Answers with Chuck Smith

Questions answered with Chuck Smith's own words from his verse-by-verse teaching, set beside the King James text. Each links to his commentary on the passage in the reader.

More from Chuck Smith: his books and commentary.

144 answers. Show all

• Can God forgive adultery and murder?Chuck Smith, The Unpardonable Sin (Matthew 12:22-32): So the unpardonable sin is not adultery. The unpardonable sin is not murder. David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba in trying to cover his sin only compounded it because he had her husband put to death. This is so true, sometimes in seeking to cover our sins only make things worse and we only compound the whole issue. The Bible says that he who seeks to cover his sin shall not prosper but whoever will confess his sin he will be forgiven. David tried to cover it with a murder. And yet the prophet said “God has forgiven your sin.” Scripture, King James Version: Proverbs 28:13, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."; 2 Samuel 12:13, "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do I have to kneel or close my eyes to pray?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 6: Our Relationship with God: “Closet” here means “secret place.” Jesus had a secret place where He went to talk with God. It is important that we also find a quiet place so we will not be distracted from listening to God. We shut the door on the noise outside, and we shut ourselves in with God. We don’t have to pray with closed eyes, folded hands, or kneeling down. Prayer isn’t a position of the body. Some people pray better when they are walking around. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:6, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do I need special words or King James English to pray?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 6: Our Relationship with God: We need to avoid repeating phrases or words, because it makes our minds wander during prayer. God wants our full attention when we converse with Him. We don’t need to use a certain tone of voice for prayer nor do we need to use formal King James English. A normal conversational tone and plain language are fine. Speaking aloud, though not loudly, helps us to keep our minds on what we are saying. It also helps us to verbalize our feelings. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:7, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does "take no thought" mean Christians shouldn't plan for their needs?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 6: Our Relationship with God: “Take no thought” here means “take no anxious thought” or “don’t be worried”. Jesus isn’t suggesting that we do nothing to meet our physical needs, but that we keep our needs in the proper perspective, and trust God rather than worrying about them. We should, “do our best and commit the rest.” Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How do I receive a spiritual gift?Chuck Smith, The Holy Spirit Study Guide, Chapter 25: How to Receive Your Gift of the Spirit: Though the Holy Spirit is sovereign in giving gifts, Paul’s command to “covet [desire] earnestly” the best gifts suggests that we don’t have to be passive. 1. We should actively seek our gift from the Spirit for our ministry within the body. 2. If we wait upon God, put ourselves in a position to receive from Him, and be available for Him to use, He will begin to use us. 3. We will receive our gift from the Spirit (Galatians 3:2) by faith. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 12:31, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."; Galatians 3:2, "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is evangelism the main purpose of the church?Chuck Smith, The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel: When the saints were perfected for the work of the ministry, however, they began to minister. They began to bring in their friends. Evangelism became the by-product of a strong and mature church. A church that is strong in the Word will automatically be an evangelical church. It is the natural function of healthy sheep to reproduce. It's very natural. You don't even have to teach them how. It's just the natural function of healthy sheep to reproduce. When you make the sheep healthy by giving them a good diet, a consistent diet that will develop growth and strength, they will naturally reproduce. Scripture, King James Version: Ephesians 4:12, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is the Holy Spirit a person or a force?Chuck Smith, The Holy Spirit Study Guide, Chapter 1: Introduction to the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is thought by some to be an “essence” or “power” of God rather than a separate person, because ruach, the Hebrew word for Spirit, also means “breath,” and “pneuma,” the Greek word for Spirit, also means “wind” or “air.” We as Christians know He is a person. The early church scholar, Arias, caused division with his declaration that God the Father was the only true God, that Jesus was a created being, and the Holy Spirit was only an essence. This doctrine is known as the Arian heresy. Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is unbelief an intellectual problem?Chuck Smith, The Unpardonable Sin (Matthew 12:22-32): And don’t try to give Him that baloney that you had too many intellectual difficulties. Because He will blow that one write out of the water. He said the reason you didn’t come to the light is because you loved darkness rather than light because your deeds are evil. It is not an intellectual problem that’s keeping you back from Jesus Christ. It’s a love for sin, it’s the evil heart that you have. Your desire to persist and continue in your evil perverse way. That’s what keeps you from coming to Jesus Christ. Scripture, King James Version: John 3:19, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Should a ministry depend on donations?Chuck Smith, The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel: The philosophy of Calvary Chapel is giving and ministering rather than taking and being ministered to. You will find that a lot of ministries exist in order to be ministered to. They don't mind letting you know: "We need your support to keep this ministry going. This ministry depends upon you." I've concluded that any ministry that depends upon man for its existence and operation should die, and the best thing we could do is let it die. Calvary Chapel, then, exists to minister and our emphasis is on giving; giving to the people; ministering to the people. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Should I praise God to get a blessing?Chuck Smith, The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel: The truest praise is not something that is done out of the motive in my heart to get a blessing. If I am praising the Lord just so I can get a blessing, that's not true praise. That's a self-centered attitude. The object for praise in that case is me, not God. The truest praise is that automatic response of my heart at the recognition of the grace of God to me when God has just done something fantastic for me, even though I have failed miserably, yet God just lays some rich blessing on me and my heart responds, "Oh, God, You are too much; I can't believe Your love and goodness." That's the purest form of praise; that which comes spontaneously from my heart at the recognition of God's grace in my life. I don't praise the Lord so I can create an atmosphere in which God will come down and bless me. My praises are a response to the blessings that God has bestowed. God is the Initiator; man is the responder. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What are the rules for interpreting the Bible?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 5: In interpreting Scripture certain guidelines need to be followed: (1) The understandable and natural meaning is usually the correct interpretation. (2) If the interpretation of Scripture makes the meaning seem absurd, then the interpretation is wrong. (3) If the interpretation contradicts the general body of scriptural truth, then it is wrong. (4) If the Bible is approached with pre–conceived thoughts or ideas, the interpretation will suffer. Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What did Jesus mean by "Judge not"?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 7: Our Relationship with Man: (1) We should not judge presumptuously. (Romans 14:4) (2) We should not judge another’s motives. (3) We should not judge hypocritically. (Romans 2:1) (4) We should not judge hastily or rashly. (John 7:24) (5) We should not judge according to our own non-scriptural convictions. (Romans 14:2-3) (6) We should not judge unfairly or according to prejudice. (7) We should not judge unmercifully. The judgment that is prohibited is judging the person rather than the action. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."; Romans 14:4, "Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand."; Romans 2:1, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."; John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."; Romans 14:2-3, "For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does "if thine eye be single" mean?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 6: Our Relationship with God: Our eyes are the windowpanes of our bodies. If the glass through which we look is clean, then we see the world as it is. If the glass is distorted or dirty, then our view of the world will be distorted. “Single” here means “generous, liberal” (Psalm 86:11; Colossians 3:22). “Evil” here means “stingy, grudging, greedy.” We should examine ourselves to determine whether we’re generous or stingy, not only with material things but also in our attitudes. If we’re generous, then we’re filled with light, but if we’re stingy, then we’re filled with darkness. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:22-23, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"; Psalms 86:11, "Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name."; Colossians 3:22, "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does "My spirit shall not always strive with man" mean?Chuck Smith, The Unpardonable Sin (Matthew 12:22-32): There comes a time when God spirit will cease to strive with man with and individual when God say’s “that’s it. Pray no more for there good I will not hear you. Leave them alone I have given them up.” God spirit does strive with man and for that we are so thankful. And it may sort of needle you a bit that God’s spirit is striving with you. You may try to silence the voice of the spirit in your heart but believe me if God’s spirit is striving with you be thankful it means you haven’t yet gone to far. It is possible to go over the line to go so far that God’s spirit will no longer strive with you. God warned Noah of this “My Spirit will not always strive with man.” Scripture, King James Version: Genesis 6:3, "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does it mean that the law was our schoolmaster?Chuck Smith, Galatians Study Guide, Galatians 3: The Promise to Abraham: The schoolmaster in the Greek culture was the household servant who escorted the child safely to the place of instruction. The law taught us where we failed to meet God’s standards. It made us realize how our sins separated us from God and how impossible it was for us to be righteous on our own. The law showed us our need for Christ. When we’re justified, God imputes righteousness to us just as if we had never sinned. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 3:24, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does it mean to be the salt of the earth?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 5: Salt has several uses: (1) At the time of Christ, salt was used as a preservative to kill bacteria and retard spoilage. The Christian should have a preserving type of influence. (2) Salt is used to add flavor. Christians are to add life and flavor to people’s lives. We’re to make every experience “taste” better because of our presence. (3) Salt creates thirst. Christians should create a thirst within others to know Jesus Christ. (4) Salt prevents infections from setting in. Christians are to have an antiseptic effect on the open sores of the world. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 5:13, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does the word "minister" mean?Chuck Smith, The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel: The word "minister" really means "servant" and Joshua was Moses' minister. It meant that he was Moses' servant, that is, he ministered to the needs of Moses. He was Moses' errand boy. That's what the word "minister" means. Yet, I am amazed at how upset some ministers get when someone asks them to minister to the needs of the congregation. "Can you believe he called me up for a ride? Doesn't he know that I'm the minister here?" If you are the minister then he should have called you for a ride. Jesus said, "He that would be the chief among you, let him be the servant of all." Scripture, King James Version: Mark 10:44, "And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is mammon?