Question:  Why won’t my unsaved loved ones accept Christ?  I’ve shared the Gospel with them many times over the years!

Answer:  Ultimately, it’s God’s Holy Spirit who convicts the hearts of the unsaved.  As Believers, God wants us to share the Gospel. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus says,  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NKJV)  This is referred to as the Great Commission.  While we cannot force people to accept Jesus as their Savior, we are to share the Gospel, pray for the salvation of others, and live our lives to please the Lord. People should be able to see God’s love in us!

As we do these things, we will observe that there are several reasons people reject God’s truths. One reason is just not believing God exists.  These people are known as atheists.  They may put more trust in their own intellectual abilities and “reason” that it isn’t logical that God exists.  To them, Christians and other people of faith are simply following after fairy tales.  But, God’s Word says in Psalm 14:1, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.”  Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…”

Another reason some people won’t accept the truth of the Gospel is that they mainly see God as a type of Santa Claus.  Instead of  accepting that we are all sinners in need of Jesus Christ as our Savior, they seek after God only if they want something.  They’ll even try to bargain with God, promising to be good if He’ll only grant their wish.  Once this need is over, these people no longer seek an active relationship with God in their lives.

Still another reason some people reject the truth of the Gospel is that they think everybody’s god is the same, so every “good-hearted” person is going to Heaven. But, they are wrong.  In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  The Bible tells us that our sins separate us from a Holy God. But, because of God’s love for us, He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to take the punishment we deserve.  He rose to life again on the third day proving that God had accepted His sacrifice.  If you don’t believe that Jesus died for you, don’t ask forgiveness for your sins, and don’t turn from those sins, the Bible says you will not go to Heaven.

Of course, people reject Jesus Christ for other reasons as well.  Many people just don’t want to stop embracing and encouraging sin.  They don’t even want to hear you talk about God’s Word.  Many today are regularly trying to “shut up” Believers from even mentioning Jesus in public gatherings.  The truth is, they know deep in their heart that God’s Word is powerful!  God’s Word will pierce hearts and change lives.  And above all, they know that when  Believers follow the Great Commission, people will be drawn from all over the world to accept the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ!

Recently, famous race car driver Darrell Waltrip spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast about how he came to accept this great gift.  See it here: http://youtu.be/JIewYyFXWp8

Follow me on Twitter:  @valclarksplace 

Question: Should Christians treat the subject of sex as taboo?

Answer:  No. In fact, Christians should be bold in spreading the truth about the role sex plays in our lives.  Because contrary to the constant messages we get from the media that make it seem like sex is something defined by humans, it was actually God who created sex.  As such, He is the only one who gets to set the rules for His creation!

The Bible gives us clear teachings on God’s design for sex. When God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, He laid out His plan for them — and us — in Genesis 2:24:  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (NKJV)  God made the male and female bodies to physically join together as becoming one flesh during sex.  Later we read that “Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have gotten a man from the Lord.”  Here, we see that one purpose God has for this sexual union between husband and wife is to produce children.  We know that God designed the woman’s body with the reproductive organs to get pregnant and give birth to a child.

In Song of Solomon, we also learn that God intends for the husband and wife’s sexual union to be one of pleasure.  This book of the Bible is filled with descriptions of the attraction and passion shared between this bridegroom and his bride.  For example in chapters 4 and 7 the bridegroom vividly describes the beauty of his bride’s body — her lips, her thighs, her breasts, etc.  In chapter 5, we read the bride’s equally passionate description of her groom — his wavy hair, his eyes, his legs being like “pillars of marble,” and his mouth being “most sweet.”  Similar bold physical descriptions are found in the words of wisdom of Proverbs 5:18-19.  It reads, “…Rejoice with the wife of your youth… Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love.”

Unfortunately, the world mostly promotes sex to be the opposite of what God intended. This opposition to God shows up in the world’s promotion of pre-marital sex, pornography, prostitution, and every other sexual relationship outside of sex between the husband and his wife. That’s because the world follows after Satan instead of after God.  Satan represents all that is opposite to the Word of God.  God created sex to be between one man and one woman who are married to each other.  Period.  Jesus reinforced this truth in Matthew 19:4-6, when He said, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh’ ?  So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’ ”

It’s easy to see the consequences of going against God’s will for sex.  Despite living in a time of so-called sexual freedom, it’s anything but freedom for many.  Our society is being overwhelmed by unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, human trafficking, and other sex-related ills.  Even our children are being sexualized through some of today’s clothing styles and pop culture.  On the other hand, monogamous married couples report the greatest level of satisfaction with their sex lives, as shown in this poll commissioned by Parade magazine:  https://www.imom.com/poll-shows-sex-within-marriage-is-more-fulfilling/

Remember, despite the messages you may get from popular media, it was God who created sex.  It’s His gift to us — when we choose to experience it His way!

