so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith: and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19
How can I know for sure I am saved?
I John 5:11-13 emphasizes that either a person has Jesus in his or her heart or that individual does not. Salvation is a soul deliverance from the condemnation of one’s sin. At the cross, Jesus took your sin upon Himself. Each person who turns from his or her sin (repents) and trusts Jesus (believes) is saved.
For more, read here: http://www.aflc.org/evangelism/EMPTY___LONELY_/empty___lonely_.html
How can I know God’s will for my life?
College. Career. Marriage. Location. How does a person know? The Lord gives some solid guidance in the book of Proverbs – “All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (16:2-3) The words remind us in each decision to first check your motives with the Bible and then commit your plans into His hands. Some decisions will be very hard, but the Lord is very faithful (Heb. 13:5-6). Keep pursuing Jesus and He will not let you down.
For more, you can look here:http://www.gotquestions.org/know-God-will.html
What should I look for when I check out a church?
One common mistake college age adults make on this question is trying to find one that reminds them of their church “back home”. Now, that’s not all bad, but it tends to be rooted more in feeling than in fact. It is important to ask yourself three categories of questions. (A) Beliefs – What is the congregation’s stand on the Bible? What is the church’s denominational affiliation? {There are over 200 church bodies in America!} What is the leadership’s approach to the congregation? (B) Ministries – What are the programs in place to serve people? What is the worship service like? Are there small groups or a college group? (C) Members – What are the people like? Is there a way to make meaningful relationships? Do the facilities and location assist me in my walk with Christ?
Too many times B or C supersedes A. God’s Word is His inspired, inerrant message to us. It cannot be overlooked as the starting point.
For more, consider these thoughts especially note #5 – Find ways to serve, not just be served. (It is geared for a “family” looking for a church, but you get the idea.) http://www.family.org/faith/A000001036.cfm
Earth is huge! Does God really mean Jesus is the only way? What about the people who haven’t heard of Him in Bora Bora?
As a college aged adult, you hear messages left and right about other religions and how different religions are so similar. It’s not true. There are really only two religions – man-made and God-given. All man-made religions teach working toward God (Islam, Buddhism, and the like). Only Christianity is God-given and communicates that God has come to us in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way.
This reality jars us into realizing that today people all around the globe will step into a Christ-less eternity. Whether Bora Bora or Boston, lost souls will be judged (Heb. 9:27). As maturing followers of Jesus, you and I need to come to grips with what are role is in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).
For more on reaching out, ponder this site: http://www.aflc.org/evangelism/index.html
How tolerant should I be of tolerance?
Tolerance is tossed around in our culture with two different definitions. The broader definition is to bear with or put up with another. A more common definition has developed that suggests all beliefs are equal. In fact, a synonym search on the word tolerance suggests these words: open-mindedness, lenience, and acceptance.
Which one are we talking about? Jesus has called His followers to be people of love (John 13:35) and people of truth (I John 2:4; I John 3:18). Therefore, we need to be extending love to people who disagree with us and yet standing firm with truth against this new concept of “tolerance”.
For an interesting article on this situation, read here: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/tolerance.html
My roommate is a little crazy…The whole party scene thing… “Hey! Who is THAT?!?”…My friends’ choices… Where do I draw the line?
A few thoughts to encourage you:
- It is worth it to communicate with your roommate, even if “roomie” seems careless.
- It is valuable to check your motives and ideas with Scripture about the party scene.
- It is helpful to guard your heart (Prov. 4:23) when you are attracted to someone new.
- It is useful to watch with care your friends’ choices as you walk through college.
As you make choices, consider Romans 12:1-2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012&version=31
For one youth guy’s view on these areas, check out this article: http://www.dare2share.org/articles/college-daze
2007 by [The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations]. All rights reserved.