How do you know if you’re in love?

Sincerely,
Smitten

Dear Smitten,

The Bible never specifically addresses the issue of when people fall in love because that is something that naturally happens, and as the old saying goes, “When you know, you know”.  The only advice that the Bible gives regarding romantic love is to not force it.  Far too often, people are so desperate to be in love that they force themselves into unhealthy situations in the hopes that it will awaken love – the exact opposite of God’s advice (SS 2:7).

It is always worth remembering that even though attraction is foremost on the minds of many singles, what really matters is the quality and character of the person you are interested in.  What is their inner character like (1 Pet 3:4)?  Do they love the Lord more than all else (Matt 22:37)?  Are they honest in word and deed (1 Jn 3:18)?  These are the things that really matter.  When looking for love, look for it in the right places.  A godly mate will make you stronger, but an ungodly spouse will corrupt you (1 Cor 15:33).

Can you help me solve my dad and sister’s problem with fighting each other?

Sincerely,
Suffering Sibling

Dear Suffering Sibling,

One very sad truth is that you can’t live other peoples’ lives for them.  We all are responsible for our own decisions and lifestyles (Php 2:12).  You can’t fix the situation between your sister and father, but you can make sure and not add to the fire.  Don’t take sides, and don’t get in the middle of their disagreements (Pr 26:17).  Make a decision to be a person that loves peace and pursues it (Ps 34:14).  As much as you are able, be at peace with both your father and sister (Rom 12:18).  Your example can remind them that life doesn’t have to be full of arguments and strife.  Let your light shine (Matt 5:16).  We can’t guarantee that will change things, but we can guarantee that you will always have a clear conscience regardless of what they choose to do.

When will I die?

Sincerely,
Unsure About Insurance

Dear Unsure About Insurance,

God is the only one who knows when we will die.  God measures your days and the boundaries of your life (Acts 17:25-26).  It is impossible to know when we will die, but it is important to think about how short our lives are, so we remember our frailty (Ps 39:4).  When we number our days, we get a heart of wisdom (Ps 90:12).  The shortness of life reminds us to prepare for the eternity that awaits us.

Who rules the world today?

Sincerely,
Measuring The Rulers

Dear Measuring The Rulers,

Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:14-15).  Ultimately, Jesus is the great and awesome Savior of the world (1 Jn 4:14).  The devil has a certain level of power in this life; the Bible describes Satan as the “prince of the power of air” (Eph 2:2).  Satan’s power is as fleeting as the wind – powerful, but without substance.

God says that He chooses the rulers of this world (Rom 13:1-2).  Even when it seems like men are in charge, the Son is holding everything together by the strength of His might (Col 1:16-17).

Why does the church allow men to be elders that do not have “faithful” children?  I hear excuses that it’s IMPOSSIBLE to find a man like that… if God demands it, then it MUST be possible.

Sincerely,
No Excuses

Dear No Excuses,

When you use the term ‘the church’, that makes it sound like every congregation allows men to become elders even if they aren’t qualified.  That simply isn’t true.  Our congregation here in Monroe, as well as many others that we personally know of, only select elders who have faithful children because that is what Tit 1:6 says.  You are right, it isn’t impossible to find qualified men to serve as elders because many congregations have qualified elders.  The amount of care that a congregation puts into following the Bible pattern for elders is an indicator of how serious they are about being a Bible-led church.  The qualifications for elders are easily found in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Tit 1:5-9.  What a congregation does with those verses says a lot about their priorities.

My question is if christians go to be with Jesus when they die, where do non-believers go at the moment of death?

Sincerely,
The Other Side

Dear The Other Side,

God tells us that when the faithful die, they go to be in Paradise (Lk 23:43).  At the time of their death, christians are escorted to Paradise by angels (Lk 16:22).  Inversely, when those outside of Christ die, they wake up in a place known only as “torments” (Lk 16:23).  There is a great chasm fixed between Paradise and the place of torment, and it is impossible to cross from one place to the other (Lk 16:26).  The place of torments is described as being a place of anguishing flame (Lk 16:24).  It is a place where the worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched (Mk 9:48).  It is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 25:30).  It is the outer darkness away from the presence of God.  ‘Torments’ is the last place anyone wants to go.  This makes it all the more important to ready our lives before this life ends (Heb 9:27).