I am a fairly new Christian. I was told my salvation was free gift from God as no one can measure up to God’s standard and Jesus paid all the penalties for our sins so we can have eternity with God. I would like to know why my new pastor insists the more money we give the more blessings from God. This is contradictory to the Bible I think. In the Old Testament the people had to tithe but in the new Testament the mandatory tithe was deleted, right? So, is my salvation free, or not?

How can I draw nearer to God? As Matthew 7:7-8 says to do, I ask and seek and knock and I desire to draw nearer but I still feel distanced from Him. I have asked Him to reveal Himself to me, but I still feel a lot of times my prayers aren’t getting very far.

I recently heard a teacher reference I John 3:9 (“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”) as support for the proposition that “true” believers will not sin, or at least practice sin. With all the Scriptural support for the concept that believers can, and do still sin, how do you explain I John 3:9?

My husband understands accepting the Lord as his Savior – and says he has – but has been taught since childhood that a person needs to do good in order to stay in “good standing” with God. I tried to explain that once you accept the Lord you are His child and have eternal life. The good works we do are to please the Lord and be a testimony to other people but are not requirements for heaven. Once someone has accepted the Lord, are these follow-up teachings moot when it comes to their salvation?

I have a strong sense that America will remain a fairly safe place for Christians until after the Rapture. The reason I believe this is because of the ‘cities of refuge’ in the book of Numbers. God seems to have places for His people to escape to in times of trouble and America has been one of these places in these last couple of centuries. What are your thoughts on this?

I have a disabled child and therefore am involved with other mothers who’s children are also disabled. I was asked a question by a new christian mom for which I did not have an answer. I said I would get back to her after I spoke with you. I was asked if a mother had sinned by having an abortion would God inflict a living child of hers with a disability or death because of her sin. Your words of wisdom are appreciated. Many women feel guilty because of their children’s disabilities. They feel sometimes it is God’s punishment for their past sins. I want to have a sound biblical answer for these women who blame themselves for their child’s disabilities.

My son has a question about those who haven’t heard about God and Jesus … those in remotest parts of the world. I told him God doesn’t wish anyone to perish and would make a way for everyone to know Him. He said he doesn’t believe everyone hears. How can I help him?

My wife is with child. If the Rapture occurs soon will the baby get a free ticket to heaven? Will it at some point have to choose Christ? Will we see it grow up or will he or she gain full mental and physical capacity in Heaven?

I just read your article about the Great Pyramid of Giza. I enjoyed it, but was wondering if you’d ever done a study on the Sphinx and if so what you’ve learned about it. It seems that all these monuments (Easter Island Statues, Mayan Pyramids, Stonehenge etc.) are connected somehow. Anyway any thoughts you may have are appreciated.

Hi Jack. Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity to ask Bible-based questions!

I have a question about Earth and its standing after Jesus comes. One television preacher says Earth will never pass away. Yet, I remember a verse that says something like, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Can you clarify that for me? Thanks!