Please let me know if there is any Scripture(s) in the Bible when Jesus told anyone, “I love you.”  I am being challenged by a friend who says that Jesus never told anyone while He was on Earth directly that He loved them.

Sincerely,
Affectionate

Dear Affectionate,

There are several examples in the Bible where it is clear that Jesus loved someone.  Mk 10:21 says that Jesus loved the rich young ruler who asked Him what it takes to be saved (Mk 10:17).   Jesus told His disciples that they should love one another the way He loved them (Jhn 13:34).  The book of John refers to “the disciple whom Jesus loved” on multiple occasions (Jhn 20:2, Jhn 21:7).  Jesus says that He loves us like the Father does (Jhn 15:12).  There is no doubt that Jesus loves us and specifically told His apostles that He loved them.

Is it okay for Christians to purchase lottery tickets?

Sincerely,
Pick Of The Litter

Dear Pick Of The Litter,

The Bible never specifically mentions the lottery as a sin, but it doesn’t have to be specifically mentioned to be wrong.  There are a great many things surrounding gambling that are sinful.  Consider that:

1. Gambling focuses around money and greed.  God warns us clearly about being fixated with money (1 Tim 6:10, Heb 13:5).  God wants us to be satisfied with our income (Eccl 5:10).  Contentment is a major component of spiritual maturity (1 Tim 6:6).
2. Gambling is used as a means to gain money without working for it.  God finds pleasure in people working for their livelihood (2 Thess 3:10-12, Pr 10:4).
3. Gambling wastes money because, ultimately, the house does always win.  God expects us to be good stewards (1 Cor 4:2) and save for the future (Pr 6:6-8).
4. Gambling and the places where gambling occurs are often associated with other sinful things.  There is a reason Las Vegas is called “Sin City”.  That industry is not one that a christian should be supporting (2 Cor 6:16-17).
5. Gambling is addictive.  We can only have one master (Lk 16:13).

A couple of years back, I started working for a company that was directed by my mom's husband.  That's not my father; they divorced when I was younger.  My mom left my dad because of an affair with this other guy, and I grew up with my dad but spent plenty of holidays with mom and her husband.  Naturally, I got a little fond of them and their kids, but when I was older, I became aware of how it hurt my dad that I would want to spend time with them when I had the choice.  He never blamed me but told me a little about what he felt on occasion when the conversation covered certain things significantly related.  Anyway, now I've been working in the company for a while, and although I've had pressure to leave to honour my dad, I never left and instead asked other people what they thought.  They all said they didn't think it was dishonourable.  But recently, again, I've had the feeling that it was breaking one of God's commandments, and I heard the story of a Welsh revivalist (Evan Roberts, I think) whose messages were very simple, and one of the four points was to 'get rid of grey areas'. This is CERTAINLY a grey area for me, and I'm not at all sure whether I'm breaking the commandment or not, but, I feel that probably I am, so even if I am not sure about breaking the commandment or not, I AM SURE this is a grey area!  So... my question is, do you know of any Bible texts that can clarify how I can know if grey areas should really be addressed?  If you have any idea about the commandment and what you think is happening here, that would be great, too… I know my salvation is at stake here; please help.

Sincerely,
The Good Kid

Dear The Good Kid,

The Bible specifically addresses gray areas in Rom 14.  There are two major factors to consider in areas of opinion:

1. If what you are doing causes other christians to fall away or stumble, then you must stop (Rom 14:13) – this is not very applicable to your situation because nobody is going to fall away because you work for your stepfather.
2. It can't be something that bothers your conscience.  Rom 14:23 says "But he that doubts is condemned if he eats, because he eats not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin."  Working for your stepfather's company isn't a sin, and isn't necessarily dishonoring your biological father... but if you feel that it is wrong and inappropriate, you should quit.

Obviously, it is the second factor that is going to be the most difficult for you.  Anyone that tells you that working for your stepfather is doctrinally wrong is feeding you a line.  However, you must examine yourself and consider what you feel comfortable with.  Life is difficult because it is impossible to get rid of all gray areas.  It takes self-examination and wisdom to wade through those choices and discern between good and evil (Heb 5:14).

Well, the last couple of days have really been tough...my girlfriend and I thought we conceived a baby (we are not married, and I know that is a sin), but I asked for forgiveness... but then it all fell apart.  I loved her and trusted her... she ended up telling me there was a possibility that the baby might not be mine; she left me because it was hard to be with me after she told me, and I admit it was hard, but I was willing to forgive and let go, but she left, and now she has told me that the doctors told her she probably lost the child.  I don’t know if the kid was mine, but I feel like it was.  I had dreams about it and saw myself with a lil’ boy I had never seen before.  I was so happy to find out I was going to be a daddy and was going to raise him right by God.  I’m not sure if it’s mine or if she miscarried.  I just want advice on why things like this happen.  I tried my hardest to make it work, and I wanted to be happy, but it all fell apart.  I’m twenty years old, and this is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, things I’ve ever dealt with.  I lost the love of my life and my possible child, plus she had a daughter, and she would call me “Dad”, so it’s like I lost two children.  Please, I need the Lord’s Word to get through this, so please help!

Sincerely,
Floundering

Dear Floundering,

You are experiencing the pain of sin in a very real and personal way.  God does offer forgiveness if we place our faith in Him (read “What Must I Do To Be Saved” for more details), but that forgiveness doesn’t remove the consequences of sin.  David sinned when he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2-4); God forgave David of the sin when David repented (2 Sam 12:13), but David’s child still died as a consequence of that sin (2 Sam 12:14).  Sin has both spiritual and physical consequences.  The spiritual consequence of sin is eternal death unless we are forgiven in Christ (Rom 6:23).  The physical consequences of sin still remain after forgiveness.  God says that we reap what we sow (Gal 6:7).  When we behave immorally toward a woman, lose our temper, mistreat others, are bad examples for our children, etc. – there are consequences to those choices.  God wants you to have a happy and healthy life here on this planet.  The only way to do that is to trust His Word that teaches us everything about life (2 Pet 1:3).  We are so sorry that your road has been so difficult as of late; hopefully, this will become an opportunity for you to start with a new commitment to live as God intends.  If you would like help finding a faithful congregation in your area (not all churches are equal) to help you on that journey, we would be happy assist you in locating one.  Simply e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.

Will you be forgiven if you have to do something that is legal, but not morally right by God?  What if you have no other option at that moment in order to survive financially?

Sincerely,
A Difficult Decision

Dear A Difficult Decision,

You can be forgiven of anything, but that isn’t the right question to be asking.  If something is a sin (i.e. not morally right), it is a sin.  God never allows you to be tempted beyond what you are able (1 Cor 10:13).  On the Day of Judgment, you will have to give account for the life that you lived (Rom 14:12).  Peter, under fear of death, said, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)  You must place your morals before your finances.  Remember, God promises that He will never let His people starve (Ps 37:25).  Trust God.