What does it mean to be a high-maintenance believer?  I need help with understanding all this.  I just read about falling away from God in Heb 5:12-13.  Could I be spiritually dry/dull?  Help… thanks.

Sincerely,
Running On Premium

Dear Running On Premium,

Every believer is high-maintenance (it took the blood of God’s Son to save us… we’re pretty sure that counts as being high-maintenance)… but falling away from the faith goes beyond maintenance – it means someone is once again lost and dead in their sins.  Heb 6:4-6 says that those who continue to live sinful lifestyles (or return to sinful lifestyles) after receiving salvation, re-crucify Christ.  Heb 6:7-8 goes on to state that christians are supposed to take the blessings of salvation and change their lives for the better.  God sent His Son, so we could be free from sin, not revel in it (Rom 6:1-2).  We should present our lives and bodies as instruments of righteousness and service to God (Rom 6:11-13).  Heb 5:12-13 makes it clear that we should press forward and grow from being babes in Christ to full-grown and mature adult christians.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Sincerely,
It Seems Unfair

Dear It Seems Unfair,

When God created the universe, He made everything good (Gen 1:31).  The world didn’t have disease, thorns, suffering, and all the other problems we see today.  Originally, Adam and Eve lived in the perfect paradise of the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:8).  It is only after Adam and Eve were cast from the Garden because of their sin that all the problems we see today began. All suffering is caused by mankind and sin.  Sometimes we suffer for our sins; sometimes we suffer for others' sins, but sin is always at the root of suffering.

When God made the world, He made it to be good – it was sin that destroyed that perfect vision.  All wickedness and evil brings pain to God and grieves Him and He will only endure it for so long.  In Noah’s day, God saw all the violence that was in the world and it made Him deeply sad (Gen 6:5-6).  God gives mankind the freedom to make our own choices, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pain Him to see the evil upon this earth.  God tells us that the only reason He endures it is because He is longsuffering and desiring to give as many people as possible the chance to repent and turn to Him (2 Pet 3:9).

(This is a follow-up to “New To Us”.)

     What are the exact Scriptures that spell out the new laws Christ established?  If I had a list of the laws, it sure would be easier to make sure I'm following them.  It seems like every time I visit services, my preacher finds something in Scripture I must follow that I didn't see before.  If he weren't delineating all the laws for me to follow, I'm sure I would be lost. How do I know when a principle has been followed well enough and followed to absolute truth?  Seems like doing my best isn't good enough when I'm told I can always be more right.

Sincerely,
A minus

Dear A minus,

The whole New Testament is the compiled set of laws that Christ established.  Christianity isn’t just a short set of rules that can be quickly mastered.  The Bible is a life-changing book that you will spend a lifetime applying to your heart, mind, and actions.  The apostle Paul said that it was like an athlete carefully preparing his body for a match – we must shape our entire being around Christ (1 Cor 9:25-27).

Ps 119:160 says that the sum of God’s Word is truth.  If there were a short list of things you needed to do to be like Christ, we wouldn’t need the whole Bible.  The Bible is exactly the size it needs to be to convey all the ideas and principles God knows we need.

But don’t despair!  God understands that you don’t know everything and that we are all works in progress.  Being a Christian is like growing up – we start as babies and take baby steps until we get stronger (1 Pet 2:2).  Instead of feeling dismayed at all the things you don’t know yet, think of every new principle you will learn like a precious gem that God gives us along the way to heaven.

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.

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.