If I believe something is wrong, and I still do it, does it make it a sin?
Question: Is it true that if I believe something is wrong, and I still do it, it makes it a sin? Answer: If we take your statement at face value, we run into a problem. It would mean that men define what is sinful. First, let us understand that sin is breaking God’s Law. “Whoever…
Read MoreShould I not go to church if I have not confessed my sins to others?
Question: Does Matthew 5:23-24 mean I should not go to church if I have not confessed to men my sins against men? Answer: “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled…
Read MoreThe Incompatibility of Islam and Christianity
by Jonathan T. Engel I read the Qur’an (specifically the Oxford World Classics edition first published in 2004 and translated into English by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem). This is something I’ve actually meant to do for years and finally got around to doing so. I’ve been slowly plodding through it, caterpillar-like, for quite a…
Read MoreA Pardon Refused
by Steve Hamilton In 1829, two men robbed a United States mail carrier in Pennsylvania. The men were tried on six indictments that included robbery and murder. George Wilson and James Porter were found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. However, a petition for pardon was made on George Wilson’s behalf by some of…
Read MoreI haven’t been faithful in my marriage, but I can’t stop thinking about what my wife did before our marriage
Question: My wife cheated on me in the first month of our relationship while we were dating. She confessed to me immediately. I know she was really sorry, though I myself was sleeping around at the time too. I have strong images of her confessions in my mind even after four years after the incident.…
Read MoreI appreciate the way you answered a delicate question
Question: I appreciate the way you answered the question that was asked, “Is it a sin for a Christian woman to use a sex toy?” I was afraid to ask my pastor that question, and it has really been bothering me, I had gone to other websites and typed the question in, but no one…
Read MoreCan non-Christians worship God?
Question: Should a Christian invite his neighbor (who is not a Christan) to “come and worship with us”? I believe I can and should invite him to come and attend with us, but a person who is not a Christian can not worship God as the Bible commands. A person must first obey the Gospel…
Read MoreIf I marry the man I’m living with, I’ll lose half my benefits
Question: I married at 15 to get away from an abusive father. That husband had an affair with our friend. I forgave him and took him back. He did it again. I divorced him for adultery. I later married an older man who was divorced, who committed adultery many times. I finally divorced him. Fifteen…
Read MoreKeeping Your Heart
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/KeepingYourHeart.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreCreeds and Statements of Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CreedsAndStatementsOfFaith.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 17:11-23 I. Every once in a while someone will ask what is our statement of faith. A. Back when we were home schooling, we were wanting to get involved with a local group, but they wanted us to sign a statement of faith B. Another name for a statement of…
Read MoreIs rebuking a sinner once enough?
Question: Hi, I was reading your article How do I tell someone they are sinning? and I wanted to ask a question concerning Galatians 6:1. When correcting another Christian about a sin, does one have to continue until they stop or try and leave the rest up to God? Answer: It would be a rare case…
Read MoreI lied to my wife about my adultery. Do I have to tell her?
Question: Hi, I am writing this email to ask a serious question about my life. I’m a Christian. I have been married for three years. But I had a problem with sex “addiction” (I’m not that sure if it’s or not). I am highly drawn to girls since I was young just to have sex…
Read MoreIs an engaged couple bound to each other just as if they are married?
Question: Hi I read an article on your website that gave me the impression that you are a God-fearing man who wants to make choices based on God’s words. I am troubled with a problem, and I need advice. I got engaged some time ago, but my fiancee left me. The Bible tells that Joseph,…
Read MoreI broke a promise upon my salvation. Does that mean I can’t be saved?
Question: I made a promise to God on my salvation and broke it. I accepted Jesus back, but did I lose my salvation because I broke my promise? I made my promise in my mind, so I don’t know whether I meant it or not, so please answer if I meant it and did I…
Read MoreShould we marry without her parents’ blessing?
Question: Hi, I am facing a heartbreaking situation right now. I met my fiancee two years ago and I happily discovered we have the same vision: being totally consecrated to the Lord. She is a very good and spiritual person to me and we understand each other very well. When we met, we were in…
Read MoreSocial Drinking (Thompson)
by Floyd Thompson Many times in trying to justify social drinking people will use as a defense Paul’s admonition to Timothy in I Timothy 5:23, which says, “use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thine often infirmities.” I think this passage has not been thoroughly discussed until we recognize that Timothy was a…
Read MoreNow that I’m pregnant, I’m being pressured into getting married
Question: Hello, I have a question about what the right thing to do is, in a way that pleases God, even though I’ve already gotten myself in a situation that is not pleasing to Him. First, I’ve been in a sexual relationship with my boyfriend since I was 18 (I’m 22 now). I am now…
Read MoreI have children with two different women. Who do I marry?
Question: Hello, I am currently going through a crisis for which I need your advice. I am a man with two kids from two different women. I dated one girl for two years and am engaged to her. But later, because of her decision to stop having sex with me, I decided to date another…
Read MoreCan I remarry if I encouraged my wife to see other men before I became a Christian?
Question: Before I was a believer I had encouraged my wife to have sex with another man in the twisted idea that it would bring a spark back into our poor sex life. In essence, I was encouraging her to become a “swinger”. Well, she eventually did just that but also fell in love with…
Read MoreShould I marry the woman my brother once slept with?
Question: First of all may God bless you for this site. I committed fornication for the first time when I was at the age of 21 years. Since then I have not been able to control myself from fornication. I always have regretted doing it. I want to stop it, but I can’t. The more…
Read MoreDo born-again and non-believers have the same Holy Spirit?
