Just needing some questions answered.

[Jarhead1407]

Hi

I'm a 20 year old college kid who is just looking for some help.

Let me start off by saying that I'm a good person. Everyone in my community knows and would vouch for me as being so. I obey the law (accept for speeding), I try to obey the Ten Commandments as much as possible, I pray and avidly go to church, I've never been drunk nor ever even touched an illegal drug, I help anyone anytime I can, I donate to charity, I've given blood; basically I'm just trying to say that I and most people think of me as a good person.

Here lately at church, I've been feeling different, spiritually I guess you would say. I'm enjoying it more, and understanding stuff better. By the way, my church is non-denomination, just a Christian-faith-based Church.

Now I'll start with the problems/questions I have:

First off, my music. I'm a rock junkie. Anytype of rock is my style, screaming/metal, alternative, classic, modern, just whatever, I love rock; as for the screaming music, people wrongly judge it, and say it's demonic/whatever, but the message in the songs are usually not bad at all, just saying in it's defense. Other than rock, I love Eminem. Please don't judge me for that. I realize that his lyrics aren't always so 'good', but the way he organizes his rhymes and makes it flow with the beat, and the way he tells of his past just makes me love his music. Is it sinning for me to listen to the music I do?

Next, and I'll go ahead and put this out there - females are my weakness. I know pre-marital sex is wrong and sinful. So I'm just getting that off my chest. But, is pre-marital-non-sex-stuff sinning? I think you know what I mean.

Thirdly, could anyone help ease my understanding of this: what happens to people that has never heard of God, and they die? What happens to their soul?

Fourth, I'm not sure I understand the Christian lifestyle. It seems to me that being a Christian means not really having a life other than church, school/work, and being home. Is it a sin for me and some friends to go to a rated R movie? Is it a sin for me and the guys to just hang and chill out? Can I continue my lifestyle and still be a Christian?

Fifth, one of my hobbies are video games. As you probably know, a lot of today's video games (espeically the one's I enjoy) involve gruesome violence and bad language. Would it be a sin for me to continue playing these video games after getting saved?

I'm just looking for answers. I love God and believe in Him very much, and I would like to further my understanding of the Christian faith.

If you're wondering why I'm asking this on a forum site, it's just because I feel more comfortable talking on here about this than I do to fellow church members.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[AMR]

First off, my music. I'm a rock junkie. Anytype of rock is my style, screaming/metal, alternative, classic, modern, just whatever, I love rock; as for the screaming music, people wrongly judge it, and say it's demonic/whatever, but the message in the songs are usually not bad at all, just saying in it's defense. Other than rock, I love Eminem. Please don't judge me for that. I realize that his lyrics aren't always so 'good', but the way he organizes his rhymes and makes it flow with the beat, and the way he tells of his past just makes me love his music. Is it sinning for me to listen to the music I do?

Let me start by saying that most of my responses will center around the reason we were created in the first place: to bring Glory to God and to fully enjoy Him forever. I think you will agree that many of the lyrics of the music you are enjoying bring no glory to God, thus it begs the question, why draw enjoyment from something that is clearly non-glorifying?

Next, and I'll go ahead and put this out there - females are my weakness. I know pre-marital sex is wrong and sinful. So I'm just getting that off my chest. But, is pre-marital-non-sex-stuff sinning? I think you know what I mean.

This is simply lusting after women and a practice the Scriptures clearly teach as a sin. Why place yourself in situations that give you temptation to lust?

Thirdly, could anyone help ease my understanding of this: what happens to people that has never heard of God, and they die? What happens to their soul?

Ignoring the whole issue of infant deaths, it is very clear from Scripture that there is but one path to salvation: hearing the Good News (the means) that Christ died for His people's sins (the mechanism). If Christians are concerned about the eternal rest of those that have not heard the Good News, then they should be following our Lord's command to spread that Good News to all peoples.

Fourth, I'm not sure I understand the Christian lifestyle. It seems to me that being a Christian means not really having a life other than church, school/work, and being home. Is it a sin for me and some friends to go to a rated R movie? Is it a sin for me and the guys to just hang and chill out? Can I continue my lifestyle and still be a Christian?

