Q: “I know the Scriptures teach that Jesus was sinless, but could he have sinned if he had chosen to do so?
A: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:14-15). Jesus was tempted, but he did not sin. Could He have sinned? I find it difficult to believe that Jesus would understand the problem of our sin if He could not have sinned. Yes, I believe He could have sinned.

Q: I’m anxious about the future, what shall I do?
A: You are speaking about a common problem of our time about which we need to think. A person who is not a Christian has great cause for anxiety as he or she should be desperately afraid of the future. The Scripture says that “God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). The proper attitude for a sinner is anxiety and this will continue until he or she believes the Gospel and comes to Christ.

One who is a Christian, however, is told, “Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6,7). For the Christian then, the solution to anxiety is earnest prayer that is followed by thanksgiving for divine deliverence. This, to the committed Christian, will produce “the peace of God” and this is wonderful beyond description. It is a mistake to try to solve any problem without God. It is the beginning of wisdom to trust God and look for His guidance into a solution for you.

Q: How can I live above the level of fear and desperation?
A: This should certainly be the goal of every Christian. Notice that once the Bible gives us the cure for anxiety it gives us the key to sustained confidence and peace of mind: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). We tend to become like the object of our contemplation, which is the reason we are commanded to practice higher thinking. Too many believers live small lives because they have not learned to think like Christians. Yes, it is possible to be saved but to come short of Christian thinking. This is why the Scripture tells us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

Q: I have committed my life to Christ, can I now expect to go to heaven?
A: Sure, you can go to heaven, but not because you have “made a commitment to Christ.” It is inexact, misleading preaching that says, come and make your commitment and you will be saved.

The fact is that we are not saved by our commitment to Christ, but by His death on the cross for us. The precise way in which we are saved is that we are saved by faith in His blood. In salvation we receive a free gift of eternal life.

Now, to the saved, an invitation is extended for a commitment. Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). The people who were invited to present their bodies were already brethren. We need millions of committed Christians in today’s world, but first we must trust in Christ and the finished work of the cross in order to be born again. The Gospel is not what we can do for God, but what Christ has done for us by His death, His burial and resurrection.

Q: What then should I aspire to accomplish for Christ?
A: Notice that the words describing the commands of Christ to us are active ones. He says, “Go,” “Do,” “Preach.” I would therefore strongly suggest an active initiative in working for Christ. Do not wait necessarily for some golden moment in the future, but the opportunity is now. The very problems of our world are now creating an ever-growing thirst for those with an answer from the Bible. As a believer, you possess that answer and you are called upon to bring that answer in the midst of these days of great opportunity.