We all have questions. So go ahead and ask.
 
Here are some answers to some questions that have been asked before.
 
 

FAQ about God

 Q. If God is so good and loving, why does He allow evil?

This is a flawed premise since it implies that we are in a position to say what is good and what is not good about God. On our own, we cannot be the judge of what is absolutely good or not. Our thinking is influenced by our limited experience, and needs to be renewed or open to what the Bible has to say about God’s true person, nature and dealings with mankind.

I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you take a look into this matter through the lens of Jesus Christ’s life. He alone provides us with a exact portrayal of God the Father’s goodness. (John 14:8-10 / Hebrews 1:1-3).

Still, the question of evil persists, and we often hear the question “why?” in the aftermath of some tragedy. Remember, when God created the world, He created it perfectly. That includes His creation of man. Yet, this “perfect” man was also given the ability to choose. Unfortunately bad choices were made and the consequences of this ‘original sin’ has been perpetuated through history. We are not programmed like robots, and God expects us to respond to His love and our responsibility to make choices according to the absolutes He gave us in The Bible.

When we make choices that are contrary to these absolutes and standards, sin and evil consequences are the result. God is not to blame for evil.

Fortunately, once you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you enter into the master plan God has for you. For that reason, you can be assured of the promise in His Word, that “everything works together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLB). Sometimes what appears horribly evil and tragic at the moment can eventually result in something good as God is injected into the situation by His grace and our faith.

We may not always understand the “why’s” of a certain tragedy, but we know the “Who” that will carry us through it. He promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God . . .” (Isaiah 43:2-3a NIV).

 

Q. How can Christians say that Jesus is the only way to heaven?

Are you saying that if a person does not believe in Jesus Christ, they are going to hell? Jesus Christ Himself said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NKJV). If humankind could have reached God any other way, Jesus would not have had to die. His voluntary death on the cross makes this fact even more compelling. The Old and New Testament are full of examples of God reaching out to all sorts of people in all sorts of places in all sorts of ways. He is totally fair and just, and has even made creation in such a way that it reflects who He really is and what He expects of us.

 

Q. Don’t all religions teach the same thing?

“Don’t all roads lead to God?” people often ask. “If a person is sincere in his or her beliefs, won’t he or she get to heaven?”

If you allow that all beliefs are true, then by what standards do you live? All belief systems cannot be true, because they fundamentally cancel each other out. Only Jesus Christ shed His blood and died for the forgiveness of our sins and rose again to give us new life.

 

Q. How can a God of love send someone to hell?

It has never been God’s plan to send people to hell. He made man to enjoy eternal fellowship with Him. Since the fall of man through Adam’s rebellion and disobedience, God has sought out mankind to save them, not to send them to hell.
However when someone refuses His offer of salvation through Jesus, they condemn themselves to an eternity in hell. Hell was not even made for people; it was made for the rebel angel Satan, and other spirit beings who followed him. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus says the everlasting fire of hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for mankind. Thus people who refuse to confess Jesus as Lord go to hell out of God’s will. “[God] is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). That is why God sent Jesus to die on the cross in our place-to bridge the gap between sinful people and a Holy God. People practically have to ‘climb over or around’ the truth that Jesus died fro them to get there!

 

Q. Isn’t the Church full of hypocrites?

The reason I am not a Christian is because there are so many hypocrites in the church. Jesus does not say, “Follow the church,” or “Follow the people.” Jesus says, “Follow me” (Matthew 9:9; Mark 8:34; John 12:26). The focus ought to be on His perfections, not our imperfections.
The church is a gathering of people who need Jesus: hypocrites and non hypocrites alike. When you use the ‘hypocrite’ excuse to avoid relationships, you is out on an opportunity to help and be helped. 
You will find hypocrites in the church as in any other place. There are hypocrites at work, yet you still go to work. We all need God’s help to live lives of integrity. If you get past your objections, you will also find other people in church who are trying to live their life according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

 

Q. I tried church before, but it didn’t work for me.

What did you try? Did you go to a church? Did you read the Bible? Did you ask Christ into your life? Did you examine the claims of Christ? It really is not about what ‘works for you’. Church ought to be about focusing on Jesus and being part of the solution and not sitting on the sideline pontificating about other people’s shortcomings. Why not have faith in Jesus who promised to ‘build His church’ (Matthew 16) and work with Him on a world changing cause.
 