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 6: Our Relationship with God: “Mammon” originally was a person to whom one entrusted one’s funds. The meaning changed to become a trust in the power that money provides. One of the pagan gods of Old Testament times was called Mammon. A slave had no rights and couldn’t own anything. He had no time of his own, for he was always on call for his master. His master could work him 20 hours a day or have the slave beaten if he chose to. We cannot be a slave to God and also be devoted to material things. There isn’t enough time to serve both. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the difference between condemnation and conviction?Chuck Smith, Romans Study Guide, Chapter 8: Life in the Spirit: The difference between Satan’s condemnation and the Holy Spirit’s conviction is that the condemnation makes us want to pull away from God, because we feel unworthy, while the conviction makes us want to go to God to make things right. Jesus doesn’t want to condemn us. He pleads our case for us. Scripture, King James Version: Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the purpose of the church?Chuck Smith, The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel: What, then, is the purpose of His church? To bring glory to God; to be God's instrument of ministry to the Lord. But also in a secondary sense, the church exists for the edifying or the building up of the saints; to bring the saints into full maturity so that they might engage in the work of the ministry. Scripture, King James Version: Ephesians 4:12, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the right motive for fasting?Chuck Smith, Sermon on the Mount Study Guide, Matthew 6: Our Relationship with God: Some people are so concerned with themselves that even in their worship of God they seek to draw attention to themselves. Our motivation in doing righteous acts should be pure, so that God receives the glory for our good works. (Matthew 5:16) The motivation for any spiritual activity should be prompted by our relationship with God. He should be central in our minds as we go about our service to Him. If we would feed our spirits as much as we feed our flesh, we would be much better off. Fasting is an attempt to force the flesh to be in submission to the spirit. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:16-18, "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."; Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why do we need both the Word and the Spirit?Chuck Smith, The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel: Calvary Chapel believes in teaching the Word of God through the power of the Spirit of God which changes the lives of the people of God. If you have just the Spirit-emphasis with no Word and no foundation in the Word, then you are leading the people into experiences only, which are shallow. If you have just the Word of God without the Spirit, then you are leading people into dead orthodoxy. It takes the power of the Spirit of God to make the changes, but it takes the Word of God to give the substance and to give the foundation. It is that blending of the Word of God and being taught through the power of the Spirit of God that brings the changes in the people. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why does God use unlikely people?Chuck Smith, Foreword to Harvest: When Jesus wanted to turn the world upside-down by bringing the message of God's love to all mankind, He chose unlikely candidates. Of the twelve, most were fishermen and one was a hated publican. These are certainly not the choices the average person would have made for the task. When God wanted to make an impact on our society, He again chose the foolish things (as far as the world is concerned) to confound the wise; He chose the weak things to confound the mighty. For instance, in raising up pastors to shepherd Calvary Chapel churches with thousands of members, God did not necessarily look for Phi Beta Kappas from Yale or Harvard. He did not look for magna cum laude graduates with impressive resumes. Instead, God chose people like a Mexican street fighter who had dropped out of high school, a hippie who had gone insane on drugs, a drug dealer who was into sorcery, and a motorcycle gang member to build His churches in the Calvary Chapel movement. God has used many such unlikely leaders to turn worn traditions upside down. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 1:27, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why is the cross offensive?Chuck Smith, Galatians Study Guide, Galatians 5: Righteousness by Faith: The cross offends people, because when Christ sacrificed Himself for the sins of every person He became the only way to God. People are bothered by the narrowness of one way; they prefer to think that man can somehow effect his salvation through a wide choice of roads to God. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 5:11, "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.". Study notes condensed from his teaching by The Word For Today. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why teach verse by verse through the Bible?Chuck Smith, The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel: I also discovered that in going straight through a book of the Bible, you avoid riding hobby horses. There are certain subjects in the Bible that I find more fascinating than others. There are some things that I love to preach on; there are other things I don't like preaching about. Those things that I don't like to preach about, I find ways of not preaching about them; sort of bypassing them. When you're going straight through a book of the Bible from beginning to end, you can't bypass them, and you're speaking on issues that people need to hear addressed, but rarely hear addressed in the church because they are not popular subjects, yet God would not have put them in the Word unless they were important subjects. If you go straight through a book in teaching, you will be declaring the whole counsel of God. If you go straight through the Bible, you will be declaring the whole counsel of God, and your emphasis will become a biblical emphasis. Scripture, King James Version: Acts 20:27, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Are humans made of body, soul and spirit?Chuck Smith, Vanity, Vanity, chapter 1: Now in making me a threefold being He has so integrated my body, soul, and spirit it is really difficult to divide between them. Whatever affects my body affects my mind, whatever affects my body affects my spirit, and whatever affects my mind affects my body. My body and mind are very closely related. Whatever affects my mind affects my spirit and whatever affects my spirit affects my body, whatever affects my spirit affects my mind. I am so interrelated I can’t really divide between the three of them you see. That’s why when your spirit is renewed with Jesus Christ it affects you every way. It affects your whole mental outlook; your whole attitude, your emotions and it will also affect you physically. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can a fallen pastor or Christian be restored?Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Distinctives, chapter 7: It’s been our joy and our privilege to be able to restore many who were condemned by the law. I do believe that before restoration, there must be true repentance. I believe that the Law was intended as a schoolmaster to bring people to Jesus Christ. Those who have not come and repented need the Law, thus there is a place for the Law. It is holy, righteous, and good, if used lawfully. But I think sometimes we go beyond and want to exact the penalties of the Law after there has been repentance. We aren’t willing to restore. Jesus stood for grace and truth. We should always seek restoration, but let us not forget that repentance is necessary. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can you control speaking in tongues?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 16: This brings up a very important point. Some believers contend that they have no control over their speaking in tongues. It is thought that somehow the Spirit takes over and they lose control - the Spirit overrides their will and they speak out in tongues. I remember the testimony of a good saint of God who described how she received the gift of tongues. The gas meter reader had come by her house and she went out to ask him a question, when she suddenly started to speak in tongues. The man got so frightened he ran off. Her point was, "I had no control over it." But Paul definitely teaches that the Spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. You do have control. you don't have to speak out. "If there is no interpreter present, let him speak to himself and to God." From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do I have to be holy before I can receive the Holy Spirit?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 25: We seem to feel that we must be worthy, that we have to deserve this gift. Yet because we know we are unworthy and undeserving, we disqualify ourselves for the blessing. We don't expect to receive the gift because we know we don't deserve it; after all, He fills only holy vessels. But that's all backward. The truth is that the Holy Spirit comes into your life to help you become holy. Not the other way around! Think how false it would be to say to someone, "Look, if you want to get saved, go out and clean up your act. Quit all of the rotten stuff you've been doing. Get your life right with God, because God doesn't want to save you in the mess you're in. Get yourself straightened out and then come to the Lord." I know of a lot of people who believe this. "I'll get saved once I clean up my act," they say. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does God speak to the church through tongues and interpretation?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 17: The Bible says that if I speak in an unknown tongue I'm not speaking to man, but to God. "He who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries" (I Corinthians 14:2). I do not find any place in the New Testament where tongues are addressed to man. In fact, Paul asks how a person who hears an unknown tongue is going to say "amen" to the giving of thanks, since he can't understand what is said. Paul recognized that God never addressed the church through the exercise of tongues; rather, tongues addressed God with praises or thanksgiving. Therefore, if speaking in tongues is addressed to God, then a true interpretation of those tongues must also be addressed to God. If an utterance in tongues magnifies God, then the interpretation should also magnify God. If the utterance in tongues gives thanks and praise to God, then the interpretation will also give thanks and praise to God. God doesn't speak to the church in tongues, even when the utterance is interpreted. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 14:2, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How should Christians live while waiting for the Lord's return?Chuck Smith, The Final Curtain, chapter 2: The message of Scripture is clear. We're coming down to the final curtain. But this raises a crucial question. What kind of a people ought we to be? First of all, we should be spiritual people. God is going to shake this earth until everything that can be shaken is shaken - until only that which cannot be moved out of place will remain (Hebrews 12:25-27). If our lives are invested in the spiritual, we won't lose a thing. This being so, we should be more concerned with spiritual issues than material things, with spiritual investments rather than material pursuits. We should also be diligent. The Lord told us to "occupy" until He comes (Luke 19:13). We must make it our aim to live fully each day to please Him. As we look at the world today, it would appear that the coming of the Lord is close at hand. Yet we do not know when it will be. It could be that the Lord will wait a little while longer; therefore, we must occupy till He comes. Scripture, King James Version: Hebrews 12:25-27, "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain."; Luke 19:13, "And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is complaining a sin?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 16: What many people don’t realize is that complaining is a sin. The fiery serpents came into the camp and began to bite the people, and they began to die. The people of Israel recognized this was a judgment of God because of their complaining. So, they came to Moses and said, “We have sinned because we spoke against God and against you.” They recognized that their complaining was actually a sin and that God looked upon it as sin. The Word of God tells us to be thankful for everything. