Hey,
Thanks. Great question. So...marijuana, reefer, mary jane....I guess that you're into the wacky tabaccy :) I'm sorry I had to take a moment to make some cliche jokes. Anyways, is it in the bible anywhere. Well, I've not found a verse that says anything about marijuana. However, Genesis 1:29 says:
Gen. 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
But before we start making pot brownies for lunch lets look at what else God says...for the Word of God is not to be read in isolation, it must be read in light of the full revelation of Scripture. It's like a living organism. To pull verses out of context and to isolate them can be a dangerous thing....and many times you can use the Bible to say what you want it to say rather than asking the Lord what He is saying through His inspired word.
Rom. 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Rom. 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
The main issue that you need to think about is what you mentioned....besides being "illegal" Well, that's a big one. Based on the verse above, you really don't wanna overlook the "illegal" piece. Your question seems to be trying to ignore that fact. I'm sure that there is nothing actually inherently evil in the plant but its what you do with it. It's like saying...besides it being illegal for me to drive drunk....what is wrong with me driving drunk. Well, i think that its illegal for a reason. God has placed laws over us. We may not agree with every law but there will be consequences to not obeying. I want to STRONGLY encourage you to take the law seriously. The disciples weren't potheads for a reason. They also weren't drunkards, or adulterers. They thought about being such but they took their desires to the cross and let Jesus be KING. They listed to him, they practiced self control, and they sought to glorify Him, though they didn't do it perfectly, in all that they did. So should you.
Rom. 6:15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
Rom. 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves,* you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Rom. 6:17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,
Rom. 6:18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Rom. 6:19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
So, for some reason, our governmental leaders and authorities, who God has appointed, have said that some drugs are illegal and others are not. Marijuana is one of them. I think its a pretty clear that you should stay away from it. And if you don't, I'm sure that there will be some consequences. We can talk about the plant all day long but it won't get us anywhere...cause it's still illegal.
So, my recommendation is that you try to see your obedience to the governing authorities as an opportunity to serve the Lord.
Don't be too mad at me :)
Derrick Harris
Saturday, April 2, 2011
How can we as Christians know for a fact that we have a relationship with Christ?
Original Question:
"How can we as Christians know for a fact that we have a relationship with Christ? Recently, it's been really hard to see what God wants me to do and hear His voice. I've been struggling with doubt, which I know a lot of Christians do, but it's still rough. Is it possible for a relationship with Christ to end? Or are we guaranteed salvation once we have accepted the Holy Spirit? (I know we are "sealed" with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13), but is it still possible to lose our salvation?)
How can we be certain that we actually know Jesus and aren't like those to whom God will say "depart from me, for I never knew you."? I ask this because I still want to live my life for Christ and know that I have been filled with the Holy Spirit. Is it possible that I'm focusing too much on the doing things for Christ, even if they are for His glory and for the spreading of the gospel, part of Christianity and not enough on the relationship part of it?
Could it be that God's silence at this point in my life be like the silence Abraham experienced for years? I ask all of this because I know that I had a really active relationship with Christ over the last few months, but it seems to have gotten a lot quieter recently.
How can we strengthen our relationship with Christ? Are there other ways aside from prayer and reading the Bible regularly?
Sorry this was so long."
Response:
Hey,
No apology necessary. GREAT QUESTIONS. For starters...NO, ABSOLUTELY 100%, 1,000,000,000% to the infinite power can a TRUE BELIEVER ever LOSE THEIR SALVATION. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. If I asked you could Jesus accidentally become UN-Resurrected then you'd probably say no. It's the same with your salvation. It's grounded in Jesus, not you. The feelings will come and go, but the "faith" is based on a trust. Yes, you will go through dry spells of testing, much like Abraham, but that doesn't mean that you've lost your salvation. Below is an article that has been extremely helpful to me. It's written by my friend Matt Slick (www.carm.org). It's a little long but I encourage you to read it. Also, I'll put some more thoughts at the end.
The Assurance of Salvation
One of the more annoying problems in Christians' lives is the issue of assurance of salvation. We've all been there. We've all wondered if we are really saved or not. We've looked at our lives and actions and thoughts and sometimes just said, "How can I be saved if I am like this?" I've counseled many Christians who have doubted their salvation and who have worked themselves into a worry and sometimes even depression over the issue. I've always thought that the solution was pretty basic. I ask the person, "Why do you think you might not be saved?" Almost always the reason is, "Because I have a sin in my life. Because I can't beat this one sin. Because of my thoughts. Because I keep failing." "Okay," I say. "So you know you're supposed to be doing better than you are, right?" "Yes," they say. "I am supposed to be doing better and I'm not. This is why I doubt that I am saved." So, I give them this illustration.
Let's say that we are on a 20 foot boat out in the ocean. We are sailing along when we notice two men in the water. There is no other boat around, so it is obvious these two men are in trouble. We take a life preserver, tie it to a rope, and throw it to them. It lands just a few feet short. We start yelling and yelling for them to grab the life preserver so we can pull them in. "Come on," we yell. "Grab it! Grab it!" One of the men, exhausted, reaches out his arm for the life preserver but falls short. "Grab it!" we yell again. He reaches again and his arm plops down in the water from fatigue. The waves slap his face, but he tries again. The other man is simply floating face down in the water. He isn't struggling at all. But, the first man is trying for that life preserver. He is fighting against the ocean, the wind, and the waves, all which are greater than he is. That is when I ask the person, "Which one of the two men in the water is alive?" Always, the response is, "The one reaching for the life preserver." "Right," I say. "He is struggling for life. Dead people don't struggle for life.... and spiritually dead people do not struggle against their sin. Only those who are dead, who have no life in them, do not struggle. The fact that you are struggling against your sin is one very good sign that you are very much alive in Christ. If you were not struggling at all, then it might be true that you weren't saved. But, since you war against your sins, then it sure sounds like you're saved to me." Usually, the eyes brighten at this point. I then keep going.