Follow me on Twitter: @valclarksplace

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family    www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine   http://www.worldmag.com

Question: It’s been months since my boyfriend dumped me, and I still have dreams of being married and having kids with him.  How do I move on?

Answer: It can be very difficult moving on with our lives after having our dreams shattered.  Unfortunately, as long as you’re dealing with imperfect people, you’ll run the risk of having them disappoint you.  And, as the Bible teaches us, we’re all imperfect people.  Believers know that we are all sinners and that it is our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us (See Romans 5:8-11).  God’s Word also tells us that it is Him that we must put our dependence on. He knows our needs and wants.  He will bless us when we believe and trust in Him! The ability to move on with our lives will happen if we put our hope in God, and God alone!  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (NKJV)

More and more these days, we find people putting their hope in other people instead of putting their hope in God. For example, we see this nearly every election, when various politicians and their political groups make all kinds of promises to people in order to get their votes.  People put their hope in these politicians because the people really believe these politicians are going to do things to make their lives better. Later, the people realize their lives aren’t much better.  And, too many times, their favorite politicians didn’t keep their promises.  Instead of putting our hope in politicians, we need to put our hope in God! (See Psalm 118:8-9.)

Also, people have been known to put their hope in religious leaders. They forget that religious leaders are still human.  They are imperfect and will sin just like everyone else.  The only man to walk this earth without committing sin is Jesus Christ because He is God. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21) Sadly, when religious leaders fall, some of their followers will have their faith shaken.  They may even abandon their faith.  This happens because they have put their hope in man instead of putting their hope in God.

Most commonly, people find themselves putting their hope in their family.  Be it their parents, children, or spouses, people’s lives can be shattered when these family members make huge moral mistakes.  Hearts are broken as a result of their sins, and disillusionment sets in.  People will often blame God for putting them in these relationships.  But, all along, people should have been putting their hope in God and not in their family members because family members are still just imperfect humans.

Therefore, people need to stop looking for hope in all the wrong places. Our hope should not be placed in politicians, celebrities, religious leaders, friends, family, or even ourselves.  Our hope should only be in God!  Listen to renowned Pastor Tony Evans speak on why our hope should be in God in his message titled “Your Future and Your Hope.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaI41bJanhM

Follow me on Twitter: @ValClarksPlace

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family    www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine   www.worldmag.com

Question:  In the hustle and bustle of the season, how can I make sure I’m keeping Christ in Christmas?

Answer:  Even dedicated Christians can sometimes find themselves consumed with every tradition of the holiday season except what’s most important.  They can forget that Jesus really is the reason for the season!  Christians know that this is the time of the year we choose to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should make the time and make the effort to keep Christ in our Christmas!  But, if we know this, then why don’t we do it?

Unfortunately, some Christians can get as consumed with creating the picture-perfect Christmas experience as the world does. They fill themselves with anxiety trying to get the best super sales on the most popular gifts.  Adults get worked up over seeing their peers gifting themselves with the latest “must-have” gadgets and new technology.  They wear themselves out trying to keep up with the trends of the crowd. They forget to  pause, reflect, and be thankful for the greatest gift – Jesus Christ.

Likewise, many Christian families find themselves in turmoil during this season.  Married couples fight over which in-laws they are going to spend Christmas Day with.  Parents argue over how much money they are going to spend to make sure their children have this year’s hottest toys. They fill the family calendar with so many seasonal activities that they find themselves exhausted.  Yet, they fail to make time for the most important things – reading, meditating on, and discussing God’s Word.

Most importantly, during this season of spending extra time with family and friends, too many Christians fail to include in their discussions talk of their walk with the Lord.  They tend not to share with their family and friends how God has brought them faithfully through this year.  They are willing to talk about everything else but Jesus.  It doesn’t have to be this way.

Don’t have a Jesus-free Christmas!  See that you and your family are keeping Christ in Christmas. There are many ways you can do this.  For example, plan to take your family to a church Christmas program that tells the story of Christ’s birth.  While decorating the tree, play or sing Christmas hymns that give praise to our Lord.  Make sure to share with your family and friends how God has blessed you this year.  And, always make sure your family knows the story of the birth of our Savior.  Luke 2: 1-20 spells out in detail how Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  This Bible passage may be one you’d even want to read aloud together.  Listen to a reading of this account by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCKpwaRxIww&feature=youtube_gdata .

