How Should Christians Think About Online Dating?

Should Christians use online dating websites and if so, what's the best way to meet people when using them.

That's is one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor April Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

You can call us right now with your question.

At 833. The core make a note of that number 1-833-843-2673. You can also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us on YouTube and you can email us with your question at questions@corechristianity.com.

Today we have a question from NS in Cherokee, Iowa NS welcome to core Christianity love you God I love your program hey thanks for the encouragement NS. What's your question why time prophecy topic that the great majority of pastors and churches don't want to teach or even talk about that time. Conversations don't hardly should we be spread in the reality of it all, especially one saying the things happening all around us. What does it take to convince people to even consider the urgency of our day. The number one response I got from believers and nonbelievers. As we parted for hundreds of years. Well NS what what I would say to that Aminah I think one of that one of the issues is a lot of pastors are concerned when they approach apocalyptic literature in the Bible because just for many people it is hard to understand what's going on. How do we interpret the symbols that were getting in places like the book of Daniel, and in the book of Ezekiel in the book of Revelation is important for us as pastors to preach the whole counsel of God's word that will just pick what we want to preach and then avoid things that we don't want to touch. We have to we have to preach all of Scripture, all Scripture. Paul said in second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 is given by inspiration. It's God breathed its profitable for instruction for training us up in righteousness, and I think specifically what when we are looking at this question related to prophecy. We have to look it up. Revelation chapter 1 verses one through three. Because, listen to what John said there.

He said the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw and then and then John adds this blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it for the time is near. In other words, this there's this blessing that's attached to reading and understanding the word of God, and in particular the words of the prophecy here described in the book of Revelation there are a lot of abuses out there. There are people who approach biblical prophecy in a way that that twists Scripture and really has people living in fear.

It can be really confusing.

You know that they're trying to apply these. The symbolic passages of Scripture to things that are happening around us today and I think there are a lot of misapplication to and and that's one reason I think that other pastor. Just avoid the topic altogether because it they are afraid that they're going to misapply the word of God. It's so important for us to understand the Bible in its context and to understand biblical prophecy in its context. In particular, a book like the book of Revelation was written for first century Christians who were being persecuted and it was meant to be an encouragement to them. John over and over again is talking about how the believer conquers through faith in Christ and and persevering by the blood of Jesus Christ essentially and so I would say to you, NS.

We can't avoid these topics, but we need to make sure that as were talking about biblical prophecy were doing so in a way that's faithful to Scripture, understanding, and in its context, and I'm not twisting it and not reading or trying to to read our present day into every verse of the Bible. I think that that's one area where people can get really lost is that there they're trying to apply what's happening in the Middle East today to what Ezekiel said thousands of years ago, and that's an area where we have to be really careful.

That's not the proper way to approach Scripture which we understand in its context, and then from there we glean for ourselves what it but it means so thank you and may the Lord bless you and of course the historically there been so many times in the church's history where people have been convinced that the Lord is going to return right now and are prepared for it and then it didn't happen. Yeah, I mean, Jesus said it very clearly no one knows the day or the hour. I remember some years ago there was this book that was published.

I think it was 88 reasons why the rapture is going to be in 1988 or something like that.

Of course that didn't happen and over and over again. You have people again misapplying passages of Scripture to biblical prophecy misapplying passages of Scripture about about prophecy, to the present day and and it really can cause people to shipwreck in their faith because they they put their confidence in these teachers and eventually it just goes south, and so we'd understand the Bible and its context. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to Jim from Barstow, California.

Jim welcome to core Christianity. I heard you say on this program. A number of times we all should we all fall short of God expectation yet going to should I give up on you and I've had it with you.

But what about King Saul. He was a person who God parted from and how can one avoid whatever consolidated God would just give up on a person that can one about us mere mortals work how can one avoid ever reaching that point I Jim I really appreciate your question brother and I know that there are many Christians who that is their greatest fear, am I ever going to do something that's gonna cause the Lord to give up on me just me. Honestly I remember as a newer believer me.

