Is smoking a pipe or cigar bad, at least in christian living?

Sincerely,
Huff And Puff

Dear Huff And Puff,

Anything that purposefully poisons our bodies is wrong to use.  There was a time where the facts were not clearly known about the effects of cigarettes, pipes, and cigars on human health.  Those days are long since gone.  The data is exceptionally clear that smoking is always harmful to the human body and that smoking has no positive health benefits.  God tells us to treat our bodies as a temple (1 Cor 6:19).  Our bodies are a gift from God, and life is something to be cherished.  When we purposefully abuse our bodies with unhealthy lifestyles, we rebel against God and show ungratefulness for the life He has given us.  Present your body as a living and holy sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1).  Who knows what work He has prepared for you in the days and years that would be lost if you died from the effects of smoking?

When I was about eleven, I was baptized.  When I was in my teens, I did something stupid (won’t tell what it is because it disgusts me to even think of it).  But in the Old Testament, it says to kill the woman who does this because it’s disgusting in the Lord’s sight.  I have read several different versions since then and many years have passed.  I cannot find anything to make myself think that God will forgive me.  To think that God is disgusted with you….

Can I be forgiven?  Can I be clean again?

Sincerely,
Guilt-Ridden

Dear Guilt-Ridden,

Nothing can be more disgusting and horrible than killing christians – and God forgave Paul of that sin (Acts 26:10).  Paul said that he was set up as an example to all mankind that any sin, no matter how horrid, can be forgiven (1 Tim 1:16).  As much as Paul grieved his sins (he considered himself the least of the apostles, 1 Cor 15:9), he also gave thanks that God forgave him (Col 1:12-14).  Paul’s future life was fueled by the fact that it was by God’s grace he had been given a second chance.  Only in Christianity can we fully accept the weight and gravity of our sins and just as fully accept the gift of forgiveness.  “By the grace of God” Paul had hope, and because of that grace, he “labored more abundantly than all” (1 Cor 15:10).  Like the woman that was brought to Jesus to be stoned, you can be set free with a second chance (read the account of that woman in John chapter 8).  His only command to her was, “Go and sin no more” (Jhn 8:11).

My parents and I have a question about how to honor my deceased grandpas.  We would appreciate it if you could please help give us some guidance on this.

I was raised in a non-christian family in China.  One of my grandpa’s ashes is kept in a Taoist temple where all the Taoist gods are worshiped.  My other grandpa has a picture at a Buddhist temple where the monks pray regularly.  My parents and I accepted Jesus Christ a few years ago, but our grandpas’ ashes and picture are still at the temples.

We are unsure how to continue to show respect and honor my grandpas without violating God’s commandments.  In America, it is typical that the deceased have a grave, and the loved ones go there to present flowers to honor the dead.  However, in my case, I cannot go to where my grandpa’s ashes are to honor him without entering the Taoist temple full of idols and false gods.  What should I do?  Can I go, ignore the other gods, but just put flowers there for my grandpa?  Should I not go at all?

We cannot move his ashes elsewhere either because my grandma (who is still alive) and all my other relatives are still not christians.  In addition, the spot for his ashes at the temple cost a lot of money when they purchased it.  They are not going to agree to relocating my grandpa’s ashes simply because of my belief and my mother’s.  Both of my grandpas never heard the Gospel in their lives.  They died never knowing Jesus.  What shall we do now to honor them?  Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Sincerely,
Temple Trouble

Dear Temple Trouble,

Every culture and country has unique issues that it presents christians with, but there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9).  Your problem is with appearances.  You know that the Buddhist and Tao gods are nothing at all (1 Cor 8:4).  You know this, but everyone else doesn’t, and therefore, for the sake of their consciences, you must be careful how you act (1 Cor 8:10).  Here are some things to consider:

1. Do people assume if you go to a Taoist temple that you are going to worship their gods?  If so, you cannot go.  Leave flowers outside the temple or give them to relatives to deliver when they visit, but make it clear that you cannot be seen as an idolater.
2. There are some religious sites that don’t give the impression that all visitors are of that religion.  For example, take the Sistine Chapel – millions of people visit the site every year, and many of them are not Catholic at all.  Visiting there does not give the impression you are Catholic; it merely gives the impression that you wanted to see the Sistine Chapel and its art.  If this is the case with visiting these temples, you may be able to go without giving the impression that you are worshipping their idols.  Only you can make this decision.  It is a cultural issue, and you must decide how people would view your visit.
3. Can you in good conscience visit your grandfathers’ memorials?  If we cannot do something in good conscience, for us it is sin (Rom 14:23).  A bothered conscience is a sign that you believe you are doing the wrong thing, and even if that isn’t true – you have to abstain for conscience’s sake.
4. There are many ways to honor our deceased relatives other than visiting their graves.  Putting their photos on our walls, writing memorials, re-telling stories of their lives, etc. are all viable ways of showing how much they meant to you.  When someone dies, they are no longer concerned with the affairs of this world; anything you do to honor them is for the benefit of the living, not them.

After considering both your conscience and the influence you have upon others, prayerfully make a decision and stick to your guns.  In the end, you serve God and not man (Acts 5:29).

The Bible speaks of a ‘Mystery Babylon’ in the book of Revelation.  God says to “Come out of her my people lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”  Several people believe that this refers to America and that christians should flee.  One verse says that Babylon will be destroyed and the “light of her lamp” will shine no more.  Some believe this is in reference to the Statue of Liberty.  I’ve watched videos, researched websites and government documents, etc. and have to agree that it is compelling, though I don’t want to be one of those that are deceived either way.  Should christians flee at this time?  If so, where should they go?

