Is there a Bible verse that says, “Count your many blessings”?

Sincerely,
Grateful Mathematician

Dear Grateful Mathematician,

“Count Your Many Blessings” is the name of a popular hymn, but it isn’t a Bible verse.  Having said that, the idea of counting your blessings is a very Biblical idea.  Php 4:8 tells us to dwell upon good and pleasant things.  2 Cor 1:11 gives us the example of being grateful when we receive blessings.  Eph 1:16 points out that the apostle Paul never ceased giving thanks for people who blessed his life.  Php 4:6 tells us that thanksgiving should be a regular element in our prayers.  There is no doubt that the thoughts expressed in the hymn “Count Your Many Blessings” is right on target with Scriptural ideals.

(This question is a follow-up to “A Theist And An Atheist”.)

I understand that marrying a non-believer may not be the smartest thing to do because it is likely to cause more problems than if you married a Christian; however, would it prevent me from going to heaven?

Sincerely,
Not An Atheist

Dear Not An Atheist,

No single sin will prevent you from going to heaven, but the mentality of “Well, it’s only one sin; maybe it isn’t that big of a deal”… can.  A murderer who repents of murder can go to heaven (Paul did – 1 Tim 1:15-16).  A thief who repents can go to heaven (the thief on the cross did – Lk 23:39-43).  All sins can be forgiven in Christ (1 Jn 1:7), but what you are asking is different.  You are asking whether or not you can do something wrong and it be okay… that is a dangerous path to travel.  The moment we begin “cutting corners” with our salvation, we run into problems.  We can’t tell you that marrying a non-believer will send you to hell, but we have told you that it is a sin.  A sin is a sin – avoid them all.

I know the Bible speaks of deacons; does it speak of deaconesses (women) in the church?

Sincerely,
Servant’s Heart

Dear Servant’s Heart,

The Bible does speak about deaconesses – but not as an official job title.  The word ‘deacon’ simply means ‘servant’.  In most places of your Bible, the Greek word is simply translated as ‘servant’.  Only in a few places is it translated ‘deacon’… which can be a little confusing.  In 1 Tim 3:8-13, it gives the qualifications for deacons (servants) who will serve the eldership in an official capacity.  These qualifications clearly state that deacons of this sort must be married men (1 Tim 3:12).  These types of deacons are part of the official church leadership, and they fall into a very specific category of servant.

However, the New Testament is full of other types of servants.  Phoebe was a servant of the church in Cenchrea and is described as “a helper to all” (Rom 16:1-2).  This type of deacon isn’t an official job title but is simply a person with a kind and magnanimous servant’s heart who helps others.  In today’s vernacular, we associate the word ‘deacon’ with an official title in the church, and this would only include those who meet the qualifications of 1 Tim 3:8-13 and have been appointed by the church to that position.  However, when we remember that ‘deacon’ means ‘servant’ – we see that, unofficially, the church is full of servants of every shape, size, age, and gender.

In Revelation 21:1, the narrator said, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.”

Now, my question is: is this to be taken literally?  Or is it just a symbolic description?  Also, in Isaiah 65:17, it says, ”For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.”  Is this a prophetic verse for our time?  Or was it a metaphor for that civilization?  In 2 Peter 3:13, it says, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.”  So, indeed, we expect the new heaven and new earth?  Is this the new Paradise?

Sincerely,
Looking Ahead

Dear Looking Ahead,

Any time we see terminology like “new heavens and new earth”, we need to make sure that we are keeping it in its context.  Depending upon the circumstance and the situation, the phrase may mean different things.  A new heaven and earth stands for a change in world-order… the new world can only be understood by looking at the context and seeing what the old world was.  In Isaiah chapter 65, the prophet is discussing the new covenant that would be set up by Christ.  The old covenant Jews are being compared to the new covenant christians.  The Jews rejected God (Isa 65:12), and the christians would be a new Jerusalem that would faithfully serve God (Isa 65:18, Heb 12:22-24).  The new heaven and new earth of Isa 65:17 is the church and the New Covenant in Christ.

However, Rev 21:1 and 2 Pet 3:13 are talking about an entirely different situation.  Once again, context is the key to understanding these verses.  In both Revelation and Second Peter, the context is dealing with the end of this physical world and the beginning of eternity in a spiritual realm (Rev 21:4, 2 Pet 3:7-10).  In those verses, the new heavens and earth represent the change from a physical world to a spiritual world.

Does God stop loving people in hell?  Someone told me that His love turns to hate for those people in hell.  If you could give me some verses, that would be helpful.

Sincerely,
Not A Hater

Dear Not A Hater,

God doesn’t find joy in the death of anyone, including the wicked (Ezek 18:23).  God sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins (Jhn 3:16) and to make a way for all to be with Him in heaven.  There is no indication in the Scriptures that God’s attitude changes after people die.  When people live lives that rebel against God, He recognizes that they don’t want to spend eternity with Him, but He finds no joy in it.

I have a wonderful boyfriend who is perfect in every way except that he is a strongly believing atheist, but he never imposes his beliefs on me.  I wanted to know if I married him, would it be a sin, what would happen to my soul, and would it be something that would prevent me from going to heaven?  I am confused when I turn to the Bible for answers because 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 are contradictory.

P.S. I actually just broke up with him a few days ago because I didn’t want to be in a relationship that God didn’t approve of.  I still love him but am holding off on my permanent decision of whether to be with him or not until I get this question answered.  Thank you so much.  God Bless.

Sincerely,
Not An Atheist

Dear Not An Atheist,

It is wrong to marry someone who isn’t a christian.  1 Cor 7:12-16 deals with what to do if you are already married to an unbeliever (for example if you became a christian after already being married), and 2 Cor 6:14-18 explains what to do to avoid getting into an unhealthy marital situation.  Paul clearly states that christians should seek to marry only those who are also “in the Lord” (1 Cor 7:39).  Right now, your boyfriend doesn’t impose his beliefs on you because he is still courting your affections; once you are married, that will change – it always does.  People are always on their best behavior during the “wooing” stage of a romance.  When you marry a man, you are deciding that you trust him to be the head of your household (Eph 5:23).  You simply cannot trust a man that doesn’t believe in God to properly guide the direction of your family.  Marriage is a permanent decision; you can’t trust this man to abide by the same rules of marriage as you will.  Religion is the most important factor in a marriage because it affects your morals, how you raise children, your finances, your hobbies, how you treat one another, and a thousand other elements of your future.  Do not become unequally yoked to this man.