That was my greatest concern personally was pace is wonderful that II know Jesus.

Now I've been forgiven.

I'm I'm save quote unquote but you know yourself, you know that you're not perfect.

You know that you still say am I gonna do something that's gonna cause the Lord to abandon me. And so, over and over again as you noted, we stress on this program. Salvation is of the Lord from start to finish. That's where our confidence is in the work of God through his son Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. That's what gives us hope that'll give us confidence in this idea that God isn't going to abandon us and they were not making that up that comes from Hebrews chapter 13 listen with the author to the Hebrews said. Hebrews 13 verse five. Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said I will never leave you nor forsake you. So, we can confidently say the Lord is my helper, I will not fear what can man do to me. It's really a one of the most wonderful promises.

I think in all of Scripture that were meant to take for ourselves as individuals and and just embrace that truth. He has said to us, to you, Jim. I will never leave you or forsake you. And so then what do we do with the story of Saul in first Samuel well I think it's clear that what Saul did essentially was commit apostasy.

That is, he turned his back on the living God. This the sort of continual turning away from the Lord and actually doing the opposite of everything that the Lord had commanded him to do. Now it's clear that in his lifetime. The spirit of God worked in and through him in mighty ways that you see this over and over. In fact even prophesied yet. I think we see the tragedy of of the reality that individuals can even be mightily used by the Lord and still lack. I think saving faith. I think of you know that the false prophets that Jesus rebukes in Matthew chapter 7 that they say to him, Lord, Lord, but they do not do what he says in it and on the day of judgment. He's gonna save them depart from me.

I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness not depart from me, I used to know you used to be a good relationship but you lost your salvation or I'm abandoning you know I never knew you. There are people who can be very religious, who can, do you know mighty things, so it seems. And yet who don't really know the Lord don't have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

And I think that was I think that was Saul. And so the Lord for his children will never abandon us will never leave us or forsake us. And that's a promise in the word of God that you can take to the bank. May the Lord bless you Jim. Amen. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez by the way, here a core Christianity. We aren't supported by a particular church or denomination. We rely on people just like you to make donations to keep us on the air and if you find this program helpful would ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift of any amount you can do that on our website@corechristianity.com. We also love to invite you to consider joining what we call our inner core. These are faithful supporters who make a donation every month and as a core member you receive some special resources of us on a monthly basis and a special video devotional from Pastor Adrian also consider signing up for the inner core. Let's go to Jade from Québec, Canada Jade, welcome to core Christianity Christian.

Pastor Edmonton concerning RAM that I my church isn't opening up and I wish they do.

But what can she members of the church do when their leadership doesn't want open up their church will capacity something yeah Jade. Well, this is very difficult, but a very important question sister and gathering together with the people of God is so important for us as Christians it's what were called to them in the book of Hebrews makes it very clear that were not to forsake the assembling of ourselves with one another the other. The Hebrews says this in Hebrews chapter 10 and yet at the same time. I know that many churches in different places and pastors are seeking to be faithful to the Lord and to shepherd the sheep preaching the word of God while at the same time wanting to make sure that were keeping people safe that were being good stewards of the. The people that are put before us, so every every pastor and in their particular context or that have difficult decisions to make. I don't know specifically what what the context is like there in Québec and I can tell you speaking for myself as a pastor here in San Diego. We've continued to do this is still have worship services were meeting outside and were preaching the word of God were administering the ordinances that Jesus gave us to administer it's it's different not circumstantially on the circumstances of our worship or are different, but the essence of what Christian worship is is still there because what makes a worship service. A worship service Jade the faithful preaching of the word of God. The administration of what we might call that the sacraments is the sacraments, was ordinances that Jesus gave to us. Prayer singing to the Lord.

