Question: “There is a lot of romance on our university campus. I believe romancing my sweetie is not a blueprint commandment. Who defines the extent of our physical relationships? I understand ‘no sex before marriage,’ but my problem is whether it is a sin to touch my girl friend (to a predetermined level).”

Answer: “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-9, NIV).

Now this question brings a smile to my face, because I know it touches on the very practical issue of relationships that grabs the interest of young people in every generation. In answer to this question I would ask you, “is it a sin to touch another man’s wife in an inappropriate way?” Whatever physical contact is inappropriate toward another man’s wife is also inappropriate towards your girlfriend, because until she is actually your wife, she is the potential wife of someone else. This applies also to young ladies.

As far as a “predetermined level” of touching, I know from personal experience how difficult it can be for a couple, especially the male, to hold back once physical contact begins. My wife and I did not engage in any physical contact at all until we were engaged to be married. We did not even hold hands. And I remember that when we began to hold hands and kiss after we were engaged, it was much more difficult for us to be morally faithful to God. It just makes sense that we will have more control over our bodies sexually if we hold back from physical touch as much as possible when we are just girlfriend and boyfriend. This will also give us clearer and better mental discernment and not allow our emotions, based on physical appeal to overrule our sense of judgment as we move forward in our relationship. In this way we can avoid making major mistakes in the choice of a life partner (see Judges 14:1-3).

                                                                                                                                                                   Question: “Most Adventists argue on the issue of eating meat. Some claim to base the argument from Mrs. White and they say that even they that eat meat will not enter into heaven. How come God created the animals when we’re not allowed to eat the meat?”

Answer: “Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food” (Genesis 1:29, NIV).

There will need to be some points of clarification to this question.

1)    The first point needing clarification is that “most Adventists” do not argue against meat eating; this is because most Adventists eat meat.

2)    Second, Mrs. White encouraged people to move away from eating meat for health and spiritual reasons, but she did not regard meat-eating as a sin. For example: “I advise every Sabbath-keeping canvasser to avoid meat eating, not because it is regarded as sin to eat meat, but because it is not healthful. The animal creation is groaning” 0277790139 (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 16, 1889). Jesus ate meat, but He was not a sinner (see Luke 24:42, 43).

3)    And finally, there will be many people in heaven who ate meat. Mrs. White ate meat for many years of her life. At the same time, many will lose heaven because meat eating became their god and it led them to turn away from God (see 1 Corinthians 10:5-11; Numbers 11:4, 33). The issue here is temperance and keeping our bodies as the temple of God by eating the best food we can for God’s glory rather than making our bellies a god (see 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 10:31; Philippians 3:19).

With that clarification let’s address the question. God created the animals to be our companions not to be killed for food. Death was not God’s plan for creation, for it is an enemy of God (see 1 Corinthians 15:26). God loves and cares for all His creation, even the animals (Luke 12:6). God allowed us to eat clean animals after the flood, when most vegetation was destroyed (see Genesis 7:2), but when God makes this planet new again there will be no more death in all the creation including animals (see Revelation 21:1-4; Isaiah 11:6-9). And in these last days when disease is so prevalent in animals [bird flu, mad cow disease, etc], God is encouraging us to return to the Genesis diet of fruits, nuts, grains and vegetables in order secure optimum health. 

                                                                                                                                                                    Question: “Martin Luther protested from the Catholic faith. For Methodists do not drink or repent to a priest, but they worship God. What is wrong with this church? I believe they are God’s people too.” 

Answer: “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’ And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues’” (Revelation 18:1-4, NKJV).

“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16, NKJV).

According to these Scriptures, God has His faithful people in every fold and church. However, many of these churches have become confused about what the Bible teaches and are not worshiping God according to the teaching of Scripture. God is calling His people who hear His voice through His Word, to come out of this confusion (Babylon), religious confusion about the truth of God’s word and into one fold or church. That church or fold would be the one that is in harmony with the Word of God. This is why I left the Catholic church, then the Pentecostal church and finally a non-denominational church to become a Seventh-day Adventist.

God’s people are in every church today, so yes Methodists and Catholics are God’s people, but God is calling His people together into one church so that they will worship Him in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Whatever church teaches the truth of the Bible and worships in the Spirit of God is the church God is calling us into.  

