Would God Ever Tell Us to Do Something that Contradicts the Bible?

God chose to do something that contradicts the Bible. That is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi, I'm Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We would love to hear from you in our phone lines will be open for the next 25 minutes or so you can call us with your question right now at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 90 can also post your question I want to bar social media sites you can log onto YouTube right now and watch a drill live in the studio in San Diego course you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com burst up today let's go to a voicemail from one of our listeners named Sandy about the Bible so I am shocked, I live and I have people asking me time in the Bible is not by outdated laws by Shelby I have someone tell me. Well James version. Now how do we know that we can actually read the original scrolls her Bible and Hebrew that we have no clue the Bible is correct to me to faith and my love of God.

I give it to be true about people. How do you know after the question you think is so much love your program you love. I love what you say when people bring this up to you to show me because a lot of times people will say what the Bible is outdated, it's not relevant or it has errors and they're just repeating something they've heard. It's not that they've actually really studied the Bible, maybe some of them have but so often. What I found is individuals are making these claims, but actually can point you to any clear contradictions or or maybe they're just not understanding the text of Scripture. Well, as I think it's it's good to ask those kinds of follow-up questions that the fact of the matter isn't, and we know there's those who study Scripture and read it to me just just think of your life personally. As you've read the Bible how much it's helped you guy.

I can't begin to express it as I as I study Scripture throughout my life, how relevant it is reading the Old Testament, the New Testament, and yet still buy by the spirit of God. God's Spirit speaks to us through his word sanctifying us strengthening us in our faith.

And this is why the apostle Paul could say in second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, and equipped for every good work and so is SOI and I think I think we we accept follow-up question, we can point to the wonderful things we see in Scripture that I think revealed that it is divinely inspired.

Think of the prophetic evidence. For example, the prophecies that have come true. God says in Isaiah 46 verses nine and 10.

I am God and there is no other. I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times, things that are not yet done so got his legs out how you know that I'm the true and living God. My word is trying to tell you what happens before it happens. So there are number of things we can point to, but ultimately it's the work of the Holy Spirit in an individual's life opening their eyes and giving them understanding the Scriptures, and sleep.

We pray for your friends, and I pray for the Lord gives you good opportunities to get to have these discussions and hopefully to to search the Scriptures together. I bless you Sandy is great counsel later.

I think sometimes we feel like it's our responsibility.

Like we have to convince people we have to persuade them. And yet, as you said, it's the Holy Spirit's work in their life that makes them opens their eyes opens their ears to the truth of God's word yet. It's that peace that so important.

Otherwise, we might feel like the burden is totally on us.

You know what might my persuasive skills and if this person is in understanding what must just be my fault know I'm you we are called to be bold and I think to understand what we believe the reasons we believe it to be able to make a case. I think that's really good for all of us as Christians but it is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of an individual giving them eyes to see that the grace of Christ in the truth of Scripture. I meant this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. We would love to hear from you.

Maybe you got a question about doctrine or theology. Maybe you got some doubts about the Christian faith or you practice some other religion, and you're really confused about some of the claims about other Christianity has made we would love to hear from you were open to any questions today 833.

The core is the number that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also leave a voicemail at that number 24 hours a day, and here's a voicemail from one of our listeners named Jasmine you're shy T chat about Christian boys Bible tells us not to worry some Christian. She is well I guess passing Christian together and I got married. I guess my question is what asking today, something that is out outside Scripture because I made it hours total terrarium cross teaching… Nine guards asks you today just wondering again dress hey Jasmine, what an excellent question. Does God ever tell us what is is individuals yet. I know this is what the Lord says but does God ever speak to us individually in a way that would contradict his law as it is the answer that is is no God does not contradict his word and he doesn't give us as individuals.