"Do you believe there is only one God in all existence, all places, and all times?" "Yes," they answer. "Do you believe in the Trinity, that God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?" Again, "Yes." I continue. "Do you believe Jesus is God in flesh?" "Yes." "Do you believe Jesus is the only way to salvation?" Again, "Yes." "Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead three days later?" Another, "Yes." "Good," I say.
1 Cor. 2:14 says, "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." I continue by telling them that a natural man is someone who is not saved. Now, these are absolutely, definitely spiritually discerned truths that they answered yes to above. They are that there is only one God and that God is a Trinity, that Jesus is God in flesh, that Jesus is the only way to salvation, and that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead three days later. In other words, the fact that the person confesses these things and believes them is further, very strong evidence, that he is spiritually alive. Usually, the person is encouraged even more.
And finally, I tell them that Jesus gives us eternal life (John 10:27-28) and He does not fake us out when we ask to be forgiven and for Him to be Lord of our lives. He said in Luke 11:10-13, "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. 11Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12"Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" In other words, you get what you ask for from the Lord (except for sinful and selfish things, of course); He does not bait-and-switch. If you ask for eternal life from Jesus, that is what you get--no matter how you feel, no matter how your emotions may mislead you. The truth is that God's word tells us that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to us if we ask. The Holy Spirit only indwells believers.
We all have our struggles and we all need to take into account the fact that we are still sinful and we are going to struggle with our sin. But, if you begin to doubt your salvation because you don't "feel" saved, then stop trusting your feelings and start trusting God at His word. Ask yourself if you are struggling against your sin. If you aren't, maybe you aren't saved. But, if you are, then that is a sign of life. Ask yourself if you believe in the Trinity, that Jesus is God in flesh, and that He died and rose from the dead. If you do, that is a sign of spiritual renewal. Ask yourself if you believe what Jesus said about Him not faking you out, about Him giving to you the Spirit if you ask. If you do, then that means you are believing Him at His word. Take your eyes off your feelings and failures and put them on Christ, His word, and His sacrifice. Trust in Him and Him alone.... not what you feel, not at what you fail. He didn't save you because of your works or your "goodness." He did not save you because of what is or is not in you. He saved you because of what is in Him: love and truth.
I just think that's great. You'd also asked what are some other things that you can be doing to strengthen your faith besides reading your bible and praying. That's a great question. There's an easy answer to. SERVICE. I've found that when I'm dead in my "faith feelings" when I serve others...i start to come back to life. I'd encourage you to find an area to serve, hopefully at your church. Then read and pray about that area of service. Start to look at the world around you, see the need, notice people, talk to people that you'd never talk to, and take the time to "do" for others what you'd with they'd "do" for you. In can be as simple as sitting with a "loser" at lunch or as grand as giving away your time, money, and possessions to someone in great need.
I hope that this has been helpful to you. Keep persevering. It will all be worth it when we see Jesus face to face.
Love in Christ,
Derrick Harris
"How can we as Christians know for a fact that we have a relationship with Christ? Recently, it's been really hard to see what God wants me to do and hear His voice. I've been struggling with doubt, which I know a lot of Christians do, but it's still rough. Is it possible for a relationship with Christ to end? Or are we guaranteed salvation once we have accepted the Holy Spirit? (I know we are "sealed" with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13), but is it still possible to lose our salvation?)
How can we be certain that we actually know Jesus and aren't like those to whom God will say "depart from me, for I never knew you."? I ask this because I still want to live my life for Christ and know that I have been filled with the Holy Spirit. Is it possible that I'm focusing too much on the doing things for Christ, even if they are for His glory and for the spreading of the gospel, part of Christianity and not enough on the relationship part of it?
Could it be that God's silence at this point in my life be like the silence Abraham experienced for years? I ask all of this because I know that I had a really active relationship with Christ over the last few months, but it seems to have gotten a lot quieter recently.
How can we strengthen our relationship with Christ? Are there other ways aside from prayer and reading the Bible regularly?
Sorry this was so long."
Response:
Hey,
No apology necessary. GREAT QUESTIONS. For starters...NO, ABSOLUTELY 100%, 1,000,000,000% to the infinite power can a TRUE BELIEVER ever LOSE THEIR SALVATION. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. If I asked you could Jesus accidentally become UN-Resurrected then you'd probably say no. It's the same with your salvation. It's grounded in Jesus, not you. The feelings will come and go, but the "faith" is based on a trust. Yes, you will go through dry spells of testing, much like Abraham, but that doesn't mean that you've lost your salvation. Below is an article that has been extremely helpful to me. It's written by my friend Matt Slick (www.carm.org). It's a little long but I encourage you to read it. Also, I'll put some more thoughts at the end.
