Do true Christians still sin?

January 28, 2025 By Andrew Farley

Quick Answer: Do true Christians still sin? Some wrongly claim that Christians no longer commit sins. However, Scripture is clear that Christians can and do still sin. Our confidence should not be in the illusion of sinless performance but in the forgiveness and righteousness we’ve been given freely by God’s grace. Diving Deeper: Some Christians claim believers no longer commit sins. Yet, this does not stand up to the scrutiny of Scripture. Some argue that Romans 5:12-14 means sin was non-existent... Read more

Did Paul’s Romans 7 struggle happen before salvation?

January 21, 2025 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: Did Paul’s Romans 7 struggle happen before or after salvation? Some teach that Romans 7 is a description of Paul’s struggle as a believer. From there, they conclude that any true and consistent victory over sin on this side of heaven is unlikely. However, context makes it clear that Paul was referring to his attempts at keeping the Law before his conversion. In Romans 7, Paul is describing the normal Law-centered life, but not the normal Christ-centered life. Diving... Read more

How do I say “no” to sin?

January 14, 2025 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: How do I say “no” to sin? We believers say “no” to sin by recognizing sinful thoughts do not come from us and that sin has no power over us (Romans 6:11-12). When sinful thoughts or temptations come our way, we can make the conscious decision to count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. In this way, we express our genuine self (the new self) and we express Jesus at the same time. Diving Deeper: Saying “no”... Read more

What does “take every thought captive” mean?

January 7, 2025 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: What does “take every thought captive” mean? There are many false teachings that go against the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24). In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, we’re told to combat these false teachings by taking every thought captive. We’re invited to make every thought obedient to Christ. This means we make the conscious decision to reject lies and embrace the truth of God’s grace. This keeps the finished work of Christ in focus in our attitudes and belief systems. Diving... Read more

What is God’s will for your life?

December 31, 2024 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: “Are you in God’s will? Are you making sure to stay in God’s will? You don’t want to fall out of God’s will!” It’s this sort of teaching that can really paralyze a person. What is God’s will for your life? Scripture actually tells us! God’s will is that we give thanks, talk to our Heavenly Father, and bear the fruit of the Spirit. In short, God’s will is knowing and expressing Jesus. And there’s no falling in and... Read more

How can you hear from God?

December 24, 2024 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: How can you hear from God? While some claim to hear audibly from God, the New Testament never says we’ll hear from Him in this way. Instead, it encourages us that we are in union with Christ and can walk by faith in Him (1 Corinthians 6:17; Galatians 2:20). God’s Spirit communicates with us through the new, obedient heart and new spirit He has given us (2 Peter 1:3-4; Hebrews 8:8-12; John 4:24). Diving Deeper: In the Old Testament,... Read more

What does it mean to continue or endure?

December 17, 2024 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: What does it mean to continue or endure? What if we don’t continue in the faith? Will we lose our salvation? Passages that speak of the need to “continue” or “hold fast” are addressed to those who are not yet saved and still need to continue hearing and believing until they take in the whole message of the Gospel. At some point, if they do continue, each will be born again. Once saved, we can do nothing to maintain... Read more

Why does James 2 say we’re justified by works?

December 10, 2024 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: Why does James 2 say we’re justified by works? While many believe James 2 teaches salvation by doing good works, this is not what the passage means. James is actually saying we’re saved by a living faith that involves the one-time decision to open the door of our lives to Jesus Christ (just like Rahab opened the door for the spies) and to offer ourselves to God (just like Abraham offered Isaac). This “living faith” that saves is... Read more

Does a person need to be water baptized to be saved?

December 3, 2024 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: Does a person need to be water baptized to be saved? What exactly is the purpose of baptism? While some teach that water baptism is necessary for salvation, Scripture makes the opposite claim – that it is not water baptism but spiritual baptism into the resurrection of Christ that actually saves (1 Peter 3:23). Furthermore, the Apostle Paul states that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17) – an odd statement... Read more

If Jesus died for everyone, is everyone saved?

November 3, 2024 By Andrew Farley

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Quick Answer: If Jesus died for everyone, is everyone saved? Scripture is clear that those who reject the Gospel (unbelievers) are not saved and remain unforgiven and unrighteous in God’s eyes. Diving Deeper: The idea that the whole world is saved (universal salvation) is popular today, but Scripture does not support it. Below are a few examples from the Bible where we see that a certain group (unbelievers) will perish, be punished, or never experience life with God. 2 Corinthians 2:15-16... Read more