A what point does sin take root in a person? Examples: I get cut off in traffic and immediately I get upset but refuse to think negatively about the other driver. Or I see a very pretty girl and think about my carnal days and what I would do then but stop and refuse to go any further. Or I see a beer commercial and again think about the old days and getting buzzed but stop and turn the channel. These things come at me all day long and honestly as the day wears on and I get tired I have a tendency to think a little more but again I stop. Do I need to repent as soon as the thought crosses my mind?

I have a question regarding Romans 11:25, speaking of the ‘fullness of the Gentiles’. In your understanding does the fullness occur at the Rapture of the Church, after which God renews his program with the Jews, or at a later time during the 70th week? I would appreciate your scholarly explanation on this subject.

I have been so blessed by gracethrufaith. My question is: Why were James and John given the name “Sons of Thunder” and what is it’s meaning?

I noticed that you use Romans 8:39-39 in justifying OSAS. I’ve been told that this verse lists only external factors and doesn’t include anything internal to us. This means while nothing external to us can cause us to lose our salvation, we can either forfeit or give back our salvation by things we do ourselves. Is this true?

Our friends recently cut all ties with us when we did not attend a New Testament Restoration Meeting. One of the topics was celebrating the Lord’s Supper as a full meal every Sunday. We are not convinced that the Lord’s supper must be a full meal, celebrated weekly. With the emphasis on ‘must be’. The full meal part is a concern because the preparation and menu have the potential of distracting from the remembrance of all that Jesus did for us. We are startled to think that our friendship has been destroyed over this topic. Any thoughts?

Just in regards to the recent question on tithing…what happens if we don’t go to church? Usually the money would be given during the church service – but for Christians such as myself who don’t actually attend a church regularly, where should we send our money?

I’ve been thinking of maybe keeping the money aside for people in need (such as Christian charities/organizations, sponsoring children in poverty etc), but is this the way God’s portion should be spent? Or should I somehow keep it aside to offer to the Lord personally? I hope this makes sense!!

I was reading a devotional and something this author wrote has disturbed me. Speaking of Romans 8:28 he said, “God promises that he will work out everything to our good, and the good of others, as long as we obey Him”.

As far as I know this Scripture reads this way: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

I do realize that if someone loves God they are going to make every attempt to obey Him except that I know there are so many many times I do not obey God even though I always want to. So am I to believe that God is not going to work everything to my good because I’m sometimes disobedient?

If you believe that the parable of the 10 virgins speaks about a time on Earth just after the 2nd Coming, then why in, verse 13 did Jesus say, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son Of Man Cometh.” It sounds to me like a warning about the 2nd coming.

Also If the oil here were a symbol of the spirit of God how or why would they think another Christian could give them part of their spirit? And what would make the wise think the foolish could go and buy their salvation (spirit of God) from those who sell it? But here they went to those who sell to buy oil and did buy it and came back to be with the Bridegroom (Jesus). Do you know where you can go and buy the spirit of God for your salvation? If so why did Jesus die?

Oil is a source of both food and fuel. If the oil here is symbolic for food and fuel then the story works. If you notice, the foolish did go and buy oil. But Jesus said he didn’t know them. So if the oil were the spirit of God, Jesus would have to know them.

Like everyone else who have responded to this site, I give you a big “Thank You” for your faithfulness!

I was reading the question having to do with Church and the Church. My thought process went to church authority held by the elders and pastor of the local church. I reason that they don’t have final authority, fore that leads to cultism – blindly following the leader of your group. However, the Scripture does speak to submission. How far does that go in the local church? And, how does the discernment of the individual Believer come into play when that discernment is contrary to church leadership?

A teacher used Romans 11:22 defending the statement that to remain saved we must follow the commandments or be cut off. He also cites James 2:14and 24-26 to back this up. And if we commit “Deadly Sins” our souls are dead and a person is not saved anymore. I understand John 3:16 but there seems to be (in my mind) a contradiction. This topic really bothered me when I read it, and I almost feel like it is going to come down my individual interpretation.