A free pass to disobey his word. Now that that doesn't mean I've heard many stories like this is maybe the situation with your friend where their interrelationship clearly rights purchases. We should not marry someone is outside of the face whatever stories are word this happens and that doesn't make it right, but then you know in time. This person came to believe and I think of me to praise God for that in his providence. That's how things worked out with the fact of the matter is that the Bible is very clear about the fact that you know when when a believer marry state they ought to marry should marry are required to marry in the Lord, that is somebody who believes in Jesus, who is a part of a church and and where word that the most important thing faith in Christ is something that the couple shares. This is seen in first Corinthians.

It's also very clear in second Corinthians were Paul talks about not being unequally yoked with nonbelievers and so this of this is something that is very clear in Scripture and my concern is you know sometimes we can really want something, and then usually I think this this is true in the context of relationships. We really want to be with someone were attracted to them. But we know they don't have faith in Christ and so were looking for justification will how can I make this happen. And maybe I think a lot of times you noodles it well that they go to church.

They were baptized.

They used to go to church but they really don't understand the gospel or have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So we want. Oftentimes, I think justify our behavior when were going against God's word. We have to be careful that we don't do that.

We we want to submit to what God's law says and realize that God is not to convert contradict himself now. God is in his sovereign province able to make all things work together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

Even even our own failures and sinful decisions. But that doesn't justify those decisions and so appreciate your question, I do think we all need to be on guard against thinking that God is can it give us a free pass to do something that's not laid out in his word goes against his word specifically.

May the Lord bless you and I hope that the Lord does bless your your friend as well that this this person that she's with comes to faith in Christ and and that they are on the same page. Eventually, with regard to that. Thank you. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go back to the phones at 833. The core we got Calvin on the line from Iowa, and what your question for Israel. First of all, the I was just curious I mean out. What do you think happens to our soul when were waiting for the mail Christ to return and allow his generals a word in heaven now there with her with our loved ones, but one is are the source of our soul that when redirects excellent question brother will the souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness and they immediately pass into glory in the presence you're in the presence of Jesus Christ, our bodies go down into the ground where they experience decay, but what were still that this still up part of who we are and so that's all we have the hope of the resurrection. So we call this the intermediate state, we die our bodies go down in the ground.

Our souls are in the presence of the Lord worshiping him perfected in holiness with joy and bliss, together with the saints together with the angels waiting for the final day. The restoration of all things, the resurrection of our bodies and the ushering in of what the Bible calls the new creation of the evidence for this is all over the place and you think of Jesus's statement to the thief on the cross today your to be with me in paradise or Paul's discussion with the Philippians in Philippians chapter 1 where he was talking about his death and he said he wanted to depart and be with Christ because that was far better than anything else in another which he saw his death which was right around the corner is as being that the, the, the doorway, if you will to his soul going to be with Jesus. And that's precisely what he says in second Corinthians chapter 5 absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. So Calvin if you are in Christ, if you belong to Jesus that we have the hope of the resurrection. But before the resurrection of the dead. We also have the hope of being with Jesus in heaven perfected in holiness, worshiping him with joy and celebration. And that's that's what the Bible teaches Douglas, this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

We get a lot of tough questions on this program and we actually put together a wonderful resource that answers many of those tough questions that our listeners are asked and we think will help you answer some tough questions maybe from somebody in your life who is not a believer in agnostic or an atheist really one of your children has some tough questions. Would love to get this new resource into your hands et al. tough questions answered by Doug Powell and it's a short booklet about 50 pages long, and this is something you could read over the weekend or maybe even in an afternoon. But we focus on some of the tough questions of people do have regarding things like world religions, the science of the questions that people are asking today we want to help equip you as you talk with friends have conversations with skeptics or even just wrestle through these questions on your own and so get a hold of this resource for donation of any amount I give what you can over core, Christianity.com love to get this in your hands so maybe you could work a lot this weekend or maybe it be something your small group could go through this fall in a Sunday school class.

Here is the web address. Again, it's core, Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers and look for tough questions answered. Let's go back to the phones at 833. The core begotten Mike online from Sparta Illinois Michael what your question for Israel. I was studying. Instructors should explore less when I was teaching and I was going to the story of Gideon and it's open the angel of the Lord appeared to demand a lot of the commentary that I was reading and spelling that I have heard was saying that that was both in the Old Testament, but I couldn't find any evidence about the actual Scripture.