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Since God has ordered you to be thankful, for you to complain is a sin. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is it wrong for Christians to go dancing, listen to rock music, go to the movies, or watch TV?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 11: Paul the apostle says, “All things are lawful for me.” I think that this goes into the area of entertainment, dancing, or the kind of music I listen to. But just a minute! Paul didn’t stop there. Though I have a total freedom and there is no condemnation, Paul said, “…all things are not expedient.” Expedient means “to help along the way.” The idea is that, as a Christian, I’m running in a race. Paul said, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?” (1 Corinthians 9:24). There are things that can impede my progress, which can slow me down. They can keep me from winning the race. We are told to lay aside every weight and sin which so easily besets us, that we might run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1–2). These activities can become weights. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."; Hebrews 12:1-2, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Should I believe someone who says 'The Lord told me to tell you'?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 6: Did you notice in this story that the Lord always speaks on both ends? I like it that way. I get a little suspicious when someone says to me, "The Lord told me to tell you..." if the Lord hasn't already told me Himself. Sometimes when a person says this, it comes as confirmation of a word that God already has shown me. But if the Lord hasn't been dealing with me on that issue, then I don't jump to respond just because someone says he has a word from the Lord for me. I will judge it and wait upon the Lord, but I'm not going to rush off just because someone believes God has instructed him to tell me something. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Was Jesus just a good teacher?Chuck Smith, Son of God or Son of Man, chapter 1: You know, there are a lot of people that try to say of Jesus that He was a great man, He was a great teacher, He was a marvelous philosopher, not so! If He was not the Son of God then He was the biggest phony that ever walked on the face of the earth. He is the greatest liar and the biggest hoax who as ever lived. You can’t just say He is a good man He has taught us a lot of good things because if He was not the Son of God then what He had to say is worthless. And rather than quoting His phrases we should be speaking of Him with hisses and derision. You can’t just put Jesus on a nice pedestal and say what a great guy. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What are the odds of Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecies by chance?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 23: Examining the records of these holy men of God, we find over 300 stipulations concerning the Messiah and what He would accomplish in His birth, life, death, and resurrection. It is fair to ask about the possibility of one person fulfilling all of the requirements by just “being in the right place at the right time.” There is a way to compute the chance factor of this occurring. The scientific “Law of Compound Probabilities” allows us to accurately calculate the chance of any prophesied event taking place. Each stipulation added to the prediction lessens the chance of the event’s occurrence, because the possibility of several details coinciding is more remote than the possibility of one event occurring alone. When 300 details are considered, the chance factor becomes astronomical. The probability figures are Peter Stoner's, from *Science Speaks*. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does Paraclete or Comforter mean?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 2: The Greek word translated "comfortless" in John 14:18 is orphanous, literally "orphans." "I will not leave you as orphans," Jesus promised His friends. And to keep that promise, the Master said He would pray to the Father and ask Him to give the disciples another "Comforter." In Greek, the word translated "Comforter" is parakletos. Para is the Greek preposition for "with" or "alongside of," while kletos is the word for "called." So Jesus is telling His friends that He will ask the Father to send another Helper who will come alongside of them to help them. And the help they will receive would be the Helper Himself! Scripture, King James Version: John 14:18, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is a carnal Christian?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 20: Paul said, “Brethren, I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” The “carnal Christian” is the man who has been awakened by the Spirit of God to his need of Jesus Christ and has received Jesus Christ into his life as his Savior—but he has never submitted his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Thus, he is one who believes in Jesus Christ as his Savior but is still ruled by his flesh. Paul said, “I could not speak to you as spiritual but as carnal, even as babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk and not with meat, for you have not been able to receive it before, neither are you able now.” The carnal Christian lives in an arrested state of spiritual development. He has never grown beyond the crib or beyond the bottle. He is still as he was 15 or 25 years ago when he first came to Jesus Christ—in the infancy state. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the difference between bearing fruit in John 15:6 and works burned up in 1 Corinthians 3:15?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 11: In John’s Gospel, Jesus was talking about the necessity of abiding in Him. If you don’t abide in Him, you cannot be saved, and you cannot bear fruit. Such people who don’t bear fruit will be gathered and burned, because they’re not saved. The passage in 1 Corinthians talks about the works I do as a child of God with the wrong motivation. I may be motivated with the desire to glorify myself or receive praise from men. Such works performed by a Christian will be burned up, though he will be saved, even as by fire. Scripture, King James Version: John 15:6, "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."; 1 Corinthians 3:15, "If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the difference between preaching and teaching?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 19: Preaching is declaring or heralding the truth of God to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is evangelistic, proclaiming God's Good News that He has provided for the forgiveness of sins through His crucified Son, who took our guilt and died in our place. Preaching persuades people to receive Jesus Christ as their lord. Teaching, on the other hand, is not for the unconverted, but for the converted. Teaching enables those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord to grow in the grace and the knowledge of God. Preaching is for the sinner; teaching is for the saint. There has been far too much preaching in the church, and far too little teaching. In fact, the church has almost been preached to death. The church needs teaching so that more believers will grow and become mature in their relationship with Jesus Christ. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the word of wisdom?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 9: The Bible teaches that beyond wisdom in general, there is a specific gift of the Holy Spirit that is called the "word of wisdom." This is not a vast reservoir that you can draw upon at according to your own whim. It does not make you some kind of guru, that you can say, "Anything you want to know, just come to me and I will open up my treasures of wisdom." It doesn't work like that - it isn't a reservoir of wisdom that you can tap at will. Rather, it is an anointing of the Spirit that comes upon you in a time of need, and gives you the right words to say. A word of wisdom comes when critical issues arise and important decisions must be made. It is a wise word that is so right it brings divided factions together. When people hear it they say, "Oh, yes. That's good!" From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Which interpretation of Revelation is correct?Chuck Smith, What the World Is Coming To, chapter 3: There is also the spiritual interpretation which confuses things so completely that nobody understands what is what. This interpretation spiritualizes everything so nothing means what it says. Everything is interpreted as a spiritual allegory. When you spiritualize the Scriptures you remove any authority or teaching from them, because every man is free to interpret the spiritual allegory as he desires. Then there is the futurist interpretation of the book of Revelation. I personally feel that the futurist view is the correct view. With the futurist view you can read the book and believe that it meant what it said, and it said what it meant. You don't have to start twisting things to make them fit here and there, and changing them to fit some scheme. The futurist view takes the Revelation just as it says, to be understood just as it is. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Who is the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6?Chuck Smith, What the World Is Coming To, chapter 8: There are some who teach that the white horse rider is none other than Jesus Christ. I personally believe that the white horse rider is the Antichrist. I believe that the moment Jesus takes the church out of the world the hindering force of the Holy Spirit will be removed - and then that man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3,7-8). The power of God's Spirit working in the church is hindering the Antichrist from taking over the world today. Once the church is raptured, there'll be no hindering force whatsoever and the Antichrist will move in. I also do not believe that this is the second coming of Jesus Christ because it is followed by wars, famines, and death. The coming of Jesus Christ will usher in the glorious era of peace - God's millennial age upon the earth. In addition, this white horse rider appears at the very beginning of the Tribulation period; I cannot see this as the coming of Jesus Christ. Scripture, King James Version: 2 Thessalonians 2:3, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Who were the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 7: “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.” The word “Nicolaitanes” in the Greek actually speaks of the establishment of a spiritual hierarchy. Nikao: to establish a priesthood over, to conquer. Laos: the laity. The “deeds of the Nicolaitanes” was the establishment of the priesthood over the laity. Establishing shepherds or elders who lord over the flock of God and make you responsible to them—who seek to take the spiritual responsibility for your actions by telling you what you can and can’t do, when you can or can’t do it, and have you come to them for guidance and direction—is, in reality, the doctrine of Nicolaitanes. In essence, these shepherds are saying, “You can’t go to God for directions. You’re not mature enough. You come to me, and I’ll tell you what God says.” And that is inserting someone between man and God. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 17: Why did God place the tree there? What did God want from man? God wanted our love and fellowship. How could God know that we really loved Him and wanted to obey Him, if an alternative wasn’t given? If there was no possible way to disobey or rebel against God, how could He know that we truly did love Him? How could God know how much we loved Him unless there was someone to exploit the alternative? From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Will Jesus' return take Christians by surprise like a thief in the night?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 1: Jesus Christ never intended for His people to be taken by surprise at His coming. He intends for you to be totally aware of the time of His return, so that you would be watching, waiting, and ready when He comes again. Scriptures that refer to His coming again as “a thief in the night” do not refer to the way the church will experience His return, but to the way the world will see it. The coming of Christ will take the world totally by surprise—but not the Christian. Paul said, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light” (1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5). Scripture, King James Version: 1 Thessalonians 5:4, "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."; 1 Thessalonians 5:5, "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can your name be blotted out of the Book of Life?Chuck Smith, What the World Is Coming To, chapter 5: What does Jesus mean about blotting names out of the Book of Life? He means just that. Don't think I'm going to take away from this book. For in the final chapter it says that if any man shall take away from this book, his name will be taken out of the Book of Life (Rev. 22:19). I don't want mine blotted out! You say, "What did He mean by that?" I don't know but I won't try to explain it away. Scripture, King James Version: Revelation 22:19, "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Did the gift of healing stop with the apostles?