I think you have a narrow view of the Christian lifestyle. Christians are to separate themselves from worldly passions, as they have been separated as the body of Christ. Christian liberty permits a great deal of enjoyment of the abundance of God, who shares that abundance with His people. No Christian is expected to withdraw from the world into some sort of monastic lifestyle. As to the point of a R-rated movie, once again I must ask, is such a movie glorifying to God? That should be your litmus test for all that you do, think, or say.

Fifth, one of my hobbies are video games. As you probably know, a lot of today's video games (espeically the one's I enjoy) involve gruesome violence and bad language. Would it be a sin for me to continue playing these video games after getting saved?

Do these games lead you to other thoughts? Do these games conjure up sinful images in your mind? Again, is God glorified by your actions?

I'm just looking for answers. I love God and believe in Him very much, and I would like to further my understanding of the Christian faith.

Scripture tells us that those that love God will obey Him and keep His commandments.

AMR

 

[Jarhead1407]

Let me start by saying that most of my responses will center around the reason we were created in the first place: to bring Glory to God and to fully enjoy Him forever. I think you will agree that many of the lyrics of the music you are enjoying bring no glory to God, thus it begs the question, why draw enjoyment from something that is clearly non-glorifying?

This is simply lusting after women and a practice the Scriptures clearly teach as a sin. Why place yourself in situations that give you temptation to lust?

Ignoring the whole issue of infant deaths, it is very clear from Scripture that there is but one path to salvation: hearing the Good News (the means) that Christ died for His people's sins (the mechanism). If Christians are concerned about the eternal rest of those that have not heard the Good News, then they should be following our Lord's command to spread that Good News to all peoples.

I think you have a narrow view of the Christian lifestyle. Christians are to separate themselves from worldly passions, as they have been separated as the body of Christ. Christian liberty permits a great deal of enjoyment of the abundance of God, who shares that abundance with His people. No Christian is expected to withdraw from the world into some sort of monastic lifestyle. As to the point of a R-rated movie, once again I must ask, is such a movie glorifying to God? That should be your litmus test for all that you do, think, or say.

Do these games lead you to other thoughts? Do these games conjure up sinful images in your mind? Again, is God glorified by your actions?

Scripture tells us that those that love God will obey Him and keep His commandments.

AMR

I appreciate your reply Mr. Religion.

I believe we were put here to glorify God, but just because that is true doesn't mean that we have to ignore all the rest of the world, right?

What I'm asking is: should everything I do on this Earth be aimed at bringing glory to God?

Also, I have friends or are Agnostic and Atheist. I have done everything in my power to let them know about the Lord Jesus Christ, but to no avail. Is it wrongful for me to still associate with them as long as it doesn't affect my faith?

 

[desmalia]

Hi

I'm a 20 year old college kid who is just looking for some help.

Let me start off by saying that I'm a good person. Everyone in my community knows and would vouch for me as being so. I obey the law (accept for speeding), I try to obey the Ten Commandments as much as possible, I pray and avidly go to church, I've never been drunk nor ever even touched an illegal drug, I help anyone anytime I can, I donate to charity, I've given blood; basically I'm just trying to say that I and most people think of me as a good person.

OK, I'd like to start with just this part of your post. Do you really think you're a good person? How good are you compared to God's holiness? How good are your daily thoughts and desires?

 

[A Brother In Christ]

Hi

I'm a 20 year old college kid who is just looking for some help.

Let me start off by saying that I'm a good person.

romans 3: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

sorry need to correct this with scripture

Everyone in my community knows and would vouch for me as being so. I obey the law (accept for speeding), I try to obey the Ten Commandments as much as possible, I pray and avidly go to church, I've never been drunk nor ever even touched an illegal drug, I help anyone anytime I can, I donate to charity, I've given blood; basically I'm just trying to say that I and most people think of me as a good person.

gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

Here lately at church, I've been feeling different, spiritually I guess you would say. I'm enjoying it more, and understanding stuff better. By the way, my church is non-denomination, just a Christian-faith-based Church.

Now I'll start with the problems/questions I have:

First off, my music. I'm a rock junkie. Anytype of rock is my style, screaming/metal, alternative, classic, modern, just whatever, I love rock; as for the screaming music, people wrongly judge it, and say it's demonic/whatever, but the message in the songs are usually not bad at all, just saying in it's defense. Other than rock, I love Eminem. Please don't judge me for that. I realize that his lyrics aren't always so 'good', but the way he organizes his rhymes and makes it flow with the beat, and the way he tells of his past just makes me love his music. Is it sinning for me to listen to the music I do?

