Is it true that I am dishonest if I do not tell the whole truth? Suggested Daily Reading: Proverbs 12: 17-28 Yes, I can deceive someone by saying true things, but by hiding other aspects of the truth.  For example, you ask permission to go to a good friend’s place tonight.  Your Mom responds, “What will you be doing?” You reply, “we’ll be doing our homework.  While this is true, it is only half of the truth, because you are also planning to to meet up with some other friends to go bowling after your homework is finished.  Yes, you can be deceptive by only revealing part of the truth and concealing other aspects of it. Honesty and trust are best friends.  You cannot have the one without the other.  If your parents or some friends do not trust you, this is a key indicator that you have not always been fully honest.  If you find that people trust your word, this indicates that, by the grace of God, you have been very honest.  The rich rewards for being fully honest is God’s favor and people’s trust. We can be tempted to lie, however, for many reasons.  For example, to avoid undesired consequences, to be praised, to make money, or to harm others.  Lying is self-centered.  God is a God of truth, Who cannot lie.  Satan is the father of lies.  God hates all types of lying.  Lying is an abomination to God, but truth is His delight (Prov. 12:22). We can be dishonest and deceptive in many ways.  For example, we can minimize or exaggerate something to serve our own purposes, or tell only the parts of the truth that best serve our purpose, or be silent to deceive others to protect myself, or by flattering others so they will like us and do what we ask, or by pretending to be able to do or not do something to serve our own desires. Not only must we be fully honest with other people, we must also be open and honest with God.  How do we do this?  We do so when we pray to Him and openly and honestly confess all our sins and failures.  We do so when we look to Jesus as the only Savior, Who can deliver me from all my sin.  We do so when we pray for the Holy Spirit to equip us to live according to God’s law – to love God above all and others as ourselves. Why is Satan called “the father of lies?”  How can a person lie by being silent?  Are you fully honest with others?  Do people trust you?  If some people tend not to readily trust you, how can you change this?  Why is honesty with God in prayer so important?

Is sex wrong if a boyfriend and girlfriend really love each other? Suggested Daily Reading: Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Corinthians 6:18 – 7:5 Yes, sex before marriage is wrong.  Why?  Here are ten reasons why.  Premarital sex is wrong because: It breaks God’s loving command – God safely placed the gift of human sexuality within the bounds of loving, lifelong marriage. It is sinning against your own body – God loves purity and our bodies should be viewed as temples of God to be kept clean and dedicated to God. It denies true love: true love denies self and seeks the best for the one he or she loves – Lust is the opposite; it wants to please self.  But love does not want to harm the one loved in any way. It damages the couples first time: there is only one first time with its intimacy and  specialness – The best fruits are sour if picked before they are ripe. It takes place in a mixed atmosphere – Fears of consequences, of being discovered, and of conscience intermix themselves in pre-marital sex. It increases emotional stress – Guilt, tension, and fears of what would happen if the relationship broke up; and if the relationship continues, tensions regarding how to avoid or engage in more sexual activity are intensified. It lowers one’s self-control, self-esteem and self integrity – Waiting builds trust and respect and a healthy relationship.  Pre-marital sex easily slips into a sex-dominated relationship. It produces lifelong, painful and disappointing memories – If the couple remains together, their memories are marred.  If they separate, painful and jealous memories remain. It mars a couple’s special wedding day joys – If pre-marital pregnancy results, this presents a host of new issues and problems.  If pregnancy does not result the couple have robbed themselves of this special joy and intimate aspect of their wedding day and substituted a guilty conscience for it. It increases the risk of damaging parental and family relationships – If pregnancy results, family crisis’ are generated; and if pregnancy does not occur a hypocritical silence is maintained, sometimes for life. The tempter makes sin look attractive.  But engaging in sin always produces bitter fruits.  Sometimes outwardly, but always inwardly.  A condom may prevent the physical consequences from pre-marital sex, but there is no condom for one’s memory, feelings or conscience.  Why is this true?  Why will no human devise ever protect any person from the spiritual and eventually the eternal consequences of unrepentant sin?

