At Grace Fellowship, we value asking questions to better understand how to live life in a God-centered, Christ-exalting way. Let’s face it, life is tough and trying to find your way on your own just makes things more difficult. So where can you go to find biblical answers to life issues? We believe that church should be THAT place so we have a “graceTALK” every quarter in which some of our pastors answers questions people have submitted. On Sunday, we will also be featuring follow up questions via open mic so you can jump in as well. To get you thinking, here are the questions for this week’s graceTALK:

 

1. In Psalm 139:21-24, David seems to lift up hatred as a virtue – “Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with a complete hatred; I count them my enemies.” Then David says, “Search me, God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Two questions. (1) How could David be a “man after God’s own heart” and hate people so deeply and (2) are we given this freedom to hate some people as well and can we still be considered deeply God-centered?  

 

2. God loves everyone. He is love. We are to love everyone as God does. Does this mean that God loves the Devil and that we should also love the Devil?

 

3. How can God send an evil spirit as stated that He did in I Sam. 16:14?

 

4. In my small group we discussed Mark 11:26 but were stymied as to the tie between us forgiving people and God’s ability/willingness to forgive us. It almost seems as if our forgiveness from God is dependent on our forgiving of others. Would this not be a “works-based” belief? Please explain what Jesus’ is teaching here. Thank you!