Approved to God

Scripture reveals one God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Not three gods, but one divine essence shared by three distinct Persons. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God. They are coequal and coeternal, acting inseparably in creation, redemption, and providence. We receive this truth humbly because God has spoken; we worship the Father through the Son by the Spirit, just as Jesus taught and the apostles confessed. See Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14. A great resource here would be A.W. Tozer’s “Knowledge of the Holy”

I personally have struggled with this when tragedy struck our family. My answer conforms to that of scripture: Yes. God does all that He pleases, and His purposes cannot fail; at the same time He is perfectly righteous, wise, and kind. Scripture shows God turning evil for good without being the author of sin. God does not promise us a good life but he does promise to work all things together for the good (conforming us to Christ) of those who love Him and for His glory. His sovereignty is not cold fate but a warm, wise rule that anchors our hope in every circumstance. See Psalm 115:3; Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28–30. Read about our journey from grief to understanding and acceptance of God’s sovereign will in the series: “Trusting God in the Storm”

At the cross God displayed holy justice by condemning sin and steadfast love by providing a substitute. Jesus bore our guilt so that God that we could be reconciled to Him through faith in Jesus. The result: wrath satisfied, mercy extended, righteousness credited. At the cross we see God’s character most clearly: Justice satisfied and our salvation secured through His love. See Romans 3:26; 1 John 4:9–10; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

We cannot exhaust God’s greatness as He is infinite. One might think this would make God unknowable, but we can know Him because He has made Himself known in creation, through Scripture, and supremely through His Son. In John 14:7 Jesus says: “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.” As we look on Christ He makes the Father known. He delights to be known by the humble who boast not in themselves but in understanding and knowing Him. See Jeremiah 9:23–24; John 17:3.

We believe it because Scripture plainly presents God creating by His word in six days and resting the seventh, a pattern later grounding the weekly Sabbath. The text reads as real history with evening and morning markers; God does not need vast ages to accomplish His will. While Christians debate the age of the earth and the length of the “days”, a straightforward reading affirms God’s direct, purposeful creation of all things out of nothing. It is far more important to recognize God as creator and Adam and Eve as real historical parents of the human race than quibble about how long a day is in Genesis 1. The fact exists that the world displays design and order that reflect His wisdom. Faith receives His testimony as true. See Genesis 1–2; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:3.

No. The Bible treats these events as real history with theological meaning. Later Scripture anchors doctrine and chronology in them; Jesus and the apostles refer to Adam, Noah, the flood, and the dispersion as actual events, not fables. The flood narrative includes dates, durations, and geography. Genealogies bridge the chapters leading up to Abraham, rooting them in history. These accounts explain why the world is as it is: our origin under God, the universality of sin and judgment. The show God’s mercy of salvation through the flood in a God-provided ark, and the spread of nations after Babel. We should read them as true, God-given history. That is how Jesus read them. See Genesis 1–11; Matthew 19:4–6; 24:37–39; Luke 17:26–27; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5; 3:5–7.

Being made in God’s image means every person has inherent dignity, moral responsibility, and a calling to reflect God’s character in the world. We are created to know Him, represent Him, and steward His creation under His rule. He made us male and female together as a display His design. This grounds the value of all human life from conception to natural death and shapes how we treat our neighbor with honor and compassion. See Genesis 1:26–28; Psalm 8.

Adam’s sin brought guilt, corruption, and death into the human family. We are born with in sin already in us. Our natural inclination is to move away from God. As a result we cannot approach God or come into His Holy presence. Equally we are completely unable to save ourselves – Paul says that all creation itself groans under the curse. Yet God promised a Redeemer, and in Christ the curse is answered with grace, forgiveness, and new life by the Spirit. See Genesis 3; Romans 5:12–19; Ephesians 2:1–3. If you want to know how to enter into new life in Christ see our article “How to Trust God and be Saved”.

God’s good design gives equal dignity with distinct, complementary roles in the home and the church. Marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman that pictures Christ and the church. God designed sexual activity within that covenant for our joy and protection. Embracing God’s design brings clarity and blessing in a confused age and guards the family as the foundation of society and a basic gift of creation. See Genesis 1:27; 2:18–25; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33.

Work is not a curse; it is part of God’s original plan. God prescribed work to Adam and Eve in the garden. We labor as unto the Lord, seeking to do good, tell the truth, create value, and love our neighbor. We should work at our tasks for His glory, whether paid or unpaid. We rest weekly, refuse dishonest gain, and see every vocation as a platform for witness and service to Christ. See Genesis 2:15; Colossians 3:23–24; Ephesians 4:28.

Election means God chose us in Christ before we could choose Him, before the foundations of the world were laid. His choice was not based on our works or our potential. It was based on His grace and purpose. This humbles our pride and steadies our hearts. Our salvation rests on God’s mercy, not our performance. That is good news for sinners who would never chose Him. See Ephesians 1:3–6; Romans 9:11–16.

Justification is God declaring a guilty sinner right in His eyes. It is a legal term. He does this on the basis of Christ’s obedience and blood. We receive this verdict by faith, not by works. Christ is our righteousness. Faith unites us to Him. The boast is gone. Peace with God as in the Garden is restored. See Romans 3:21–28; Galatians 2:16.

