Is there a divine will for every personal decision that we make?

God is interested in our lives because He loves us. He has a specific will for spiritual matters as well as for things that will affect the quality and well-being of our lives. However, there are some decisions that are a matter of personal choice to which God has no particular, active will. Do you paint the wall red or blue? Do you take the bus or a private car? Do you eat potatoes or rice for dinner tonight? God allows us to follow our inclinations and honors our preferences in nonessential areas of life. Children of God should exercise their will without fear within the parameters of God’s general will. If within those nonessential decisions God sees a danger or hindrance, we can trust that He will be faithful to reveal otherwise to us when expedient and necessary.Read more

Is it ever permissible to tell a lie for a greater good?

From a secular standpoint, there are probably scenarios that could be discussed in which it would seem reasonable to tell a lie. However, the Bible is clear. 1 Peter 3:10 teaches without ambiguity that our lips should speak no guile. This means that whatever we say should be truthful, and we are to avoid all slander, falsehood, lying, and deceitfulness. This command was not contingent upon circumstance.Read more

Repentance is unequivocally tied to an experience of salvation throughout the scripture. Jesus said to “repent…and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). God made provision for our salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross. He is willing and ready to forgive us our sins and to give us the gift of eternal life. However, that gift is only given to those who are sorry for their wrong and make a conscious decision to turn away from their sins.

Those that ask God for salvation but do not have godly repentance, will not have a true life-changing experience. There must be a desire above all else to leave sin and follow Christ. Jesus once told a rich, young man who desired to follow Him that he should go and sell all his possessions first. This man’s obedience would have been fruit of repentance and an indication that he was willing to forsake everything for the cause of Christ. Unfortunately, this young man was not willing to turn from the things of this world.

Often people confess their belief in Jesus Christ, and yet they continue in their sins. These people are not truly saved, for salvation is only given to the repentant heart. There might be an initial change of desire, but people that seek salvation without true repentance are plagued with up-and-down experiences. There must be an acknowledgment of wrong done and a godly sorrow for displeasing God. There must be a desire to forsake the sin of the past; if there is not, those same sins will creep back in. People then think that God’s work of salvation was not sufficient. It is not the work of God that is insufficient, it is the lack of repentance prior to salvation. Hence, repentance is of great value to getting saved, for without it one cannot be truly delivered from the power of sin.

The sinner must first open his heart to God and reject all unrighteousness. This paves the way for God to work the miracle of salvation that will enable an individual to walk in newness of life. It is for this reason that Jesus instructed the multitudes to count the cost. Consider what it means to take up your cross and follow Jesus. Give serious thought before making the decision. When you decide that you are willing to go all the way for God in repentance, you open the door to receive the fullness of God’s grace of salvation.

What is the difference between a trustee and a deacon?

While the office of trustee is not a biblically-mandated office prescribed in the Scripture, the role of trustee is scripturally appropriate as trustees are stewards. A board of trustees or board of directors is often a legal requirement for the registration and operation of a corporation in most countries. Often, a trustee is chosen or elected by the congregation for a period of years as set by the legal charter of the church.

Read more

What is the proper posture in which to pray?

There is no one right way in which to physically position yourself to pray. Among the Jews before Christ, the most common way of praying was standing. Hannah appears to have been standing in the temple when she was praying for a child (1 Samuel 1:26). Jesus said, “When ye stand praying, forgive…” (Mark 11:25).Read more