Information Related to "Questions and Answers - Oct/Dec 2000"
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You've got questions. We've got answers." So goes the slogan at a popular electronics store. Most of us do have questions and ones about God's truth are welcome here! This online magazine offers, as a service to you, advice and information about the way of life that Jesus Christ reveals in the pages of the Holy Bible. Ministers of United Church of God and other dedicated teachers are willing to offer you answers to your biblical and lifestyle questions. Feel free to write to our Webmaster and we'll try to give you concise and wise advice based on God's Word that will help you grow in the grace and knowledge of God.
At the United Youth Summer Camps, we have question and answer sessions that seem to be appreciated. Our enthusiastic and talented veteran ministers who served at these camps are anxious to also serve you. Give us a try about your worries, concerns, questions, hopes and desires and we'll do our best to help you discover sound biblical advice.
The following questions were asked at one of our camps this summer.
Question: Why does the New Testament give several versions of the life of Christ?
Answer: Many have wondered about that. It's often helpful to hear different perspectives on the same event. Some people's minds will focus on one aspect of an event—other's will focus on different parts. It's a blessing that God chose to give us four perspectives on the life of Christ to give us a fuller understanding of His actions and words. Whether or not Christ was the Messiah was a big question in the first century. It's interesting that God said a thing would be established at the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15, 2 Corinthians 13:1), and He recorded more than that as witnesses to the life of Christ as the Messiah.
Question: Revelation 12:9 calls Satan a dragon. Is that what he always looks like?
Answer: He's called several things, including a serpent and a dragon. Paul said he transforms himself into an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). This indicates that the description of a dragon could be symbolic, and that he can appear in various ways.
Question: When Satan was cast down from heaven after his rebellion, did his appearance change?
Answer: The Bible doesn't specifically address this question, so we can't know for sure. Ezekiel 28:13 describes a beautiful being with precious stones or perhaps the colors of precious stones. That's quite different than the red dragon described in Revelation 12:3,9 so it's possible his appearance did change, but again, we can't know for sure.
Question: What are the standards for divorce?
Answer: God's initial instruction to man was that one man should marry one woman and become joined together (Genesis 2:24). The obvious intent was that it should be for life as Christ reiterated in Matthew 19:4-6 when He said that married couples should stay together. Jesus went on to explain that there are valid reasons for divorcing a mate—specifically sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). God also preserved the teaching of the early New Testament Church that if a member is married to someone who is not a believer, and the non-believing person leaves or indicates he or she doesn't want to continue the marriage, the member is not required to remain married. Certainly abusive situations would fall into this category as well. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:14-16) because it always involves some other complications or ramifications, but He does not expect people to remain in a marriage if their safety or the safety of their children is at risk.
Question: My problem is that I talk back to my parents. I want to stop but it's hard. How can I overcome this bad habit? I feel terrible when it happens.
Answer: You have already taken the biggest step by seeing the problem and wanting to stop! It is easy as a youth to see things differently from your parents and to talk back. Tackle the problem head on as you are starting to do. Admit to your mom and dad that you sometimes say things to them that show disrespect. Tell them you are sorry about this. Then ask for their help in overcoming this habit. Most parents will deeply appreciate their son or daughter's opening up like this, and it can be the start of an open and heartfelt conversation.
The next time you are tempted to say something disrespectful, take a "time-out" and don't speak your mind. Often as humans we try to justify ourselves and are quick to reply with an emotional response. Resist the temptation. Don't give in to your emotions. Accept your parents' advice and tell them you will sincerely take it to heart. Later on think about their advice and you may see the reasons for what they told you. Your parents are bound to see your self-control and respect you even more. All of this will cause a closer and warmer relationship to develop between you and your parents.
Question: Signs and tee shirts have come out with a "WWJD" insignia. The letters stand for "What would Jesus do?" Is it wrong to use this sign such as wearing it as a necklace or wearing the tee shirt?
Answer: The intended purpose for such a symbol was certainly sincere in that we should consider what Jesus would do in any given situation. However, as with any commercial endeavor, one might wonder why the name of Jesus Christ is being used to make money, especially considering how Peter freely gave the lame man the power to walk in the name of Christ (Acts 3:1-8).
Nevertheless, should we use such a symbol? Will it really help us to do what is right? Following are a few things to consider.
God does use physical reminders to help us understand His plan and to keep His laws. The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that God is our Creator. Holy Days remind us of God's plan of salvation through Christ. Wine is used as a symbol of Christ's blood during the Passover service. Unleavened bread is a reminder that we are to quit sinning and keep God's Word. But we use or keep most of these reminders on an annual basis. The Sabbath is kept once every seven days. Physical reminders are only helpful if they are fresh. Otherwise they become meaningless. Even our prayers are to be unique daily.
The same daily prayer or the same daily symbol becomes vain repetition (Matthew 6:7). In other words, it becomes meaningless and negates the very purpose intended in the first place.
Orthodox Jews have taken literally the scripture which states God's Word "shall be as frontlets between your eyes" (Deuteronomy 6:10). If you visit the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, you will see scores of men with little boxes containing the Ten Commandments attached to their foreheads. Such reminders on heads, signs on bumper stickers or slogans on tee shirts have yet to change the hearts of mankind.
The only sure way to follow "what Jesus would do" is to have the inner conviction of what sin, righteousness and judgment truly are (John 16:8). Power of conviction comes only through God's Spirit. That which is inside the forehead, not outside the forehead (or on a tee shirt), really makes the difference. God promised to move His Commandments from stones (or, by analogy, plaques, paper, bracelets, necklaces, bumper stickers and tee shirts) to mankind's heart through the Holy Spirit. This is what we now call the new covenant (Hebrews 10:16). The apostle Peter declared the promise of that Spirit is also to our young people (Acts 2:39).
And guess what? That Spirit really is our daily reminder of WWJD. Notice Romans 8:9-10, "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Isn't it much better to have the very mind of Christ in us, convicting us of what to do and what not to do, rather than just using the slogan "WWJD"?
Question: I feel so lonely and cutoff from other teens. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only teenager on earth. Help!
Answer: Loneliness is a common feeling among teens. The teen years are filled with many emotional ups and downs. But there are a number of ways you can replace loneliness with encouragement and friendship. Begin by asking God to help you. He listens to those who seek Him. He will find ways to encourage you. You could ask God to send a friend into your life, either at church or at school. One principle that helps in this regard is to make yourself friendly to others (Proverbs 18:24). Say "hi" to others your own age and start conversations with them. You might be surprised to know how many other teens want someone to begin a conversation with them.
You can also attend the United Youth Camps in the summer and winter. Camp is one of the best places to make friendships with other teens who are also going through similar situations. Once camp is over, be sure to write other campers so you can continue your friendships. Local church services may also allow you to develop contacts with other teens. If your local congregation has few teens, perhaps you can begin e-mail correspondence with others.
Ask your parents if your family can travel to other congregations occasionally so the entire family can meet others. The Feast of Tabernacles is also a great time to meet others your own age. If you can, phone other teens from time to time to stay in touch. Almost every teen at one time or another feels lonely. People need people and teens need other teens. As the television commercial states, "reach out and touch someone." If you actively seek friendships with other teens, you will feel less lonely and cutoff from others.
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Table of Contents that includes "Questions and Answers - Oct/Dec 2000"
Keywords: gospels, multiple books of the divorce and the Bible WWJD
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