It would be unwise .... garbage in garbage out

sin is an action ... so not a sin but your inaction by listening to this unrighteous is not GOD honouring and could cause another Christian to doubt and sin

Next, and I'll go ahead and put this out there - females are my weakness. I know pre-marital sex is wrong and sinful. So I'm just getting that off my chest. But, is pre-marital-non-sex-stuff sinning? I think you know what I mean.

Is this God honoring ..... romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

if you want some abc of christian living ask and we can go thru it

1 jn 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Thirdly, could anyone help ease my understanding of this: what happens to people that has never heard of God, and they die? What happens to their soul?

Rev 20:11-15 ....

Fourth, I'm not sure I understand the Christian lifestyle. It seems to me that being a Christian means not really having a life other than church, school/work, and being home. Is it a sin for me and some friends to go to a rated R movie? Is it a sin for me and the guys to just hang and chill out? Can I continue my lifestyle and still be a Christian?

Yes ... but God doesnot like it... romans 13:11-14

Fifth, one of my hobbies are video games. As you probably know, a lot of today's video games (espeically the one's I enjoy) involve gruesome violence and bad language. Would it be a sin for me to continue playing these video games after getting saved?

What is the will of God for us today ... jn 13:34-35 I can go in to much more detail but I do not know if you are interested ... This verse is very different than the Matt passage

I'm just looking for answers. I love God and believe in Him very much, and I would like to further my understanding of the Christian faith.

If you're wondering why I'm asking this on a forum site, it's just because I feel more comfortable talking on here about this than I do to fellow church members.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Remember we are under grace today and not under law

 

[AMR]

I believe we were put here to glorify God, but just because that is true doesn't mean that we have to ignore all the rest of the world, right?

No, we don't ignore the world, but we recognize that we are Pilgrims just passing through this world, no?

What I'm asking is: should everything I do on this Earth be aimed at bringing glory to God?

Yes, there is no equivocation on this point.

7Also, I have friends or are Agnostic and Atheist. I have done everything in my power to let them know about the Lord Jesus Christ, but to no avail. Is it wrongful for me to still associate with them as long as it doesn't affect my faith?

We cannot avoid the unregenerate and the reprobate, for the world is full of them. That said, our witness to these persons should not be compromised for the sake of "fitting in" or being "politically correct".

AMR

 

[Jarhead1407]

Desmalia, you really made me question myself on that one.

I know I'm a good person, but I'm making that judgement based on the majority of people in this world.

A Brother In Christ: please, continue in detail.

AMR: Pilgrims? I would agree to an extent.

 

[desmalia]

Desmalia, you really made me question myself on that one.

I know I'm a good person, but I'm making that judgement based on the majority of people in this world.

Excellent deduction. It's easy for any of us to compare ourselves with criminals or deviants, or whoever, and say "well I'm good because I'm not like them". But the standard of measure is not other people. It is our own creator, the ruler of heaven and earth. Have you ever kept a notepad and wrote down your sins throughout the day as they happen? Try doing that and see if you can get through even one day without sinning.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

]
A Brother In Christ: please, continue in detail.

about what.... so much information with so many topics

 

[Jarhead1407]

about what.... so much information with so many topics

"What is the will of God for us today ... jn 13:34-35 I can go in to much more detail but I do not know if you are interested ... "

 

[AMR]

AMR: Pilgrims? I would agree to an extent.

Sir, you have been given plenty of sound answers to your questions yet I detect resistance to be corrected. You seem to want to equivocate when presented with clear Scriptural teachings. What is the bottom line for you? What are you trying to achieve here? When I say "Pilgrims" that is exactly what the Scripture teaches. We Christians are strangers in a corrupted land, in the world, but not of the world, and are just passing through. Hopefully our sojourn on this mortal coil will leave the world much better off because of our presence, but there is no equivocation on the matter of our Pilgrimage, as your "to an extent" would belie.

AMR

 

[SpiritDriven]

Hi

I'm a 20 year old college kid who is just looking for some help.

Let me start off by saying that I'm a good person. Everyone in my community knows and would vouch for me as being so. I obey the law (accept for speeding), I try to obey the Ten Commandments as much as possible, I pray and avidly go to church, I've never been drunk nor ever even touched an illegal drug, I help anyone anytime I can, I donate to charity, I've given blood; basically I'm just trying to say that I and most people think of me as a good person.