Should I pray for a marriage partner? What traits should I look for? Suggested Daily Reading: Genesis 24:1-27 Yes, you should pray for God’s guidance in all aspects of your life, and especially for such important decisions as a marriage partner.  While God calls some to serve Him through life as a single, such as the Apostle Paul, His general plan is that we marry (Gen 2:21-25).  Marriage is the most intimate, influential and important of all human friendships, therefore who we marry is one of the most important decisions we make in life. When praying and looking for a future spouse, pray and look for a person that you believe, if a relationship developed, that you would be able to positively answer the following key questions.  These questions are also very insightful to think about as a relationship matures and you are contemplating marriage. Religious convictions – Do you both love God? Share the same religious convictions?  Agree on establishing the Bible as your guide for life?  View devotions in a similar way?  Do you talk about spiritual matters?  Pray together? Agree on basic principles of how to raise children?  In short, are you agreed to base your decision-making on a common set of biblical beliefs and practices? Love and esteem – Do you cherish each other? Are both of you willing to sacrifice for the other?  Do you value the thoughts and respect the feelings of each other?  Do both of you love and trust each other?  Would this be the person that I would want to be the father or mother of my future children? Communication – Do you both enjoy talking about things together? Are you comfortable to talk about deep feelings?  Share spiritual needs?  Do you freely discuss a wide range of subjects and practical issues together?  Do you agree on most items you discuss?  Do you really listen and try to understand each other, especially when you disagree on something? Biblical traits – Key traits for a future marriage partner include: A husband – One who deeply loves (Gen. 2:24), spends time with (Deut. 24:5), is content and happy with (Prov. 5:18), kindly affectionate toward (1 Cor. 7:3), treasures and honors (1 Pet. 3:7), lovingly leads as head of (Eph. 5:23), self-sacrifices for (Eph. 5:25), provides for (1 Tim. 5:8) and prays for (1 Pet. 3:7) his wife. A wife – One who deeply loves and helps (Gen. 2:18), is virtuous toward (Prov. 12:4); non-contentious with (Prov. 19:13), a trustworthy confidante of (Prov.31:11-12), shows wisdom and kindness toward (Prov. 31:26), displays inward beautiful traits with (1 Pet. 3:3-4), self-sacrifices for (1 Cor. 7:4), and lovingly submits to the leadership of (Eph. 5:22-23) her husband. How does the recommended Scripture reading (Gen. 24) illustrate the importance of praying and searching for a fitting marriage partner?  Why is it important to know the biblical traits of a desirable marriage partner, before I enter into a dating relationship?  Why must the principles of God’s Word guide our thoughts and feelings in this important matter?

How should I respond when someone says or does really mean things to me? Suggested Daily Reading: Matthew 5:38-48 A young soldier was cruelly bullied and mocked by another for being a Christian.  The bully insulted and degraded him with words and actions.  One night after a long march in the rain and mud, the Christian soldier was hit on his back and head by objects when he was praying at his bedside.  The bully, with loud laughter, had thrown his muddy boots at him.  The next morning, however, the bully found his boots at his bedside, neatly cleaned and perfectly polished.  This act changed things.  The bully could no longer enjoy cruelly teasing the Christian soldier and the bullying stopped. Living out of a charitable spirit and showing unconditional love is challenging for all of us.  It is difficult when others, in our opinion, do not deserve it. It is hardest when the person has mistreated us by unprovoked, inappropriate, cruel words or actions.  To really respond with charity from our hearts, we need God’s grace. When Jesus provided us with examples of how to show unconditional love, he gave two scenarios that would have been very challenging for the Jews of His day.  Reflect on the suggested reading above.  The “smiting” referred was an insulting hit, a “slap with an open hand,” not hitting with a fist.  We would say today, “A slap in the face.”  Also, Roman soldiers had the authority to force the Jews, and others under their rule, to carry their loads for one mile.  It was very humiliating and insulting for a Jew to be treated like this.  They were compelled/forced to do the work of a slave for the Romans who they hated ruling over them.  You can be sure that a Jew did not carry a load one step beyond what he was compelled to do! Yet it is exactly at such times, times when we are unjustly insulted and humiliated that provide wonderful opportunities for the truth of the gospel to shine in and through us.  The polished boots, the turned cheek, the offering to carry the load for a second mile, would all clearly draw the attention of unbelievers.  Seeing unconditional love in action causes the unbeliever to think, “Why do Christians do this?  Why do they respond like that?”  In times of persecution the world often witnessed persecuted Christians responding with unconditional law.  They heard Christian’s charitable words and saw their forgiving actions.  In times of persecution many unbelievers were converted to Christianity and the church grew both in quantity and quality.  A “living gospel sermon” is often a powerful one! What is a “living gospel sermon?”  Why is a “living gospel sermon” often a powerful sermon?  Is your life, by God’s grace, a “living gospel sermon?”  How is Jesus the perfect example, as well as the necessary source of strength, for you to be a “living gospel sermon?”