The Assurance of Salvation
One of the more annoying problems in Christians' lives is the issue of assurance of salvation. We've all been there. We've all wondered if we are really saved or not. We've looked at our lives and actions and thoughts and sometimes just said, "How can I be saved if I am like this?" I've counseled many Christians who have doubted their salvation and who have worked themselves into a worry and sometimes even depression over the issue. I've always thought that the solution was pretty basic. I ask the person, "Why do you think you might not be saved?" Almost always the reason is, "Because I have a sin in my life. Because I can't beat this one sin. Because of my thoughts. Because I keep failing." "Okay," I say. "So you know you're supposed to be doing better than you are, right?" "Yes," they say. "I am supposed to be doing better and I'm not. This is why I doubt that I am saved." So, I give them this illustration.
Let's say that we are on a 20 foot boat out in the ocean. We are sailing along when we notice two men in the water. There is no other boat around, so it is obvious these two men are in trouble. We take a life preserver, tie it to a rope, and throw it to them. It lands just a few feet short. We start yelling and yelling for them to grab the life preserver so we can pull them in. "Come on," we yell. "Grab it! Grab it!" One of the men, exhausted, reaches out his arm for the life preserver but falls short. "Grab it!" we yell again. He reaches again and his arm plops down in the water from fatigue. The waves slap his face, but he tries again. The other man is simply floating face down in the water. He isn't struggling at all. But, the first man is trying for that life preserver. He is fighting against the ocean, the wind, and the waves, all which are greater than he is. That is when I ask the person, "Which one of the two men in the water is alive?" Always, the response is, "The one reaching for the life preserver." "Right," I say. "He is struggling for life. Dead people don't struggle for life.... and spiritually dead people do not struggle against their sin. Only those who are dead, who have no life in them, do not struggle. The fact that you are struggling against your sin is one very good sign that you are very much alive in Christ. If you were not struggling at all, then it might be true that you weren't saved. But, since you war against your sins, then it sure sounds like you're saved to me." Usually, the eyes brighten at this point. I then keep going.
"Do you believe there is only one God in all existence, all places, and all times?" "Yes," they answer. "Do you believe in the Trinity, that God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?" Again, "Yes." I continue. "Do you believe Jesus is God in flesh?" "Yes." "Do you believe Jesus is the only way to salvation?" Again, "Yes." "Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead three days later?" Another, "Yes." "Good," I say.
1 Cor. 2:14 says, "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." I continue by telling them that a natural man is someone who is not saved. Now, these are absolutely, definitely spiritually discerned truths that they answered yes to above. They are that there is only one God and that God is a Trinity, that Jesus is God in flesh, that Jesus is the only way to salvation, and that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead three days later. In other words, the fact that the person confesses these things and believes them is further, very strong evidence, that he is spiritually alive. Usually, the person is encouraged even more.
And finally, I tell them that Jesus gives us eternal life (John 10:27-28) and He does not fake us out when we ask to be forgiven and for Him to be Lord of our lives. He said in Luke 11:10-13, "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. 11Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12"Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" In other words, you get what you ask for from the Lord (except for sinful and selfish things, of course); He does not bait-and-switch. If you ask for eternal life from Jesus, that is what you get--no matter how you feel, no matter how your emotions may mislead you. The truth is that God's word tells us that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to us if we ask. The Holy Spirit only indwells believers.
We all have our struggles and we all need to take into account the fact that we are still sinful and we are going to struggle with our sin. But, if you begin to doubt your salvation because you don't "feel" saved, then stop trusting your feelings and start trusting God at His word. Ask yourself if you are struggling against your sin. If you aren't, maybe you aren't saved. But, if you are, then that is a sign of life. Ask yourself if you believe in the Trinity, that Jesus is God in flesh, and that He died and rose from the dead. If you do, that is a sign of spiritual renewal. Ask yourself if you believe what Jesus said about Him not faking you out, about Him giving to you the Spirit if you ask. If you do, then that means you are believing Him at His word. Take your eyes off your feelings and failures and put them on Christ, His word, and His sacrifice. Trust in Him and Him alone.... not what you feel, not at what you fail. He didn't save you because of your works or your "goodness." He did not save you because of what is or is not in you. He saved you because of what is in Him: love and truth.
I just think that's great. You'd also asked what are some other things that you can be doing to strengthen your faith besides reading your bible and praying. That's a great question. There's an easy answer to. SERVICE. I've found that when I'm dead in my "faith feelings" when I serve others...i start to come back to life. I'd encourage you to find an area to serve, hopefully at your church. Then read and pray about that area of service. Start to look at the world around you, see the need, notice people, talk to people that you'd never talk to, and take the time to "do" for others what you'd with they'd "do" for you. In can be as simple as sitting with a "loser" at lunch or as grand as giving away your time, money, and possessions to someone in great need.
I hope that this has been helpful to you. Keep persevering. It will all be worth it when we see Jesus face to face.
Love in Christ,
Derrick Harris
How do you deal with lust after you have confessed the lust to a friend?
Hi,
Thanks for your question. To be honest with you, I'm a little unsure of your situation. Would you be willing to clarify your question a bit further? Is the lust that you confessed to a friend...a lust for that friend (for example, did you confess to the girl/boy that you're lusting after?) OR Did you confess to a friend to let them know that you were struggling with lust and ask that friend to keep you accountable? OR is it something completely different? If you can give me more insight into the situation then I'll be able to encourage you in a more focused manner.
In General:
Lust is a result of sin. It helps me to think of sin, particularly lust, in terms of a battle. Many times we think of sin like World War 2, meaning that if we just come up with the right battle plan, then we can invade, conquer the enemy and then go back to our normal way of life. However, lust is more like the war on terror. We must always be fighting, wearing our armor, and live life as if the enemy is around every corner. The truth is that sin starts in our minds/hearts.
