My husband and I have had a difficult marriage and were on the verge of discussing a divorce when a mutual male friend of ours (also having marriage problems) kissed me.  My husband and I are now about to start the divorce process, and I am in love with another man, the friend; we will call him Steve.  Steve and I are friends.  Steve's wife and I are friends, and I have been trapped between them for weeks.  The problem is, I am so in love with him that I can't see clearly.  He says that he feels the same way for me, but he doesn’t want to tell her because they have a baby.  She said that she will fight to the death for their marriage, and he says that their marriage is already over.  I am so hurt, confused, angry, lonely, and mad at myself and him and her!!!  I could possibly lose both of their friendships and his love... what can I do?  Please help!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
The Other Woman

Dear The Other Woman,

We will give you the same advice Jesus gave to an adulteress woman: go and sin no more (Jhn 8:11).  You are married and in an adulteress relationship with another woman’s husband.  That is wrong.  You only have one choice: flee fornication (1 Cor 6:18).  You have millions of emotions running through your mind and heart and are – by your own admission –deeply confused.  Don’t trust your own judgment; trust the Scriptures.  God hates divorce (Mal 2:16).  What you are doing is deeply sinful, and your soul is in great peril.  You think your friendships are what are at stake… it is your very soul that is on the line.  Permanently cut off your relationship with this man now.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

I don’t believe in God no more.  I needed prayers answered, and God turned a deaf ear to me.  I have done prayer requests at my church for years, but this year was so bad, I lost everything, and all I wanted was a few prayers answered, and God said, “No”.  So I have quit my church and believe God and all preachers are fake.

Sincerely,
Budding Atheist

Dear Budding Atheist,

We have no easy answers for you; it is obvious that you are hurting very much.  We would caution you in saying that God has turned a deaf ear to you.  God knows what you are going through – and there is a reason.  When Joseph was thrown into prison, he ended up being the king’s right-hand man (Gen 39:20).  When Moses was exiled to the desert for forty years, he ended up being the savior of all Israel (Acts 7:29-30).  Even Jesus proves that suffering can lead to victory; His death on the cross led to the forgiveness of sins (Heb 12:2).

Life here on this planet is full of heartaches, and we here at AYP cannot imagine how hard this last year has been on you.  2009 was a very difficult year for many, many people.  Just don’t forget that adversity can lead to victory.  No battle is won without bloodshed, and no bridge is built without sweat.  God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28).

To complicate issues further, you are right on at least one point… many preachers are fake.  False teachers are rampant (2 Pet 2:1-2), and it may be that where you have been going has been plying you with false teaching that would discourage anyone.  E-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we would be happy to help you find a congregation that faithfully teaches the truth.  It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).  We are so sorry for your suffering; don’t give up.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

How do we know that the kingdom has been fulfilled?  I have found many verses talking about the kingdom being set up, but where does it say it has been fulfilled?

Sincerely,
Royal Subject?

Dear Royal Subject,

There are several verses that tell us that the kingdom is already here.  The first verses to look at are Matt 16:28, Mk 9:1, and Lk 9:27.  In those verses Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom would come within the lifetime of those He was preaching to.  Considering it has been 2,000 years since Jesus preached… the kingdom is here.

Another verse to look at is Col 1:13 where Paul says that christians are already in the kingdom.  Since Paul said that we are already in the kingdom, the kingdom must already be here and complete.

The reason for this is because the kingdom is the church.  Jesus said that His kingdom wouldn’t be a physical kingdom (Jhn 18:36), but it would be a kingdom that reigned within the hearts of people (Lk 17:20-21).  As we already mentioned, this kingdom is made up of christians.  What group of people was created within one generation of Jesus’ preaching and contains christians?  That would be the church!  The church is the spiritual kingdom for which Jesus gave His blood.  We become citizens of this kingdom when we are born again through baptism (Acts 8:12, Jhn 3:5).