Here lately at church, I've been feeling different, spiritually I guess you would say. I'm enjoying it more, and understanding stuff better. By the way, my church is non-denomination, just a Christian-faith-based Church.

Now I'll start with the problems/questions I have:

First off, my music. I'm a rock junkie. Anytype of rock is my style, screaming/metal, alternative, classic, modern, just whatever, I love rock; as for the screaming music, people wrongly judge it, and say it's demonic/whatever, but the message in the songs are usually not bad at all, just saying in it's defense. Other than rock, I love Eminem. Please don't judge me for that. I realize that his lyrics aren't always so 'good', but the way he organizes his rhymes and makes it flow with the beat, and the way he tells of his past just makes me love his music. Is it sinning for me to listen to the music I do?

Next, and I'll go ahead and put this out there - females are my weakness. I know pre-marital sex is wrong and sinful. So I'm just getting that off my chest. But, is pre-marital-non-sex-stuff sinning? I think you know what I mean.

Thirdly, could anyone help ease my understanding of this: what happens to people that has never heard of God, and they die? What happens to their soul?

Fourth, I'm not sure I understand the Christian lifestyle. It seems to me that being a Christian means not really having a life other than church, school/work, and being home. Is it a sin for me and some friends to go to a rated R movie? Is it a sin for me and the guys to just hang and chill out? Can I continue my lifestyle and still be a Christian?

Fifth, one of my hobbies are video games. As you probably know, a lot of today's video games (espeically the one's I enjoy) involve gruesome violence and bad language. Would it be a sin for me to continue playing these video games after getting saved?

I'm just looking for answers. I love God and believe in Him very much, and I would like to further my understanding of the Christian faith.

If you're wondering why I'm asking this on a forum site, it's just because I feel more comfortable talking on here about this than I do to fellow church members.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Young Man!

Watch and listen very carefully....God already knows everything about you....

http://www.gwteach.com/Your_Fathers_Heart_(Psalms).wmv

Grace and Peace to you....always

 

[A Brother In Christ]

"What is the will of God for us today ... jn 13:34-35 I can go in to much more detail but I do not know if you are interested ... "

Yes the big topic .....

Let post this verse

Jn 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

this is a brand new commandment not a old one because we are not under law anymore but under grace Gal 2:21... ect ect

In Matt 22:36-39 states to love as much as YOU can as the Jn 13 states to loves as much as GOD loves you ....

this is impossible one my say but God is Good and He knows everything about you and has laid it out in His word ... to know God's will and thinking what God wants one can be spiritual and think on spiritual things of God and even show forth God's glory


In 1 thes 4:16 Rejoice evermore 17 Pray without ceasing.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Rejoice is an understanding what God is doing in your life during a present time... good or bad James 1:2-14, romans 8:28, 1 cor 10:13

the word pray in this verse is the same word in John 4:24 " worship "
How did OT saint worship .... try doing it with out stoping Can't do it
this is a mental worship reminding who God is .... " His character" this is hard enough

Giving thank for all things .... even when someone close to you dies because you know .... 1 cor 10:13 understanding that God wants the best for you but we must do what his word says.... so that Paul can as 2 jn 3-4 states rejoice greatly as we walk in the truth... connects to Gal 5:22-25, Col 3:1-4


if you want more ask questions .... huge topic

 

[NIF]

Thanks for you open and honest letter. I think many people have those thoughts, so I'll give my (hopefully scripture based) opinion.

As for the music, there is no prohibition against any style of music in the bible. If people want to bang on the guitar and scream, that's totally OK. You have to be the judge as to whether the music has an 'acceptable enough' message. If the message of the songs is 'anti-Christ', you should patronize another artist.

Females...females are just about every man's weakness. If they weren't, you wouldn't be here! Obviously, the scriptures say that Gods ideal-- spoken through Christ, is a permanent spiritual union (without lust) between one man and one women. Of course, because of man's downfall, the world didn't work out the way God intended. I think that's why God tolerated the practice of concubines (mainly in the old testament) even though it wasn't his ideal. Both new and old testaments of course, warn against adultery and 'harlot-mongering' and the like. My advice is to do the best you can, and stay clear of pornography. You are 20 years old and if you avoid loveless sex, I doubt that you will be judged.