I was on something or what are your thoughts on that. Yeah hey excellent question so so the angel of the Lord is this this figure this individual. It appears throughout the Old Testament was so interesting about the angel of the Lord is often identified with Yahweh, the Lord himself and so there are many who say that this is pre-incarnate appearance if you will, of the word and the eternal son of God and and I think there's there's evidence for them.

Just because you do have this very close association between the angel of the Lord and the Lord hit interesting because there's there seems to be a distinction in some places, but then also in identification and other places and so this is one of the reasons why many commentators Michael say will this this this is this is the Lord this is that the word coming to the people of God and and again you can you see this in different places. You see this throughout the book of Genesis also think the first time we have the appearance, specifically of the angel of the Lord is where were you have that situation where Abraham's servant girl who had a child with is on the right and the angel of the Lord appears to her extending to her these promises and so you see this figure throughout the Old Testament. I do personally think that there's a strong case to be made that this is this is this is Christ. This is the word there in the Old Testament appearing.

This is also just when we think about. It helps us to understand you know when when the New Testament talks about the fact that Christ is everywhere in Scripture. Jesus saying that Moses wrote about him is some of the place setting mysteriously where we can see the presence of the Lord with his people and so I think if you go that direction.

I think that there is there's a good case to be made throughout the Old Testament for identifying the angel of the Lord with the second person of the holy Trinity. Thanks, Mike hey Mike think Michael thanks so much for listing the core Christianity. We really do appreciate you. Let's go to Chad in Mankato, Minnesota. Chad what your question for atrial. God bless you all think about all my stuff away from the church a little bit because some people hurt me and then I stepped back, my question comes to what you say to you find when you step away from the church and the devil disciplined you to a Christian life. You have struggled, but then when you do turn the Lord the devil tempts you so either way you're frustrated and you have terrible situation.

How do you licorice and find strength know pierces the evil one goes up around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us and I think we were outside of the Fellowship of the church outside of of you know that the ordinary operations of me where God is speaking to his people under the preaching of the word, together with other believers being cared for, watched over by hopefully good pastors and elders who were called and qualified in the local church. We put ourselves in a very vulnerable situation. Is there some people who are just outside of fellowship with the church because they've chosen to be and II know I'm speaking to somebody right now you listen this broadcasting to you you're interested in the crucified attribute identifies a Christian, but you're not a part of the church. A lot of times I think. Today, people just have a low view of the church and I think well you know I'm I accepted Jesus in my heart of a personal relationship with him. I don't need other other believers but but that is not true. We are part of the body of Christ, and we need each other, especially in that spiritual fight that were in. Think about what the apostle Paul says in Ephesians chapter 6 taking up the armor of God and praying for each other because we we we desperately need that protection that is found within the body of Christ and in the body of Christ, we still experience those temptations. The struggles is as you know, brother. But we have the reinforcements of the family of God, and we have the word of God. Hopefully that's that's washing over us, weekend and week out, helping us to stand firm. As Paul says in Ephesians chapter 6 is I would say it's not like hey if I'm in the church, things are bad and if an outside of the church, things are bad know if were outside of the church were putting ourselves in a very vulnerable position in the spiritual fight that were all in were making ourselves susceptible to the attacks of the evil were not being washed by the water of the word like we need to be and so I would just encourage her and say eight.

You're going to experience those attacks from Satan, the struggles, even as a part of the body of Christ, but it's there that were reminded of the promises of the gospel is there that hopefully other believers can encourage us and come alongside of us. And it sounds like for you. You had some difficult experiences where you were were hurt by the church and I'm not entirely sure what what the situation was, but you know one I I'm I'm sorry about that. It did it's it's just at that tragic thing that we see over and over again, but that that's not I think an excuse for us to not get plugged into solid churches. If you're if you're hurt by a church that has issues and is abusive and and doesn't have good leadership structure will yeah maybe that's not the church that you should be in but be in a church with the word of God is faithful. He taught where there is accountability where your soul is going to be cared for, because Jesus is present there and he wants you there to Lesson your listing the core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez after our live program finishes up today were to be recording a second episode of core Christianity.