Sincerely,
Fight Or Flight

Dear Fight Or Flight,

America has definitely made some very immoral choices in the last several decades, but no matter how bad it gets – America isn’t Babylon.  The book of Revelation deals with events that the apostle John said would, “shortly come to pass” (Rev 1:1, Rev 1:3).  The book of Revelation is an account of trials that the first century church was about to face at the hands of Rome.  It is a book of prophecy that applied almost exclusively (except for the last two chapters) to the brethren of the first century.  See the posts “Left Behind” and “I Was Told There’d Be Dragons…” for more details.

The mysterious Babylon of Revelation is, in fact, Rome.  We could spend a very long time explaining this topic, but here are a few of the biggest reasons why Rome is Babylon.

1. Rome fit the time period of the book.  John was writing to christians that needed to prepare for a great persecution from a world power.  The world power of their day was Rome.
2. Peter referred to the city of Rome as Babylon in 1 Pet 5:13.  Almost all commentators agree that Peter is referring to Rome.  Babylon was a well-known term used by christians to refer to the city of Rome.
3. Babylon was a city that had killed prophets, apostles, and saints (Rev 18:20-21, Rev 18:24).  Apostles only existed in the first century, therefore Babylon must be either Rome or possibly Jerusalem… but definitely not modern America.

This is only a short list of the reasons that Babylon is Rome and not any modern city or nation.  The list is short for sake of brevity, not for lack of further evidence.  Suffice it to say, America is never mentioned in the book of Revelation.  There may be a time when christians need to leave this country… but you won’t find that time specifically laid out in your Bible.

The elders at the church I go to are on my case.  I don’t think my family needs to go to church all day on Sunday.  God says I’m in charge of my own family.  What verse can I use to remind them that it’s my right to decide?

Sincerely,
Head Of My House

Dear Head Of My House,

If it is a question of what is your right – just explain to them that you have freewill like every human since Adam and Eve, and nobody can make you do anything you don’t want to do.  However, I think your real question is if there are any verses that explain that your family doesn’t need to go to services all day on Sunday.  That is a slightly different question.

Every congregation must decide for itself how often and how long it will meet.  This is an issue of expediency and wisdom.  Some congregations may choose to meet only once on a Sunday; others may choose to meet twice… or even more!  The Bible does not give any specific guidelines.  It does, however, provide some principles that must be contemplated by every individual and every congregation.

1. Sunday is “The Lord’s Day” (Rev 1:10).  Though there is some debate over what the apostle John meant by using the term ‘the Lord’s Day’, most commentators (including some of the earliest church writers) agree that the term ‘the Lord’s Day’ refers to ‘Sunday’.  Sunday is intended to be a day dedicated and set aside by christians for the worship and service of God.  If we only meet for 45 to 60 minutes in the morning, can we fairly say that we treated the whole day as belonging to the Lord?
2. The Old Testament Sabbath example.  We no longer have the Sabbath in the New Testament (no matter what the Seventh Day Adventists say).  However, the Sabbath does teach a principle.  God, in His infinite wisdom, thought it was important for the Jews to set aside one entire day every week to rest, reflect, and worship God.  Even though we are not bound by the Sabbath laws, that practice was given to us as an example to teach us something about the spiritual needs of mankind (1 Cor 10:11).  How much of our time are we setting aside for the pure and undistracted worship of God?
3. The assembly and worship service is not merely a duty; it is an essential tool God has given us to protect our souls.  When christians forsake the assembly, they are headed down a path that leads to destruction (Heb 10:25-27).  When we assemble together on a regular basis, we provoke one another to love and good works (Heb 10:24).  When christians come together to sing songs to God, they admonish each other as a side-effect (Col 3:16).  The church doesn’t just need you; you need the church.

When the elders of a congregation set the meeting times, they should be considering these principles for the health of the congregation.  There is no hard and fast rule for how much time to set aside, but it is important to consider whether we are devoting enough time to worshipping God.  In general, we here at AYP err on the side of liberality.  We would rather hear, “You worshipped more than was needed” than “You didn’t worship enough” on the Day of Judgment.

I have a question that I get a lot of different answers on.  I will admit I am a little scared to even ask this question because I think I may have committed this sin.  I have been told that it is never too late to be saved; however, some people say that is not true due to a sin called “the unforgivable sin”.  I will admit I do not understand 100% what this means.  I think it may be if you die without Jesus, then you will be in trouble.  However, I am not sure what this means.  Please help me understand this so I am not scared or wondering if I have ever committed this sin.  Thank you for your time and God bless!

Sincerely,
Fear of Failure

Dear Fear of Failure,

The unforgivable sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit, and the fact that you are visiting this website is a pretty sure sign that you haven’t committed it.  Jesus says that any sin will be forgiven except for someone blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Mk 3:28-30).  Jesus said this to the crowd that accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Mk 3:23).  That crowd could have been forgiven of any sin, but instead they rejected the miracles that testified that Jesus was from God.  Contrast that crowd’s attitude with Nicodemus’ attitude.  Nicodemus understood that the only way that someone could perform a miracle was if God was with him (Jhn 3:2).  When that crowd rejected the evidence that the Holy Spirit provided (in this case, the miracles), they rejected any chance to receive the forgiveness found in Jesus’ teachings.  When we reject the truth of God (the Bible), we reject the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s primary job is to bring the truth of the gospel to mankind (see the post “What the Holy Spirit Does” for more details).  Someone blasphemes the Holy Spirit by rejecting the truth that the Holy Spirit sent us in the Bible.  Any sin can be forgiven if we will turn to God’s Word and obey it (Rom 10:17, Heb 5:9), but there is absolutely no hope for someone if he or she will not accept the Holy Spirit’s Bible.

Therefore, since it seems that you are actively seeking the truth and trying to study and learn what God’s Word is – you have not committed the unforgivable sin.