And, have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

Helpful Links:

Question:  How do I stop being resentful of those who have more than me?

Answer:  Pray for God to remove the resentment from your heart and reveal His plan for your life.  Believers must remember that our Father, God,  loves us and blesses us as His children.  Matthew 7: 7-8 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (NKJV)  Then 7:11 says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  God knows everything about each of us.  We have no secrets from God.  Therefore, He knows our every thought, need, and desire.  What He wants, first, is for us to believe and trust in Him.  He wants us to first ask forgiveness of our sins, accept His Son, Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, and turn from our sins (repent).  Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (what we pray to Him about needing) shall be added to you.”

But, we have to regularly ask ourselves if we are, indeed, putting God and His Holy Word first in our lives.  Are we putting our faith and trust in Him?  If we are being honest with ourselves, we’ll admit to trusting more in the power of man in our lives than trusting in our mighty, all-knowing, all-powerful God!  Think about it.  When we say things like, “If it wasn’t for my mean unfair boss, I’d have gotten that raise!”  Or, “the problems in my life or in my community would be solved if it weren’t for the wrong people running the government,”  we’re saying that man is more powerful than God.  Wrong!  And, that would not be putting God first in our lives.

Believers can trust that the blessings God has for them, He will surely give to them — but in His time.  In the meantime, know that Believers are already overwhelmingly, abundantly blessed by having the most important thing, the thing that’s to be cherished above everything:  the saving grace of God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

In this season of Thanksgiving, we can be thankful for God’s many blessings!  Help renew and invigorate your joy for the Lord.  Listen to this choir sing “When I think about the Lord.”  It’ll make you want to shout!   Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFm8LXKi9EU

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family    www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine   http://www.worldmag.com

Question:  How do I handle feeling uncomfortable standing up for my beliefs in front of friends?

Answer:  First, you should be concerned when you find yourself feeling uncomfortable standing up for your beliefs in front of others.  If a friend asks you where you stand on one of the “hot button” social issues of today,  you have to decide right then  and there whether or not to share your biblically based moral beliefs.  When you are making this decision, you would be wise to keep in mind what the Apostle Paul said to Timothy concerning Jesus, found in 2 Timothy 2:12:   “…If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” (NKJV)

Second, if these people make you  feel that  uncomfortable  sharing your beliefs, are they really your friends?  In today’s culture,  Christians who stand up for their beliefs  in God’s Holy Word are increasingly ridiculed and called intolerant and haters.  It’s understandable that no one would want to be treated this way.  No one wants to be rejected by their peers.  Usually, this strong need for peer acceptance is a problem mostly associated with one’s teen-age years.  Today, this need is becoming  an issue for adults as well.

The fact is that our society is growing more and more divided on many social and cultural issues of our day.  This can make it difficult to stand against the views of the majority of the crowd you find yourself with.  Going against the views of the crowd can even lead to negative treatment not only from friends, but also from co-workers, your boss, or even family.  In the past, you might have been able to keep your beliefs to yourself.  That way, no one would turn against you because they would not know that you disagreed with them.  However, it is becoming harder to avoid revealing what you believe. Fast-changing laws and court rulings are demanding you to accept lifestyle choices the Bible clearly teaches are wrong or face job loss, lawsuits, or even criminal charges.

So, what are Believers to do?  We are to stand strong for what God says is right.  We must go out each day, as it says in Ephesians 6:11, having “put on the whole  armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  And, as we have conversations with our friends as well as others, we must pray as the Apostle Paul, himself, prayed  in Ephesians 6:19-20:  “…that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel….that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

As we stand strong in our faith, we must always treat our friends and others with love and kindness for we are to be Christ’s reflection to them.  And, if they are truly our friends, we should be able to agree to disagree on some things, but still remain friends.  If they refuse to accept our differing beliefs, then the Believer should part ways with these people.  For, if you continue to try to stay in their good graces, you could be tempted to try to join in with the wrongs they are doing.  You may want to give in to their peer pressure.  Instead of you encouraging them to change and become Believers, they will start causing you to change to please them.  In 1 Corinthians 15:33, the Bible warns, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ ”  Also, 2 Corinthians 6:14  says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?”  Check out additional teachings on being “unequally yoked” at http://www.GotQuestions.org.

And if you’re saying, “But didn’t Jesus hang out with sinners?” — that would be true.  See Luke 5:29-32.  But, Jesus called on sinners to repent of their sins.  Jesus never joined in with them and started sinning Himself.  God hates sin!   Unlike Jesus, we may end up being the ones who change because we want to keep our friends.  Believers have to make the sometimes tough decision to just stop hanging with the wrong crowd.  Instead, pray for them to come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ and to live their lives to please Him!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family    www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network   http://www.cbn.com

World Magazine    www.worldmag.com

Question:  My pastor never preaches about sin and says that there are many paths to Heaven. Does this match what the Bible teaches?