What happens to people when they die who never heard of God? The bible says in more than one place that people have the law of God written in their hearts. People will also be judged according to their true motivations and actions. Read the verses talking about how the condemned failed to be merciful, feed the hungry, visit the lonely in prison, etc. Read through the books of Mathew and John to get a better idea. There is no verse saying that people who haven't heard about the scriptures spend an eternity in hell.

Games... I don't really have a good answer for this. Games are make believe, but they could be wrong still. Can you find strategy games and such that have a better message?

Thanks again for your questions.

Hi

I'm a 20 year old college kid who is just looking for some help.

Let me start off by saying that I'm a good person. Everyone in my community knows and would vouch for me as being so. I obey the law (accept for speeding), I try to obey the Ten Commandments as much as possible, I pray and avidly go to church, I've never been drunk nor ever even touched an illegal drug, I help anyone anytime I can, I donate to charity, I've given blood; basically I'm just trying to say that I and most people think of me as a good person.

Here lately at church, I've been feeling different, spiritually I guess you would say. I'm enjoying it more, and understanding stuff better. By the way, my church is non-denomination, just a Christian-faith-based Church.

Now I'll start with the problems/questions I have:

First off, my music. I'm a rock junkie. Anytype of rock is my style, screaming/metal, alternative, classic, modern, just whatever, I love rock; as for the screaming music, people wrongly judge it, and say it's demonic/whatever, but the message in the songs are usually not bad at all, just saying in it's defense. Other than rock, I love Eminem. Please don't judge me for that. I realize that his lyrics aren't always so 'good', but the way he organizes his rhymes and makes it flow with the beat, and the way he tells of his past just makes me love his music. Is it sinning for me to listen to the music I do?

Next, and I'll go ahead and put this out there - females are my weakness. I know pre-marital sex is wrong and sinful. So I'm just getting that off my chest. But, is pre-marital-non-sex-stuff sinning? I think you know what I mean.

Thirdly, could anyone help ease my understanding of this: what happens to people that has never heard of God, and they die? What happens to their soul?

Fourth, I'm not sure I understand the Christian lifestyle. It seems to me that being a Christian means not really having a life other than church, school/work, and being home. Is it a sin for me and some friends to go to a rated R movie? Is it a sin for me and the guys to just hang and chill out? Can I continue my lifestyle and still be a Christian?

Fifth, one of my hobbies are video games. As you probably know, a lot of today's video games (espeically the one's I enjoy) involve gruesome violence and bad language. Would it be a sin for me to continue playing these video games after getting saved?

I'm just looking for answers. I love God and believe in Him very much, and I would like to further my understanding of the Christian faith.

If you're wondering why I'm asking this on a forum site, it's just because I feel more comfortable talking on here about this than I do to fellow church members.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

Thanks for you open and honest letter. I think many people have those thoughts, so I'll give my (hopefully scripture based) opinion.

As for the music, there is no prohibition against any style of music in the bible. If people want to bang on the guitar and scream, that's totally OK. You have to be the judge as to whether the music has an 'acceptable enough' message. If the message of the songs is 'anti-Christ', you should patronize another artist.

nothing againt different rythems ... but words help distract are minds to thing of unrighteousness

Females...females are just about every man's weakness. If they weren't, you wouldn't be here! Obviously, the scriptures say that Gods ideal-- spoken through Christ, is a permanent spiritual union (without lust) between one man and one women. Of course, because of man's downfall, the world didn't work out the way God intended. I think that's why God tolerated the practice of concubines (mainly in the old testament) even though it wasn't his ideal. Both new and old testaments of course, warn against adultery and 'harlot-mongering' and the like. My advice is to do the best you can, and stay clear of pornography. You are 20 years old and if you avoid loveless sex, I doubt that you will be judged.

Have you read 1 thes 4:3-13... 1 cor 7.... Holiness word study!

What happens to people when they die who never heard of God? The bible says in more than one place that people have the law of God written in their hearts. People will also be judged according to their true motivations and actions. Read the verses talking about how the condemned failed to be merciful, feed the hungry, visit the lonely in prison, etc. Read through the books of Mathew and John to get a better idea. There is no verse saying that people who haven't heard about the scriptures spend an eternity in hell.

romans 1... john 3:19

Games... I don't really have a good answer for this. Games are make believe, but they could be wrong still. Can you find strategy games and such that have a better message?

