Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the world so messed up?
Let’s face it. The world is messed up. God did not intend it to be this way. He created the first humans in a perfect world to be in a relationship with Him. However, He created every person with independence regarding their relationship with Him, and they chose to reject Him and His principles for their relationship with Him and each other. This is called sin, and through it, humanity fell from their intended relationship with God, and in bondage to sin (Romans 3:23).
How can I be forgiven of my sin?
Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. In ancient times, the blood of animals was offered, but it only foreshadowed the blood of the true Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. It was through His shed blood and death on the cross that forgiveness of sins and reconciliation to God is obtained. This is the gospel, or “good news.” The gospel is not a universal acquittal for everyone. It is received by anyone who repents (i.e., is sorrowful) of their sins, believes and trusts that Jesus was God’s Son and His death on the cross atones (i.e. makes amends) for their sins and reconciles them to God. By this faith and trust in Jesus our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God (see John 1:12, Ephesians 2:8-9).
How do I mature spiritually?
Spiritual maturation does not occur by our self-efforts to follow God’s precepts and commandments. Spiritual maturation comes from a right relationship with the God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. When someone places their faith in Jesus Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:13). It is a person’s relationship in their union with Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit that matures them spiritually (see 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Increasingly following God’s commands does not bring about Christ-likeness, it is a result of it.
What are good fruit?
Good fruit are the inward characteristics and outward actions the Holy Spirit induces in a Christ-follower as they grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 13).
Why did Jesus come to earth?
Human beings did not just fall from their initial state in creation with estrangement from God, God is just and must punish sin. The punishment was more than physical death. It is also spiritual death (see Romans 6:23). But God loved humanity so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to buy them out of this death sentence and reconcile them to a right relationship with Him (see John 3:16).
Once I place my faith in Jesus Christ, what am I supposed to do?
Jesus’s calling on His disciples was, “Follow Me.” By this He was calling us to become like Him in every way (i.e., Christ’s likeness). A disciple is a learner through being an apprentice. Jesus calls every one of His followers to become like Him to be His aroma and ambassadors in a fallen world in a ministry of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
What is “good soil”?
The good soil was used in the parable Jesus taught on the sower of seed (see Matthew 13:1-23). The seed represents the gospel message. In the parable, the seed fell on four types of soil. Only in the good soil did the seed prosper, take root, and bear fruit. Therefore, the good soil is a gospel-transformed heart that allows the Holy Spirit to mature a person spiritually and bear the fruit for which they were created (see Matthew 13:23, Ephesians 2:10).
Isn’t salvation by faith alone? Why then the emphasis on producing good fruit?
Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and not by good works (i.e. good fruit). While we are not saved by good works, we are saved to do good works which glorify God (see John 15:8, Ephesians 2:10). In other words, we are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works.