Matt. 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
Matt. 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matt. 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Matt. 5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Mark 7:15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”
So many times we try to deal with our sins by just controlling our behavior while not recognizing that we need to take our thought life to the foot of the cross. So your battle with lust as a Christian should be twofold.
1. Physical: figuring out what it is that you don't have the self control to handle, asking for help from someone older than you to aid you in ridding your world of those things being readily available to you. This is why Jesus said that if your "right eye causes you to sin..cut it off and throw it away." He didn't mean that you should cut out your eye, but what are the things around you that cause you don't have the maturity to be around without falling? Is it your PS3, cell phone, dvd's, internet? Cut them out...in some way, you're probably addicted to lust more than you know. As with any addict, he/she must get out of the "bar" before he/she can begin to see healing in the area of "drinking" It's no different with lust. You need to give yourself a "safehouse" before you can think with a clear mind. This step is easy..you know what you need to "cut out"...so do it. :)
2. Spiritual: Your thought life must be taken to the foot of the cross. Jesus wants you to not be a slave to this sin..that's why he died. As a Christian, you CAN see victory over this sin. It will take time and constant battle. I encourage you to get together with someone older than you (a Christian) to pray about this on a regular basis. Another thing that's been helpful for me is to think of "stop signs" When you catch your mind going to that place of lust...think of a HUGE STOP SIGN and say...I've gotta stop. At that moment, stop and ask Jesus to help you to STOP. I also encourage you to read the word of God. Particularly Hebrews 4:14-16. Jesus "sympathizes" with you. He UNDERSTANDS your struggle. You can always go to Him with CONFIDENCE...even if you've fallen. This is what it means to walk as a disciple.
I don't know who you are...but i want to encourage you to bring some older people (of the same gender as you) into this struggle to battle with you much like soldiers on a battlefield. Take the step of faith to talk to some people about this. Don't be afraid. Satan wants you to be ashamed but now is the time that you need to trust your reputation to Christ as you take a step of faith to.....
Eph. 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Eph. 5:12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
Eph. 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
Eph. 5:14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Eph. 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Eph. 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Confession will bring healing. Satan and your sinful nature are powerful in darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world. You can take this to Him, you can see victory, but you must be willing to battle. Don't look ONLY to other men/women to win this for you...but trust others to walk with you to the cross.
I hope that my feeble insight has been helpful. I'm here for you and happy to walk with you through this if you're willing to speak with me in person.
God Bless,
Derrick Harris
Thanks for your question. To be honest with you, I'm a little unsure of your situation. Would you be willing to clarify your question a bit further? Is the lust that you confessed to a friend...a lust for that friend (for example, did you confess to the girl/boy that you're lusting after?) OR Did you confess to a friend to let them know that you were struggling with lust and ask that friend to keep you accountable? OR is it something completely different? If you can give me more insight into the situation then I'll be able to encourage you in a more focused manner.
In General:
Lust is a result of sin. It helps me to think of sin, particularly lust, in terms of a battle. Many times we think of sin like World War 2, meaning that if we just come up with the right battle plan, then we can invade, conquer the enemy and then go back to our normal way of life. However, lust is more like the war on terror. We must always be fighting, wearing our armor, and live life as if the enemy is around every corner. The truth is that sin starts in our minds/hearts.
Matt. 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
Matt. 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matt. 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Matt. 5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Mark 7:15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”
So many times we try to deal with our sins by just controlling our behavior while not recognizing that we need to take our thought life to the foot of the cross. So your battle with lust as a Christian should be twofold.
1. Physical: figuring out what it is that you don't have the self control to handle, asking for help from someone older than you to aid you in ridding your world of those things being readily available to you. This is why Jesus said that if your "right eye causes you to sin..cut it off and throw it away." He didn't mean that you should cut out your eye, but what are the things around you that cause you don't have the maturity to be around without falling? Is it your PS3, cell phone, dvd's, internet? Cut them out...in some way, you're probably addicted to lust more than you know. As with any addict, he/she must get out of the "bar" before he/she can begin to see healing in the area of "drinking" It's no different with lust. You need to give yourself a "safehouse" before you can think with a clear mind. This step is easy..you know what you need to "cut out"...so do it. :)
2. Spiritual: Your thought life must be taken to the foot of the cross. Jesus wants you to not be a slave to this sin..that's why he died. As a Christian, you CAN see victory over this sin. It will take time and constant battle. I encourage you to get together with someone older than you (a Christian) to pray about this on a regular basis. Another thing that's been helpful for me is to think of "stop signs" When you catch your mind going to that place of lust...think of a HUGE STOP SIGN and say...I've gotta stop. At that moment, stop and ask Jesus to help you to STOP. I also encourage you to read the word of God. Particularly Hebrews 4:14-16. Jesus "sympathizes" with you. He UNDERSTANDS your struggle. You can always go to Him with CONFIDENCE...even if you've fallen. This is what it means to walk as a disciple.
I don't know who you are...but i want to encourage you to bring some older people (of the same gender as you) into this struggle to battle with you much like soldiers on a battlefield. Take the step of faith to talk to some people about this. Don't be afraid. Satan wants you to be ashamed but now is the time that you need to trust your reputation to Christ as you take a step of faith to.....