Question What is all required for a Christian marriage ceremony? How much of what we do is purely tradition? Of course, there are the legal requirements of a marriage certificate, an officiator and witnesses, but what are the Biblical requirements for a marriage to be "official"? Answer The Westminster Confession of Faith says, "It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent." (WCF Ch.24). This means that marriage is an institution given by God to all mankind. Does a wedding have to be Christian to be lawful in the eyes of God? No. A civil magistrate or even a sea captain in international waters administers legal marriages. In fact, any jurisdictional authority that society recognizes as such can invoke a covenant of marriage in that society. That's why Communist nations have marriage as well as theocratic Muslim. Marriage is a creation ordinance meant to be enjoyed by all when administered by a recognized body. All marriages are lawful in the eyes of God, so long as they conform to His Word. Most marriages today are state marriages. In fact, if you read our form, the title is the Form for the Confirmation of Marriage before the Church. That's because the civil magistrate did the actual legal marriage day/s before. Our form confirms what has already transpired in the court. It's all legal and binding. They only hoped and prayed that the two newlyweds would restrain themselves before the marriage was confirmed in the Church! So, does a marriage have to be Christian? Not if you are not a Christian. If you are, then you most certainly want the blessing of God upon your marriage and future. You desire to deeply involve the Lord in the most serious of your earthly relationships. You would wish God and man to bare testimony to your faithful covenant vow. Surely you want God's blessing. If so, then 1 Corinthians 14 comes into view. If you are going to do something involving the LORD, and His Church, then "Let all things be done decently and in order." That means having a plan that glorifies God. And if you invite the King of Kings to bless your nuptials (and I'll admit, many only do it out of superstition, as their ensuing reception will prove), then have a particular eye on His presence as you do. To that end, the Reformed Churches have distilled for us what decorum and good order look like, using the Bible as their framework. Yes, other Christian churches do it differently. But we operate within the confines of what we believe pleases the Lord. This includes two people who want to get married, a few witnesses, and a lawful minister who conducts the marriage ceremony. He reads the Word, the Form, prays with and for the couple, and then gives a scriptural charge for their new life together. That's it. It meets the criteria of 1 Cor 14 and takes into account that the Lord of Glory is present. You might include singing a Psalm, or suchlike, or have a processional and recessional. But it does not need to be elaborate, is what I am saying. I have done an FRC wedding out west where it was just the bride and groom, one flower girl, and both sets of parents. And it was not a Covid wedding either (2011). It was just simple. Simple but godly. So what is required? A legal piece of paper and two willing adults. A "Christian wedding," as you call it, calls for Christian things. I hope this helps.

How am I to act toward my boss?  He is not Christian and he can get angry and upset at times. Suggested Daily Reading: Ephesians 6 God calls us to be respectful and obedient to those placed in authority over us.  This includes our parents, church leaders, and employers/managers.  This is true not only for those leaders who conduct themselves in a respectful way, but for all.  We read in I Peter 2:18-20, “Servants, be subject (obedient) to your masters with all fear (respect); not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward.  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently?  But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” While it is much easier to respect a person in authority who conducts him or herself in a respectful manner, a Christian’s desire to honor God may become more clearly visible when the Christian respects and honors a boss who does not live in respectful ways.  While one may not respect a leader’s actions, we are to respect the leader’s office. How can a person do this?  Wonder if my boss criticizes me unfairly, and does so in front of others?  What should I do?  Pray for grace to be respectful and to look to Jesus. The verses which immediately follow the command quoted above from I Peter 2:18-20 instruct us to respond in respectful ways, stating “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us with an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (I Peter 2:21-23). Scripture instructs us to show respect for our leaders and employers.  Consider the following ways: Being obedient Serving faithfully Acting promptly and willingly Showing patience Demonstrating humility and respect Seeing God’s providence in the situation Knowing God’s will and following it in this dimension of our lives is important, as it is in every aspect of life. Why is it important for Christians to show due respect and obedience to their managers or bosses?  How can we grow more Christ-like in this area of life?  Why is it so important to draw our strength from Christ to be more humble, respectful and obedient? What traits are you demonstrating to others regarding your respect for, and willing obedience to those placed in authority over you.