I mean that's what makes a worship service, not whether were insider outsider how close were seated to one another. Those things are all circumstantial. And so I think one thing I've noticed Jade for there's a lot of confusion out there about the essence or the elements of Christian worship. There are people who said what will you know if if were not open and meeting inside will then we really can't worship but that's not true because nowhere has the Lord said, you have to meet insider you have to meet outside. He's called us to preach the word of God faithfully and for you sister now. II just so appreciate you calling into the core, I would say talk to your pastor and and you know but I don't know specifically what's going on in your local conurbation but with humility go to him and say look, we are struggling we need the word of God.

I do want to ask you to. Are you guys meeting at all it is is it just that you're not meeting insider you guys try to do outdoor things people like 10 people who yeah yeah for meeting inside. I'm guessing it's probably too cold to meet outside right in.

Take yeah well and and again every every I want to be so careful because I want to respect the pastors who were called to shepherd their local congregations and and recognizing that look we all need wisdom and I would say talk to them with humility. Ask questions. Figure out windows into what maybe what their thought processes. Here we do, though it made. It is so important for us to be gathered together as believers and I and I love the fact Jade that that's something that you long for that something that you want. I think that should be the heart of every Christian. What a blessing it is to gather together with God's people, and so we need to take that very seriously and we need to do everything that we can to continue to gather together in ways that are safe and ultimately faithful to what God calls us to do. May the Lord bless you Jaden and I thank you for that question.

So nice to hear from Jade there in Québec and we appreciate all of our listeners in Canada and the US. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and many Christians today are particularly comfortable defending the Christian faith when talking to unbelievers. So today we are offering an excellent book that will equip you to do just that you were offering Josh McDowell's book, Josh and John McDowell more than a carpenter. Really a wonderful resource that's gonna take you through a lot of those difficult conversations that we've all had no summary comes to you and and they asked you that question, why do you believe that Jesus is is the way or that he rose from the dead, or doesn't science disprove the Bible mean these are conversations that we have with friends and family members, coworkers, this book is can I help you answer those questions for yourself and also for others it's so important, not just that we know what we believe but that were also able to defend it. And so we want to get this resource in your hands with Easter coming up. This is really fantastic time to read this book and prepare yourself for some of the conversations you may have with friends or family members who don't believe in Jesus or WebQuest questions about the Christian faith. Even people that you might be inviting the church on Easter you can get your copy of more than a carpenter today for a donation of any amount@corechristianity.com/offers that's core Christianity.com/offers or you can call us for this offer anyone of our office at 833-843-2673. That's 833. The core let's go to a voicemail question that came in from Maria to enter my balance on learning Christian dating. I am single and have been single for quite some time and it's been really challenging to me. Godly men specially because most of them at my church are married hello. During this Christian dating.

How does a single godly woman is being pursued when a man doesn't even communicate with you. I don't know how to, for instance, shall the woman click on the light are not or just wait upon. Then they could delete as a woman can be pursued like your thoughts on that biblically. Thank you for your time Tammy, thank you so much for Maria, thank you so much for that message that you left us and I think that there's there's nothing wrong with Christians using online dating services that's that's totally okay.

I like that that you brought up you know that the fact that you're looking in the church, but there's everybody there was married. I think you know one of the first places we should look is in the local church. We want to find someone who's committed to the body of Christ who loves Jesus and and it's clear from the fact that they're a part of the worshiping community and and under the word serving the Lord as I don't think that there's anything wrong with Christian online dating services is give you some of the wisdom that Paul gives us in first Corinthians chapter 7. Beginning in verse 32 is I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord how to please the Lord, but the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife and his interest. Paul said are divided in the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to late any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord and then he goes on to say just a few verses later in first Corinthians 7 verse 39 a wife is bound her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes only in the Lord did in my judgment, she is happier. She remains as she is and I think that I too have the spirit of God. Paul giving his own to sense their but he says you're free to be married to whoever you wish only in the Lord. That is, are they a believer and I think one of the things you know it. With the online dating thing is he is its even if somebody signs up for a Christian dating website that that doesn't necessarily mean that they're a part of a church that they truly know and love Jesus and so I think it takes time to get to know someone.

