How bad can you be and still be a Christian?

Billy Graham's Answer 

Christians aren't perfect. Every Christian sins, and every day those of us who are Christians need God's forgiveness and grace. I often think of the Bible's words: "If we claim we have not sinned, we make him (God) out to be a liar" (1 John 1:10).

But when someone claims to be a follower of Jesus and yet makes no effort to obey God and shows no evidence of a changed life, they may be deceiving themselves. The Bible is clear: When we know God, our lives will be different. Yes, our old sinful nature still lives within us, but God also lives within us by His Holy Spirit, and we won't be content to live the way we once did. Jesus said, "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:20).

Complete Turnaround

“We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”—Joshua 2:10–11

The Torah portion for this week is Shelach, from Numbers 13:1–15:41, and the Haftorah from Joshua 2:1–24.

Mosab Hassan Yousef is the oldest son of Sheik Hassan Yousef, founding leader of Hamas, a terrorist organization responsible for countless suicide bombings and other deadly attacks against Israel. Mosab was raised in Hamas, and by the time he was a young adult, he was an integral part of the organization. Yet, today, Mosab is a devout Christian living in America. After asking some serious questions and studying the Bible, Mosab did a complete turnaround and became a spy for Israel. He changed his faith, his values, and his entire life.

The Power of a Testimony

Saint Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel to everyone and use words if necessary." What a profound statement! I believe he was saying that a living example of the Gospel is more effective than words. Some people may argue with you about doctrine or the interpretation of Scripture, but unless they believe you're a liar, they can't argue with your testimony.

In John 10:37-38, Jesus said,

"If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him."

And in Mark 16:17-18, we read what Jesus spoke to His disciples after commanding them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Get Ready for the Impossible

by Rick Warren

“He chose to give us birth through the word of truth …” (James 1:18a NIV)

God wants to use his Word to give you a fresh start in life.

Without God’s Word, we could never be saved. We wouldn’t be headed for Heaven. We wouldn’t know about Jesus’ death on the cross. We wouldn’t know about God’s purposes for our lives.

Without the Bible, we can’t know God.

God wants to give you all of that — but it starts with his Word. Through the Bible, God recreates our life. When I feel like I’m at the end of my rope, God uses the Bible to give me a fresh start, a do-over. The Bible calls it being “born again.” In James 1:18, the Bible says, “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth …” (NIV).