Thanks again for your questions.

in Christ there is peace

 

[NIF]

nothing againt different rythems ... but words help distract are minds to thing of unrighteousness romans 1... john 3:19

in Christ there is peace

Here is John 3:19-21. I think these are good verses explaining salvation--although I would still suggest people to read Mathew-through John in their entirety, and then proceed to Acts and Romans.

from the NIV version

19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

 

[NIF]

Have you read 1 thes 4:3-13... 1 cor 7.... Holiness word study!e

I've read these verses. I believe my statement was in line with these verses. If possible, the kid should try to acquire a wife as suggested by 1 Thes 4-4, but that can be difficult for a 20 year old, especially today.

 

[Leggomyegolas]

Does anyone on these boards think that it makes a difference what instruments are being used to play music as to whether it's acceptable or not?

The reason I ask is this: I once had an ex-girlfriend tell me, as I was taking guitar lessons at the time, that the guitar was the devil's instrument and it was impossible to glorify God with music played on one. Just to clarify, I asked her, "So, if I were to play How Great Thou Art on a piano, that would be glorifying God, but if I played it on a guitar, it wouldn't?" She said yes, and I said goodbye.

 

[miamited]

hi jarhead,

Does that infer that you are a marine? Marines at one time were referred to as 'jarheads'. You're young and I can tell you that when I was your age I was so far away from God that it isn't in the least bit similar to what you have explained.

I was raised in the fellowship of believers. You'd find my family in worship service pretty much every week. Dad and mom sang in the choir and we all participated in church 'stuff'. Fellowship dinners, youth camps and retreats, Sunday night studies and youth group. And it's possible that, maybe not at 20, but some age shortly before that I would have spoken of my self much like you, although I did drink and use drugs pretty much all through high school. But hey, I was 'good' kid in my own mind.

Now, I don't mean to infer that you were exactly like I was. Obviously by your testimony you got to the age of 20 much more 'pure' than I was. But I'm just trying to point out, much like desmalia has, that we generally have a tendency to think of ourselves as 'good' because we use the wrong measuring tool. We look at the wickedness of others and say to ourselves, "Whew, at least I'm not like that guy!" And yes, as the world would measure your achievements so far, you probably are a better than average young man.

But I think, of all that a believer might consider that Jesus said as walked among us and taught the things of His Father to us, that one of the most important claims that he made was in what he said to the rich young man. The young man asked him, "Teacher, what is the most important law of God?" And if I may draw that out and expand a little, he might have continued saying much like you have, "Look! I've been good! I've honored all the commandments and been respectful to my parents and not taken anything that didn't belong to me or even coveted anything that wasn't mine. I've done all that anyone might say a 'good' person should do, but I'm asking you, from God's perspective, I mean I want to know not what other people might think of me and the things I do, but what God desires. What God thinks about all that I do. So, I'm asking, to God, what is the most important law that I should keep?"

So, Jesus looked at him and said to him, "The most important law for anyone to keep so far as God is concerned is that they love Him with all their heart, mind, strength and spirit. That everything of them loves God." So, now you have asked, "Look, must everything I do be about glorifying God?" Well, I'll just say that everything we do should be considered in light of this question: How would God want me to live? One of the cutesy phrases that is often asked is: What would Jesus do? And that's fair, but I'd take it even a step further. What does God say about or expect me to do in what I am doing right now.

So, you're making out with your girlfriend and inflaming passions that may get the two of you into a lot of trouble or cause you to go further than you know you should. What do you think? Does God desire that you be doing that? I actually think that rather than the question: What would Jesus do? We should ask ourselves in everything that we do: Would I be doing this if Jesus were sitting right beside me?

I told you that I used drugs as a teen and that lifestyle carried through with me until I was 40. Then I was born again and within 2 weeks I quit using any kind of drug. No drinking, no smoking pot, no snorting up rails of cocaine. Why? Because as soon as I was born again I began to consciously have this thought coming into my mind everytime I'd get high, "Ted, you cannot be a witness for me and doing what you're doing." After two weeks of hearing that every day, because I was pretty much a daily user of some drug or another, I knew I had to make up my mind and set my direction. Either I was going to continue with the drugs and alcohol and just quench the Holy Spirit within me and probably turn back from God, or I was going to do what the Spirit was telling me I needed to do if my goal was to persevere in my faith and love for him.