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 12: Beyond that, it doesn't seem consistent that God, who healed sicknesses in answer to believing prayer throughout biblical history - from Genesis to Revelation - would suddenly stop healing the sick. Surely no one can make a biblical case that God has ceased this ministry. People can be healed today by the touch of God upon their lives. God is not limited, nor has He limited Himself. People who are sick can still be healed in response to believing prayer. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do I have to forgive others to be forgiven by God?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 23: In His model prayer, Jesus included this petition: 'And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." At the end of the prayer Jesus paused to emphasize this petition. "For if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses," He said (Matthew 6:15). This means Jesus made our forgiveness dependent upon our being forgiving. Some of you theologians may want to argue this point, but don't do it with me - talk to Jesus. He's the One who said it. The Lord's basic point was this: Having received forgiveness from God, we should forgive others. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:15, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do miracles still happen today?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 13: Does God work miracles today, or did all miracles cease with the last of the apostles? This is a question that has occupied theologians for many years. I counter with my own question: "Is God dead?" A miracle is a supernatural happening. If God is still alive and still working, then there will be supernatural happenings, and, thus, the days of miracles cannot be over. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does a wife have to submit to ungodly demands of her husband?Chuck Smith, Christian Family Relationships, chapter 8: I do not believe that the Scripture requires a wife to submit to ungodly demands of a husband. It is sheer stupidity to say that no matter what the husband says, you're to submit to it because you're the wife. Some teach this concept, saying that the Lord will keep you safe from any dire consequence if you submit. I do not agree with that. Paul said, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). In I Corinthians Paul lays out the whole chain of command. The husband is, actually, the authority over the wife, Christ is the head over the husband, and God is the authority over Christ (I Corinthians 11:3). If this chain of command is broken anywhere along the line, God's order is gone. The husband is the head over the wife only as Christ is the head over the husband. If Christ is not the head over the husband, then the wife should be in submission to Christ first. Scripture, King James Version: Ephesians 5:22, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."; 1 Corinthians 11:3, "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does God still speak through dreams and visions today?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 6: I have never had a vision in this sense, nor do I think I have ever had a dream of spiritual import. Yet I do not at all discount them or consider them invalid for today. Doesn't Peter quote the prophet Joel as saying, "Your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 2:17)? I'm too old for a vision, but I'm still open to dreams. Scripture, King James Version: Acts 2:17, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How can you recognize a false prophet?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 15: You can't always tell false prophets by what they say. Many times what they say is 99 percent correct - that's what makes them so dangerous. You can't always tell them by their actions, either - Jesus said they would perform great signs and wonders. Both Peter and Paul warned that a certain sign of a false prophet was his intention to defraud you, to take your money and make it his. Through feigned words they will take advantage of you financially. Through flattery and fine speeches they aim to rip you off. Peter wrote, "By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words" (II Peter 2:3). And Paul said these men were "destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (I Timothy 6:5). There is a key: If anyone teaches you that godliness is a path to riches, Paul says you can consider him or her a false prophet. "From such withdraw yourself," he commands (I Timothy 6:5). Scripture, King James Version: 2 Peter 2:3, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."; 1 Timothy 6:5, "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How can you tell if a spiritual gift is genuine?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 8: The overarching principle concerning the gifts of the Spirit is this: The true gifts of the Holy Spirit, when manifested in a scriptural and correct way, will always focus people's hearts on Jesus Christ. Jesus said the Spirit would not testify of Himself, but of Christ. The scriptural exercise of the gifts will always give you a fresh vision of Jesus Christ and His glory, causing you to fall in love with Him, and to be drawn to Him all over again. Your heart will almost explode with love and appreciation for what Jesus is and what He is able to do. This is the chief way by which you can tell whether any gift is a true manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Is there a great deal of attention drawn to the person exercising the gift? In the magazines various ministries send out, whose picture is on every other page? To whom are they drawing attention? Who are they promoting? Who are they seeking to raise up in the eyes of the people? A true manifestation of the Holy Spirit will always exalt the person of Jesus Christ. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How do I know I received the Holy Spirit if I didn't feel anything?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 25: I think something similar happens when we plead for a sign from heaven to prove that God has filled us with His Holy Spirit. Sometimes, in His mercy, God does give us that sign - but then He says to us, "You've had the holy tingles and you believe. But blessed are they who believe without the holy tingles." We are to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by faith. There may be tingles or there may not. The gift of the Holy Spirit is received by faith apart from evidence. Certainly evidence will come, but the evidence isn't the proof. Faith receives without evidence. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is it the fruit of the Spirit or fruits of the Spirit?Chuck Smith, Charisma vs. Charismania, chapter 13: You have probably heard that there are nine fruits of the Spirit. I have heard messages on the nine gifts of the Spirit and the nine fruits of the Spirit. But I want you to look closely at Galatians 5:22: “The fruit of the Spirit is agapé.” As I understand English grammar and as I understand Greek grammar, if there were nine fruits Paul would have said, “But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, etc.” But that is not what he said. It is in the singular: “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Then what are these other things in the verse? What about the joy, the peace, the long suffering, the gentleness, the goodness, the faith, the meekness, and the temperance? These are all defining the agapé. Our English usage of the word love is so weak that it can mean almost anything. So Paul defines this agapé by using these other words. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is it wrong for a Christian to go to the doctor?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 12: Now, I'm not opposed to doctors. That is one way God has provided for healing today. I have gone to doctors myself; I had my appendix removed after spending a week in fervent prayer and fasting, asking God to heal me. When He didn't, I had the doctor take it out. I believe that God can and does use medical science today. God has given researchers much insight and knowledge of the human body, which has led to the design of useful drugs and operating procedures. If a person cannot be healed through prayer alone, then God has provided people with skills to diagnose and treat people. Of course, when a doctor sews up a gash on your arm by putting in sutures, he's done all he can do. It's God who causes your flesh to repair itself. Doctors do what they can, but the actual healing comes from God. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is spanking or physical discipline of children biblical?Chuck Smith, Christian Family Relationships, chapter 14: It is vitally important in the discipline of our children that there always be a great consciousness in their hearts of our love for them, that they be secure in that love, and that, when they are disciplined, they never doubt that love. Every child is a natural psychologist and when he's spanked often says, "Nobody loves me anymore! You hate me! You don't love me!" We hate to hear such accusations from our children. The Bible however says, "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." In Proverbs we are told that, "He that spares his rod, hates his son." We sometimes become slack or forebear punishment or discipline. In doing so we are harming and hurting the child; for, when he knows that he's done wrong, one of the best ways to be relieved of that guilt complex is to be punished. Many children have psychological problems today. They are carrying around with them guilt complexes which have never been relieved by their permissive parents. Scripture, King James Version: Hebrews 12:6, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."; Proverbs 13:24, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is speaking in tongues the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit?Chuck Smith, Charisma vs. Charismania, chapter 9: We must point out that a person who speaks in tongues and lacks agapé love has less valid evidence of the indwelling or the filling of the Spirit in his life than a person who has never spoken in tongues and yet manifests love and other dynamic qualities of God’s Spirit. I cannot deny the validity of the Spirit-filled lives of many of those dynamic leaders and laymen in the church today who have never enjoyed the experience of speaking in tongues, and I prefer their fellowship over many who promote the speaking in tongues as the only true evidence of the Spirit-filled life, but whose personal lives are marred by strife or pride and often even heresy. When Paul wrote to the Galatians he declared, “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” The real proof of God’s Spirit filling a person’s life is love. Love is the most valid evidence that a man is truly filled with the Spirit, and tongues without love are just meaningless sounds. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is the word Trinity in the Bible?Chuck Smith, Charisma vs. Charismania, chapter 2: Because this is one of the areas that the enemy constantly attacks, we must affirm not only the fact of the deity of the Holy Spirit, but also why we believe in His deity. The word trinity is not found in the Bible, but it is a convenient term that theologians use to describe the three Persons of the one God. Perhaps the term triunity would more accurately describe God. He is not 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, but 1 x 1 x 1 = 1. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does it mean to leave your first love?Chuck Smith, What the World Is Coming To, chapter 4: Many people say, "Oh, you've lost your first love." You don't lose it, you leave it. If you lose something, you never know where to pick it up again. You don't know where to find it. If you leave something, you know where to pick it up again. Jesus tells us how to pick it up again. The three R's: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen." Remember that love that you once had? "Repent." Then Repeat. "Do the first works." Come back to that first work of love. It is first above everything else. Do your first works over again, those works motivated and prompted by love. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What hinders my prayers from being answered?Chuck Smith, Effective Prayer Life, chapter 2: So many times when my prayers aren’t answered I want to blame God. In reality, the fault is mine. There’s sin at my door. David said that if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord does not hear me when I pray (Psalm 66:18). Sin, as Isaiah said, breaks your connection with God. It’s like cutting the telephone cord. You may dial the number all you want. You may speak in eloquent and very persuasive terms. Yet, you’ve cut the cord. The message is simply going into the ground and not getting anywhere. At that point prayer becomes deceptive. Many people say, “I know I’m not living as I should be, but I still pray.” But their prayers are of no value. Their relationship with God has been severed because of the sin within their lives. Their sins have separated them from their God. Scripture, King James Version: Psalms 66:18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What if my child walks away from the faith?Chuck Smith, Christian Family Relationships, chapter 15: You must bring up children in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. But when you do, you may go through some years of trial when, in that intermediate stage, they move from their parents' faith to the discovery of their own faith. You may go through some shaky years as they're getting out and trying their wings, but you always have the confidence that they'll return to the God of their early years and early training. So, don't panic. Know that the Lord is going to bring them back to Himself if you've been faithful in your training, and you'll be rewarded in seeing their salvation. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the evidence that Jesus rose from the dead?Chuck Smith, The Claims of Christ, chapter 1: In Acts 1:3 we read that Jesus showed Himself alive after His death by "many infallible proofs." The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one of the most factually verifiable events in history. It is confirmed by the testimony of many eyewitnesses such as Mary, Peter, the other Apostles and more than five hundred people at one time. If there is any validity to our system of jurisprudence, which establishes fact on the basis of eyewitness testimony, then the resurrection must be accepted as fact. "But," you may argue, "there was no cross examination of the witnesses!" Are you certain of that? Let it be noted that the vast majority of these witnesses were violently killed for their testimony, and none recanted, though doing so could have spared their lives. (For more information see Foxe's Book of Martyrs) So many gave their lives for what they had seen and heard that the Greek word "martus" (which meant one who bore legal testimony) came to mean those who suffered death for the Christian witness. Scripture, King James Version: Acts 1:3, "To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the prosperity gospel (word of faith, positive confession)?Chuck Smith, Charisma vs. Charismania, chapter 11: The latest wind of pernicious, unscriptural doctrine to blow through the ranks of some charismatics is the “what-you-say-is-what-you-get” teaching, otherwise known as the prosperity doctrine. Among the claims that are commonly made is that God never wills that you should be sick and that all sickness is the result of ignorance or lack of faith. Such teachings sound more like Mary Baker Eddy than the apostle Paul! These people speak much of making positive confessions, and warn against any negative confession. They teach that the spoken word becomes a spirit force for good or evil according to the confession. Thus you are never to confess, “I don’t feel well,” for that is a negative confession and is bound to cause you to feel bad. You are thus encouraged to lie about your true condition or feelings. As you hear this teaching you would swear that the sermons came from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures rather than the Bible. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the word of knowledge?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 10: What is the word of knowledge? It is information given to us supernaturally, knowledge of things that we could not know through natural acquisition or study. It's exciting to be used of God in this way. The Spirit will speak through you about a pertinent issue in someone's life, and when it's over you say, "Wow! Why did I say that?" It's a divine impartation of knowledge concerning a person or situation that could not come through natural thought processes. It's something that flashes into your mind which God prompts you to say. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What kind of body will we have in heaven?Chuck Smith, Comfort for Those Who Mourn, chapter 3: God has promised that, eternally, we will dwell with Him in His glorious Kingdom. We don't know what the environmental conditions of heaven are but there is no doubt that they are different from the conditions here; no doubt far superior. God could outfit us with space suits and let us clomp clumsily around heaven, or He could give us totally new bodies designed to take us anywhere in the universe. God has wisely opted for the latter. He has prepared a mansion for me, a building of God not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What should I do when the Bible seems to contradict itself?Chuck Smith, The Claims of Christ, chapter 1: I have encountered many people who have tossed out the faith based upon some supposed contradiction or error they have found in Scripture. Many of these problems can be avoided by an understanding of certain rules of biblical interpretation that we need to know and follow. First of all, let me say that I don't pretend to understand everything that is in the Bible. There are a lot of things in the Bible that I quite frankly will confess to you that I don't understand. If I were smarter, I might. However, if my interpretation of a passage is blatantly contradictory to another verse of scripture, then my interpretation is wrong. The scripture isn't wrong, my interpretation is wrong. So many people are ready to say, "Well, the Bible is wrong, because look..." No, the Bible isn't wrong. The interpretation is at fault. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Where did Old Testament believers go when they died?Chuck Smith, What the World Is Coming To, chapter 11: When Jesus died He descended into Hades and preached, according to Peter, to those souls in prison (1 Peter 3:19). According to Paul, when Jesus ascended He led these captives from their captivity (Ephesians 4:8). He emptied that portion of Hades where the faithful with Abraham had waited for God to fulfill His promises. Speaking of Abraham and all these people of faith in the Old Testament period, the Bible says, "For these all died in faith, not having received the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made complete" (Hebrews 11:39-40). They could not come into the heavenly scene until the blood of Jesus Christ had been shed for the sins of the world. The Old Testament sacrifice had covered their sin. Their faith that God would send the Messiah brought them salvation. God imputed their faith in Christ for righteousness. But they couldn't be brought into the heavenly scene until Jesus descended and led them out of prison. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Peter 3:19, "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;"; Ephesians 4:8, "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."; Hebrews 11:39-40, "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why do we grieve if our Christian loved one is with the Lord?Chuck Smith, Comfort for Those Who Mourn, chapter 3: When I am gone, don't weep for me. I will be where my heart now longs to be, beholding the beauty of the face of the one I have never seen, yet I love. And though I don't see Him yet, I rejoice with unspeakable joy, full of glory (I Peter 1:8). I discovered, through the death of my godly parents, that my great sorrow was not for them, but for myself, for my personal loss of the beautiful input they always had in my life. My sorrow was selfish. I wasn't ready to let them go yet. I felt I still needed the security I always felt from their assurance and love. When I thought of them, there in His glorious presence, I rejoiced for them while I wept for myself. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Peter 1:8, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why do we pray in Jesus' name?Chuck Smith, Effective Prayer Life, chapter 2: Prayer is to be addressed to the Father, in the authority of the name of Jesus. Actually, you have no right to an audience with God on your own. There’s no way you can earn such a privilege. The only way you can have an audience with the Father is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Ask the Father for your needs, but ask Him in the name of Jesus Christ. It’s through Jesus Christ that you have the right to come, that you have a hearing, and are received. When you knock, use the name of Jesus. If I knock on His door and say, “Father, it’s Chuck here, wanting to talk to you.” He is apt to respond, “Who’s Chuck, what right do you have to knock on My door?” But if when I knock I say, “Father, this is Chuck and I come in the name of Jesus.” The response will be, “Come on in Chuck, good to hear from you.” Scripture, King James Version: John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can a Christian be possessed by a demon?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 7: The Scriptures also teach us that Christ is seated in the heavenlies, far above all principalities and powers and mights and dominions (Ephesians 1:21, 22). These are references to spirit beings—and Christ is far above them. Where am I as a believer? According to Ephesians 2:6, I am seated together with Christ in the heavenlies. As Christians we’re in a warfare against these principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12). We need the help of God to stand, for these rulers of the darkness can and do attack us in a variety of ways. But they cannot come in and take control of our lives. The Scriptures also teach that we are in Christ, and that He is in us (John 14:20). It is Christ in us which is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Christ said concerning Satan, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30). If I’m in Christ and Satan has nothing in Him, Satan can have nothing in me—praise the Lord! Scripture, King James Version: Ephesians 1:21, "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:"; Ephesians 1:22, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,"; Ephesians 2:6, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"; Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."; John 14:20, "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."; Colossians 1:27, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"; John 14:30, "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can someone who takes the mark of the beast be saved?Chuck Smith, What the World Is Coming To, chapter 8: The Antichrist is going to make an image of himself, and the false prophet will demand that the earth worship this image (Rev. 13). These two have the power to put to death anyone who refuses to worship this image (Rev. 13:15). However, an angel is going to fly through the midst of the heaven saying unto the people, "Don't take the mark of the beast. Don't worship him or his image. If any man worships his image, there is no hope and he is condemned to Gehenna" (Rev. 14:9-11). There is no possibility of salvation for anyone who takes the mark of the beast, worships the beast, or worships his image. Many will refuse to take the mark and will turn to Jesus Christ. Scripture, King James Version: Revelation 13:15, "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."; Revelation 14:9-11, "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do all Christians speak in tongues?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 16: Paul lists speaking in tongues as one of the gifts of the Spirit. In I Corinthians 12:28 he says 'And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues." Notice that tongues is last on the list. This appears to reflect an order of priorities: First apostles, last speaking in tongues. While tongues is a desirable and valued gift, we shouldn't exalt it out of measure. On the other hand, just because it's listed last doesn't mean it's unimportant. All of God's gifts are good and to be desired. After Paul lists the various gifts, he asks a series of rhetorical questions. Does everyone have the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? And the answer, of course, is no; not all have the gift of healing, and not all speak with tongues. But all the gifts he lists are legitimate. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Corinthians 12:28, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do Christians have to keep the Sabbath on Saturday?