Eph. 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Eph. 5:12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
Eph. 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
Eph. 5:14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Eph. 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Eph. 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Confession will bring healing. Satan and your sinful nature are powerful in darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world. You can take this to Him, you can see victory, but you must be willing to battle. Don't look ONLY to other men/women to win this for you...but trust others to walk with you to the cross.
I hope that my feeble insight has been helpful. I'm here for you and happy to walk with you through this if you're willing to speak with me in person.
God Bless,
Derrick Harris
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
I'm struggling with the fact that I'm useless, and even though God says everyone has a purpose, what if i feel like i don't have one?
This is a question that a majority of all people struggle to answer (young and old). So, you're not alone in the struggle. It's kind of hard to answer this question because if we were talking in person then I'd ask you to give me an example of one of your friends who you believe has a purpose and why do you think that you don't. So, all that said...I'm left to speculate generally about you (unless you'll come talk to me at the church sometime DON'T BE ASHAMED, YOU'RE NORMAL). So, I'll just share some brief thoughts that have been helpful to me. My friend Hugh Whelchel (you can email him if you want cause he said he'd be happy to help answer this question too...hwhelchel@rts.edu) has been a huge encouragement to me and you'll hear some of his wisdom in this answer.
Many times we lump the term purpose into a category that it doesn't belong in. Biblically, our purpose is to glorify God in all things. That's pretty basic yet very complicated to do. Many times we run into trouble or sad times like you're going through when we compare ourselves to others and mix up purpose with calling and vocation. Sometimes its helpful for me to remember the differences between these terms.
Purpose: the overall meaning of life. (of course there are many different answers out there to this question). I believe that the Bible is true and that Jesus was God who became flesh and revealed the will of God to us for our lives. That ultimate will is that we come to Him with our lives and offer them as living sacrifices to Him, that we confess Him as Lord (king), through faith. He made us and we won't really know what in the heck is going on unless we listen to Him. We listen to Him through reading Scripture and living it. Of course, we must TRULY believe that Jesus is the real deal...otherwise Scripture will seem like nothing more to us than any other book, but in reality, it's the Word of God. And Jesus is the Word who became flesh.
Calling: your unique passions, gifts, desires. (this has nothing to do with anybody but YOU and realizing what GOD has given YOU). God made YOU...YOU. He didn't make you the person next to you. It may take you a while, but you'll eventually realize the difference between you and other people. You're special. If you hate you, then its probably because you want to be somebody else. But in reality, you're YOU. If Gershwin tried to be Bach then we'd never have Gershwin. If Bono from U2 tried to be Miley Cirus then...well....that would just suck. You need to go to God and say "who am I". You're at the time in your life when you're figuring that out. Be patient, have fun with it, and ultimately, I don't believe that you'll answer the question of who you are unless you seek to find the answer in the one who made you...God. So your calling will be living as YOU-full as possible in all situations. Your purpose for doing so will be grounded in glorifying God with your YOU-fulness. (sorry I'm making up words)
Vocation: Your work. You could be paid for this or not. It is the practical outworking of your calling (gifts passions). This can be a paying job but is not limited to it. For example, lets say that Alice is a married woman who feels that her calling is to love others through her gifts of hospitality, painting, and love for children. Alice has come to this understanding after years and years of prayer, jobs, etc. Alice is unable to have kids. So, she decides...well God must have a reason for this and I can still glorify Him (purpose) so I'm going to start a daycare for pre-schoolers, I'm going to teach them to paint, and I'm going to love the children and parents in the name of the Lord. The daycare is Alice's vocation but vocations are subject to change.
See, our purpose never changes and if you exist then you have one. I assure you that it is to shine the light of Jesus. Our calling is unique to us. Right now I'm a youth pastor and I can use my gifts of music, teaching, and being half insane...but I may not be a youth pastor forever. I've learned that I have these gifts through reading the bible and falling more and more in love with it, by playing in bands, and by asking God why He's given me these gifts. By failing and succeeding. By trying to be other people and realizing that it was an empty vacuum of suckiness. When I was in Jr. High and High School...i was just beginning to realize that I even had gifts. I can't wait to see what God has taught me when I'm 80 (if i stay alive). Our vocation is a place for us to work out our calling but all with the same purpose. Vocation is not a means to an end...it is an opportunity to shine.
Right now, your vocation is primarily school, but your calling is (i don't know, you tell me) and your purpose is to glorify the Lord in both of those things. Try not to see school as a place to perform but a gift from God that allows you to ask the question, WHO AM I? My encouragement to you is to look in the mirror and say, God made me...God show me who YOU made me to be...please let me be that today.
I'm happy to talk with you further and hope that this little blurb has been helpful.
Peace and Love in Christ,
Derrick
Many times we lump the term purpose into a category that it doesn't belong in. Biblically, our purpose is to glorify God in all things. That's pretty basic yet very complicated to do. Many times we run into trouble or sad times like you're going through when we compare ourselves to others and mix up purpose with calling and vocation. Sometimes its helpful for me to remember the differences between these terms.
Purpose: the overall meaning of life. (of course there are many different answers out there to this question). I believe that the Bible is true and that Jesus was God who became flesh and revealed the will of God to us for our lives. That ultimate will is that we come to Him with our lives and offer them as living sacrifices to Him, that we confess Him as Lord (king), through faith. He made us and we won't really know what in the heck is going on unless we listen to Him. We listen to Him through reading Scripture and living it. Of course, we must TRULY believe that Jesus is the real deal...otherwise Scripture will seem like nothing more to us than any other book, but in reality, it's the Word of God. And Jesus is the Word who became flesh.