                                                                                                                                                                   Question: “Pastor!! Tell the truth, what will happen to us Catholics who have heard the truth but still want to go back to our church?”

Answer: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:5-12, NKJV).

While the worship days and foods of these Scriptures are dealing primarily with ceremonial types, the principle taught here is applicable to this question. One day we will have to give an account of ourselves to God. Then He, who alone can read the heart will judge the decision of everyone individually based upon whether or not we were honest with Him. Whether we were persuaded of the truth and chose not to follow it, only God can truly discern. We cannot judge one another, but only try to help each other to know Christ as our personal Savior and friend. He is my very best friend and it is my hope that Jesus Christ will be your very best friend too. I am fully convinced from the Word of God that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, which is the seventh day or Saturday, and I choose to worship Him on the day of which He is Lord.  

                                                                                                                                                                    Question: Looking at 1 Timothy 4:3, does it clash with Ellen G. White’s teachings on health reform?

Answer: “And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food’” (Genesis 1:29, NKJV).

This verse in Genesis indicates that God’s originally plan for our food was a vegetarian diet. 1 Timothy 4 when studied carefully is actually encouraging us to get back to God’s original diet:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith [God’s Word, Romans 10:17], giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (verse 1);

“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (verse 2);

 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain [hold oneself off, refrain] from meat [foods], which God hath created [fabricated, founded, (formed originally)] to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth (verse 3).

“For every creature {original formation, product (created thing)} of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving” (verse 4):

“For it is sanctified {consecrated} by the word of God and prayer” (verse 5).

Each of the bolded words are taken from the Greek New Testament translation of the original words. The food that God original created for us to be received with thanksgiving and prayer, the food that is consecrated by God’s Word is found in Genesis 1:29. After the flood God permitted mankind to eat flesh food, but it was not part of God’s original diet and we will not be eating animals in heaven because there will be no more death (see Revelation 22:4). Everything God originally created for food (the Genesis diet) is good and nothing to be refused so don’t hold yourself from it, especially in these last days when disease in animals is so prevalent.

Therefore, since Ellen G. White’s writing are a lesser light pointing toward the greater light of the Word of God, her teachings on health reform would be in harmony with these Scriptures. (For a more detailed study on this you may go to our free downloads on our web site (lbm.org) and look for the Bible Study 101 outlines).  

                                                                                                                                                                      Question:  “Why do people close their eyes when praying, is it biblical?

Answer: “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until he has mercy upon us (Psalm 123: 1, 2, NRSV).

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13, KJV).

The first Scripture indicates that our eyes should look to God; the second verse, that we are not worthy to look to God. When we close our eyes in prayer we recognize our unworthiness, like the publican. We also free ourselves from any distractions so that our minds can be focused on looking to God as indicated in the first Scripture. 

                                                                                                                                                                      Question: “Pastor what do you say about the wearing of treasures (jewelry) and the braiding of hair?”

Answer: “Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing” (1 Peter 3:3, NRSV).

“Also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God” (1 Timothy 2:9, 10, NRSV).

Both of these Scriptures, in context, contrast the wearing of jewelry with the modest dress of a godly woman—as if the two were in opposition. The book of Revelation does the same thing (compare Revelation 12:1 and Revelation 17:1, 4). God is the source of life, love and eternal happiness. Therefore, the Bible instructs women to adorn themselves in such a way that people are led to reverence God. Jewelry and expensive clothes direct attention to self. Decent, suitable, yet modest clothing are worn by godly woman because they long to live in such a way as to direct attention to God. 

Question: “Pastor—is there anything wrong with sporting activities like soccer?”

Answer: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8, NIV).

This Scripture translation of 1 Timothy 4:8 is comparing physical training with godliness. It indicates that sporting activities have some value. For example, they give us the physical exercise that our bodies need. They offer a needed break from mental activity. They can also help us vent stress and the pent up energy of youth. Yet when compared to godliness, physical exercise is less valuable. Godliness is much more valuable because godliness helps us in this life and the life to come. Sporting activities and godliness is like comparing $20 to $1000, the $20 is valuable, but if we have to choose between the two we would be much wiser to take the $1000. In my personal life, sporting activities have some value. I lift weights, run, play ball and swim. I spend time in physical activities because I know it will benefit my body and mind and I spend even more time in exercising godliness, because I know it will benefit me know and eternally.

