might refer to so called ‘mercy kill ings’?” A. Ecclesiastes is a book which re veals man’s thinking without the benefit of divine revelation. God’s Word shows here what goes on in the mind of an unbelieving man. This is a book of maxims and human reasonings. For everything there is a reason, a time, and a purpose. The killing would refer to that which is inherently destructive or injurious to man. For instance, there is a time to kill a snake. It is always impor tant to note carefully the context. Mercy killing or euthanasia is not mentioned in Scripture. Even the best of medical opinion today does not stand behind this hypothesis. Life and death ultimately are in the hands of our sovereign God. Q. Richmond, Calif. — “Will you please explain Matthew 6:9? It seems that we need to pray only our Lord’s prayer." A. If one prayed the Lord’s prayer sincerely in his heart, it would be wonderful to be sure. All too fre quently the congregation repeats
All our sins were placed on Christ when He died on Calvary. We need to remember, too, that we will yet meet judgment. This, however, will not be for our sins, but for rewards (II Cor. 5:1-10). There is also a present judgment that we might be kept clean before the Lord. An example is mentioned in I Corinthi ans 11 in reference to the Lord’s table. Sometimes God has to bring severe chastisement to the life of the believer. In Hebrews we read that all of God’s children go through a certain amount of chastening. If we didn’t, then we would have to con clude that we are illegitimate sons. Here Peter is speaking of the judgment of God not for sins but for cleansing. If God will not over look sin in the household of faith, He certainly is not going to overlook it among those who have never placed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Q. San Luis Obispo, Calif. — “Could a person have a gift of the Spirit and still not have the fruit of the Spir it?” A. Galatians 5:22 gives us a listing of the fruits of the Spirit. These are the graces which we as Chris tians are to manifest for the Lord. To be sure, the Lord has given vari ous gifts such as teachers and preachers. There is a difference, however, between “fruit” and “gift.” Fruit-bearing is not activity, but is rather the product of a right rela tionship with the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are saved we have the Holy Spirit indwelling our hearts. The ex tent of the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit’s power is determined by the degree to which we allow Him to completely control us. “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” Q. Porterville, Calif — “Will you please explain Ecclesiastes 3 :3, which states that there is ‘a time to kill and a time to heal.’ Is it possible that this
Dr. Arvid F. Carlson, a 1939 graduate of Biota and pastor of the Evangelical Free Church of Orange, Calif., teaches a class every Monday evening at Blolaas a part of the Scripture Press Leadership Training In stitute. Nearly 300 people have been attend ing classes for Christian laymen held on the Campus. Biola also maintains an evening school at its historic downtown Los Angeles location.
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