QUESTIONS

Scripture quotations unless otherwise noted are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, © 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Just because I don't understand something doesn't mean it isn't so. When I have a question I like to find an answer. Below are questions that I struggle with, some still unanswered, and I hope to continue to clarify them for myself. Socrates said, "The unquestioned life is not worth living." We need to use the gifts that God has given us. "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."* I believe the answers to my questions are in the Scriptures. I pray that the Lord will enlighten me with his Spirit.
*Slogan of the United Negro College Fund

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you going to leave, to?" Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God."
John 6:66-69

Why Does God Have A Son?

Why does God need a son? Why isn't God just God and leave it at that? I don't know the answer. I just have the question. Scripture says the Son, or the Word, was in the beginning, and that all things were made through him. The Son was God. I continue to search the Scriptures for answers. I see what the Scriptures say but I still don't know why it is as it is.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God; and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was made nothing that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness grasped it not.
John 1:1-5 (Scripture quotation taken from The Holy Bible, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Translation, © 1996 by Benziger Brothers, Inc.)

No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart; he has told us about him.
John 1:18

For only I, the Son of Man, have come to earth and will return to heaven again.
John 3:13

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family - calling him "Father, dear Father." For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we will shared his treasures - for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Romans 8:15-17

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
1 John 4:9

Why Did God Create Man?

Why does God need people? Why did he create us? It doesn't make sense. Why wasn't he happy just doing his own thing? I see that he did it, but I don't know why? What's he need us for? I'll keep searching for reasons.

Then God said, "Let us make people in our own image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the live-stock, wild animals, and small animals." So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female her created them. God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals"....And so it was. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.
Genesis 1:26-28,30-31

Why Does The Lord Blind And Harden People To Him?

Why is it that the Lord blinds and hardens people to him? Everyone receives the light. It must be what they decide to do with it.

But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?
Luke 18:8

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.
John 1:9

But despite all the miraculous signs he had done, most of the people did not believe in him.
John 12:37

The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts - so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.
John 12:40

For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
John 12:43

Even when Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.
Romans 2:14-15

Why Did God's Son Need To Be Crucified?

What Does The Lord Mean When He Tells Us That We Have To Eats His Flesh And Drink His Blood?

Why Is Jesus Called The Son Of Man?

What Does It Mean In 1 Corinthians 4:4 When Paul Says His Conscience Is Clear?

What about me? Have I been faithful? Well, it matters very little what you or anyone else things. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that isn't what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives.
1 Corinthians 4:3-5

Where Does Singing Fit In With Worship?

I would rather pray in peace and quiet. What does Scripture tell us about singing?

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 28:6-7

Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.
James 5:13

I Am Confused With Fear Of The Lord

I thought that love drives out fear. I thought fear of the Lord really mean awe or respect. I guess I am not comfortable with the word fear.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Proverbs 31:25-31

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us. We love each other as a result of his loving us first.
1 John 4:16-19