So if you haven't had a chance to call in the next 20 minutes or so last 20 minutes or so, you can still give us a call with your question. In fact, you can call us for the next 35 minutes or so at this number 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 the core, you can call us up until about 1230 Pacific time.

So I'm sorry 12 are… That's right my time zones right there, let's go back to the phones and Mary is on the line from Missouri which is in the central time zone. I'm pretty sure Mary how are you fine thanks talk to you thanks are given a skull Mary what's what your question and Leviticus 23. There 7C and it was written in a like. I guess 3500 years ago, but Jesus came after 1500 years and they were the Passover, unleavened bread, firstfruits and thin and cost and Jesus just fell writing and filled those first 4 feet and then sprinkle Easter separated from the faulty and so that the fall feasts have not been fulfilled yet, but do you think this is a good way to share with people who are not sure that the Bible's true you know.

Explain to them that you know God was working 1500 years ago, giving us a plan for the ages and correct. We didn't know what but now we can look at it and say that Anna first. The first call fees as the feast of trumpets. Thank you for what I just appreciate your approach is in.

Is this a good way to help people see that the Bible is true or answering a question very similar to that early arena. How can we support that with with me with the Scripture say but help others to understand that this is God's very word, and so Leviticus 22. There never actually places and Leviticus. We could go to demonstrate. I think that just that the unity of Scripture by picking up the day of atonement, for example. Also, back in Leviticus 16 or 17 work where you have the that just his moment of the cleansing of the nation and this picture of guilt being removed through this sacrificial animal that's that's a beautiful picture of the gospel sites.

I do think we can go to places like the book of Leviticus, and specifically Leviticus 23 and highlight how all of these things point us forward to Christ and his redemptive work and so so yeah and in a real sense I think what we can do it it it requires. I think a little bit of background, because you know people typically don't have efficient outside of the church. This context for all of Scripture. But as they learn the story of God and is a see these things and then are able to to see how it all fits together just as beautiful tapestry of redemption and how over thousands of years God is given us his revelation, but there's this unifying theme or purpose centering on Jesus.

I mean, I do think that is remarkable. I think it's something that should cause people to say wow yeah this is just another another human book and with regard to the fees that you are talking about them in the apostle Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 5 verse seven.

Cleanse out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.

For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven the leaven of malice and evil but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, and of which Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover feast not just athletes but all of them because Paul says in Colossians chapter 2 verse 16. Let no one pass judgment on you and questions of food and drink her with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. And so we have the substance now and we can point that out to people and encourage them not to fix their eyes on Jesus and that's that's precisely where the scriptures point.

This is on Christ and his redemptive work and so may the Lord bless you as you continue to look to Christ through Scripture and in your life answering question your listing to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. We do have a YouTube channel and here's a question from Leticia, who is watching us on YouTube and she says can you help me understand the gift of tongues is it biblical what many churches are practicing today. Well Leticia, I have about one minute.

60 seconds to answer this question and I can't speak for every church. I know it might my position is that gift was given specifically for a purpose in those miraculous gifts and in the first century really helping to get the gospel out specifically the sign gifts. Those miraculous gifts and so I think a lot of what you see in churches today.

You can't really justify if you read first Corinthians chapter 14 were talks about how the gift was used in in the days of the apostles were there's an interpreter there and there's someone who speaks in tongues and then there's an interpretation given so that everybody can praise God that doesn't really happen I I think, and in many churches I've never seen that happen and I've been a part of many different kinds of churches we want to be cautious and ultimately want to go to the Scriptures let the scriptures guide us and guide our worship so important that has a lot to say about worship and so we want to make sure that whatever were doing in church, we can justify on the basis of holy Scripture. And so God bless you Leticia, thanks for calling. 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 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