Justification is a once-for-all verdict. It changes our status. Sanctification is an ongoing work. It changes our character. God sets us apart in Christ, then grows us in holiness by the Spirit. We fight sin. We pursue obedience. We stumble and repent. Over time, He makes us more like Jesus. See 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 10:10, 14.

Yes. Jesus keeps His sheep. No one can snatch them from His hand. The Father completes what He begins. The Holy Spirit seals believers for the day of redemption and is Himself the guarantee of our inheritance. God preserves us, and we persevere. Real faith endures through trials and bears fruit. Our hope rests in God’s faithful promise, not our strength. See John 10:27–29; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:13–14; 4:30.

No. Jesus called wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, and turmoil “the beginning of birth pains.” These signs remind us that history is moving toward His return, but they are not the final contractions yet. We should be alert, but also steady. The specific end-times judgments described in Revelation are far more comprehensive and unmistakable. Our comfort is this: Christ is on the throne. He knows the times and seasons. He calls us to faithfulness, prayer, gospel witness, and endurance while we wait. Do not be alarmed. Lift your eyes. Our redemption draws near. See Matthew 24:6–8; Luke 21:28; Revelation 1:17–18. Want to learn more? Read out article “10 Reasons to Know the Tribulation has not Begun”

Jesus will return personally, visibly, and in glory. No one knows the day or hour. So we watch, work, and stay ready. His coming brings resurrection, reward, and judgment. It also brings final rescue for His people. This is our blessed hope, not a vague wish. See Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Titus 2:13; Matthew 24:36–44.

The millennium refers to Christ’s promised reign on earth. It will be a period of righteous rule that fulfills God’s covenant promises to Israel and brings worldwide peace and justice. Isaiah pictures a restored world with healed creation, nations streaming to Zion, and the knowledge of the Lord covering the earth as waters cover the sea. It is a period of one thousand years of the visible reign of Christ which will vindicates God’s name. During this period we will see God blesses the nations through His chosen people Israel and His Bride the Church. This gives hope in a broken world. Evil will not have the last word. See Isaiah 2:2–4; 11:1–10; 65:17–25; Revelation 20:1–6.

God will make all things new. The curse will be gone. No more death, mourning, crying, or pain. We will dwell with God, see His face, and serve Him with joy. Creation will be free and flourishing under Christ’s rule. This is the home we long for. See Revelation 21–22; 2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:18–25.

Believers go to be with Christ. To be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord. This is better by far. Yet it is still not the end. We wait for the resurrection of the body and the renewal of all things. Death is defeated, and life with Christ continues. See 2 Corinthians 5:6–8; Philippians 1:21–23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

God will judge the living and the dead through Jesus Christ. Every deed and word will be exposed. Those in Christ are saved by grace, and their works will be tested as evidence of faith. Those who reject the gospel face righteous condemnation. God’s verdict will be perfect, public, and forever just. See Revelation 20:11–15; Romans 2:5–11; Acts 17:30–31. Read our article “Do not get These two Things Wrong” to learn more.

Yes. Scripture hints at personal continuity and recognition among the redeemed. The disciples recognized the risen Jesus. Peter, James, and John recognized Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration. Our fellowship will be fuller, not less. See Matthew 17:1–8; Luke 24:36–43; 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20.

No. Boredom comes from emptiness and limits. Heaven is fullness and ever-increasing joy in the presence of the infinite God. We will see His face, worship without distraction, serve with perfect purpose, and reign with Christ in a renewed creation. No sin. No decay. No frustration. Only holy work, real relationships, rich discovery, and unbroken communion with the Lord. The glory of God is inexhaustible, so our wonder will never run out. See Revelation 21–22; Psalm 16:11; Revelation 22:3–5.

God commands prayer and delights to work through it. Prayer is how children come to their Father. It shapes our hearts, aligns our wills, and brings real help from His hand. He ordains both the ends and the means. So we ask, seek, and knock with confidence. See Matthew 6:8–9; Matthew 7:7–11; James 4:2.

Jesus taught his disciples to pray using what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” found in Matthew 6:9-13. He did not intend it to be prayed word for word, but rather it should be a pattern for prayer. Start with God’s name, His kingdom, and His will. Then bring daily needs. Confess sins (1 John 1:9) to restore your relationship to God and finally ask Him to help you resist temptations. Begin basically and Pray it slowly. Expand each line with your own words. Let it train your priorities and keep your prayers balanced and God-centered. See Matthew 6:9–13.

Unconfessed sin. Selfish motives. Harshness and unforgiving spirit toward others. Doubt that refuses to trust God’s character. Neglect of God’s Word. These choke prayer and quench joy. Keep short accounts – be willing to forgive easily. Walk in the light of God’s Word, and pray in faith according to His will. See Psalm 66:18; James 4:3; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 5:14–15.

Come honestly. Groan if you must. The Spirit helps our weakness and intercedes for us. Remember that Christ was human and knows our weaknesses. Open the Psalms and pray what others have prayed for thousands of years before you. Ask others to pray with you. Short prayers are fine. God wants to be our strength when we are weak so keep coming to the throne of grace for mercy and seek His strength. See Romans 8:26–27; Psalm 62:8; Hebrews 4:14–16.