one transgresses these w ithou t harm to himself. Our aim should be that of Scripture, “That what soever you do in word or deed, do all to' the glory of God.” Any thing that would bring reproach on the name or be contrary to purity in thought and act, should be avoided wherever you are. There should be certain guidelines, not just superimposed from above, but be first of all realized in dedi cated hearts. Avoid every appear ance of evil! Q. Santa Cruz, Calif. — “Who cre ated the devil? Is our sinful na ture the devil w ithin us?” A. In the final analysis, God cre ated all beings. The Lord didn’t create him as the devil (Ezk. 38: 12-15). Satan was originally cre ated as an angel of light, but he fell because of pride and a choice to walk in iniquity (Isaiah 7). As far as our sinful nature is con cerned, we must remember that all men are born sinners. Satan does continually seek to tempt us. How ever, for him to be successful, it does mean a receptivity of heart on our part. “Kesist the devil, and he will flee from you . . . draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:7-8). Q. Fresno, Calif. — “Did Paul go against God’s will when he insist ed on going to Jerusalem, though ivamed not to in Acts 20:21?” A. Bible teachers sometimes are divided on this point. There are good men on both sides. There are those who declare that Paul al lowed his love for people to over ride what was the evident will of God. Keep in mind, however, that God is sovereign, true, and just. This may have not been in the Lord’s directive will but it was in His permissive will. On page 1195 of the New Scofield Reference
Bible we have the note that Paul’s motive in going to Jerusalem seems to have been his great af fection for the Jews. He hoped that the gift the Gentile church sent to him by a saint to Jerusa lem would open the hearts of the law-bound Jewish believers to the Gospel of the grace of God. He did get to Rome. From that great cen ter of events of the known world, the blessed Gospel spread so that in Colossians, we read that the Good News was preached to every nation under heaven in the first century. Q. Los Angeles, Calif. — “Why do so many fine Christians put jobs and other things before Christ?" A. Perhaps it is because of our own sinful nature which we allow to have control. In too many sel fish instances we give the Lord second place. There are some jobs, to be sure, which may require Sunday work. People sometimes say that it is a sin to work on the Lord’s day, and yet, after a morning service, they will go out and eat in a restaurant. By doing this they make someone else work in their behalf. It doesn’t seem very consistent. “W ill y o u please explain John 20:23? There are some who apply this to priests ivho claim ability to forgive sins. We believe only God can forgive sins?” A. You are absolutely correct. Only God can forgive sin because sin is always only against God! “Against Thee and Thee only have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy sight,” says the Psalm ist. God can forgive sin because He has made th e p rov ision through Christ. Take this passage in connection with Matthew 16: 19 and 18:18. Here, if a certain Q. Shatter, Calif. —
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