You are here:
- Home
- Religion/Spirituality
- Theology
- Bible Studies
- Sinners Prayer
Bible Studies/Sinners Prayer
Advertisement
Question
I have been told that God does not hear your prayer if you are not living a certain way, is that true. Can I have feelings for a married man and at the same time go to church and pray and God not hear it? I'm confused. I thought Jesus came to same the sinners. If God don't listen to a sinners prayer, isn't that a contradiction?
Please Help!
Darlene,
First, though you implied that these feelings may be sinful, you did not say exactly what the situation was, so I cannot say if this is an issue or not. Even if this man is married to someone else, and your feelings are sexually related, then you can choose to reject the desire to move on those feelings. Thoughts or feelings may enter the mind, but that does not mean that we have to dwell on this or act on them - to do so, if the feelings or thoughts are wrong desire would be sin, but the initial idea or feeling is not, in and of itself, sinful.
If on the other hand, a person chooses to reject the truth, and chooses to live a sinful life, then it is indeed true that God may choose not to hear that person's prayers. Jesus came and died on the cross for sinners, but he does not force His free gift of salvation on those who choose to reject Him. The choice is made by that person, not by God.
John 3:16-18
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
NKJV
No matter how bad a person has been, Jesus will always respond to a sinners desire to repent, but if a sinner prefers to live a life of sin rather than turn to Him, that is their choice. There is no contradiction - Jesus remains longsuffering in the desire that all would come to Him and accept the sacrifice that He made on the cross for their sins.
Tom
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
- Scott Talbot
- Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
- Marilyn
- Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine
- Brenda Martin
- Pastor Don Carpenter
- Edward Bode
- Dean Gade
- LEBoyd
- Rev Philip Dacre
- Mrs. Priscilla Lyons
- Germania Rodriguez
- Rev C.Brian Ross
- Judith Anne Krenek
- Mel and Guyna Horne
- Tom Smith
- Todd Tyszka
- Patricia Burns
- Jim Miller
- Clifford H. Readout, Jr.
- Roy Wallen
- Eric Christy
- Dennis Herman
- Kerry Gray
- Glenn Hansen
- J.M.J. West
- Samir
- J. Webb Mealy
- Kristopher Browning
- Joel Bjorling
- Reverend Ramona C. Stonecipher
Tom Smith
Expertise
I am able to answer a wide range of questions regarding orthodox Christian theology as well as those of many of the more common cults and religious movements (inside and outside of the church). This includes Protestantism, Charismatic movement, New Apostolic Reformation, Strategic Prayer/Spiritual Warfare, Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Calvinism, Reformed Church, Baptist Church, Pentecostalism, and Oneness Pentecostalism. I have been a member of or have attended many of the above. I have studied the beliefs and literature of the remaining through a variety of means, including in most cases interacting with members and/or leaders in these organizations. I also maintain a significant library/resource of information on these movements and organizations.
Experience
I have been a lifelong student of the Bible. In addition, I have been saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, and believe in the truth of God's Holy word in the Bible as the inerrant and infallible word of God. I have been a believer for over 43 years. Other qualifications include:
- Former member of the counril of a local church
- Speaker at the "Last Days Bible Conference" and other functions.
- Researcher into religious movements and cults (maintain website with information on some of these movements and cults)
- Member of the Apologetics Coordination Team
I hold to the view that the Bible is inerrant and infallible, and I belief that the Bible is our sole authority on matters of faith and doctrine (Sola Scripture, Sola Fide).
Organizations
Apologetics Coordination Team (http://op.50megs.com/act/)
Network of Christian Apologists in Calgary (http://www.whyjesus.ca)
Publications
Website, accessible by means of http://discern.ca or http://www.religioninfo.org; and
Audio files of talks at Last Days Bible Conference available at http://ldbc.ca
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.