My friend is a Christian and he says it is wrong to be a soldier or policeman or to be in any position where we might have to kill someone, because God commands us not to kill anyone.  Is this correct? Suggested Daily Reading: Romans 13:1-4 God does declare, “Thou shalt not kill,” i.e. commit murder (Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17).  This principle is clearly taught in Scripture.  The Bible also teaches us, however, that there are times in which putting a person to death is not murder.  There are situations when killing is permissible and even commanded by God. Three examples when killing is permissible are: Legitimate self defence – When protecting self or others from assault. The motive in such a case is not to kill but to protect life.  The example used in Scripture is a thief breaking into a home and the owner hits him to subdue him and protect himself and his family, but the thief dies (Ex. 22:2).  Appropriate, but not excessive or revengeful, self-defence is permissible. Just war – The Bible provides numerous examples of justifiable killing in defensive war, i.e. to protect true religion, proper liberty and/or rightful land when attacked (I Sam. 17:45). Capital punishment – God requires governments to put to death persons proven to be guilty of premeditated murder (Gen. 9:6). These three Scriptural examples, however, do not diminish the strength of God’s commandment not to murder.  All three further illustrate that any person or nation that attempts to murder a person or people must be put to death.  Because mankind is God’s unique and highest form of creation on earth, created in the image of God Himself, the highest form of punishment, capital punishment, must be exercised by the civil government against those planning and enacting murder. We all much guard our thoughts, motives and hearts.  Jesus taught us that when we are angry at another person or hatred rises in our hearts, that this too is murder, in its thought and emotional state.  God commands us to do the opposite, to love and forgive others (Mt. 6:12-15 and 18:21-35). How does God’s requiring someone who is convicted of premeditated murder to be put to death reinforce the strength of His command not to murder?  How does this relate to anger, hatred, revenge, and other similar thoughts and emotions?  Why is it sinful and serious if we hold on to such sins, and do not repent from them?

Is euthanasia wrong?  If a person is really suffering from an incurable disease and is having lots of pain, why should he not be able to ask his doctor to end his life? After all, it’s his life, isn’t it? Suggested Daily Reading: Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 2:7 We can observe the sinful devaluing and killing of human life not only in the first weeks or months of human life with abortion, but also as a person becomes older, weaker or is suffering physically or emotionally, and may wish to die. Human life, however, is not ours.  We did not create human life.  We did not earn it.  We do not own it.  It is God-created, God-given and God-owned.  Read the daily reading verses above once again.  Do you understand how the foundation and unique worth of human life is God-given?  God created us to reflect Him and for an eternal existence.  Only God, Who has given the gift of human life, has the right to take it back again.  The time of our birth on earth and our departure from this earth, are both God’s rights, not ours. Euthanasia and suicide are rebellious actions against God; against God’s sovereign rule over life and death.  They attempt to usurp God’s kingly right and to claim death as my human right.  They claim that I have the right to determine when and how I want to die. Do you understand why the supposition in the question asked at the heading of this page is wrong? Not only is euthanasia rebellion against God as the sovereign Lord of life, but it also devalues human beings as God’s image-bearers and the importance and uniqueness of their eternal existence and destiny.  Once man usurps the right to determine whose life is worth living and whose is not, the result will be disastrous.  Human leaders could promote and enforce that unborn children may be killed if their mothers do not want them; seriously ill parents may be murdered if their children do not want to provide for them; elderly people may be disposed of if we need to restrict medical expenditures because it’s too expensive to care for them; and depressed individuals may be put to death if they ask for this.  Where will it stop if man can decide instead of God?  How about handicapped people who others feel do not have a sufficient quality of life?  Can we approve that  they be murdered?  How about those who hold views that oppose those of the majority?  How about those who are a drag on our economy instead of contributors to it?  Do you recognize the dangers, once we push God out of the picture? What makes human beings different from cats or monkeys?  If people believe that there is no God and human beings are only evolutionary animals, then what is wrong with deciding to put some to sleep when they become old or sick?  Is the death of the body of a human person on earth, the death of the person’s existence?  Why is the death of a person different from that of an animal?

