Didn’t Jesus die for our sins?

Question: This is hard to wrap my mind around for some reason, but didn’t Jesus “die for our sins?” I thought that Jesus dying on the cross meant that all our sins were forgiven if we believe in him. Answer: It isn’t a hard concept, but I can see the difficulty when you grow up…

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Is it wrong to benefit from something that came about because of sin?

Question: I’ve written to you a few times and have used the website a lot. I have a different question I’d like to ask. How do you deal with things that aren’t sinful, when they resulted from sin? I know the Bible doesn’t say that, for instance, if a woman gives birth before she is…

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What is the difference between moral and immoral sins?

Question: What is the difference between a moral sin and an immoral sin? Also, what are the moral sins, and what are the immoral sins? Answer: “Sin” is breaking the law (I John 3:4). “Moral” refers to the standards of correct behavior. There are a few people who what to make a difference between what…

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How can I possibly warn everyone about all the sins they are doing?

Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, Currently, I am struggling with how to deal with other believers and their sins. Specifically, at my place of work, there are coworkers who claim to be Christian and others to be Catholic. While I understand that you should warn people of their sin, and if you do not warn them,…

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Jeremiah’s Belt

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/JeremiahsBelt.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 13:1-7 I.         The Bible is filled with interesting small stories             A.        One time God told Jeremiah to buy a linen belt to wear.             B.        Later he was told to put the linen belt in a rocky crevice near the Euphrates river             C.        Still later he was told to retrieve the belt, but…

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The Dreadful Disaster of Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2016Summer4TheDreadfulDisasterOfSin.mp3 by Tommy Peeler God Has a Plan

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God Has a Plan

by Tommy Peeler Summer 2016 Trusting God The Glory and Grandeur of God Is Christianity Rules or a Relationship? The Dreadful Disaster of Sin The Death and Resurrection of Jesus How Did Christianity Survive? God, Satan, and Suffering “If Any Man Will Come After Me …”

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Can One Go Without Sinning?

by Bryan Garlock (edited) John wrote, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin …” Have you ever considered the phrase, “that you may not sin”? It is true that since the flesh is weak and temptations are many, we stumble and fall from time to time.…

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Do Not Love the World

by Dennis Stackhouse The fact that Christian people are to be different from those who do not follow Christ, is clearly stated for us in I John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all…

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If I Have to Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IfIHaveToSin.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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What is a secret sin?

Question: I recently heard about the phrase “secret sin.” But what actually is a secret sin? I searched all over and I could not find a clear answer. All I found talks about the consequences of it, but there’s no explanation of what it is. Please explain it to me. Answer: You are looking for…

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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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