Why are there fake christian people who say they are christians and do bad stuff?  They think all they have to do is to believe in God, and then they do want they want.

Sincerely,
Tired Of The Charade

Dear Tired Of The Charade,

There have been, and always will be, people who are hypocritical in their faith (Matt 6:2).  Make note of that behavior and remember to never be that way yourself.  We can’t do anything about others, but we can examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) and make sure that we are faithful.  Christianity is about more than just believing in God… even the demons believe (Jas 2:19).  Real christians combine their belief with works (Jas 2:17-18).  God wants more than just lip service… not everyone who calls on His name will be saved (Matt 7:21-23).  Don’t just look like a christian; live like one (Matt 23:25-26).

I have a question.  I was thinking about getting into modeling because my friend is into it, and she is trying to get me to.  She wants me to be a ring card girl with her, but my family said that it is a sin to show off my body like that and to be around that kind of environment.

Sincerely,
Looking For Career Advice

Dear Looking For Career Advice,

Your family is right.  The women that “prance” around boxing rings with the cards that indicate what round of the match it is are only there for one reason – to feed the lust of the flesh (1 Jn 2:16).  Dressing immodestly is a sin (1 Tim 2:9).  Furthermore, being around people that promote provocative sinful attitudes will corrupt you (1 Cor 15:33).  We are affected by those we are around, and our friendships and work environment either build us up or tear us down.  Listen to your family; they have your best interests in mind.

Dear Readers,

AskYourPreacher has now posted one thousand questions!  Thank you to all our readers for your confidence in us and for your dedication to the Bible.  When the Monroe Valley church of Christ started this website, we believed there was a need, but we weren’t sure… well, we are now!  We couldn’t ask for a more loyal group of readers.  Thank you for all your referrals (many people write in saying that they heard of our site through others) and kind words.  Nothing is more thrilling than helping people get in touch with faithful congregations, leading people to the saving waters of baptism, and seeing God’s Word prick hearts.  In a world of religious confusion, God’s Word has never changed.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
The Ecstatic AYP Team

(This question is a follow-up to “The Shape Of Pain”)

Thank you for your answer regarding the cross.  Now a follow-up question: on your last answer, you said, “When Jesus was nailed to the cross (Jhn 19:17), we have no idea exactly what shape it was…”  But someone told me something I had never thought of.  He said that if nobody knows the shape of the cross, then why do so many churches use the traditional Christian cross and crucifix with the bottom/lower leg longer?  How would you answer this?

Sincerely,
Geometry Student

Dear Geometry Student,

Many churches probably do this because of artistic license.  No two crosses used by the Roman nation were alike, and therefore, it isn’t incorrect to use any of those shapes to depict a cross.  However, it is important to know that christianity isn’t built upon statues and modern crosses on buildings (in fact, our congregation doesn’t even have crosses adorning our building)… it is built upon the Word of God (Rom 1:16-17).

Leviticus 3:17, along with other similar passages, forbids believers to eat any blood.  The Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t accept blood transfusions and won’t eat meat with blood in it for this reason.  My question is: how can you eat blood if blood is liquid… isn’t it?  And also, someone said in order to eat something, you have to digest it.  You don’t digest blood transfusions, right?  So what exactly does Leviticus 3:17 mean?

Sincerely,
Blood Donor

Dear Blood Donor,

It is possible to eat blood if it is prepared as a dish (i.e. blood sausage, blood pie, etc.); however, it would be wrong to do so (see “Blood In The Pudding” for New Testament teachings on that subject).  This verse, however, doesn’t address why Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t accept blood transfusions.  The reason JW’s don’t get blood transfusions is because “the life is in the blood” (Deu 12:23).  They improperly apply an Old Testament teaching that dealt with eating to a medical treatment in the world of the New Testament.  Christians are not under the Old Testament law (Gal 3:23-25).  The Old Testament still provides many faithful examples and principles, but its specific laws have been nailed to the cross (Col 2:14).  The Old Testament law has faded away and been replaced by the perfect law of liberty in Christ (Jas 1:25).  Read “Out With The Old?” for further details on the place of the Old Testament in the life of a christian.

What happens when a christian sins?  How much does a christian have to sin before he has lost his salvation?  Are consequences to sin in a believer’s life experienced to lead that one to repentance and redemption?  Or to separate him from a Holy God?  At what point will he be turned over?  His mind darkened?  His heart hardened?  His spirit separated from God?

Sincerely,
Where’s The Line?

Dear Where’s The Line,

A christian loses his salvation when he returns to a lifestyle and mindset of wickedness.  It isn’t a matter of how much sin we commit, but the attitude we take toward God and sin.  When we no longer value what Christ has done for us and stop letting His Word guide our life, we crucify Him again and fall away (Heb 6:4-6).  When a christian sins, they should have godly remorse and sorrow (2 Cor 7:10) because they have offended their Redeemer.  A wicked heart is hardened against such sorrow.  We must always be careful to protect our heart from becoming rebellious (Heb 3:12).

It is impossible to say exactly at what point someone moves from saved to lost… but that just accentuates the importance of guarding our lives and minds by trusting in Christ’s Word (Jude 1:24).  Commit yourself to growing and bearing fruit for Christ, and you will always be safe (1 Pet 2:1-2).