Jesus suffered a terrible and awful death by crucifixion, so why then when we commemorate this event, do we call it “Good Friday”? Suggested Daily Reading: Matthew 27: 27-56 “I have a friend who is not a Christian.  She asked me why many Christians wear a cross and many churches display one.  She says that if people knew how gruesome death on a cross really was that no person would celebrate this.  She cannot understand why we would call the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion as Good Friday.  She thinks seeing anyone die on a cross would be a terrible Friday.  How should I answer her?” Do you remember the history of Joseph?  Think of the terrible cruelty of Joseph’s brothers to sell their brother as a captive into a lifetime of slavery in a far country to never see him again.  Even years later, when they experienced trouble in Egypt, we read the brothers reaction, “And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us” (Gen. 42:21).  This act was a terrible, awful and evil thing. The brothers still retained the memory of this years later. After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers came to him to confess their sin and ask for his forgiveness.  Joseph responded, “As for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Gen. 50:20). We celebrate “Good Friday” not because the act of crucifixion was good.  It was a terrible, awful thing to witness.  But Jesus’ death was “good” because of the wonderful results it produced.  Like Joseph’s history, God used evil actions to bring forth wonderful results to preserve many people’s lives. Jesus’ death paid the full price of His people’s sin.  He died as their substitute.  Their sin debt is completely paid.  They are spoken free.  The great gulf between a righteous God and a death-worthy sinner is bridged.  God and His children are reconciled.  They are adopted as children and family bonds of love are established forever.  This is good news for sinners!  The best news ever!  This is why the church speaks of Good Friday. The word “gospel” means “good news.”   The gospel is God’s message of His plan of salvation for sinners in Jesus Christ.  Why is the gospel “good news”? Yes, the best news ever?  Good Friday testifies of the heart and foundation of this good news.  Is the gospel the best news possible for you?

What does “Jesus’ Second Coming” mean? Suggested Daily Reading: Matthew 24:29-39 While Jesus did appear on earth in a human form or as “the Angel of the Lord” on some occasions in the Old Testament, His first coming to earth refers to His conception in the womb of His mother Mary and His birth in Bethlehem.  Jesus was conceived and born as a human person.  He lived and walked on this earth. We know, however, that Jesus was crucified, He died and was buried, and then arose and was seen on earth on different occasions for forty days.  We then read in Acts 1 that He met His apostles on the Mount of Olives and instructed them, “And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). No one knows when, but Jesus shall return again at the end of time, at the end of this age, in great power, coming again in the clouds of heaven (Matt. 26:64), and all people shall be raised from the dead and everyone shall see Him (Rev. 1:7); and He shall judge all people on earth and each person will be sentence to heaven or to hell (Matt. 13:41-49, Matt. 24:30-31).   This is Jesus’ second coming. What a contrast!  In His first coming, Jesus was born as a weak child, of an unknown mother, in circumstances of poverty, in a manger for animals, with only a few shepherds witnessing this event.  But in His second coming it shall be with the sound of a great trumpet, all the dead shall rise, and every person who ever lived shall see Him as Lord of heaven and earth. Seeing Jesus at His second coming will also produce the greatest contrast between people that the world has ever seen.  Some will cry out in fear, even asking the mountains to fall on them to hide them (Rev. 6:16) while others shall rejoice with great joy to receive the blessed hope and deepest desire of their lives (Titus 2:13). We read in Scripture that the world will be partying, like in the days of Noah, and will not be expecting Jesus’ second coming.  As people did not believe that the flood was coming in Noah’s day, and were unprepared, so it will be at the end of time.  Are you prepared to meet God?  Are you looking forward to meeting and being with Jesus forever?  Only when we are saved by Jesus Christ and love to serve Him are we prepared, by God’s grace.  Why is it true, that God’s children are people with a positive future? the only people who really have a future to look forward to?

