Each day a friend of mine poses questions on Biblical topics. He starts each question with "The Question is...." Here are a few of the questions and my answers. Hope you enjoy.
THE QUESTION IS: What does it mean to "carry" our cross "daily"? How do we(christians) apply that statement to our life?
Jesus said that "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it (Mat. 16:24-25)." When I was saved my life did a complete 180. Chasing after the things of the world made me realize that what I was missing was the life of Christ. Subsequently, I asked myself, what is it that the world is offering me that I must sacrifice in order to respond to the things of the Lord? For me it has been a level of closeness with friends and family as well as long held social and political beliefs. When you stand for and proclaim the things of the Lord you can quickly become isolated. But, you know that what you believe is true and find it next to impossible to compromise. Are we willing to sacrifice what we have held dear to our hearts in order to proclaim God's truths despite the cost? We won't regret it. Take up your cross!
THE QUESTION IS: Is it "ok" for christians to "buy" and "look" at "bootleg" dvd's?
"Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial (1 Cor. 6:12)." Of course it isn't okay, but like with everything else with a Christian you are free to do so. However, whatever consequences come from you purchasing or viewing the merchandise is on you. You can insert any sinful activity into your question and the answer is still the same. If you want to engage in sin, you are free to do so and there will be no condemnation from God. But, is your activity consistent with that of a child of God? Does your activity reflect positively or negatively on you and Christ? Are you prepared for whatever consequences may result because of your actions? These are all things I hope go through a believers mind before they act. It is a result of the Holy Spriit being at war with our flesh. We still sin regardless of how much we desire not to. However, we must approach God in our time of need to find out what we thought our sin would provide for us that He hasn't already provided.
THE QUESTION IS: The bible says walk in the "Spirit" not the "Flesh"...How do you know you are walking in the "Spirit"?
The first sign of walking by the Spirit is do you have the Spirit to begin with. There are only two kinds of people on this planet, those who are dead to God in sin and those who are alive to God in Christ. If you are in Christ, one way to know if you are walking in the Spirit is if you are not gratifying the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16). The Spirit and the flesh are in constant battle with each other (Galatians 5:17), yet, another sign of your salvation. Another clear indication of walking in the Spirit is your ability to discern the meaning of Scripture (1 Cor. 2:14). Knowing what the Bible says and knowing what it means are two entirely different subjects. A Christian lives their life constantly trying to respond to the leading and direction of the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is a life built around trusting God with your life as He reveals to you all that you already have been given through faith in Jesus Christ.
THE QUESTION IS: The bible says "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER", BUT SHOULD THEY HAVE "SAY SO" IN YOUR MARRIAGE,CAREER, AND FINANCES?
This is a pratical matter just as much as a biblical one. Parents can and should be looked to for guidance and advice in situations. However, you have to be careful that you don't give over control of your personal life to them. As was stated earlier, when a man and a woman marry, they become "one." A husband and wife's responsibility are to each other and their family. There are many examples of in-laws destroying marriages because one or more of the spouses did not step in to set things in order. The same can be said for career and financial advice. In a perfect world a parent will encourage and foster the talents of their children so they can pursue a career more in line with their abilities. Also, hopefully parents will teach their kids financial wisdom so they will apply it to their lives and pass it on to their own children. A parents role is to "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it (Prv 22:6)," not treat them like children forever.
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