Why did God kill David’s son when it was David who sinned?

Question: Could you please explain II Samuel 12:14? It seems that the child died because of what David did. But the Bible says that a child shall not die for the sins of the father. Thank you. Answer: “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor…

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What Is “Lawlessness”?

by Jefferson David Tant In a well-known New Testament passage, Christ addresses a misconception that many had in that day, which is also held by many today. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will…

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Can you calm my fears?

Question: To start it off: I am born half Christian, half Jewish, so my parents never really raised me on religion. We celebrate the holidays of both religions, but I never went to church. I personally do not know what I believe, and honestly speaking, maybe I do believe in God, but I am not…

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Recognizing Our Sin

by Dennis Stackhouse How important is it for a Christian individuals to recognize sin in their lives?  It is of extreme importance because without that recognition a person will never take the necessary steps to remove the sin and get their life moving in a righteous direction once more.  With that in mind, let’s notice…

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I keep finding sins in my life. Do I need to get baptized again?

Question: Brother Hamilton, This has been bothering me for a while, so I am going to explain my situation. I was baptized as an infant and grew up knowing all about Jesus and what is expected of a Christian. However, as a young adult, after studying the Bible, I realized my baptism was done wrong.…

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Would you baptize someone you think is living in sin?

Question: Hey Brother, Would you baptize an individual who you think is still living in sin or is setting a bad example? For instance, if the individual is living with a girlfriend but claims that they do not have sex and sleep in different rooms. Answer: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to…

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Is it possible to recover from searing your conscious?

Question: Some time ago, I began to slowly return to my old ways. At first, I found myself plagued by guilt, but as time passed I would ignore God’s conviction.  For the most part, I didn’t sin very much. but I struggled with lust every now and then. I still tried to live by God’s…

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Healing in His Wings

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HealingInHisWings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 8:4-22   I.         I was reading a letter years ago from someone who tried to introduce false doctrine into the church and then left after they failed.             A.        The author discussed how pleased she was that these members had left.                         1.         She said their leaving was a sign of courage                         2.         That…

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How can a Christian sin if we are to be holy like God?

Question: The Bible tells us that God commands us to be holy as He is holy. If we were allowed to sin and still make it into heaven, there would be no point in having heaven or hell. Why would “be holy as I am holy” even be in the Bible if it was not…

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The Cleansing of the Temple

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CleansingOfTheTemple.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 2:13-25   I.         Under Jewish law, all males were required to travel to Jerusalem three times a year for special feasts – Deuteronomy 16:16-17             A.        Sacrifices had to be made and offerings given, but it wasn’t always practical to ship animals or food all the way to Jerusalem – Deuteronomy…

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Did my mother die in sin?

Question: I want to make clear why this is so important for me. It would be either way when it comes to a mother, but given how much I owe her, it is especially concerning for me. I apologize if it’s a bit long. I was born in Texas (raised there too). My mom raised…

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Hate the Sin, But Not the Sinner?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HateTheSin.mp3 Text: II Peter 3   I.         It is common to face criticism when a strong stand is taken             A.        I noticed in the papers many years ago , that the Methodists and Episcopals were in a quandary.                         1.         The majority wanted strong stands against homosexuality, but a large element objected                         2.         The objection was that if you take…

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Blaming the Wrong Thing

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/BlamingTheWrongThing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 3:1-8   I.         Years ago, an incident happened that makes a good illustration. An older woman bought a cup of coffee at a McDonalds, but not having a convenient place to set it, put it between her legs. As she drove off, the coffee sloshed and she ended up…

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Is sinless perfection not expected of Christians?