I think you know expressing that you like are interested in someone by clicking like that that that that's okay that's totally fine, but ultimately you want to make sure that you're the person that you're with is committed to a church that they are going to pursue you and and more than anything that they're pursuing Jesus and that that shows in their life and that Paul also says in the book of second Corinthians and second printing chapter 6 that were not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, so it's really important that that the person who you're considering for for dating is a Christian that they know the Lord and let me just say this as a pastor I've seen this time and time again where were someone single. They they really want to be married.

They want to meet someone who is a believer, but they feel like they're not finding anyone. And so they just settle and they tell themselves I will the person is willing to go to church with me they're willing to talk about the Bible and about God which you want that what you want is someone who is going to challenge you to love Jesus more already someone who's going to encourage you in your walk with the Lord. And I've heard of of believers, meeting people, just like that over you know online Christian dating services and so I think that that that's a legitimate option and I would just encourage you to find someone who's a part of a good church and who is pursuing the Lord and will pursue you as well.

Thank you for that question Maria Greg counsel Hydro.

Thanks for that.

This is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez.

Here's the number to call if you have a question it's 833. The core let's go to Tammy from Nashville, Tennessee Tammy, welcome to core Christianity all wondering that we can ever get heart to the Lord and make it say that you think we can ever go to a place where we turn from the Lord and live yeah we were talking about this little bit earlier I would have that question about Saul and his departure from the Lord. If you will and and some people say enough you send too much you can lose your salvation or you can walk away from your salvation so you were saved, but now you're not saved anymore. You abandoned it. I don't believe that that's the case, I think that if somebody turns away from the Lord of think they walk away from the church and they walk away from Jesus will John says I believe it's in first John chapter 2 makes it very clear clear the people who do that. Paul John says they were not of us. Because if they would've been of us, they would've continued with us. In other words, what happens a lot of times people can be in the church and experience even in in in some powerful ways.

I think the ministry of the word in Christian community.

And yet it never really sticks.

They never really trust in Jesus by faith, lay hold of him by faith is when we do, guess what Tammy Jesus himself keeps us in. This is what Jesus said in John chapter 10 I love this verse John chapter 10 verse 27 of the start there. He said my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My father, who is given them to me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the father's hand, I and the father are one. What a wonderful promise that we have there. Jesus says I give you my sheep eternal life and your in my hands. Now that doesn't mean were knocking to suffer. That doesn't mean were not can it struggle at times with cinnamon just read what the apostle Paul said in in Romans chapter 7 we experience this real day by day battle with the flesh Tammy but the good news is God himself. Jesus himself keeps his sheep. We can't lose our salvation when I can walk away from because were in the hands of the Lord and he is day by day by the Holy Spirit.

Sanctifying us making us more and more into the image of Jesus and so I think you can take comfort from those words, Tammy and may the Lord bless you great words of reassurance. Thank you so much for that Israel.

This is core Christianity let's go to Liz who is calling in from Garner Iowa lives welcome the core Christianity doing well Liz, what's your question knowing their strong character one to land meeting and often heard that we should have a policy cycle questioning the layout.

Christian should participate in the great commission.

Why are my guy. I think that's one way that we can participate in it, but I think that there there are multiple ways, and ultimately, discipleship isn't an individual thing.

That is, I as an individual, even as a pastor, don't make disciples of myself were all together in the context of the body of Christ, making disciples with the gifts that God gives us individually. Now that gift might be teaching or it might be hospitality or helps, or any number of things but we have to move away from this idea.

The discipleship looks like just a one-on-one meeting with someone else and I making a disciple and and someone is making me as a disciple know it's the word the ministry of the word, as were under it together and as were part of healthy churches were building each other up in the context of communities. I think it's great to meet with people in and to do that kind of thing which is to recognize it's not all on your shoulders.

Ultimately, Jesus makes disciples by his word, and by his spirit. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together