Question: I have three questions I would like to ask. In Job 34:14-15, does it mean born again believers and non-believers have the same Holy Spirit? If one can lose his salvation, does it mean sin still has a chance to overpower the gift of eternal life Christ freely gives? How many times can a…
Read MoreI admire your site
Question: Bless you. I admire your website and the Questions and Answers are done with heart and dedication. Love Jesus too. Answer: Thank you for the kind encouragement.
Read MoreAren’t there inspired books that we’ve lost?
Question: Do you mean to tell me not one of these documents (below) did not exist or ever existed? I would like to read these ‘lost books & or documents.’ How could not one or two documents make it to existence today? Exodus 24:7 – Book of the Covenant Numbers 21:14 – Book of the…
Read MoreI am impressed with your summary of the Bible
Question: Wow, I am so impressed with your website in particular the index summary and analysis of Genesis and other Bible chapters. Not to mention your Facebook. But most importantly your view of taking care of the Body of Christ without compromising to worldly views. Keep running the course of faith. Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.…
Read MoreMy husband left me and I’m not certain if I should divorce him
Question: I met my husband 21 years ago. We never married until last year. We have two children 9 and 11. When I met him, we had a great seven years, after that things went downhill, we left each other several times and then we had our first son, he left me when I was…
Read MoreWas Cornelius Saved Before Water Baptism?
by Fred B. Walker in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 11, September 1952. One of the strongest arguments that can be made on the theory that one is saved before and without water baptism is based upon the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10 in the light of what Jesus taught in Jno. 14:17. This…
Read MoreDo I leave the woman I had children with or stay?
Question: OK, so I’m in a position where every move or option I have to take seems like the wrong one. I currently have two kids with a woman that I’m unequally yoked with. I can’t see myself marrying this woman, so I’m thinking about moving out, but then I don’t want to be away…
Read MoreI’m so thankful for the work the La Vista congregation is doing
Question: Brother Hamilton, I simply want to say that I’m so thankful for the work of the La Vista congregation and the website of evangelism and edification materials that I visit daily in my effort to grow spiritually in the faith. Answer: Thank you very much for the encouragement. It is good to hear that…
Read MoreCan I still have a church wedding if we committed fornication?
Question: I grew up attending Bible studies and was even a Sunday school teacher at one point, a choir member, and a member of the ladies association. But most of all I believed I had a good relationship with God. Then, I met someone at church and we started dating. After some time our relationship…
Read MoreEven though I’ve changed from my wild teenage years, my parents don’t talk to me. What do I do?
Question: Hi, This past year my parents and I have not been on speaking terms. Though we live in the same house they do not want to speak to me, appalled, hurt and disappointed in everything they’ve found out over a year ago. When I was 15, I broke my vows to stay pure. Followed…
Read MoreI need help getting out of adultery and addiction
Question: Good evening sir, I need help with sin. I know Jesus is the only help, I gave my life to Christ initially two years ago. I’ve rededicated my life a number of times since then. God started blessing me, I basically have come from zero to something. God gave me a virtuous wife, a…
Read MoreAm I still an adulterer?
Question: I am writing to you because I’m trying to find what held me back from God’s blessings and promises. I was born in a Christian family, and ever since I was a Christian with strict standards. My parents taught me well. I never had a girlfriend until 18. Then I met her. We developed…
Read MoreYour answer to the question about circumcision makes sense and is biblically based
Question: I like the answer you give to the question about circumcision. It makes sense. It explains the Bible by using the Bible instead of making up something that only exists in someone’s mind. Answer: Thank you for the kind encouragement.
Read MoreGrowing as Disciples
by Clint Crosier Disciple: A learner, pupil, or follower devoted to the teachings of a master. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” Jesus holds the key to heaven and our salvation, and we can only be with…
Read MoreCloud Watching
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CloudWatching.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 11 I. I have been wanting to learn a new language for a while. It would be useful to spread the gospel. A. I got started several times. I even made some fair progress for a while. But it just doesn’t seem to last. B. I ran across one man…
Read MoreI got a girl pregnant. Have I ruined my career as a preacher?
Question: I have been seeking counseling over an issue, but I realized that the counselor was euphemizing the ignominy of my action. Recently, my pastor advised me to consider marriage. Prior to giving me this advice, I messed up and impregnated a girl. I have been supporting her secretively, not wanting my pastor or even…
Read MoreWhat is meant by the ignorant and unstable would twist Scriptures to their own destruction?
Question: What was Peter talking about in II Peter 3:16 when he said that the ignorant and unstable would twist scriptures to their destruction? Answer: “And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all…
Read MoreIs God telling Americans to straighten up?
Question: There are so many terrible things going on in the world today. I have a friend that is saying God is trying to warn us as Americans that we need to straighten up in this country or God will turn His back on us. What are your views on that? Thank you. Answer: Every…
Read MoreWas there a time-lapse between the plagues in Egypt?
Question: Good morning, I have always been a bit analytical, too bad it did not help me with math. My question is one that plagues me every time that I read Exodus. If all the livestock died from disease, then how could any have been around for the hail? Did a great time elapse between…
Read MoreI rededicated my life after committing fornication. Will God reject me if we have sex again just before our marriage?
Question: Sir, I was a backslider for about two years. While in that state I was ready to marry, but I didn’t have any girl to marry. Then I was introduced to a girl by my sister. She is my sister’s friend and they work in the same company. We dated for several months. Because…
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