Calling: your unique passions, gifts, desires. (this has nothing to do with anybody but YOU and realizing what GOD has given YOU). God made YOU...YOU. He didn't make you the person next to you. It may take you a while, but you'll eventually realize the difference between you and other people. You're special. If you hate you, then its probably because you want to be somebody else. But in reality, you're YOU. If Gershwin tried to be Bach then we'd never have Gershwin. If Bono from U2 tried to be Miley Cirus then...well....that would just suck. You need to go to God and say "who am I". You're at the time in your life when you're figuring that out. Be patient, have fun with it, and ultimately, I don't believe that you'll answer the question of who you are unless you seek to find the answer in the one who made you...God. So your calling will be living as YOU-full as possible in all situations. Your purpose for doing so will be grounded in glorifying God with your YOU-fulness. (sorry I'm making up words)
Vocation: Your work. You could be paid for this or not. It is the practical outworking of your calling (gifts passions). This can be a paying job but is not limited to it. For example, lets say that Alice is a married woman who feels that her calling is to love others through her gifts of hospitality, painting, and love for children. Alice has come to this understanding after years and years of prayer, jobs, etc. Alice is unable to have kids. So, she decides...well God must have a reason for this and I can still glorify Him (purpose) so I'm going to start a daycare for pre-schoolers, I'm going to teach them to paint, and I'm going to love the children and parents in the name of the Lord. The daycare is Alice's vocation but vocations are subject to change.
See, our purpose never changes and if you exist then you have one. I assure you that it is to shine the light of Jesus. Our calling is unique to us. Right now I'm a youth pastor and I can use my gifts of music, teaching, and being half insane...but I may not be a youth pastor forever. I've learned that I have these gifts through reading the bible and falling more and more in love with it, by playing in bands, and by asking God why He's given me these gifts. By failing and succeeding. By trying to be other people and realizing that it was an empty vacuum of suckiness. When I was in Jr. High and High School...i was just beginning to realize that I even had gifts. I can't wait to see what God has taught me when I'm 80 (if i stay alive). Our vocation is a place for us to work out our calling but all with the same purpose. Vocation is not a means to an end...it is an opportunity to shine.
Right now, your vocation is primarily school, but your calling is (i don't know, you tell me) and your purpose is to glorify the Lord in both of those things. Try not to see school as a place to perform but a gift from God that allows you to ask the question, WHO AM I? My encouragement to you is to look in the mirror and say, God made me...God show me who YOU made me to be...please let me be that today.
I'm happy to talk with you further and hope that this little blurb has been helpful.
Peace and Love in Christ,
Derrick
How is God's power "made perfect" in our weaknesses, sufferings, and hardships as written in 2 Corinthians 12:9?
Excellent question. Let's take a look at this verse in context (looking at the verses around it too). When we do that, I think that you'll find the answer to your question.
2Cor. 12:6-10: 6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
First off, this is Paul the Apostle writing. Go read Acts 9:3-22. There you'll read about Paul's conversion. During his conversion, Christ spoke to Him "literally." Scales covered his eyes and only God could open them back...and his heart was opened to the gospel as well. After that he confessed Christ. Well, in the verse that you mentioned, Paul speaks of a thorn in his flesh. Nobody is really sure what the "thorn" was but i think that its fair to say that it could have been trouble with his eyes that was a result of his conversion experience. Whatever it was, it was painful and something that was chronic (occurring constantly).
Imagine if you had pain that was unexplainable and that no doctor could cure. That's the sort of thing that Paul was going through most likely. This caused him to be even more dependent on Jesus.
Also imagine that you had actually heard Jesus talk to you and tell you how He was going to use you to change the world. *side note: He does talk to you through Scripture and tell you this. *Back on track now: He literally and audibly SPOKE to Paul. If that had happened to you, don't you think that it might give you reason to brag. "Hey, I'm a way better Christian than (fill in the blank) because Jesus loves me more...He talks to me. He gives me powers...I'm better than you are." (keep in mind that Jesus does not give us powers such as healings and such today...those were for a special use of advancing the Gospel and reserved for those apostles during that time.
Well, Paul saw his "thorn" as a gift. It reminded him of the fact that he was not "the stuff" and that the only reason that he was anything was because of Jesus. And that was all a free gift that had nothing to do with him, his goodness, or his coolness but rather Jesus choosing him and forgiving him.
This is the same for you. Jesus has chosen to use you for His kingdom. Not based on how good you are, but based on His love for you. He made it possible for you to know Him by saving you, forgiving your sins, paying your debt. He wants you to remember that He's in charge, not you. He wants you to be dependent on Him and not your "coolness" or gifts. Gifts are good, but they're all from God.
When we remember this truth, it is really another way of saying...REMEMBER TO BE DEPENDENT ON JESUS not yourself. That is what this 2 Cor 12:6-10 is teaching. When we are weak (i.e. NOT DEPENDENT ON OURSELVES, NOT THINKING THAT GOD OWES US, REALIZING THAT ALL GOOD THINGS ARE FROM HIM) then we are STRONG (STRONG IN JESUS, STRONG IN REALIZING THAT WE NEED A SAVIOR). This results in dependence on our Creator.
The world defines strength in "things, money, power, status." God defines strength as "unrelenting trust in Him for all things." That allows us to see the "things, money, power, and status" as gifts from our King that are to be used in service to Him. This frees us up to not compare ourselves to others and to REST our reputation and life in the loving hands of Jesus." Whenever we have trials, insults, hardships, we can remember that JESUS is in us and will sustain us through those trials. When we are weak, we are forced to give up...or go to Jesus. The crazy and awesome thing is that we should actually live this way ALL the time not just when we go through tough times.
