How can I be closer to God?  I tried reading the Bible, but I do not find it interesting; hence, I do not have the motivation to read.  I tried going to church but often failed to wake up (it's also very far from where I'm living).  When the pastor preaches in church, often I realize I am dozing off.  How can I be cleared of all of the above and be a good christian?

Sincerely,
Apathetic

Dear Apathetic,

With all due respect, what if you applied this same logic to your job?  What if you told your employer that you found the tasks required of you at work uninteresting, and, therefore, you weren’t motivated to work?  What if you never showed up to work because you were tired and didn’t wake up?  In any job we’ve ever worked, they would have fired us on the spot!

Christianity is work… that is exactly why a lot of people don’t obey God.  God tells us we must hear and do what His Word says (Jas 1:22).  We do what we love, and we do things for those we love.  If we love God, we will keep His commandments (Jhn 14:15).  It is a myth that all christians love to go to services and love to read their Bibles.  The truth is that every faithful christian we know has had to work very hard to build the habits of attendance, study, and active participation in the Lord’s work.  It is a lifelong commitment.  The apostle Paul compares it to physical training.  An athlete exercises their body to win the race, even when they are tired or in pain… we need to do the same with our spiritual exercise (1 Cor 9:24-27).  We would be happy to get you in contact with a congregation near you that can help you commit to the Lord’s service.  Not all churches are faithful to God’s Word.  Read “The Pastor Problem” for details on why churches led by a single pastor aren’t following the Bible pattern.  There is nothing more important than your spiritual health – your eternity depends upon the choices you make here (Matt 7:13).

I'd like a few answers to questions that are rarely (if ever) brought up in Sunday services.  What happens to people with brain diseases?  Is this another way for the brain to protect itself from trauma it can't handle?  Are people born with Down Syndrome guaranteed a place in heaven?

Sincerely,
Of Sound Mind

Dear Of Sound Mind,

Those with mental handicaps would fall under the same rules as children.  In order to obey the gospel, we must have the maturity to:

1. Take responsibility for our sins (Acts 3:19).
2. Hear and understand the Word of God (Rom 10:17).
3. Be responsible for our own spiritual growth (1 Pet 2:1-2).

Children and those with mental disabilities do not have that ability, and God only holds us accountable for what we are able to do (2 Cor 8:11-12).

All disease and illness is a consequence of sin.  When Adam and Eve sinned, their bodies began to die (Gen 2:17).  When mankind was kicked out of the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:24), diseases of all sorts began to creep in.  Mental diseases are just one consequence of that fateful decision that Adam and Eve made.

Why did people confess their sins to a priest in the Old Testament?  Isn't the Old Testament a foreshadowing of the New Testament?  If we are meant to confess our sins directly to God, why does James say to confess to one another?  And why does Jesus give the authority to forgive and retain sins to His apostles (John 20:23) if christians were meant to go directly to God?

Sincerely,
No Middle Men

Dear No Middle Men,

In the Old Testament, priests offered sacrifices for the people’s sins, but the people didn’t necessarily confess those sins to the priest – they just brought the animal to the priests to be sacrificed (Heb 10:11).  The Old Testament priest functioned as a mediator between man and God.  You are right that the Old Testament is a shadow of the New Testament in Christ.  In the New Testament, Jesus is our high priest and mediator (Heb 8:1-3, 1 Tim 2:5).  We are able to confess our sins and have peace with God through Christ (Rom 5:1) because Jesus became our sacrifice (Heb 10:11-12).

Now, let’s address the issue of confessing our sins to one another.  Jas 5:15-16 talks about christians confessing their sins to one another, so we can pray for each other.  James isn’t saying that humans have the right to forgive sins; in the context, he is discussing the value of leaning on each other and seeking help when we struggle with sin.

Lastly, let’s deal with Jhn 20:23.  Jhn 20:23 does say that the apostles could forgive or retain people’s sins… but you have to read the verse above it, too!  Jhn 20:22 points out that the apostles were being divinely directed by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told them that they were doing God’s work and were being led by God’s Spirit.  The apostles were unable to do anything by their own power, but when the Holy Spirit guided them, they could tell people things directly from the mouth of God (2 Pet 1:21).

Will God ever give up on us?

Sincerely,
Abandonment Issues

Dear Abandonment Issues,

When we die, our fate will be sealed because there will be no more opportunities to repent (Heb 9:27)… but that isn’t because God gave up on us.  God doesn’t give up on us; we give up on Him.  God tells us that if we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us (1 Jn 1:9).  Our heavenly Father is ready and willing to forgive (Ps 86:5).  He doesn’t desire anyone to perish (2 Pet 3:9), but He accepts our choice… even if we choose to reject Him.

Is sex before marriage a sin and why?

Sincerely,
Unvowed

Dear Unvowed,

Sex before marriage is a sin.  From the very beginning, God designed marriage as the realm for sexual relations (Gen 2:24).  1 Cor 7:1-2 states that any relations outside of marriage are fornication.  God tells us to flee all fornication (1 Cor 6:18).  Even though sexual immorality is rampant in our culture and accepted by our society, that doesn’t make it right.  Christians are called to honor God and honor marriage by leaving the marriage bed pure and undefiled (Heb 13:4).