I have been clean and sober now for about 15 years and I didn't go through any kind of withdrawal. I didn't have to enroll in any drug addiction program. I give God the glory and the power of the Holy Spirit living within me that He gave me the power and desire to overcome what was by then a lifetime of drug use. Oh, and He continues to work with me completing the task which He has begun in me.

Then you asked: Thirdly, could anyone help ease my understanding of this: what happens to people that has never heard of God, and they die? What happens to their soul?

Listen, jarhead, (gosh that term makes it sound like I'm disrespecting you) What is written in the Scriptures is the truth. If we believe what Jesus said, that the first and foremost command of God is to love Him, then yes those who don't will not receive the promise of eternal life. But wait, you are called to help see that that doesn't happen to anyone in your circle. Now, they might not accept what the Scriptures say as truth, but it's your responsibility to do your part in following the command of the Lord to go into all nations... There should be no one that knows you that will be able to stand before God on that day of His judgment and say, "Gosh, I never even knew you existed." As for the rest, we're just going to have to let God sort all that out. If they will be saved without knowing God, then God has the power and authority to do that, but it isn't what God's word says. But I have participated with the Gidon ministry and, friend, it is my testimony that there are very, very, very few places on the face of this earth where the testimony of God has not gone. People are always saying, "Well, what about that guy in the middle of the continent of Africa? Hey, there is no such guy. The word of God, the testimony of the Scriptures, has gone into pretty much every corner of Africa and South America. It has been distributed all over Asia and Europe. Why even the middle east, where one is subject to the death penalty for having a bible, most people know about the God that is in the bible. I have talked with many muslims that know the Scriptures better than a lot of christians do. Sad ain't it! So, here's my encouragement in this question of yours. You do what you know you are supposed to do and you let God be God and sort out the judgment at the end.

Then you asked: Fourth, I'm not sure I understand the Christian lifestyle. It seems to me that being a Christian means not really having a life other than church, school/work, and being home. Is it a sin for me and some friends to go to a rated R movie? Is it a sin for me and the guys to just hang and chill out? Can I continue my lifestyle and still be a Christian?

Well, I think the Scriptures do explain that our lifestyle should be different than most of the world. Paul encourages us not to continue doing the things that we once did when we were like them. Peter asks in one of his letters, "So, how are we to live? Live holy and blameless before God." Yes, there are a lot of things that if one is born again should certainly make him squirm if he's involved in them. Movies and what the world calls entertainment are two very, very dangerous risks that we face. Be careful, but I'm confident that if you have been born again, then the Spirit will give you understanding and wisdom of these things. It's his job!

But be in prayer that God would give you a long life. Learn and begin to establish a time to study, I mean really study with understanding, God's word. It doesn't have to be every day, but at least once a week sit yourself down with a copy of the Scriptures, begin with prayer asking God to give you wisdom and understanding and read for an hour or two.

God bless you.
IN Christ, Ted

 

[asiyreh]

Lol that's brilliant Leggo where do people get their ideas?

I'd definitely say The holy spirit uses a range of different tools to bring Christ to our door. I don't know it for a fact but I'm sure one night some old drunk guy who hadn't given much thought to God, stumbled home. On the way there he passed a small church playing a sweet Christian hymn on a guitar, right there at that moment his heart softened and he decided to began his life anew in search of Christ. - Trufax

Regarding the topic itself, I don't know the the guy is still about who wrote this original post but I feel sorry for him. I'm still young enough to remember that burning fire of passion I felt as a teenager and young man. Man I can't imagine what that would be like experiencing it as a Christian, lol tough love. Also I wouldn't want to be the one to give him pardon for the convictions he feels in his heart, obviously the vary same convictions he's asking us about here.

The holy spirit comes to us all, and convicts us of all unrighteousness.

However I wouldn't say this one thing to him. Consider Matthew 13, here Christ describes our faith as tender plants, that's nice because tender plants take time to grow, to mature. I have many things wrong in my life that I need to correct, at the moment Christ is working on my explosiveness, for example. At this moment I'm pretty much concentrating on that one issue. Now this doesn't mean I started again with all the stupid stuff in my life he's eliminated already, no.

Think about it like climbing a steep mountain. Decide on your next step, tackle it slowly. Break it down if necessary, gain that next handhold, establish a sure footing, take a breath, then move on.

Also consider the message of Christ:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Pray like your life depended on it. It does