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are WEAK but He is STRONG. Yes Jesus loves me....and YOU.
Peace and I hope that this was helpful,
Derrick
2Cor. 12:6-10: 6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
First off, this is Paul the Apostle writing. Go read Acts 9:3-22. There you'll read about Paul's conversion. During his conversion, Christ spoke to Him "literally." Scales covered his eyes and only God could open them back...and his heart was opened to the gospel as well. After that he confessed Christ. Well, in the verse that you mentioned, Paul speaks of a thorn in his flesh. Nobody is really sure what the "thorn" was but i think that its fair to say that it could have been trouble with his eyes that was a result of his conversion experience. Whatever it was, it was painful and something that was chronic (occurring constantly).
Imagine if you had pain that was unexplainable and that no doctor could cure. That's the sort of thing that Paul was going through most likely. This caused him to be even more dependent on Jesus.
Also imagine that you had actually heard Jesus talk to you and tell you how He was going to use you to change the world. *side note: He does talk to you through Scripture and tell you this. *Back on track now: He literally and audibly SPOKE to Paul. If that had happened to you, don't you think that it might give you reason to brag. "Hey, I'm a way better Christian than (fill in the blank) because Jesus loves me more...He talks to me. He gives me powers...I'm better than you are." (keep in mind that Jesus does not give us powers such as healings and such today...those were for a special use of advancing the Gospel and reserved for those apostles during that time.
Well, Paul saw his "thorn" as a gift. It reminded him of the fact that he was not "the stuff" and that the only reason that he was anything was because of Jesus. And that was all a free gift that had nothing to do with him, his goodness, or his coolness but rather Jesus choosing him and forgiving him.
This is the same for you. Jesus has chosen to use you for His kingdom. Not based on how good you are, but based on His love for you. He made it possible for you to know Him by saving you, forgiving your sins, paying your debt. He wants you to remember that He's in charge, not you. He wants you to be dependent on Him and not your "coolness" or gifts. Gifts are good, but they're all from God.
When we remember this truth, it is really another way of saying...REMEMBER TO BE DEPENDENT ON JESUS not yourself. That is what this 2 Cor 12:6-10 is teaching. When we are weak (i.e. NOT DEPENDENT ON OURSELVES, NOT THINKING THAT GOD OWES US, REALIZING THAT ALL GOOD THINGS ARE FROM HIM) then we are STRONG (STRONG IN JESUS, STRONG IN REALIZING THAT WE NEED A SAVIOR). This results in dependence on our Creator.
The world defines strength in "things, money, power, status." God defines strength as "unrelenting trust in Him for all things." That allows us to see the "things, money, power, and status" as gifts from our King that are to be used in service to Him. This frees us up to not compare ourselves to others and to REST our reputation and life in the loving hands of Jesus." Whenever we have trials, insults, hardships, we can remember that JESUS is in us and will sustain us through those trials. When we are weak, we are forced to give up...or go to Jesus. The crazy and awesome thing is that we should actually live this way ALL the time not just when we go through tough times.
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are WEAK but He is STRONG. Yes Jesus loves me....and YOU.
Peace and I hope that this was helpful,
Derrick
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
What should I do, if i constantly pray to God that he would help me not to compare myself or envy others but i feel like he isnt answering?
Hey,
Thanks for your question. First...DON'T QUIT ASKING. Many times we treat God like Burger King...but God's not Burger King (yes you can quote me on that one). He's not like a fast food restaurant meaning that He answers when we say answer and in the way that we want him to answer. He's also not like Santa Claus. God is the King of the Universe, the Creator of All Things He is the Creator and we are His Creatures. That means that sometimes we're called to be patient.
I've got a quick question for you that I ask myself when I'm in your situation. Can you think of a time in the Bible when God was silent and that His silence was discouraging?
What about when Jesus was hanging on the cross? Remember His words..."My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" WOW. What do you think that the disciples at the foot of the cross were thinking? Then....Jesus died. It makes total sense that they scattered. They probably thought something like..I thought Jesus was God and now He's dead. Who is God? Does He listen. Have I believed a lie?
The great thing about that is that in the "silence" God was reconciling me and you to Him. Sometimes when God doesn't "answer" He's doing something bigger. He's causing you to trust more. And who knows....maybe 3 days later you'll see what was up. What I mean by that is that God is at work. The disciples knew that for sure when Christ was resurrected 3 days after His death on the cross. You can rest assured that as real as the resurrection is....He's REALLY working and hearing your prayers right now. So don't give up.
Sometimes we're really good at telling God how He needs to work for us and then using His Scriptures to prove it to Him. I encourage you to commit to praying something more like, "God...what are You trying to teach me? Will you please help me to understand it?" Continue to read your Bible for that is how God speaks to us. I heard someone say this past Sunday. Praying to God all the time without reading the Bible is like talking all the time and never letting the other person speak back. You haven't done anything wrong and God's not ignoring you, but I hope that the thoughts above have been helpful.
Please feel free to find me at church or email if you wanna talk more.
