Please help!  I believe Jesus is the Son of God, so I believe They are as one; my husband says they are one and the same.  How can that be if God gave His only begotten son to die for our sins?

Sincerely,
Simile Stumped

Dear Simile Stumped,

Both the Father and the Son are one in attitude (Jhn 10:29-30), but They are different beings.  There is one verse that very clearly makes the distinction between Jesus and the Father – Matt 3:16-17.  Matthew three tells the story of Jesus’ baptism, and when Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father spoke from heaven… three different beings doing three different things.  The Father and the Son are both God, but they are not the same person.

Hi, everyone at Ask Your Preacher.  Is it all right for a christian to dress as Goth, Punk, Emo, Metal, or Hip-Hop?

Sincerely,
Alternative And Edgy

Dear Alternative And Edgy,

We have a lot of freedom in what clothes we wear as long as those clothes are:

1. Modest
2. Send the right message about who we are

Whatever your fashion style, immodest clothing is wrong (1 Tim 2:9).  Both men and women need to be very careful to not dress provocatively and inappropriately.

The second issue is that how we dress is a reflection on our character.  Whether we like it or not, all of us have a reaction to someone who has a gigantic skull tattoo on their neck… clothes may not make the man, but they do make people think about the man.  Everything we do should be for the glory of the Lord (1 Cor 9:23).  Whatever your fashion sense is, just make sure it sends the right message.

Yes, I was arrested years ago for something stupid; is being arrested a sin… even if it’s nothing?  Because cops where I lived will arrest you for anything.

Sincerely,
Convicted

Dear Convicted,

Being arrested isn’t a sin as long as you didn’t do anything wrong.  Paul was arrested for preaching the gospel (Acts 16:25) – so were the rest of the apostles (Acts 5:17-18).  If you are innocent, then there isn’t an issue.  We are told to obey the government’s regulations insomuch as they don’t contradict the Scriptures (1 Pet 2:13-14).  If you suffer as an innocent person, you will be rewarded by God (1 Pet 3:14) – but if you were arrested for a law you actually broke, it is a sin.

My boss was "using" me at the office because he had a position of power, and his wife confronted me, and he played dumb about doing anything wrong.  He acts “holier than thou” and has everyone fooled.  I ended up having to quit my job that, I must say, I was pretty good at.  Will God take care of his selfishness on His own?  What scriptures can I read to help me?  He told me never to contact him ever again.  All he does is lie and use people for his own gain.  Thanks.

Sincerely,
Between Jobs

Dear Between Jobs,

God makes sure that everyone has to answer for the choices that they make in this life (1 Pet 4:5); this includes both you and your boss – the truth is bare before God.  Vengeance belongs to the Lord (Rom 12:19).  In the end, if you flee from sin (1 Cor 6:18) and seek God (Heb 7:25), things will work together for your good (Rom 8:28).  In the end, losing this job may be the best thing that ever happened to you – it certainly got you out of a spiritually perilous circumstance.  God will take care of your boss, and now you are free to seek the Lord without hindrance (Heb 11:6).

How are you supposed to treat a former member of the church after they have fallen away?  Say, for example, they want to meet up and take the kids to the park or catch a movie.

Sincerely,
Standing Up To The Fallen

Dear Standing Up To The Fallen,

When a brother or sister falls away, purposeful distance is our greatest tool to save their souls.  God tells churches to withdraw from brethren who deliberately return to a sinful lifestyle (2 Thess 3:6).  We should appeal with gentle and loving words in hopes of bringing them back to the Lord (2 Thess 3:15), but when that doesn’t work, we must show them our conviction by kindly, but firmly, refusing to keep company with them (1 Cor 5:11-13).  There isn’t anything that speaks louder than actions.  If you make it clear that the distance is done out of love and not out of hate… you will leave a message that might just cause them to reconsider.