Answer:  No.  Your pastor is not teaching you the truths of God’s Holy Word.  He is replacing God’s truths with lies.  Anyone who does this is referred to in the Bible as a “false prophet” –a false teacher.  In the book of Matthew, chapter 7:15, Jesus says:  “Beware  of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”  Jesus goes on to say in verse 16, “You will know them by their fruits…” (NKJV)  In the case of your pastor, if he does not preach about sin, then how can he deliver the message of salvation?  It is precisely because of our sin, which separates us from a Holy God, that Jesus had to die on the cross.  The Word of God says that the wages of sin is death.  God sent His Son, Jesus to take this punishment for us.  By accepting Jesus as our one and only Savior, we are reconciled to God.  God then blesses us with eternal life in Heaven instead of eternal death in hell. (See John 3:16).  So, without understanding about sin, one cannot understand our need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

As for your pastor’s teachings about other religions, he needs to be clear.  While Believers can be knowledgable about other religions, and of course treat people of different beliefs with kindness and love, we need to understand that their beliefs do not match the teachings of God’s Holy Word — the Bible.  As Jesus himself said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life .  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  If their religion teaches another way to our Father God in Heaven, Christians know that this religion does not match the truth in God’s Word.

Believers also know that as we get closer to Jesus’ return,  Satan will increase his attempts to pull people away from God.  He will use false teachers to help accomplish this.  These false teachers will tell people to ignore the teachings in God’s Word and decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong.  Romans 1:22 says, “Professing to be wise, they became fools…”  Of course these false teachers will still present themselves as being Christians.  1st Timothy 4:1-2 says, “Now the spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…”  And, Titus 1:16 says, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”

Throughout the years, there have been many false prophets.  These teachers often present themselves in an attractive manner.  They may be well-dressed, well-spoken, and even  graduates of prestigious universities. They can be of all different races, sizes, and ethnicities.  But they all teach lies about God.  One example of this was a man by the name of Jose’ Luis de Jesu’s Miranda  (April 22,1946 – August 8, 2013).  Miranda claimed to be Jesus Christ and later even claimed to be Anti-Christ.  He attracted a great many followers who truly believed what he preached.  They helped make  him rich by giving him a great deal of  their money, cars, and other valuables.  He named his “ministry” Growing in Grace.  He told his followers that it was revealed to him that there is no such thing as sin, the devil, or hell.  He said prayer was a waste of time.   NBC News even did a story about Miranda.  Watch the 5min. 39sec. news story here:    https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=730540937004515.

The bottom line is simple.  If you are listening to someone whose teaching is the opposite of what’s written in God’s Word,  you need to stop listening.  You should not be attending their church.  You need to find a church that is teaching the Word of God accurately, and  stay away from false teachers!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family     http://www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network   http://www.cbn.com

World Magazine    www.worldmag.com

Question:  What should Christians make of the mounting wars, catastrophic storms, killer viruses, etc., headlining recent news stories?

Answer:  Things certainly do seem to be in turmoil.  Just days ago, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told American marines in San Diego, California:  “The world is exploding all over.”              But Christians shouldn’t be surprised if they’ve been reading their Bibles!  Jesus warned of such things in Matthew 24: 6-9,  “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these things are the beginning of sorrows.  Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” Jesus goes on to say in verses 13-14, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (NKJV)

Christians in many countries around the world are suffering persecution.  Many are being forced to convert from Christianity or face death.  Others have already been put to death for their beliefs.  Just listen to this news story by CBN reporter, Erick Stakelbeck:  http://blogs.cbn/stakelbeckonterror/archive/2014/08/12/the-watchman-show-iraqi-christians-face-isis-genocide.aspx .   Even in the United States where we have the constitutional right to freedom of religion, Bible-believing Christians increasingly face ridicule and punishment for our beliefs.  We’re called intolerant, hateful, and even face lawsuits for standing up for God’s teachings on morality.

Even as we learn of the various wars taking place in other parts of the world,  Christians recognize that we face many domestic battles as well.  Drive-by shootings have taken the lives of thousands of our inner city youth in recent years, yet the majority of the public seems to have come to accept these murders as almost normal.  So many people are hooked on drugs, yet some states have made the marijuana drug legal.  This country has killed millions of babies through abortion, and it’s simply called “the right to choose.”  Even the definition of marriage, which God created to be between one man and one woman [See what Jesus said about it in Matthew 19:4-6], is being legally redefined in the courts to whatever a group of unelected judges says it should be.  Pornography is a billion dollar business while many women and children are being forced into sex trafficking.  The list goes on and on.