Is God gracious to everyone or only to the saved? Suggested Daily Readings: Psalm 145:8-9; Luke 6:35-36 and Ephesians 2:1-10 God is gracious to all, but in different ways, with different types of grace. 1. We can speak of God’s grace (sometimes called “common grace”) to all people by graciously giving to all: Physical blessings – Physical life and health, food, shelter, clothing, etc. Moral blessings – Man’s conscience and the desire to live morally upright lives Societal blessings – Civil decency, law and order, health and welfare, etc. Restraining blessings – Restraining man’s sin from breaking out into actions of personal and societal sin, and God restraining His punishment of sin 2. Grace can also refer to God’s grace to church-going people, those brought up under the teachings of God’s Word. What a gracious blessing it is to hear and know of God’s law and gospel! 3. We also think of God’s grace in a regenerating way (termed God’s “saving grace”). This heart-renewing, live-changing grace is worked by God the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the saved only.  The fruits of saving grace include a person’s full salvation: saving call, regeneration, conversion, saving faith, union with Christ, justification, sanctification, assurance, perseverance and glorification. Which type of grace is referred to in the following scriptural references? Psalm 145:8-9? Romans 3: 1-2? Romans 3:23-26? Ephesians 1:7? Deuteronomy 7:6? Luke 6:35-36? If we disregard God’s common grace and despise the blessings of being raised under God’s Word, the results will be terrible.  Despising greater degrees of gracious blessings will result in greater depths of righteous punishment.  Therefore God’s blessings must direct us to Jesus, to repentance and faith, otherwise God’s temporal blessings will result in greater eternal punishment. Read Luke 12:48, Matthew 11:22 and Mark 6:11.  How do these verses clearly warn us not to despise any of God’s gracious blessings?  Why do you need God’s saving grace in your life in order to not despise God’s common grace blessings?

Why am I punished for Adam’s sin? Is this fair? Suggested Daily Reading: Romans 5:12-18 and I Corinthians 15:22 Adam is our Covenant Father and Natural Father.  As our Covenant Father, he represented all mankind.  When Adam chose sin against God instead of obedience to Him, Adam’s choice applied to all those whom he represented — to the whole human race.  For example, think of a King, President or Prime Minister of a country who declares war against another country.  This person’s decision impacts all the citizens and soldiers of that country.  Why?  Because this person represents the entire country.  So Adam represented the entire human race. A pastor once visited a person in his church who openly stated that he believed it was unfair that Adam’s sin would be applied to him.  He did not commit the sin of eating the forbidden fruit.  Adam did.  Why should he suffer the consequences?, he argued.  After carefully explaining how Adam served as the representative of all people and therefore Adam’s decision impacted all of us, the man was still not convinced. The pastor then approached the issue differently, and the following conversation took place. The pastor asked, “Why are some people saved and others not?” “Because Jesus died for them and paid the price of their sins,” the man promptly replied.”So no person who is saved earned his own righteousness?” “No, of course not.” “So the work that Jesus did is applied to all of His people, to those who believe in Him?” “Yes.” “Do believe this?” “Yes.” “Well then, if Adam served as representative of all his children (the human race) and his work (sin) is applied to all his children, and Jesus served as representative of all His children (believers) and His work (salvation) is applied to all His children, please explain to me how you can believe that one is fair and the other is not.” After considerable silence, the man replied, “I see,  it is the same principle, isn’t it?” Do you experience the painful truth that Adam’s sin affects you, that you are a guilty sinner?  Does this truth direct you to Jesus Christ?  Do you also experience the wonderful truth that Jesus’ salvation affects you, that you are delivered from the guilt of sin by His righteousness being applied to you?  Do you strive to live more and more righteously, out of thankfulness for Jesus’ righteousness being granted to you?  If so, how would this be seen in your life?