Q: What do you do with the verse, “There is no other name given to men by which we must be saved?”

I believe it.  We are not saved by the name of Muhammad, Buddha, Abraham, or _________ (insert your name here).  We are saved only because of what Jesus did on the cross.  Jesus is the “way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to God except through Him.” (John 14:6)

Q: @what point does mercy become enabling…and how do the merciFULL learn to trust the “tough love” of the “merciLESSON”?

I’m not sure that I understand the question, but… Often people with the gift of mercy become enablers.  We should always have a merciful attitude toward people, but we enable them when we remove natural consequences from their lives.  God tends to teach through natural consequences, but we forget that.  If you suspect that you’re an enabler, meet with a wise, mature, older believer and seek their advice.

Q: How do people know that Christianity is the right way while others think that other religions are right to them???

This happens after someone tries life his way (or his religion’s way) and figures out that it doesn’t work.  In other words, s/he realizes the s/he can’t become perfect or remove his/her guilt.  Once we figure that out, then we can choose (or not choose) to approach God through faith and grace.

Q: Is it wrong to be accepting and tolerant of gay people?

I’ll answer this question on July 4th when I teach on: Dumb Stuff Smart People Believe: ‘Don’t Judge!’

Q:  I’ve heard my entire life that God is waiting, until the last person hears the gospel, to return…true or false?

This teaching comes from Matthew 24:14 and 2 Peter 3:8-9.  These verses definitely teach that God is slow in returning because He wants to give us more time to repent and come to Him.  Have you ever been frustrated with God and asked, ‘What’s taking you so long???’ The answer is: He wants others to come to Him.

Q: What about babies that die? Does the Bible teach anything on an ”age of accountability?”

We are innocent before God until we “know enough to reject the wrong and choose the right” – which in Old Testament times was about 12 years old.  We take this teaching from Jewish tradition, Deut 1:39, and Isaiah 7:16.

Q: Can someone who has ONLY experienced general revelation go to heaven?

Yes.

Q: What’s the link to the Billy Graham video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNCnxA91fHE

Q:  Since God has made himself known to all, does this minimize the importance of missionaries?

Absolutely not!  It’s MUCH easier to understand salvation through specific revelation (the Bible).  Otherwise, God would not give us the Bible.  Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17).  So when we hear the full message, it helps people have faith in God through Jesus Christ.

Q:  Is it possible for a believer to intentionally choose “big” sin (i.e. divorce or unfaithfulness) and ultimately have peace, even if not in same marriage?

Yes, but s/he has to work through a TON of guilt and regret – and most people never do.

Q: Why can’t I embrace Jesus and Oprah?

I’ve always felt that Oprah gave fairly good advice, but (for me) she ‘jumped the shark’ when she started talking about The Secret.  When she entered the world of spiritual adviser, I turned her off.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions from yesterday.  Join the discussion and post them in the comments.

Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived.  The first century soldiers who executed criminals knew this all too well.  They crucified the dregs of society and saw evil spew out of these criminals, even as they gasped their last breath.  That’s why Jesus shocked them.  Even as He was dying, the Fruit of the Spirit radiated through him.  That’s why one of the guards watching Jesus said, “Surely this man was the Son of God.”

Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived.  Randy Jones lived a humble, joy-filled life, oozing God all over people.  Randy was far from perfect, but he was forgiven and grateful for it… even when he took his last breath.

What about you?  As you think about Easter, what are you grateful for?   There’s one word that jumps off the page at me when I think of what I’m grateful for at Easter.  I’ll share it in tomorrow’s blog.  In the meantime, keep blogging your thoughts…