These things bring to mind the words from Isaiah 5:20:  “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…”   Believers may also recall 2Timothy 3:12-13, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.”  Christians understand that we can take comfort in knowing that whatever happens, God is in control!

God has given us in His Holy Word, the Bible, what we need to know.  The Apostle Paul writes in 2Timothy3;16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”  So, the next time we find ourselves wondering what in the world is going on, we need to remember God already warned us in His Word what was going to happen.  As Believers hear of these events, we should be ever more diligent in following the Great Commission Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20.  Jesus told them to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Helpful Links:

Focus on the family   http://www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network    www.cbn.com

World Magazine   http://www.worldmag.com

Question:   Does hell really exist?

Answer:   Yes.  The Holy Bible shows Jesus, Himself,  referring to hell many times.  For example, in Matthew 5:22, Jesus speaks of “the fire of hell.” (NIV)   In Matthew 23:33, Jesus says, “You snakes!  You brood of vipers!  How will you escape being condemned to hell?”  And, in Luke 12:5, Jesus says, “… But I will show you whom you should fear:  Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!..”  (KJV)  Thankfully, His Word also tells us how we can escape going to hell!

Believers know that our sins separate us from a holy God and make us deserving of death and hell.  We are blessed that our loving God has given to all the one and only way to avoid hell and go to Heaven.  This way is through God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus died on the cross and took the punishment of death in our place.  In fact,  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  In John 14:6, Jesus says “…I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

This year, a new movie premiered about a little boy who said that he had seen Heaven.  The movie is titled “Heaven is for Real.”  ( See the movie’s trailer by checking out this site,  http://sites.sonypictures.com/heavenisforreal/discanddigital/).  While most people are usually happy to hear about the splendor of  Heaven,  many do not want to accept that not everyone is going there when they die.  But  the Word of God says that we only go to Heaven if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and ask Him to forgive us of our sins.

In fact, Jesus says in Matthew 7: 13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  God loves us and wants us to be saved from hell.  He has provided Jesus as our way to escape eternal destruction.  So, as the movie says, Heaven IS for real.  And hell is for real, too.  Choose Heaven, by choosing to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family  www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network    www.cbn.com

World Magazine    www.worldmag.com

Question:  After seeing so many others get caught,  why does it seem high-profile Christians still think their sins will stay secret?

Answer:  Most likely,  if they’ve been getting away with hiding their sin, they don’t think they will be found out or they’re willing to risk getting caught.  Many people are not even that surprised anymore to hear about some famous “family values” politician or Christian leader being exposed, for example, for committing sexual sin or financial corruption.  These people were living a lie.  And, while it’s easy to point fingers at the famous who have fallen from grace, it’s harder sometimes to admit our own secret sins.  But the Bible says in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

By thinking we are sinning in secret, we may feel somewhat safe.  For a while, we may be able to hide our sins from people.  What we need to know is that we can never hide our sins from God.  God’s Word tells us in Numbers 32:23,  “…take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”  (NKJV)  In Ecclesiastes 12:14, the Word says, “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.”

Unfortunately, many people — even professed Christians — are living their lives trying to hide some of the sinful things they are doing.  Each additional day that goes by with this secrecy  is leading them  into the tighter grip of  Satan’s destruction.  Not only are they hurting themselves, they are hurting those around  them.  For example, the cheating husband is bringing  heartbreak and shame to his wife and children.  Or, take the woman who is embezzling money from the charity she works for.  Not only is she risking getting a prison sentence for herself, but she is taking away from the services for those in need who were counting on that money.

The truth is, there really are no “secret sins.”  While you may be able to hide what you are doing from man, you can never hide from God!  God knows everything that we do.  He knows everything we even think about doing!  Jesus said, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.  Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”  (Luke 12:2-3)  Renowned pastor, teacher, and author John MacArthur explains more about this truth in his Grace to You website post, “Nothing Safe About Secret Sin.”   Check it out here: http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/a214/nothing-safe-about-secret-sin.

As Believers, we know that God’s Word says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)  We are Believers by accepting Jesus Christ as our one and only Lord and Savior.  God gave us Jesus who died on the Cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sin.  God also gives us His Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen, and guide us.  Through repentance, prayer and living by God’s Word, we can turn away from our sins — even those we think we are doing in secret.

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family  www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries  www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine    www.worldmag.com