Question: I read a few posts on the website where you talked about how Christians are not to expect sinless perfection in themselves. This was very encouraging to me! I have been raised in the Nazarene church. Nazarenes have a lot of really great strengths, but sometimes it can be tough, as they believe that…

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Man’s Sinful Nature

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/MansSinfulNature.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.          I’ve been hearing a lot about man’s sinful nature              A.         A large number of people in denominations take it for granted that mankind is born sinful.                           1.          In other words, people can’t help but to sin because it is a part of our nature.                           2.          The Philadelphia Confession of Faith (p. 7-8) states…

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God and the Problem of Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/GodAndTheProblemOfSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:11-15   I.         God’s Nature             A.        God is Holy – Isaiah 6:3                         1.         There is not even a hint of sin in God – I John 1:5                         2.         Evil is not a part of His nature, nor does He accept evil in others – Psalms 5:4                         3.         If we are to have fellowship…

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My husband is changing, but it seems he is getting away with his sins

Question: I have a complicated question. My husband is a preacher. I cannot possibly tell you our life stories, but suffice it to say that we did not have normal upbringings and both became Christians when we were young adults. The first several years of our marriage were filled with much anger, resentment, abuse, and…

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I have a hard time believing in God, but it might be because of my sins

Question: I find it difficult to believe in and trust God, I have heard all of the arguments for His existence, such as the kalam cosmological argument, and others like it, so I believe that there is a real possibility that God exists. Also, I am quite versed in Christian theology and believe that if…

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What sends you to hell?

Question: My question is: What sends you to hell? I know that’s a dumb question, but I’ve heard so many different things. I believe in Jesus and that he can save me, but I always have this doubt. I feel Satan has put it there because I’ve never doubted the Lord before. I can’t get…

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Would that Bother You?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/WouldThatBotherYou.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Are willful sins irremissible?

Question: Hello, I repented wholeheartedly and believed that I would never (willfully) sin again.  I was determined to not sin.  I was overjoyed to be baptized for the forgiveness of my sins because I knew what Jesus went through to make it possible, and I thought that surely I would never turn my back and…

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If God knew we would sin, why did God create us?

Question: God bless you. My heart has been troubled lately with a question that I can’t seem to answer I’ve been praying about it but no answer yet. Why did God create us? If he knew that Satan would rebel against him and that Adam and Eve would fall into sin why did he create…

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Imagined Sins

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ImaginedSins.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 30:5-6   I.         Certain ideas get repeated in the religious world, often enough that people accept them as truth without stopping to ask if this is really in the Bible or not             A.        “You are saved by faith alone” – despite James 2:24             B.        “Baptism is an outward sign of an…

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Creeping Toward Sodom

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CreepingTowardSodom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 13:1-13   I.         Lot’s problems began when his herdsmen could no longer get along with the herdsmen of Abram – Genesis 13:5-7             A.        This is often the first sign of problems among brethren – they are no longer able to be of one mind                         1.         I Corinthians 1:10-13 – There were…

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Saint or Sinner?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SaintOrSinner.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 1   I.         Would you describe yourself as a saint or a sinner? Or perhaps you see yourself as both.             A.        John Calvin, and his followers, believe that God selects those who are saved. Once selected, that person cannot be removed from God’s saving hand.             B.        We realize that this cannot…

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How do I become more consistent?

Question: I’ve been disobedient and I want to be closer to God. I want him to bless me. The thing is, I’m a very inconsistent person. Most times, deep down, I don’t feel like reading the Bible, which is horrible. Before when I felt like this I forced myself to read it hoping that the…

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I Met Him at the Cross

by Forest D. Moyer via Mind Your Faith In the heart of every person, there is a longing for a Supreme Being. Men who do not know Jehovah have manufactured various gods and rendered their service to the gods of human minds. Those who have diligently sought truth have come to realize that the Bible is…

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Can a Christian’s worship be hindered if he is in sin?

Question: Good morning, Can a Christian’s worship be hindered if they are in sin? Does God expect Christians to be completely holy when we worship Him? Answer: “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that…

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What is the difference between sin, iniquity, and abomination?

Question: Is there any difference between sin and iniquity, and is there any difference between sin and abomination? Answer: “Sin” generally translates the Greek word harmartia. It means to err, to miss the mark or the goal. Harmartia and its related forms are the most general word describing that which is sin. In Hebrew, the word is chatta’ah, which…

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This has not been a good year for me. I need to regain my faith

Question: Please pray with me. This year has not been good for me. I’ve had a terrible fight with my manager. I put her in an awkward place at work. I’ve bad-mouthed her and now at work, I’ve misused the money. I might lose the job. I have a two-year-old baby girl. I’ve started using…

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