Questions That Every Christian Should Know How to Answer
As Christians, it is our duty to be ready to defend our faith at all times. However, it is important that we do so in a way that is gentle and loving, with the intent to draw people closer to Christ, rather than further away. As our words are guided by the Spirit of God, they should be used to inspire and empower those around us, so that we can become better versions of ourselves.
As Ephesians 4:29 reminds us, Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. We through the Spirit of God should show the love of Christ through our words, words that build up and in inspire change.
If Salvation is through faith alone, how good works factor into the Christian life?
The relationship between faith and good works in the Christian life is an important theological concept that has been discussed and debated throughout Christian history. While salvation is indeed received through faith alone, good works play a significant role in the life of a believer as a natural expression of that faith.
Salvation by Faith Alone:
The Bible is clear that salvation is a gift from God, received by faith in Jesus Christ. This doctrine is often summarized by the phrase "sola fide," emphasizing that salvation is not earned through our own efforts but is a result of God's grace and our faith.
Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Good Works as a Fruit of Faith:
While salvation is not achieved by good works, genuine faith naturally leads to a transformed life characterized by good deeds. Good works are not a means to earn salvation but rather a reflection of a heart changed by God's grace.
Bible Verse: James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Faith and Works in Harmony:
The apostle Paul and James both address the relationship between faith and works. Paul emphasizes that good works do not save but rather demonstrate the authenticity of faith, while James underscores the necessity of actions as evidence of genuine faith.
"The purpose of good works isn't to change us or save us, rather it's the demonstration of the change within us." - Aiden Wilson Tozer
Good works is a by-product of your faith.
Bible Verses: Romans 3:28 - "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." | James 2:18 - "But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Service and Love:
Good works are often linked to love and service for others. Jesus' teachings emphasize the importance of showing love and compassion to those in need.
"God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does." - Martin Luther
Bible Verse: Matthew 25:35-40 - Jesus' parable of the sheep and goats emphasizes the significance of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the marginalized as acts of love for Christ Himself.
Quotes:
"We are not saved by works; but if there be no works, there must be something amiss with faith." - Charles Spurgeon
"Faith and works are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God." - Charles Spurgeon
In summary, salvation is received through faith alone, yet good works are an essential outgrowth of that faith. Good works do not earn salvation but rather demonstrate the transformative power of God's grace in the believer's life. The Christian life involves a harmonious relationship between faith and deeds, with love and service to others as a natural response to God's love and grace.
Why do prayers sometimes go unanswered despite Jesus' promise that "whatsoever you ask in my name, I will do it?
The question of unanswered prayers despite Jesus' promise in John 14:13-14 ("Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.") is another complex and deeply theological topic. Several factors and biblical examples contribute to understanding why prayers might not always receive the desired response.
Alignment with God's Will:
While Jesus does promise that prayers in His name will be answered, the context suggests that these prayers must align with God's will. This is evident in other parts of the New Testament, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's desires above our own.
Biblical Example: Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) demonstrates submitting to God's will even when it's difficult, rather than asserting personal desires.
Motives and Intentions:
James 4:3 highlights that prayers can go unanswered when motives are driven by selfish desires rather than genuine seeking of God's will and the well-being of others.
Biblical Example: In Acts 8:18-24, Simon the Sorcerer's request for spiritual power was driven by impure motives, leading to a rebuke from the apostles.
Faith and Trust:
The Bible emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God when praying. Doubt and lack of faith can hinder the effectiveness of prayers.
Biblical Example: James 1:6-7 emphasizes the need for faith when asking God for wisdom, warning against doubting or being double-minded.
Unconfessed Sin:
Sin can create a barrier between individuals and God, affecting the outcome of prayers. Addressing sin through confession and repentance is crucial for maintaining a close relationship with God.
Biblical Example: Psalm 66:18 acknowledges that if one cherishes sin in their heart, the Lord may not hear them.
Bible Verses:
1 John 5:14-15: "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."
Matthew 21:22: "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
Mark 11:24: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
In summary, Jesus' promise about answered prayers "in His name" should be understood within the broader context of aligning with God's will, having pure motives, exercising faith, and maintaining a repentant heart. Unanswered prayers do not necessarily mean a broken promise but rather a recognition of the multifaceted dynamics between God's sovereignty and human desires. God hears the prayers of the righteous (James 5:16), and in 1 Peter 3:12 we read that His ears are attentive to their prayers.
When we are struggling and wondering why our prayers are not being answered, it's important to ask ourselves: Does God truly not answer our prayers, or does He provide the answer and we just need to look in the right place? To provide us with comfort and reassurance, we can look to scripture such as Psalm 37:4, which states: Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. We can take comfort in these words, knowing that God is always listening and He will answer us in His own time.
If God is all loving and powerful, why does evil and suffering exist?
The question of why evil and suffering exist in a world governed by an all-loving and all-powerful God is a complex and philosophical one that has been debated for centuries. Various theological perspectives and interpretations exist, but I'll provide a general overview along with some relevant biblical examples and quotes.
Free Will and Moral Responsibility:
One common explanation is rooted in the concept of free will. The Bible portrays God as giving humanity the gift of free will, which allows individuals to make choices, both good and evil. This freedom to choose leads to moral responsibility and the potential for both positive and negative outcomes.
Biblical Example: Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7) exemplifies how the exercise of free will resulted in the introduction of sin and suffering into the world.
Theodicy and God's Greater Plan:
Another perspective is that God allows suffering and evil to exist as part of a greater divine plan that might not be fully comprehensible to humans. This view suggests that God's ways are beyond human understanding and that suffering might serve a purpose within this larger plan.
Biblical Example: The story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 37-50) illustrates how Joseph's suffering and trials ultimately led to a greater purpose, as his position in Egypt allowed him to save his family during a time of famine.
Testing and Refining Faith:
Suffering can also be seen as a means by which faith is tested and refined. The Bible suggests that trials and challenges can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.
Biblical Example: The story of Job (Book of Job) highlights how Job's unwavering faith was tested through immense suffering, ultimately leading to a greater understanding of God's sovereignty and goodness.
Consequences of Sin:
The Bible teaches that the presence of evil and suffering is connected to the fallen state of humanity due to sin. While God is all-loving, the existence of suffering can be understood as a consequence of human disobedience.
Biblical Example: The Israelites' wandering in the wilderness due to their disobedience (Numbers 14) serves as a reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God.
Bible Verses:
Genesis 50:20: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT): “For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Psalms 119:71 "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statures."
In summary, the presence of evil and suffering in a world governed by an all-loving and all-powerful God raises deep theological questions. Various perspectives within Christianity seek to reconcile this issue through explanations related to free will, God's larger plan, testing of faith, and the consequences of sin. These perspectives highlight the complexity of human understanding in relation to the divine.