My Answer

Q: When we do something wrong, why doesn’t God just ignore it? He knows we’re not perfect, so why doesn’t He just overlook the bad things we do and hope we’ll do better the next time?

A: You’re right when you say that God knows we’re not perfect, because He knows all about us—not only what we do but what we think. The Bible says, “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

Why, then, doesn’t God simply ignore it when we do something wrong? One reason is because He knows what happens to us when we sin: it always—without exception—ends up hurting us. And because God loves us, He doesn’t want this to happen. God’s way is always best, and when we deliberately choose to ignore Him and go our own way, eventually we’ll pay the price for our disobedience. But this grieves the heart of God, because He loves us and wants what is best for us.

Think of it this way. If you lived on a busy street, wouldn’t you warn your children to keep out of it? Of course you would—and if they disobeyed you, you wouldn’t ignore it or simply say, “Oh well, children will be children.” Instead you’d do everything you possibly could to keep them from doing it again—because you love them. The same is true with God.

I’m curious, however, why you’ve asked this question. Is it because you have chosen to go your own way in life—and you hope God doesn’t care? But He does care—because He loves you. He loves you so much that Jesus Christ came into the world to give His life for you. Put your life into His hands today.

Q: Do you think Jesus might come again during this year? I know we aren’t supposed to make predictions, but the world is in such bad shape that I don’t see how it can last much longer, unless He intervenes.

A: One of the Bible’s greatest promises is that someday all the evil that infects our world will be destroyed, and Jesus Christ will come again to rule in perfect righteousness and power. No wonder the Bible calls this “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)!

Yes, you’re right—we live in a time of great conflict and upheaval. And as you point out, Jesus Himself warned us against making predictions about the exact time of His return. But He did tell us to be alert to the signs God would give us, assuring us that the time for Christ’s return was coming closer. Many certainly seem to be happening today.

I often think, for example, of Jesus’ promise that He would only return once the Gospel had been preached to the ends of the earth. Don’t we see this happening today, as new technologies enable us to reach even the remotest parts of the globe with the Gospel? Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world … and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The real question, however, is this: What difference should Christ’s return make in our lives? First, it should make us examine ourselves, to be sure we are ready for His return. Have you committed your life to Christ, and are you seeking to live for Him? But it also should give us a sense of urgency, telling others of Christ and urging them to be ready to meet God