I have a group of questions that I sometimes think about, but have been unable to get the perfect Biblical answer. I would like to share these questions, and hopefully will be able to gather a lot of information as each of you share your thoughts on these various topics.
1. Is organ transplant moral? Are doctors using medical advances (learned from God) to save lives, or are they simply “playing God”?
On the one hand, I believe that God gave all of us the brains to figure things out. Could it have been His providence that caused the medical community to figure out how to remove an organ from a dead person and place it in a living person?
Or, did the medical community take things too far? In their search for answers, did they begin to “play God”? Our bodies are the divine creation of God. Is it moral to alter God’s creation?
2. Is the IVF procedure moral?
Again, God gave men the ability to figure things out. This procedure was only able to come about because doctors figured out the internal process of how babies are made. They just simulate the process so a woman can get pregnant.
Again, are the doctors just playing God? The “miracle of childbirth” is now in the hands of the doctors. Is it moral for extra embryos to be created, just to be frozen at a later date?
3. What is the difference between the gift of tongues and tongues being a manifestation of Holy Spirit baptism?
It is difficult to draw a distinction between these two events. One happens at the point when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit. The other is a special enablement from the Holy Spirit. Some say this is a “prayer language,” so it does not matter which instance you are talking about, you are still talking about a prayer language.
Other people draw a distinction between the two. They say that the first is a prayer language where the Holy Spirit prays through you. The other is a message from God, thus the need for an interpretation.
This brings up some very interesting questions:
- If these are two different occurrences with two different purposes, where does the Bible specify that?
- If “tongues” are simply a “prayer language,” and it is only intended to between you and God, why is there a need to interpret, and shouldn’t this gift be exercised in private, and not in a corporate setting?
4. Can people who have gone on to Heaven look down and watch what we do daily?
I hear people all the time saying that their relative, who has gone on to be with the Lord, is looking down on them from Heaven. There is nothing in the Bible that supports or opposes this statement. However, there is to be no sorrow in Heaven. How could anyone look down from the perfection of Heaven, and see what is going on in this world, without feeling sorrow and pain?
5. Can Christians live totally sin free?
I have heard it said that once Christ forgives us, and imputes His righteousness on us, then we are a new creation that does not have to sin. The ability to sin still exists because we live in a fallen world. However, it is possible to live without sinning.
I also hear about the life-long process of sanctification. They say that we have been forgiven of our past sins; however, we continue to grow in faith throughout our lives. During this time, we will sin, and need to seek forgiveness for that.
6. Is God’s call for us to be saved limited in nature? Are some predestined for Heaven, and some for Hell?
Some have said that the grace of God is only available for a few select. It is those people who God calls out of their unrighteousness into His marvelous light.
Others say that salvation is available to everyone; that everyone has the opportunity to be saved. Unfortunately, some will not answer this call.
7. Do we need to say “Amen” when our prayer is over?
Does God really need us to tell Him our prayer is over? It is like saying “Ok, I am done with you for now.”
The word “Amen” is really a term of agreement. It is sometimes used to mean “so be it”.
In Matthew 6, when Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, the word “Amen” only occurs in some translations. In Luke 11, this account is given again, and “Amen” does not appear, no matter what translation you use.
I don’t expect anyone to have all the answers. I do ask that people prayerfully consider each of these questions, and search the scriptures for insight. Maybe the Lord reveals a little information to you on just a couple of these questions. Please share with us anything the Lord lays on your heart.
Todd's Blog 