I know God’s timing is perfect, and that’s why I’m not in a rush to get married. But in 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul says it’s a good thing not to marry. I’m confused. If I get married, wouldn’t I be distracted from God? But then again wouldn’t a Christian husband help me grow closer to God?

I’m going back and forth. What’s the point of getting married?

Lost About Love
From our e-mail bag

Dear LAL:
Paul also encourages men and women to marry so they’ll refrain from lusting after one another. Some Bible scholars believe Paul was single, and God had given him the gift of singleness. God doesn’t give everyone that gift.

Yes, a single person can concentrate more on God without the concern of meeting the needs of her family. But God also brings men and women together in marriage to minister as a powerful team. I don’t know if God’s will for you includes a husband. I do know His plan for your life is perfect, and you’ll be much happier living in the center of His will than following your own dreams.

I encourage you to simply concentrate on growing as close to God as you can. You can trust Him to bring the right Christian man into your life at the right time if it’s His will. If it’s not His will, He has something exciting for you! Just trust Him.

Dear Susie:
You answered a letter from a reader about heaven and said only people who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will go to heaven.

Oh, please! I have a major problem with your answer. You can interpret the Bible however you want, but you can’t play God. That’s not your job!

Jewish people are God’s chosen, so surely they’ll be in heaven. I think as Christians we need to respect other people’s religions and leave them alone.

Fed Up
From our e-mail bag

Dear Fed Up:
Yes, Jews are God’s chosen people, but if they refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord, they won’t enter the kingdom of heaven. Think about it: Not every Jew entered the Promised Land when they were delivered from Pharaoh’s rule. Why not? They were the chosen ones! Nevertheless, their inability to enter came because many refused to make God absolute Lord of their lives, continued idol worship and lived in disobedience to Him.

Your argument isn’t with me; it’s with God. And I’m not “interpreting” the Bible, I’m taking it literally when Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

What’s not to understand about that verse?

And about respecting other religions: Don’t confuse respect with acceptance. Tolerance isn’t always a virtue! Paul got right in the faces of the religious leaders (of all people!) and told them about their need to have a personal relationship with Christ.

John the Baptist was in Herod’s face as well. He didn’t hesitate to tell Herod he was living in sin.

God doesn’t want us to turn our backs on those who are lost in other religions. He wants us to love them and share the truth with them!

Dear Susie:
I’m a Christian who needs advice. My boyfriend is Catholic, and I’m Protestant. He has good morals, and by his words and actions, I’m assuming he’s given his life to God.

I loaned him a Relient K CD, and he liked it. When I mentioned it was a Christian band, all he said was, “Yeah, I noticed that.” He wasn’t comfortable discussing his faith. I want to have a Christ-centered relationship, and I want us both to be committed to God and ready to talk about our faith. How do I get him to open up about God and his faith in Jesus?

Confused
Central Islip, N.Y.

Dear Confused:
You hit the nail on the head when you said, “I’m assuming he’s given his life to God.” Just because a person has morals doesn’t mean he has a growing relationship with Christ. I’m glad your boyfriend has morals! But don’t be so quick to assume he’s a Christian.

Ask him more pointed questions: “Have you ever confessed your sins to Christ and accepted His forgiveness? Do you have a personal, growing relationship with Jesus? Do you read the Bible? Do you talk with Christ consistently?”

His answers to these questions will give you more insight on where he stands spiritually.