Some Questions & Answers

Q: How do I get to Heaven?

A: See "What to Do to be Saved".

Q: How do I become more Christ-like?

A: There is a simple principle in the Bible that can be summed up as “By beholding we are changed”, from: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). In other words, we change into the things we focus on.

By focussing on Christ our characters will change to His likeness. Many texts counsel us to be “in Christ”. We do this by being in a relationship with Him. How do we get in a relationship with Christ? Mainly, we spend time with Him in prayer, study and meditation of His Word.

The “by beholding we are changed”-principle counts for other things in life as well and therefore ought to impact the recreational choices we as Christians make. If we spend lots of time watching violent movies and playing violent video games and listening to aggressive music, we should not be surprised if we have violent outbursts. It’s simple: what we put in, we get out.

For this reason the Bible councils: “For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are noble, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are amiable, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Q: In following the 10 commandments, isn't that half the job of getting to heaven and being with God? I figured the 10 Commandments are key. Stick to them, and I'll be fine.

A: Obeying the 10 Commandments as a means to salvation is useless, for we are saved through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 2:16). Paul explains: “…for if righteousness is by law, then Christ has died for nothing” (Galatians 2:21b). The law has no salvation ability. The law is based on the principle of love. Its function is to show us God’s standard (and Jesus came to show us the depth of this), on the one hand, and to show us how that we are not on par, on the other hand. The law, in other words, give us a simple outline of how Sin manifests. Sin (i.e. the opposite of love), manifests in sins (i.e. selfish deeds and harmful acts), for instance stealing, lying, murdering, worshipping idols, etc. The Ten Commandments gives us a guideline to identify these acts and avoid them. The law also points out our unrighteousness – like a magic mirror that shows us the dirt on our souls – and points us to the solution: “So that the law has been our tutor up to Christ, that we might be justified on the principle of faith” (Galatians 3:24).

So are we still to keep the Law? Of course! It’s like asking if we are still to worship God, or if, now that we are Christians, we are free to murder and steal and plunder and rape. Clearly this does not make sense. The law shows us what is good and right. However, the law does not contribute to our salvation in any way.


Q: Some would have me believe I have to read the whole bible, and take everything literally - live it out.

A: It is a good thing to read the Bible, and to have a thorough knowledge of it. As to how you have to take it (literally or not), depends on the context. Some parts are literal, some parts are figurative, and some parts are cultural. The context will usually clarify how it is supposed to be read.

Q: And, what does it mean to truly "Love God above all else" and "Love your neighbour as yourself"? How extreme does it go? Does "Love God above all else" mean that we must all become nuns/monks and do nothing but pray? What about the line in the bible that says for 6 days you must work and do what you must, and on the 7th day rest? Doesn't that mean that God intended for us to have lives outside of church?

The monastic lifestyle is not something advocated in the Bible as a requirement for salvation. Even the great apostle Paul, who was a single man and did lots of evangelizing, advocated marriage for some.

Your reading of the fourth commandment is indeed correct. Most people focus primarily on it being about keeping the Sabbath; however, the fourth command has two sides to it. It not merely commands rest on the Sabbath, it also commands us to be productive on the other days.

Loving God above all else means that God should get our highest priority. When you have to make a decision between two things that asks for your allegiance, or time, or effort – that is when you will know where your highest priority lies.

The “love your neighbour” commandment is indeed extreme. Jesus explained that our neighbour includes our enemy. Christ’s teachings are outrageously extreme and is humanly impossible but for the grace of God. Only with God’s help can we love those that we hate, can we love those that have hurt us, can we love those that want to do us harm. It is for this reason that I have often contended that the Christian religion is not a mortal invention, but a divine one.

Q: And, "love your neighbour as yourself", does that mean I have to provide all the hobo's in my area with cellphones? Isn't that a life choice they made? What about the glue sniffers? If I give them money or clothes, they'll just feed their addiction.

A: Firstly, we are called to provide in basic needs not in luxuries. Secondly, love means to help them out of their problems, not help them into their problems. If giving them money is going to feed their addiction then you ought not to give them money. Still, sometimes you might need to give them food or clothes (basic needs), regardless. Our role is not to judge, but to love. Pray for guidance as to who you ought to give to or not. I don’t think there is a list of criteria we could comfortably tick off to determine who deserves charity. Charity, like grace, would not be charity (or grace) if the beneficiaries deserved it.

Q: Then I was told being religious, and a good Christian is about doing what God wants you to do, not about being comfortable.

A: What God wants you to do is not necessarily what people wants you to do – sometimes people tries to coerce you into their ambitions, which might not be God’s ambitions for you. An honest, sincere, personal study of the Word and openheartedness to the Holy Spirit will convict you of what God requires of you. Following the Ten Commandments is within God’s greater requirement for all of us, also to do justly, love goodness and walking humbly with God. These things are not about being religious – it’s about being in a relationship with God; not about trying to go to Heaven, but about living a good life in response to God’s goodness. And just because it makes good sense not to go around murdering, stealing, committing adultery, and all the rest.

