Archives for 2012

A gracEmail subscriber who grew up in a devoutly Christian home is convinced that he is not worth loving, not even by God. His head thinks that this negative opinion is untrue, but his heart cannot shake off its feeling of profound worthlessness. He asks for suggestions or advice. * * * Jesus says that our enemy the devil is a liar and a thief (John 8:44; 10:10). In this case, the enemy has fed you a lie to steal your joy and confidence in Christ. At its core, the lie is that God’s love for you is based to any extent whatsoever on your worth or worthiness. The truth is found in Jesus’ … [Read more...]

A gracEmail reader in Texas writes, "Am I saved if I trust in Jesus, even though sometimes I am depressed and have doubts? My depression is physically based. I don't know if I get depressed because of my lack of faith, or if my faith goes lacking because I become depressed." * * * You seem to be sorting through this quite well. Depression is often physical in origin, whether from hormone imbalance, chemical irregularity or mere exhaustion and fatigue. We are psychosomatic creatures -- our emotional, spiritual and physical aspects are all intertwined. Depression itself is not "wrong" or … [Read more...]

A husband and wife who are both gracEmail subscribers ask for help in finding a common understanding of the meaning of the Third Commandment of the Decalogue, which says: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (KJV). * * * The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford University Press) translates the Hebrew text of Exodus 20:7 as “You shall not swear falsely by the name of the LORD your God; for the LORD will not clear one who swears falsely by His name.” It then explains in a note that the command forbids the taking … [Read more...]

A gracEmail subscriber writes: "My 12-year-old child asked me the other day why she is permitted to say some words but not others, and why some words are 'cuss' words. Can you help?" * * * "Cuss" is a corruption of "curse," and curse words originally were part of a longer sentence in which someone asked God to sentence some person or thing to eternal condemnation. Later, such words as "hell," "damn" and "damnation" came to be used by themselves as expletives, often with the same cursing intent. For Jesus' disciples, casual use of these words is inappropriate, since we ourselves are sinners … [Read more...]

A Christian sister writes that she has a friend who is dedicated to the Lord. This friend is a "very beautiful woman" who sometimes wears dresses that reveal more of her beauty than the sister thinks is appropriate for the general public. The sister has pointed this out to her repeatedly to no avail. She asks for my advice. * * * The New Testament urges Christian women to dress in proper clothing ("modest apparel," KJV), which it defines as garb that is neither grandiose nor overly-conspicuous, coupled with hairstyles and jewelry which do not detract from the priceless adornment of good … [Read more...]

A vocational missionary in an Eastern country asks whether the Bible forbids Christians to eat blood. The Jerusalem conference in Acts 15 prohibited it, he notes, but other New Testament texts say that no food is unclean. "This is especially a problem," he writes, "in countries where blood is eaten and then American teachers say it is forbidden." * * * The issue in Acts 15 was whether Gentile believers in Jesus also had to become Jewish proselytes and keep the Law of Moses in order to experience salvation. The answer was a decisive "No." Gentiles are saved by grace, the Spirit-guided … [Read more...]

Two university students ask: "What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? How is fear the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7), and what is fear for those under grace?"  * * * In Solomon's day, 1,000 years before Jesus Christ, most nations had their own "wisdom" literature -- distilled insights gained from long experience for living the good or happy life. Solomon collected such proverbs and composed his own -- of which a sample is preserved in the biblical Book of Proverbs. By definition, proverbs are generalities, not absolute truths -- someone has called them the "Probablies." … [Read more...]

A dear Methodist couple involved in sacrificial ministry were among several who wrote to say that recent gracEmail thoughts about being "on the shelf" in God's service also expressed their feelings. Perhaps these words to them will also connect with other hearts already joined in human frailty, ambitions and frustration. * * * Never forget that God is using and will use you both, according to his sovereign will. Part of my problem (and perhaps it is more widespread) is in thinking that little or nothing happens in the one-on-one encounters and in the many obscure events, in the … [Read more...]

A gracEmail subscriber asks, "In Deuteronomy 14:26, the King James Version and American Standard Version use 'strong drink,' while the New King James and other versions say 'similar drink.' Should the English translation say 'strong drink' with all that implies?" * * * This passage describes payment of the annual tithe which the Israelites were required to dedicate to God. It pictures a festive occasion of feasting and gaity. If one lived too far from the Holy Place to bring the actual produce, he was to sell one-tenth of the harvest and bring the money instead. This verse says "You may … [Read more...]

A gracEmail subscriber asks whether it is wrong for him and his wife to drink a glass of wine. His church flatly condemns drinking, with no exceptions. He wants to know what the Bible actually says. * * * The Bible does not condemn temperate drinking as such. Wine, like food, is God's gift to humankind from the earth (Psalm 104:14-15; 1 Tim. 4:4-5). Used properly, it benefits both health and conviviality (1 Tim. 5:23; Deut. 14:22-26). Jesus himself once miraculously provided wine for a wedding feast (John 1:1-11). By Jesus' day, the Passover Seder involved several cups of wine, one of which … [Read more...]