest commandment in Matthew. It appears the characters are the same.

Was Elijah the only prophet in the Old Testament who did not die a human death?

I am really struggling with mental attacks, can you please keep me in your prayers? What I am struggling with is how do I let my light shine before men? When I am with non-believers whether family or co-workers I don’t know how to witness and when I don’t I come under condemnation.

In these last days I’ve been trying to live according to God’s will, and I’ve been blessed because of it. I’m struggling with one thing though, and that’s dependence on pot. I smoke almost every day – especially this time of year when I am prone to bouts of severe depression and anxiety. It’s the only thing that helps. I asked a brother about it, and he said that we should live not only according to God’s law, but to that of society as well. He suggested that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and smoking may be harmful to to our health, thus sinful to God. I want to know how God feels about it. Is smoking pot a sin?

This past Christmas we had several friends and family over to celebrate the holiday.

After the Christmas meal, it was decided to have the Lord’s Supper. I, as head of household, officiated the event. Everyone took part in it except my mother-in-law.

Come to find out from my wife recently, the reason why she abstained was she wanted to know “where I had the audacity to perform the Lords Supper in my own home without having a legally licensed pastor officiating the ceremony.”

Anyway, do you know off the top of your head where the Bible states that I, as head of household, have the authority as Jesus did to perform such ceremonies as well as “cast out demons, claim my territory over my family from evil, etc…”