Love in God's way,
Derrick
Thanks for your question. First...DON'T QUIT ASKING. Many times we treat God like Burger King...but God's not Burger King (yes you can quote me on that one). He's not like a fast food restaurant meaning that He answers when we say answer and in the way that we want him to answer. He's also not like Santa Claus. God is the King of the Universe, the Creator of All Things He is the Creator and we are His Creatures. That means that sometimes we're called to be patient.
I've got a quick question for you that I ask myself when I'm in your situation. Can you think of a time in the Bible when God was silent and that His silence was discouraging?
What about when Jesus was hanging on the cross? Remember His words..."My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" WOW. What do you think that the disciples at the foot of the cross were thinking? Then....Jesus died. It makes total sense that they scattered. They probably thought something like..I thought Jesus was God and now He's dead. Who is God? Does He listen. Have I believed a lie?
The great thing about that is that in the "silence" God was reconciling me and you to Him. Sometimes when God doesn't "answer" He's doing something bigger. He's causing you to trust more. And who knows....maybe 3 days later you'll see what was up. What I mean by that is that God is at work. The disciples knew that for sure when Christ was resurrected 3 days after His death on the cross. You can rest assured that as real as the resurrection is....He's REALLY working and hearing your prayers right now. So don't give up.
Sometimes we're really good at telling God how He needs to work for us and then using His Scriptures to prove it to Him. I encourage you to commit to praying something more like, "God...what are You trying to teach me? Will you please help me to understand it?" Continue to read your Bible for that is how God speaks to us. I heard someone say this past Sunday. Praying to God all the time without reading the Bible is like talking all the time and never letting the other person speak back. You haven't done anything wrong and God's not ignoring you, but I hope that the thoughts above have been helpful.
Please feel free to find me at church or email if you wanna talk more.
Love in God's way,
Derrick
What should a Christian do when they've lost the will to fight temptation?
First off, I understand your concern and am so happy that you've taken the time to discuss your situation. This is a hard question to answer over the internet. If you're willing, I'd love to meet with you in person sometime to help walk with you through this struggle. I want to encourage you not to give up the fight and know that it will be hard. Jesus told us that it would be a FIGHT but that He's won the fight for us.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Many times I feel like giving up. You may not hear that very often but the Christian life can be like waking up to go to World War 2 each day. I'm unsure of your circumstance but I want to encourage you to fight. I would also love the opportunity to ask you what you've done to fight in the past? The reason that i say that is that many times Christians give up before they've ever really fought. They do this by trying to battle on their own when in reality God has given us a family to fight with us. I'm here for you and so is your church. One of Satan's (I HATE HIM) weapons against Christians is what I'll call the "neutral bullet". He gets you in a despairing place where you think that if you talk to somebody then you've failed or that life will be worse. He then whispers the lie...you're not good enough and are a bad Christian. He's good at it cause he's the father of lies and has been lying for longer than we've been breathing. Remember, YOU ARE A SINNER. It's OK that you're not OK cause Jesus was OK in your behalf. If you put your faith in Him this makes you OK with God....OK? Satan doesn't want you to believe that because he knows that when you live out that belief then it vanquishes his attack and turns the light of Christ on his dark schemes. DON'T BE FOOLED. Remember the gospel. You're in a battle, do you see your life this way. The Scripture below is helpful to me when I'm tempted to give up.
Eph. 6:10-20 ¶ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and shaving put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
We are in a battle each day my friend. You've got brothers and sisters who fight with you for the same king. There are many fighting against you for the wrong side. Jesus has won but for now He calls us to fight. We fight with weapons of love, the gospel of peace, the hope of the resurrection, the reality of the forgiveness of sins. This is something that you must remind yourself of EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY. Don't give up. Don't quit.
Again, please talk to God and to someone in the church that you trust. I'd be honored to discuss this with you in person. Don't be ashamed...Don't be ashamed.
I love you in God's way,
Derrick
derrick@derrickharris.com
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Many times I feel like giving up. You may not hear that very often but the Christian life can be like waking up to go to World War 2 each day. I'm unsure of your circumstance but I want to encourage you to fight. I would also love the opportunity to ask you what you've done to fight in the past? The reason that i say that is that many times Christians give up before they've ever really fought. They do this by trying to battle on their own when in reality God has given us a family to fight with us. I'm here for you and so is your church. One of Satan's (I HATE HIM) weapons against Christians is what I'll call the "neutral bullet". He gets you in a despairing place where you think that if you talk to somebody then you've failed or that life will be worse. He then whispers the lie...you're not good enough and are a bad Christian. He's good at it cause he's the father of lies and has been lying for longer than we've been breathing. Remember, YOU ARE A SINNER. It's OK that you're not OK cause Jesus was OK in your behalf. If you put your faith in Him this makes you OK with God....OK? Satan doesn't want you to believe that because he knows that when you live out that belief then it vanquishes his attack and turns the light of Christ on his dark schemes. DON'T BE FOOLED. Remember the gospel. You're in a battle, do you see your life this way. The Scripture below is helpful to me when I'm tempted to give up.
Eph. 6:10-20 ¶ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and shaving put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
We are in a battle each day my friend. You've got brothers and sisters who fight with you for the same king. There are many fighting against you for the wrong side. Jesus has won but for now He calls us to fight. We fight with weapons of love, the gospel of peace, the hope of the resurrection, the reality of the forgiveness of sins. This is something that you must remind yourself of EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY. Don't give up. Don't quit.
Again, please talk to God and to someone in the church that you trust. I'd be honored to discuss this with you in person. Don't be ashamed...Don't be ashamed.
I love you in God's way,
Derrick
derrick@derrickharris.com
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