Indeed, sometimes what God wants us to do might feel uncomfortable to us, because our natures have been perverted. For instance, the taste for cigarettes is unnatural, the palate has been perverted and quitting the habit is uncomfortable. Regardless, “God does not require us to give up anything that is for our best interest to retain” – Steps to Christ.

Q: And, why do people think the bible needs to be interpreted? Wasn't it brought into existence, so we all could understand and follow?

A: It is true that there is room for interpretation of Scripture. All Christians interpret the Bible; if we did not we’d identify Christians as those people with eyes plucked out and hands chopped off. Also, since much of the Bible was written within specific cultural contexts, it is necessary for us to interpret it within its context. For instance, in the time Paul lived a woman with her head uncovered was advertising herself as a prostitute – therefore he admonished women to cover their heads. In our current Western culture an uncovered head has no sexual connotation. If Paul was living today he’d probably tell woman not to dress in extra short miniskirts and show too much cleavage.

Furthermore, if we really believe that the Bible is God inspired, we ought not be surprised that it is inexhaustible in truths. So, as we are growing in Truth, we will continue to interpret and reinterpret, building layer upon layer of understanding. Note however that true new Truth does not cancel out old Truth, but enriches it. Just as Jesus said: “Think not that I am come to make void the law or the prophets; I am not come to make void, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). True Truth, does however negate false “truth”, as Jesus so often did with the falsities propagated by the Pharisees.

Sincere interpretation is a good thing. We interpret everything all the time – it is part of being rational beings. And I am convinced that since Truth is unchangeable (it is our understanding of Truth that changes as our understanding increases), all people that honestly and sincerely and humbly search for Truth will come to similar conclusions.

I do believe, however, that if people read the Bible as a coherent collection of books, and not single out texts to build outrageous dogmas on, most people will come to the same conclusion. Also, the idea that only the priest or pastor or Church has a monopoly on Biblical understanding is nonsense. The Bible was written for the common people, and it is within a community, within a fellowship of believers, that we come to a balanced understanding of the Scriptures.

Q: I've always just prayed in my head, whenever. "God, the clouds look beautiful today. God, thank you for my husband; thank you for my baby; please help us if it is Your will." Is prayer only effective when done on the knees?

A: The Bible does not prescribe posture. There are many examples of many different postures throughout the Bible. Posture is an outward reflection of an inward reality, so make sure that your posture is sincere. If you are on your knees because you want to be there as a sign of your submission to your King, great! However, if you are on your knees just to “show” what a good Christian you are, you may fool others, but you won’t fool God. I think to God the posture of the heart is more important than the posture of the body.

There is room for serious prayer (which I personally do on my knees), but also for what I call conversational prayer – just candid thoughts send up to God anytime and anywhere.

Q: I figured God knows me, because my grandparents are hectically religious. Doesn't God show His love into the 1'000th generation of those who love Him?

Yes it is true that we might receive extra blessing because of our ancestors, but such blessings have nothing to do with our salvation. Each person’s salvation is a personal affair. We are not saved by proxy.

Q: I never really felt comfortable in church. It all seemed a bit forced, conservative, hypocritical. Some people can be so judgemental and ... hypocritical. There is pressure from the parents (both sides) to go to church... But, why? Why should we if it only freaks me out..?

A: God is not interested in coerced religion. If you go to church, but all the time feeling that you do not want to be there, you might fool your parents, but you’re not fooling God.

“Some people can be so judgemental and critical.” Yes, I agree. That’s why I don’t go to church for or because of other people. I go to church for myself. In truth, I don’t like church much either. Also, it is difficult to find churches that are, in my opinion, Bible centred and Jesus focussed, but it is not impossible to find them. The Bible makes it clear that a community of faith is important for one’s spiritual wellbeing; for this reason I do attend church. I’ve decided to attend Sabbath-keeping churches and try to keep my company with people that have a good understanding of God’s character as revealed in the life of Jesus.

Furthermore, remember that the church is not perfect. It is a rehab centre for sinners. The people in the church are all sinners in recovery. Don’t make them the criteria for what you think a Christian ought to be. The only example given to us is the Original – Christ.

Also remember that “church” is not a building; it is a community of believers. Maybe, instead of going to church, try to find a small group (cell group, Bible study group, prayer meeting group), which is usually more intimate and less formal (less forced and conservative).

Q: I think I lead a good life, I stick to the commandments. I don't read my bible as much as I suppose I should, and can't remember the last time I was in church. Does that make me a heathen?

A: No. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone – not by attending church.

Q: I believe on the inside. Every day. Is that enough?

A: “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).