I have done some really terrible things. Some of them are so bad I can’t ever expect them to be forgiven. My conscience haunts me so I know I’m not forgiven. I need help.
Hailey
Dear Hailey,
You may find it interesting that the Apostle Paul said he was the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). One of his favorite activities before he accepted Christ as his Savior was persecuting Christians. But God spoke to Paul, and Paul had a change of heart. He realized Jesus is Lord, so he stopped doing wrong and asked for forgiveness. Paul knew if God could forgive him, God could forgive anyone, and that includes you too (1 Timothy 1:13–16).
You say you can’t expect to be forgiven and you know you aren’t because you don’t feel it. If you believe that Christ died for your sins and you have asked for forgiveness, God in his grace has forgiven you whether you can feel it or not. Perhaps it will help if you will forgive yourself.
Let God help you experience the joy of your salvation (Psalm 51:12). Here are some verses to look up. Read and reread them until you can hear that “still, small voice” telling you that you are loved and forgiven: Psalm 85:2; Jeremiah 31:34; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:10–12.
Jordan
Do you ever wonder: “Is it OK to be female?” “What is my role in the church?” Some Bible passages (1 Corinthians 11; Ephesians 5; 1 Timothy 2) may make you think, “Paul had something against women.” And then you learn more about the world in which Paul lived. Paul spoke a revolutionary message about women. When so many in his day said, “Women are inferior,” Paul declared, “You are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Where so many said, “Women must not be educated,” Paul declared, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission” (1 Timothy 2:11).
Though interpretations of this passage differ, Christians can agree on two conclusions: Women are spiritually gifted members (not inferior members) of the body of Christ, the church. All of us, men and women, must stand quietly before God, submitting to his Word and to each other in love.
Old Mr. Bronson is always yelling at you for cutting through his yard. You haven’t, but he won’t believe you. You sit with your friends in church, and some of the old folks watch every move, ready to criticize you if you say something to each other. Some of this comes with the territory. Many older people figure today’s teens are a lot worse than they were. But you don’t have to stand for it. Paul says so in 1 Timothy 4:12: “Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Live the Christian life consistently, and in time everyone will learn to respect you!
If money a root of all kinds of evil, it must be that those without any money are better off than those with a lot. Right? Maybe. But the verse says “the love of money.” Money itself isn’t bad, but loving money can lead to making bad choices. A person who is poor and loves money may rob a store or sell drugs, yet refuse to buy medicine for a sick child. A person who is rich and loves money may be stingy and cheat others in business. It doesn’t make any difference if you’re rich or poor, young or old. Start loving money, and you’ll make bad choices in life. Instead, use money, and use it wisely. But keep your love for God at the top of your priorities.
1 Timothy
Teens.
Paul tells young Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.” This book tells you what to do to earn older people’s respect.