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 11: Paul tells us in Colossians 2 that Christ blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that were against us. This, of course, is in reference to the Sabbath day law and all the other such ordinances. Jesus took them out of the way. He nailed them to His cross. He made an open display of His victory over them, triumphing over them in the cross. Because of this, Paul said, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come” (Colossians 2:16, 17). These things were all just shadows in the Old Testament of that which was to come, which was Jesus Christ. The Sabbath day was a shadow of the rest we as the children of God would experience in Christ. We have the substance, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the shadows that spoke of the substance have no hold on us. I’m not required to keep the Sabbath day law any longer. Scripture, King James Version: Colossians 2:16, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"; Colossians 2:17, "Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does God still love me and forgive me when I keep sinning?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 11: You can only feel it as you believe His promise to you: God’s love is unconditional. God doesn’t love good children and hate bad children. God loves good and bad children alike! You need to realize that glorious grace God has extended toward you and receive His love and grace—even though you realize more and more how totally undeserving you are of that love. I have discovered that accepting grace gracefully is difficult, but I’m slowly learning how to do it. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). What is the sin for which a man will be condemned? It’s the rejection of Jesus Christ. I have accepted Him. I still may be weak and fail, but at the base of my life is a love and a desire for Jesus Christ. That’s what He counts for my righteousness—my faith in Him! Scripture, King James Version: 1 John 1:8-9, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does prayer change God's mind?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 7: It is important to realize that the purpose of prayer is not to change the mind of God or to convince God to see things our way. Many people mistakenly think that their prayers will change the mind of God. But that's not the purpose of prayer at all. You wouldn't want to change the mind of God. God said, "I know My thoughts toward you. They are good, not evil. I desire to bring you to a blessed, glorious, desirable end" (see Jeremiah 29:11). God's plan for you is much better than anything you could devise for yourself, so for you to think that you can improve upon the plan of God is sheer folly. Prayer is not designed to change the mind of God. You may ask, "If prayer isn't to change the mind of God, then why should we pray? What is the purpose of prayer?" The purpose of prayer is to open your heart to allow God to do the things He wants to do, the things that He knows are best for you. Scripture, King James Version: Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does the falling away in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 mean the rapture?Chuck Smith, The Final Curtain, chapter 2: The term "falling away" is an interesting translation of the Greek word apostasia. The root verb from which apostasia comes means "to depart from." This verb is used fifteen times in the New Testament and only once translated "fall away." In other instances it is translated "to depart from" or "to leave from." William Tyndale, one of the first people to translate the Bible into English, and many other early translators of the New Testament, rendered apostasia as "a departure." If this is the case, this verse can be read, "For the day shall not come, except there come a departure first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." This "falling away" could very easily refer to the departure, or rapture, of the Church. Scripture, King James Version: 2 Thessalonians 2:3, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How do I know if God is speaking to me?Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything, chapter 6: I wish I could provide a formula or a simple, three-point test to identify God's voice, but if such a procedure exists, I haven't discovered it. I struggle in distinguishing the voice of the Spirit from that of my flesh, just as you do. I wish I could recommend some foolproof way of being certain we are hearing from God, but unfortunately, that is beyond my ability. And yet, God hasn't left us in a confusing fog. He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within our hearts not only to guide us in particular circumstances but also to lead us into an understanding of the revealed truth of His Word. He will never lead us contrary to anything He has already declared in the Scriptures. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• If we are saved by grace, can't Christians just keep sinning?Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything, chapter 11: At this point, some will ask, "Still, if our good works don't save us, what's to keep us from running around smoking, or carousing, or hanging out in seedy bars?" It's not that I can't do these things; I simply don't have the desire. The love of Christ constrains me to live a life that pleases Him. Having tasted the goodness of His love, I don't want to walk away from Him. I want to draw as close to Jesus as possible because I love Him and He loves me. I don't want to get involved in anything that would dishonor Him. Ironically, I live a much straighter life under grace than I ever did under the law. Under a legal relationship I am always pressing the limits. I am always trying to ascertain whether specific actions are right or wrong. I am always looking for loop-holes. I rationalize and justify the things I am doing. I live to the legal limits, plus a little bit more. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is a person who commits suicide totally lost for eternity?If you are thinking about ending your life, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any hour of any day. Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 11: Definitely not! I believe that a person who is driven to the point of committing suicide no longer has full responsibility for the things he’s doing. Driven to a point of such mental extremes, he isn’t necessarily responsible for the action of taking his own life. Certainly, Scripture doesn’t indicate anywhere that this is an unpardonable sin. The only sin for which there is no forgiveness is that of rejecting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today. If you are thinking about ending your life, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any hour of any day.
• Is being slain in the Spirit biblical?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 11: Using the Bible as our final authority for all faith and practice, we would have to confess that the Bible lacks any solid, scriptural evidence for this experience of being slain in the Spirit. Those who advocate this experience seek to point out that Daniel fell on his face before the Lord when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked the soldiers, “Whom seek ye?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He said, “I am He,” after which the soldiers fell over backward. Some people refer to that as being slain in the Spirit. Then, they refer to Paul the apostle on the road to Damascus. But none of these cases are anything like the experience that people today refer to as being slain in the Spirit. We don’t read of Jesus laying hands on people and of them being slain in the Spirit. Nor do we find any teaching on it in the Book of Acts or in the epistles. Thus, I reject it as an unscriptural experience. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is struggling with sin a sign that I am not really saved?Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything, chapter 9: In one sense, the fact that a battle exists at all is a real cause for rejoicing. If we hadn't been made alive spiritually by God, there would be no conflict. If my spirit were still dead in trespasses and sins, I wouldn't be struggling with evil desires. I would dive right in and live after the flesh. The fact that we find ourselves in this fight is strong proof that we are indeed children of God. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is the word rapture in the Bible?Chuck Smith, The Tribulation and the Church, chapter 4: Some people would ridicule the idea or concept of the Rapture of the Church. They declare that the word "rapture" isn't even found in the Bible. It all depends on which version of the Bible you're reading. The phrase "caught up" in I Thessalonians 4:17 is the Greek word harpazo, which actually means "to be snatched away with violent force." The Latin equivalent of harpazo is the verb rapio, "to take away by force." In the Latin Vulgate, one of the oldest Bibles in existence, the appropriate tense of rapio appears in verse 17. Raptus is the past participle of rapio, and our English words "rapt" and "rapture" stem from this past participle. Although "rapture" isn't in the King James Bible, the basic word does appear in the Latin Vulgate. Scripture, King James Version: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What are Daniel's 70 weeks?Chuck Smith, The Final Curtain, chapter 2: The sixty-nine sevens have thus been accounted for, but the angel said there are seventy sevens determined upon the nation Israel. The seventieth "week" of Daniel has not yet been fulfilled. The end of the seventieth seven will bring the completion of all the visions and prophecies, the most Holy place will be anointed, and Jesus will establish God's eternal, righteous Kingdom. Jesus Christ was cut off without receiving His kingdom. He did not bring in the age of everlasting righteousness, as is so evident today as we look around and see the world in which we live. The most Holy has not yet been anointed. Therefore, all the prophecies in Daniel have not yet been fulfilled. We have yet to complete the seventieth seven-year period. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does it mean to be justified?Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything, chapter 3: The Bible says that someone who places his faith in Jesus has been "justified." What does that mean? It means that God has granted us a standing before Him just as if we had never sinned. This was no small feat for God to accomplish! For if we have all sinned and missed the mark, how can God look at us as if we had never sinned and still be just? If He sees our lives as they truly are and must act according to His attribute of justice, how can He treat us as though we were perfect? This is where the power of the gospel comes in. God made the sinless Jesus to be sin for us. The Scriptures declare that God laid on the innocent Christ the iniquities of us all. Jesus literally took my place and took the punishment that was due me as a guilty sinner. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything, chapter 6: The Greek word translated "walk" in this passage is a term used to describe the dominant characteristic of a person's life. If someone were to have a reputation as a real miser, he would be known as a person who "walked" in greed. If a person characteristically was concerned and helpful, he would be known as someone who "walked" in kindness. To walk in the Spirit means that we allow the Holy Spirit to exercise control over our lives. Every day we are presented with the option of living after the Spirit or after our own fleshly desires. Our mind is the battleground where we will decide which will have dominion. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 5:16, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What happens to unsaved loved ones left behind after the rapture?Chuck Smith, The Tribulation and the Church, chapter 11: Once we've been caught up, many of our loved ones who have been hassled by our witness and upset with our testimony will realize that they've actually missed the opportunity of being raptured with the Church. As a result, they'll become dead serious with God and will choose to be martyred during the Great Tribulation period by refusing to take the mark of the beast. They'll choose death in preference to the mark and, thus, they'll be saved (Rev. 20:4). Because of the teaching of Paul in II Thessalonians some doubt that anyone who has rejected the truth now will be able to believe the truth then. It definately is a question and when my eternal destiny is at stake I do not want any questions, only certainty. Scripture, King James Version: Revelation 20:4, "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is grace in the Bible?Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything, chapter 2: The root meaning of the word grace is "beauty." In the New Testament, grace means "God's unmerited favor." Grace is God giving to me something that I cannot obtain on my own. Grace is being accepted by God even though I do not deserve it, even though I am not worthy of it. The Bible teaches that I receive grace on the basis of my belief and trust in God. Hebrews 11:6 declares that without faith it is impossible to please God. We are forgiven by a holy God simply by believing in Jesus Christ and in His death on our behalf. When we place our trust in Him, our slate is wiped clean. Scripture, King James Version: Hebrews 11:6, "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.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is original sin?Chuck Smith, The Gospel According to Grace, chapter 5: The word "have" is added in the King James Version; the original Greek reads, "...because all sinned." Paul is saying that when Adam sinned, he sinned for the whole human race. Just as Adam became a sinful creature, spiritually dead and separated from God, so did his children. Adam couldn't pass along any fellowship with God to his children, because he had lost it; and because he acted as our federal head, we came into this world separated from God. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the abomination of desolation?Chuck Smith, The Final Curtain, chapter 2: What is the "abomination of desolation" that Daniel the prophet speaks about? The Antichrist will make a covenant with the nation Israel. As part of that covenant, he will grant the Israelites the right to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and will promise to bring them peace. Then, after three and a half years, the Antichrist will violate this agreement and cause the daily sacrifices and oblations to cease. He will stand in the holy place of the rebuilt temple and declare that he is God, and demand to be worshiped (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This is the abomination (a horribly disgusting act) that causes the desolation (the making of a holy place wretched). The word desolation also means "great agony or emptiness," and is used to refer to the Great Tribulation. At this point the eyes of the Jews will be opened and they will see that they have been deceived by the Antichrist. Many will then flee to sanctuary in southern Jordan. From that day it will be only 1,290 days until Jesus comes again in power and glory. Scripture, King James Version: 2 Thessalonians 2:4, "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the difference between tribulation and the Great Tribulation?Chuck Smith, The Tribulation and the Church, chapter 2: It's important to make a clear distinction about tribulations as taught in the Bible. There are two different types of tribulation. (1) The Great Tribulation referred to by Jesus and Daniel and detailed by John in the Revelation. (2) The tribulation that Jesus promised would come to the Church. Speaking to His disciples in John 16:33 Jesus said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." The Church will have tribulation in the world. It's important to notice that the "tribulation" faced by the Church originates from the world and comes from the world system controlled by Satan. Satan is behind all the attacks on the Church. Scripture, King James Version: John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the purpose of life? Why did God create us?Chuck Smith, What the World Is Coming To, chapter 6: Now, like it or not, God created you for His own pleasure. You say, "I don't think it's fair!" Well, that's tough. That's the way it is. Like it or not, that's why you've been created. If you truly submit to that scriptural truth, you'll find fulfillment. If you don't submit to it, you'll go around forever empty, always frustrated, and ever reaching out for something more, but never finding satisfaction. Since God created you for His pleasure, the only way your life will be meaningful and fulfilling is by bringing pleasure to God. "Without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). When you diligently seek after God, you bring Him pleasure. The way to have fulfillment is to live a life of faith seeking after full fellowship with God. You'll find the most satisfying and complete life you can have when you're fulfilling the basic reason for God creating you. Scripture, King James Version: Hebrews 11:6, "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.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What was Paul's thorn in the flesh?Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 4: Because of the abundance of revelations in Paul’s life God put a thorn in his flesh to keep him from being puffed up. What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh? The word “thorn” in the Greek actually means “a stake,” a reference to a big tent stake. Don’t think of Paul as having a little pesky thorn in his side. He had a tent stake driven in! It wasn’t a minor irritation—it was a major disability! Paul refers to his thorn as a “…messenger of Satan to buffet me.” The word “messenger” in Greek is aggelos, which literally means “an angel.” Paul had an angel of Satan to buffet him. His thorn in the flesh may have been a very painful eye disease causing his eyes to run continually. There are several allusions to this in the Scriptures (Galatians 4:15; 6:11). But whatever Paul’s thorn was, it was an emissary of Satan who was continually buffeting him. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 4:15, "Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why does God say no to some prayers?Chuck Smith, Effective Prayer Life, chapter 2: Consider the prayer of Jesus that wasn’t answered. Though He prayed three times— “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39)—He drank the cup. Why? Because God wanted to bring salvation to each one of us. It should be noted that Jesus, though offering His prayer to the Father, added what is so important to every prayer: “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). That is the key to obedience and prayer. “Lord, here’s what I want. Here’s my desire. Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done.” You can’t improve on that! For the real purpose of prayer is never to get my will done, but His. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 26:39, "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."; Luke 22:42, "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why isn't everyone healed when we pray?Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 12: The only explanation I can give for lack of healing is that the Holy Spirit is sovereign not only in the bestowing of a gift, but also in its operation. If you have the gifts of healing, you can't pray for anyone you want whenever you want and always see them healed. As you pray for the sick, God will heal some, but there will be others who won't be healed. I do not believe we will ever know why some are healed and why others aren't; that is information God keeps to Himself. The truth is, some of the most godly, holy, righteous people I know of suffer infirmities and die of cancer, while other horribly wicked people live in perfect health until the day they die of natural causes. We'll never understand the ways of God, and how He chooses to parcel out miracles of healing. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can a dead man have faith? (Colossians 2:12-13)Chuck Smith read the two verses together and put faith at the center: "Every trespass, every sin has been blotted out as a result of your faith in Him." Paul says the dead are raised "through the faith of the operation of God" (Colossians 2:12), and "you, being dead in your sins... hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:13). Read Chuck on Colossians 2:12 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does "not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9) mean all people?Chuck Smith read the delay of judgment as time given to everyone still outside: "And so this is just time that God has given men to get right with Him." Peter names the scope himself: "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Read Chuck on 2 Peter 3:9 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does "ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:6) mean everyone?Chuck Smith read the ransom inside its own sentence. Two verses earlier Paul names the God "who will have all men to be saved," and Chuck took it as written: "Here Paul tells us that God desires that all men be saved." The ransom is for that same all: "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1 Timothy 2:6). Read Chuck on 1 Timothy 2:4 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does 1 John 5:13 mean I can know now that I have eternal life?Chuck Smith summed up the verse as the reason the letter exists: "So the purpose of the epistle: to bring you assurance of that eternal life." John writes it in the present tense: "that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Read Chuck on 1 John 5:13 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does Isaiah 53:6 teach unlimited atonement?Chuck Smith applied the verse to his hearers: "God forsook His Son when your sin was placed upon Him," and "He was forsaken of God in order that you won't have to be forsaken by God." The verse begins and ends with the same word: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). Read Chuck on Isaiah 53:6 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does unlimited atonement mean universalism?Chuck Smith called the everybody-will-be-saved teaching what it is. Of the claim that in the end "all sinners and everybody will be saved," he said: "This particular heresy has been based upon this one little scripture." Paul holds both truths in one verse: God "is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe" (1 Timothy 4:10). Christ died for all; only those who believe receive it. Read Chuck on Acts 3:21 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does it mean that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29)?Chuck Smith read the verse in its setting, about Israel: "God is not changing; He still loves these people." The promise to the nation stands because God does not take back what He gives: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). Read Chuck on Romans 11:29 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Are there prophets today? What is the gift of prophecy?Chuck Smith defined the New Testament gift by its purpose: "for the most part, it is just speaking forth the word of the Lord to the church for edification, for comfort, for exhortation." Paul gives the same three: "he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:3). Read Chuck on Numbers 11:24 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Did the fall destroy free will?Chuck Smith read the fall and the cross as two exercises of the same capacity: "you still have a free choice," and "God has ordained that you must exercise that capacity of choice by partaking of that tree of life through Jesus Christ." Long after Eden, God still set the choice before fallen people: "therefore choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:19). Read Chuck on Genesis 3:7 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26) mean the church?Chuck Smith read Romans 11 as a promise to the nation: "God in spite of all things is yet going to show forth His mercy and His grace upon these people." Paul sets the blindness "in part" against a time limit, "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in," and then "so all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:25-26). Read Chuck on Isaiah 59:20 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does "Christ died for all" (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) mean all people?Chuck Smith followed Paul's own logic: "if Jesus died for all men, then it must be that all men were dead." The "all" who died and the "all" Christ died for are the same "all" in one sentence: "if one died for all, then were all dead" (2 Corinthians 5:14). Read Chuck on 2 Corinthians 5:14 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does Revelation 3:10 teach the church is kept out of the tribulation?Chuck Smith read the Philadelphia promise as "the promise of being kept from the Great Tribulation, because we have kept the word of His patience." The promise is to be kept "from the hour," the hour "which shall come upon all the world" (Revelation 3:10). Read Chuck on Revelation 3:10 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• If God is sovereign, do I really have a choice?Chuck Smith answered from Jehoshaphat's prayer: "yes, God rules, but God in His rule has allotted man free moral agency, self-determination, the power or capacity of choice." The same prayer confesses that God rules "over all the kingdoms of the heathen" (2 Chronicles 20:6). Read Chuck on 2 Chronicles 20:6 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is believing in Jesus a decision I make?Chuck Smith, at Pilate's question: "you are not determining His destiny; but in reality, you are determining your destiny. To believe in Him, to receive Him, to confess Him is to receive eternal life." John puts the same receiving at the center: "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12). Read Chuck on Mark 15:2 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is God the author of sin? Does God want people to sin?Chuck Smith drew the line James draws: God tests, but "God doesn't tempt us or solicit us to evil." The text is flat: "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man" (James 1:13). Read Chuck on James 1:13 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What happens to Christians at the rapture?Chuck Smith named Paul's mystery plainly: "This is the event called the rapture, when all of us will be changed and this corruption will put on incorruption; this mortal will put on immortality." Paul: "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Read Chuck on 1 Corinthians 15:51 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the first gospel promise in Genesis 3:15?Chuck Smith called it "God's promise back at the beginning of the sorrows and the calamity from sin": the woman's seed would bruise the serpent's head, "to destroy Satan's power, the authority of Satan." The promise was spoken in the curse itself: "it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15). Read Chuck on Genesis 3:15 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can I get to heaven by being a good person?Chuck Smith, on the rich young ruler: "Man cannot save himself. The moralist cannot save himself. No man by good works can save himself." Paul: "For by grace are ye saved through faith ... Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Read Chuck on Matthew 19:22 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Can the rapture happen at any moment, or must something happen first?Chuck Smith taught imminence: the Lord intends "that His church in all ages live in anticipation of His imminent return." He answered the usual objection from Mark 13:10 ("the gospel must first be published among all nations"): it is "not a prerequisite to the coming of Jesus for His church." Read Chuck on Mark 13:8 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Did God make Pharaoh harden his heart?Chuck Smith put the order this way: Pharaoh "exercised that choice in hardening his heart against God, and then God firmed up his decision." The text records Pharaoh's own act: "he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them" (Exodus 8:15). Read Chuck on Exodus 7:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Do I have to earn God's blessing as a Christian?Chuck Smith's answer from Galatians: "No, God does not reward me for good efforts, or even good performance." Paul asks the same question of believers: "having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3). Read Chuck on Galatians 3:4 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does God force people to believe?Chuck Smith said it in one line: "the Lord does not force Himself on people." Christ's own picture is a knock, not a battering ram: "if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20). Read Chuck on Zechariah 1:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does God let us choose between life and death?Chuck Smith called this "the perpetual story of God," and drew the point: "you must exercise your own capacity of choice to choose either life or death." The Lord sets both ways before the people: "Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death" (Jeremiah 21:8). Read Chuck on Jeremiah 21:8 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does God take pleasure in judging the wicked?Chuck Smith pressed the word "any": "God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, any wicked. But God cries unto them to turn." The Lord says it under oath: "As I live ... I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). Read Chuck on Ezekiel 33:11 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Does James 2 teach that we are saved by works?Chuck Smith held Paul and James together: "Your good works don't save you. They cannot save you, but your good works are a proof of your faith, for faith is active." James says the works are what shows the faith: "I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:18). Read Chuck on Titus 3:8 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How can a loving God send people to hell?Chuck Smith answered the question by turning it around: God "has done everything short of violating man's free will to keep him out of hell." Scripture names God as the One "Who will have all men to be saved" (1 Timothy 2:4). Read Chuck's teaching on Luke 16:23 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• How can I have peace with God when I keep failing?Chuck Smith: "if I were justified by works, then I would have peace with God as long as I was doing good. But when I failed, that peace would again be broken." The peace rests on faith, not performance: "being justified by faith, we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1). Read Chuck on Romans 5:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• If Jesus paid for every sin, why do people still go to hell?Chuck Smith was plain about the reach of the cross: "That work of redemption was complete for all mankind. It covered every man's sin." Paul says the same: "he died for all" (2 Corinthians 5:15). Read Chuck on 2 Timothy 2:26 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• If salvation is a free gift, why are there rewards in heaven?Chuck Smith kept the two apart: "God doesn't reward me with eternal life; that is a gift of God," while the believer will still "be rewarded according to my faithfulness." Life is "the gift of God" (Romans 6:23); reward is for work that abides (1 Corinthians 3:14). Read Chuck on Matthew 6:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is God finished with Israel?Chuck Smith: "No, the church is not Israel. And God is yet going to deal with the nation of Israel, as He has promised." Paul answers the question directly: "Hath God cast away his people? God forbid" (Romans 11:1). Read Chuck on Luke 19:8 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is Lot's escape from Sodom a picture of the rapture?Chuck Smith pointed to the order in Jesus' own words: the fire fell "the same day that Lot went out of Sodom" (Luke 17:29). He called Lot "a classic sign of God's ability to deliver the righteous while reserving the ungodly for the day of judgment," the point Peter makes in 2 Peter 2:9. Read Chuck on Luke 17:29 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Is the rapture in the book of Revelation?Chuck Smith read Revelation 4 as the church's exit from the earthly scene: "as we enter then into the fourth chapter, we enter into the post-church era upon the earth." He held this as a conviction drawn from the pattern, not a stated proof text. John hears a trumpet voice say "Come up hither" (Revelation 4:1). Read Chuck on Revelation 4:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Isn't the pre-trib rapture just escapism?Chuck Smith answered the "escapist" charge from the text, "He has not appointed us unto wrath," and from the parable that forbids idle waiting: "We're to occupy, we're to keep busy until He comes." The command is "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13). Read Chuck on Luke 19:13 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does "choose you this day whom ye will serve" mean?Chuck Smith read Joshua's challenge as real choice: "Each man chooses, not if you will serve or not, but who you will serve." Joshua put it to the whole nation: "choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15). Read Chuck on Joshua 24:15 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does "Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe" mean?Chuck Smith read 1 Timothy 4:10 as provision for all and reception by faith: "He provided salvation for all men, but not all have received it." The verse holds both halves together: "the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." Read Chuck on 1 Timothy 4:10 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What does "the sins of the whole world" mean in 1 John 2:2?Chuck Smith took John at his word: "Jesus is the propitiation for our sins and for the sins of the whole world." The text says "not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Read Chuck on 1 John 2:2 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is replacement theology, and why does it matter for the rapture?Chuck Smith described the view that the promises to Israel "are now fulfilled in the church," then named its cost: "immediately it places the church in the Great Tribulation." Paul still speaks of a future for Israel: "And so all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26). Read Chuck on Jeremiah 31:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the blessed hope in Titus 2:13?Chuck Smith on the blessed hope: "It's a purifying hope. Knowing that Jesus is coming at any time, live righteously, live godly." Paul names the hope as a Person: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Read Chuck on Titus 2:13 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the difference between grace and mercy?Chuck Smith's three-line definition: "Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is not getting what's coming to you. And grace is getting what's not coming to you." The publican asked for mercy, not justice: "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13). Read Chuck on Luke 18:13 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• What is the gap between Daniel's 69th and 70th week?Chuck Smith saw the break in the text itself: "he did make a definite break between the sixty-ninth and the seventieth week," and taught that the last week "will not be fulfilled until the church is taken out of here." Messiah is "cut off" after the sixty-two weeks (Daniel 9:26); the "one week" of 9:27 is still to come. Read Chuck on Jeremiah 31:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Who are the 144,000? Are Christians "spiritual Israel"?Chuck Smith took the tribe list at face value and asked the spiritualizer a plain question: "Well, what spiritual tribe are you from?" The text names the sealed as "of all the tribes of the children of Israel" (Revelation 7:4). Read Chuck on 1 John 4:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Who are the elect gathered in Matthew 24:31?Chuck Smith read the gathering in Matthew 24:31 through the prophets: "those elect that God will be gathering together from the four winds of the earth are actually the nation Israel, not the church." The elect here are the gathered nation, not a soteriological category. Read Chuck on Zechariah 2:5 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Who is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2?Chuck Smith identified the restrainer as "the Spirit of God within the church of Jesus Christ," and said the man of sin "can't be revealed until the hindering force is removed." Paul: "only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Read Chuck on Revelation 6:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Who is the woman clothed with the sun in Revelation 12?Chuck Smith tied the sign to Joseph's dream: "The woman of the twelfth chapter of the book of Revelation is identified by this dream to be the nation Israel." Compare "the sun and the moon and the eleven stars" (Genesis 37:9) with "a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelation 12:1). Read Chuck on Genesis 37:9 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why did God give us free will?Chuck Smith's answer was love: "in order to receive meaningful love it has to be a free will involved. You cannot be a robot." God sets the choice before His people and asks for it: "therefore choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:19). Read Chuck on Job 2:4 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why did Jesus have to die? Was there no other way?Chuck Smith read Gethsemane as the answer: the cup "did not pass from Him," which "indicates that there is only one way by which salvation or redemption for man is possible." Jesus asked, "if it be possible, let this cup pass from me" (Matthew 26:39), and then drank it. Read Chuck on Hebrews 5:7 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Why hasn't Jesus come back yet?Chuck Smith's answer was the patience of God: "the real delay in the return of Jesus Christ is just God's unwillingness that men should perish." Peter gives the same reason: "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Read Chuck on 2 Peter 3:9 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.
• Will Christians go through the Great Tribulation?Chuck Smith's reason was the nature of the period: it is wrath, and "we have not been appointed unto wrath." Paul: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Read Chuck on Revelation 6:15 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.

Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.