 

Q. What does it mean to be born again?

God has given a very clear and understandable plan for accepting Jesus as the Savior of your life, so all your sins can be taken away and you can live on earth and then in heaven with Him forever. That, in a sentence, is what it means to be born again. (John 3).

 

Q. I’ve done many horrible things. You preach that Jesus can save anyone.

Does that include me?

Through the centuries, often the worst, most guilty sinners become the most wonderful, guilt-free believers. Foe example, the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote much of the New Testament. Yet at one time he was a hated persecutor of Christians, even overseeing their arrests and death. After giving his life to Christ, Paul wrote, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). Yes, Jesus can save and change anyone.

How to Know God

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord, begin by knowing what God has already done for you.

 

What God has already done for you.

God has already made it possible for you to enjoy a right relationship with Him. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to live, die and rise again from the dead for the forgiveness of your sins. On that basis anyone can start now to live a life that pleases Him, and end up in heaven with God when eventually you die.

 

What does God expect you to?

God expects you to acknowledge your need for His forgiveness; believe that He raised Jesus from the dead, and be prepared to confess Jesus as Lord before witnesses in the world you live in.
 
It really is as simple as that: accepting His free unmerited gift of favor.
 

Pray the following prayer out loud from your heart. You will be giving your life back to him, and He will love, protect and provide for you all the days of your life.

Dear God in Heaven,

I accept that I need your forgiveness for my sin.

I believe that You raised Your only begotten son Jesus Christ from the dead.

Jesus, I confess you as my Lord and savior.

Thank You Jesus for shedding your blood for me on the cross of Calvary.

With your help, I promise to serve you all my days.
 
Thank you for saving me. I am now your child, accepted into your family.
 
In Your name I pray, Amen.

 

New steps in a new direction:

Dear Friend in Christ,

Now that your heart has been impacted by God’s love and you have received God’s forgiveness in Christ, here are some first steps in your new direction:

  • Be sure to start reading the Bible starting with the gospel of John in the New Testament.
  • Join a good Bible believing church that focuses on Jesus and the Bible (consider connecting with us at Eastside Life Church).
  • Begin to boldly tell people that you have personally accepted Jesus as your Lord.
  • Pray to your new Heavenly Father in Jesus name every day.
  • Look to God every day to help you in every area of your life as He instructs you out of His Word.

 

What if you “slip up” (sin) after giving your life to Jesus?

Realize that if you ‘slip up’ and do something that you know to be wrong, (sin), that God will never give up on you. So don’t ever give up faith in what Jesus has already done for you. Know that your sins are forgiven and refocus on Jesus your savior and Lord. He will help you turn away from the lies that may bind you, and set your gaze on His marvelous future of freedom and deliverance.
 
 

What if I don’t “feel” saved after a while?

Don’t rely on how you ‘feel’ in your emotions or maybe even think in your mind. These may change from day to day. The choice you have made to follow Jesus was based on a conviction that God’s Word is true. This does not change daily. The Bible teaches that we ‘walk by faith’ not by feelings or the circumstances we ‘see’ or feel. See 2 Corinthians 5:7 in the New Testament.

 

What’s Next?

If you have prayed the above prayer, please contact us and we will send you a complimentary copy of What’s Next?, a resource that will help take strong first steps in your new spiritual journey in Christ.
 

Also begin to fill your heart and mind with the Word of God – resources are found on the Teaching page of this website.

God bless you, and thank you for giving your life to Jesus. He has promised to never leave or forsake you. You will discover that your decision to trust Jesus was the best one you have ever made!
 
Feel free to join us at any of our meetings. We’d love to meet you and help you fulfill the dreams that God will give you.