I am worried about going to heaven; I pray often, but I have never felt the Holy Ghost.  I am wondering, and sometimes I have sinful thoughts.  What can I do to make it to heaven, be with my passed family members, and be with my Lord?

Sincerely,
Getting Home

Dear Getting Home,

The Holy Spirit dwells in those that follow the Bible and put to death their previous sinful lifestyles (Rom 8:12-14). The Holy Spirit gave us the Bible, and when we follow it, we are led by the Spirit. Those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God, and the Spirit dwells in them (Rom 8:14-16).

Christians do have the Holy Spirit dwell in them (Rom 8:9) – but not literally. The Holy Spirit dwells in christians in the same metaphorical way that Christ dwells in christians (Rom 8:10). The Holy Spirit and Jesus do not physically dwell inside christians miraculously, therefore, you don’t “feel” the Holy Spirit in you.  They dwell within christians in a figurative way because a christian’s life follows the path the Holy Spirit and Christ set for them.

If you do the five things the Bible says to become a Christian, the Holy Spirit will be in you as you walk the path that He has set for you.  Read “Five Steps To Salvation” for more information on what those five things are.

     Are God and Jesus the same person or two separate people?

Sincerely,
Double Take

Dear Double Take,

The Father and Jesus aren’t the same.  They are both deity, but they are also unique beings.  There are three parts to the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  This is most easily seen in Matt 3:16-17.  When Jesus was baptized, the Father spoke from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove.  Each of them is eternal (they were all at the creation – Gen. 1:1, Gen. 1:2, Col 1:15-17).  John 1:1 specifically says that Jesus is Deity.  Jesus is different than the Father, but He is part of the Godhead.  Jesus even said that He had always existed (Jhn 8:58).  The apostles worshipped Jesus as God (Jhn 20:28)

      Am I bad because I do not like someone?

Sincerely,
Unfriendly

Dear Unfriendly,

There are lots of reasons to not like people – some good, some bad.  If you don’t like someone because they are wicked or making sinful choices, those are legitimate reasons (1 Cor 15:33).  If the reason is based upon jealousy, bitterness, or vengeance… that is another story (Jas 3:14).  You have to examine your motives and decide why you feel the way you do.

Regardless of your relationship with the person, you should still treat them with love and respect.  The Bible teaches us to love even our enemies (Matt 5:44).

     I'm looking for a passage in the Bible I think I read some time ago.  It's where someone's eyes were opened to the spirit world of angels and demons and spiritual warfare.  Can you tell me where this is found?  Or did I just imagine it?

Sincerely,
Looking Around

Dear Looking Around,

The story you are most likely thinking of is Elisha praying that his servant’s eyes would be opened, so he might see the angelic army protecting them.  In 2 Kgs 6:14-15, the king of Syria sent an entire army to surround the city and capture Elisha, and his servant turned to him in fear and asked what they should do.  Elisha told him that there was nothing to fear for those who were with them were greater than the Syrian army (2 Kgs 6:16).  Elisha prayed that God would open his eyes, so he could see the chariots of fire and heavenly horseman protecting them (2 Kgs 6:17-18).

     I am engaged to be married, but I have a lot of friends of the opposite sex.  Should I stop my relationships with men I have known half my life, so he does not question my faithfulness to him?  What does the Bible say about opposite sex friendships… friendships that are purely platonic?

Sincerely,
Friendly

Dear Friendly,

The Bible never says that men and women can’t be friends, but it does give some warnings to remain above reproach.  Being above reproach is a qualification for an elder (Tit 1:6) and something we should all strive for.  To be ‘above reproach’ means to make sure that your behavior is clearly appropriate and honorable in the sight of all (2 Cor 8:21).

When Christians interact with others of the opposite gender, we are to behave in a way that shows all purity (1 Tim 5:1-2).  When you are engaged, your relationships with others of the opposite gender change because your stage of life has changed.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t still do things with men… but you need to be looking at how to have those relationships in a healthy way that incorporates your soon-to-be husband – that may or may not be possible.  If it does come down to choosing between your marriage and others… your marriage will always come first (Eph 5:31).