                                                                                                                                                                   Question:  Some of my friends said that if we don’t praise God three times a day, that we are not real Christians and we will not be saved in the second coming. Is it true?

Answer:  We cannot limit our praise to God or try to make it fit a certain number of times per day and call this salvation. This is legalism. We are not saved or lost because of how many times a day we praise God. What we want is a relationship with Jesus Christ that brings us into a continual attitude of praise. Praise is a fruit of salvation, it is not the way we are saved. We are not saved by praising God, but rather we praise God because He is our Savior. Praise then is no longer a duty we perform three times a day in order to be saved. It is the continual response of thankfulness to God for His love to us.  

The Continual Sacrifice of Praise

“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15, 16).

In Christ God has given the ultimate sacrifice, the very best, which is to bring forth from us the sacrifice of praise. The more we dwell upon the love of God, the more we realize the gift of heaven, the more continual and spontaneous will be our praise to God. In saying this, Paul is again drawing us to the reality of faith in Jesus from the symbols/types of the earthly sanctuary.

In the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), specifically in Numbers and Leviticus the “daily” (Strong’s #8548) is identified with the earthly sanctuary service. The sacrifices for sin, incense, lamps of light, shewbread and ministration of the priests were all identified as “daily” or “continual” (#8548) aspects of the sanctuary service (Leviticus 6:13; 24:2; Exodus 28:29; 29:42; 30:8; Numbers 4:7).

The earthly sanctuary and its divine ordinances all pointed to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice, incense, light, bread and priest (Hebrews 7:27; Ephesians 5:2; John 1:9; John 6:51; Hebrews 7:24). Therefore the earthly sanctuary was God’s method of pointing us to entire dependence in Him. This is why the same word, “daily,” which means the “continual,” is found throughout the Bible in verses that direct us into close relationship with God. Here are a few examples:

1)    In Psalm 40:16 we are to say “continually [#8548], the Lord be magnified”   

2)    In 1 Chronicles 16:11 God longs for us to “seek His face continually [#8548]” To give Him thanks; make know His deeds among the people; to sing unto him, to glory in God and remember His marvelous works (see 1 Chronicles 16:8-12). 

3)    When we look to God instead of man “His praise shall continually” [#8548] be in our “mouths” according to Psalm 34:1.

4)    God’s “loving-kindness” and “truth” is to “continually [#8548] preserve” us (Psalm 40:11).

5)    And God alone is to be our “strong habitation” where we “continually [#8548] resort” (Psalm 71:3).

The entire sanctuary service was designed to point us to a continual relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior, spiritual lover and best friend. 

                                                                                                                                                                   Question:  “How can we know if we are acting to God’s will? A teacher told me that we cannot know if we are doing right or wrong to His will.”

Answer:  Here we find two opposing religious views. One view says that you can please God and the other says it’s impossible. In the book of Hebrews both of these views are laid out side by side. The deciding factor between the two is faith. Those who have faith move beyond their own doubts and fears and believe what others assume is not possible. One looks to God by faith and says yes, we can know right from wrong. We can live in a way that pleases God. The other looks at self with all its weakness and says no.

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:5, 6).

This same truth is touched upon in the last chapter of Hebrews in relation to having a ‘good conscience’ towards God. 

“Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner” (Hebrews 13:18, 19).

There is probably nothing that brings peace to heart and soul more readily than a conscience that lives honestly before men and God. Amid the turbulent elements that were ever seeking to destroy his labors and life, Paul rejoiced that he was enabled by the grace of God to live according to a good conscience (see 2 Corinthians 1:12). This was his testimony when brought before the enemies of the gospel (see Acts 23:1). Living with a clean conscience gave Paul a powerful testimony because he could speak truthfully to the conscience of every man (see 2 Corinthians 4:2). Conscience is the voice of God to our souls; the co-perception we have with God concerning the truth given to us by the Holy Spirit. The Bible warns us that in the end of time many will depart from the faith and have their conscience “seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1, 2). Yet those who hold fast to the Word of God and choose to honor their conscience, refusing to have it “seared” or compromised can rejoice in the message of the following verses:

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20, 21).