MY ANSWER

How can you tell the difference between a real Christian and a fake Christian?
Billy Graham writes, "Only God knows our hearts, and only He knows whether or not this person has sincerely put his faith in Christ as his Lord and Savior. Jesus warned, 'Do not judge, or you too will be judged' (Matthew 7:1)."

MY ANSWER

A friend of mine says I should be able to point to a definite time when I gave my heart to Jesus, and if I can't do that, then I'm not a real Christian. Is this true?
Billy Graham writes, "Many people are like your friend: They can point to a definite time when they gave their lives to Jesus Christ and trusted Him alone for their salvation. ... But not everyone is like this."

MY ANSWER

My friend says her church is the only one that has the whole truth. But isn't it enough to believe in Jesus?
Billy Graham writes, "I'm sure your friend is sincere, but I can't agree with what she says about her church being the only one that possesses the full truth about God."

MY ANSWER

I think we should let people believe whatever they want to, as long as they aren't hurting anyone.
Billy Graham writes, "I'm sorry if you have been offended by what you call 'overzealous Christians' ... But the real issue is this: Can we know God and His will for our lives?"

MY ANSWER

I'm still not sure I believe in God, but why do I feel a vague sense of guilt?
Billy Graham writes, "One reason you have these guilty feelings is because God has planted within each one of us a conscience—a sense of right and wrong—that is impossible to erase."

MY ANSWER

Our granddaughter turned her life over to God, but now she says she doesn't even believe in God. How do you explain such a big flip-flop?
Billy Graham writes, "Only God knows your granddaughter's heart, and whether her commitment to Christ was real or simply a passing emotion. But either way, continue to pray for her ..."

MY ANSWER

How can I know if God exists?
Billy Graham writes, "We know God exists for one reason: He has revealed Himself to us. He has not hidden Himself off in some distant corner of the universe, nor has He left so few clues around us that we'll never know for sure who He is or what He is like."

MY ANSWER

I'd like to be a Christian but I know I could never be good enough. I guess people like me are just hopeless.
Billy Graham writes, "No one is hopeless in God's eyes when it comes to salvation—no one. As Jesus said on one occasion, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God' (Mark 10:27)."

MY ANSWER

Can you give me a simple definition of faith?
Billy Graham writes, "Faith simply means believing that something is true, and then committing our lives to it."

MY ANSWER

The doctor says I have breast cancer, and I'm scared. How can I get the kind of faith my grandmother had?
Billy Graham writes, "If your late grandmother could answer your question, I have no doubt what she'd say. She would tell you to start in the same place she started, by giving yourself to Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior."

MY ANSWER

I don't understand my aunt and uncle. They're very devout people and go to church every time the doors are open, yet they're very judgmental about members of our family who don't live the way they do. No one likes them, and yet they're constantly telling us we are lost and need Jesus. I thought Christians were supposed to be kind and loving.

MY ANSWER

Years ago. I was diagnosed with a mild learning disability, and I've always had special struggles with reading. Does God understand this? I know you tell people they ought to read their Bible every day but I just can't do it.

MY ANSWER

A year ago I accepted Jesus into my life, and for a time I really felt He was with me. But now I find myself wondering sometimes if God even exists. This scares me, because I don't want to miss going to heaven. Why has this happened? Is the devil trying to turn me away from God?

MY ANSWER

I've always said I'm an atheist, and I am. But down inside, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm on the wrong road (although I'd never admit it to anyone). What would you say to someone like me? Don't just tell me to have faith, because I don't have any.

MY ANSWER

I've been told that I'm supposed to be growing in my faith but I don't think it's happening. Maybe I don't understand what it means. Am I missing something?

MY ANSWER

I'm not what you'd call a Christian, and the reason is because I'm turned off by people who claim to be Christians but don't act like it. If you're a Christian it ought to make a difference in the way you live, shouldn't it?
Yes, of course it should - and it will, if a person has honestly committed his or her life to Jesus Christ.

MY ANSWER

I felt very close to God when I gave my life to Jesus about a year ago, but now I don't feel that way at all. In fact, I don't feel much of anything. Has God given up on me? This really concerns me.
Facts - unlike our feelings - don't change, and we need to rely on them instead of our feelings.

MY ANSWER

I believe in God, and I guess I believe in Jesus. But I have a friend who says she talks with Jesus every day, and she says she knows she'll go to heaven when she dies. I wish I had her kind of faith, but how can I get it?
The most important thing I can tell you is that God loves you and wants you to have the same kind of close relationship to Him that your friend has.

DECISION MAGAZINE

A Conversation With J.C. Watts, Jr.
Religion, psychology, philosophy none could fill the void in his heart.

DECISION MAGAZINE

Prisoners of Hope
Zechariah is a book for people who are waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled completely.