Table of Contents

Why would God order people and all living things to be killed? Questions 1-4

Why Should I Become a Christian? How do I even know if I am a Christian? Can a Christian fall away from God? Questions 5-8

I don’t want to come across as judging, can’t I just love others? Question 9

Baptism, taking communion, going to church, reading the bible Questions 10-16

Question # 1: I heard that God ordered people and all living things to be killed, (Deuteronomy 20:16-17). Why would God do that?

God gave this direction (Duet 20:16-17), so a nearby nation would not be a bad influence on Israel, and cause them to sin, (Duet 20:17-18). Other times He said to leave a nation alone, and just trade with them (Duet 2:3-6). 

We know that God wants everyone to repent and accept salvation (Ezekiel 33:11, Acts 17:30, 1 Tim 2:3-4). Yet at some point, God decided enough warnings had been given (Isaiah 65:1-7, Zechariah 7:12,) and judged a nation, (Jer 15:1-2, Jer 11:11, Jer 14:11-12). The Amorites for example, God had Abram wait for 400 years for them to repent, (Gen 15:13-16).

Question 2: It still sounds really mean. Why wouldn’t God have let babies or the animals live?

We will not fully understand all the reasons why God does something. What we do know is that God’s decisions are right, good, and just, (Deut 32:4, Psalm 18:30, