GOD TALK©
......backslider... public prayer... healing... forgiveness...
Vol. 4, Issue 2
April 24, 2001
Questions and answers about "God stuff"!
With Pastor Joe L. Brown
Snail-mail: Pastor Joe L. Brown; Heritage Bible Church, 2323 Mt. Vernon Ave.,
Bakersfield, CA 93306; USA
OK, I've gotten behind on GOD TALK©. Thanks for all the reminders. Please
forgive me. So, in an effort to "catch up", I'll address four questions
instead of the usual three. I'll also edit your questions more, trying to
condense and keep them short. I'll do my best to remain true to the original
intent.
Q. Hi! I have a friend who got saved a while ago, but now says he wants to do
what he wants without feeling guilty. (He didn't mean like bad things like
sex or anything like that, because he's not like that) How do I help him get
back on track in his spiritual life? He used to be SO on fire for God, but
now he has definitely backslidden! Please help! (Nina)
A. Dear Nina, smack him! Use a huge family Bible and whack some sense into
his brainless head! Of course I'm kidding, but sometimes, don't you just want
to do something like that! It may do more good than anything else with some
people. Keep praying for him and reminding him of that fire he once had.
Don't be afraid of hurting his feelings or losing his friendship. If he
continues down that path, he won't be your friend anyway. And be sure he
knows that although he might not feel guilt for the present, he'll certainly
feel sorry later. (Ps. 38:2-6)
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Q. What do you think of enforced prayer in public schools? What about praying
with non-believers? (FiLiaduLosDei)
A. Dear Fili, it happens all the time. Whenever there's a surprise test or
mid-term papers due, prayer is everywhere in public schools. But I guess you
mean like making kids say something like the Lord's Prayer. I think everyone
would benefit if students and teachers memorized certain prayers and
Scriptures. But it's just recitation. You could never enforce real prayer. As
for praying with non-believers, I think it's great! After all, most former
non-believers became believers while praying with believers.
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Q. Hey Joe, I have heard many preachers and evangelists say that healing is
guaranteed to all believers, by such scriptures as Isaiah 53:5. I want to
say up front that I absolutely believe that God still physically heals people
who have faith in Him. However, I find it a little frustrating when I hear
that if a Christian does not experience a physical healing of a disease or
illness, then he or she did not have enough faith. This issue is a sensitive
one for me because my grandmother recently died after a very painful battle
with cancer. She was surrounded by Christians who were believing God for her
healing. Although we never saw the physical manifestation of her healing, I
believe that she did experience healing in the most marvelous way possible --
she is now completely whole, in the presence of God himself, face to face
with Him! People should not think that if they have an illness and have not
been healed, that there is something lacking in their faith. I believe that
God allows infirmities sometimes to teach us, correct us, and bring us closer
to Him. (MonyLuv20)
A. Dear Mony, what question? Well-said.
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Q. I know the bible says to forgive seventy times 7......but does that
automatically mean you have to resume your normal friendship with someone
once you forgive them? Should things remain normal or can you still distance
yourself?
-lauren
A. Dear Lauren, forgiving doesn't always mean forgetting. In personal
relationships, it usually means not wanting revenge or repayment. If someone
steals from you, don't demand repayment. But you would be foolish to trust
them with your wallet.
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©2001 Joe L. Brown
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In the last issue of GOD TALK©, I asked this question: If a friend is doing
some bad things, should you tell on him? Why and when?
Two responses...
Whoa. My answer is going to be really controversial. I would say "no."
Maintaining and being true to a friend's trust and my trust in God to follow
his principles, regardless of what I think might happen or not happen. ...it
is a symptom of feeling deeply hurt and angry. Merely passing the buck and
ratting the person out will not solve the problem. Only God can heal these
problems; and some person with a piece of paper, or a position, is no more
capable of solving it than you are; we are all instruments. and the simple
fact of friendship makes you more qualified than anyone. I would say talk to
them. don't condemn them. Ask them why they feel like that, help them explore
their feelings; shine light on the thoughts behind these feelings. True
Light eradicates darkness; but flaming self-righteousness of the breath of
hell. (Whune)
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Like most controversial questions, it depends. If I had to choose between yes
and no, then I would choose no. People threaten harmful and dangerous things
all the time. Heck, I even tell my friends that I am going to "kick their
a**" whenever I get annoyed with them. Should we call the cops every time we
hear this? When would they have time for real crime? Is our country going to
turn into a society of informers because a couple of kids shot at their
schools? Would it have been prevented if they were reported ahead of time?
Who knows? If they knew that they would be reported to authorities for merely
mentioning a thing like that, are we foolish enough to think that they still
would have told anyone? I think it is the ones that don't say anything are
the ones who do the most damage. If one truly thinks that harm is inevitable,
then yes I think that they should tell. Just remember, however, if you tell
the cops or a teacher then they must do what they are required to do. They
will contact all the necessary authorities and all kinds of investigations
will be conducted and that kid's record and life are ruined forever. That is
just the way our society works; therefore, I would tell his parents first
(with the assumption that they are responsible people). (COMPOTENT)
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Now for this issue's question submitted by GOD TALK© reader Prinith: Are
there any areas of work where Christians should not work?
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When sending questions, please sign with a (nick-name) and your age. I don't
like to publish your real name or e-mail address because I want to protect
your privacy. And knowing your age simply helps me respond better. Thanks for
sending your questions and reading GOD TALK©. I hope you were challenged and
blessed.
In His service and by your side,
Joe <'////><
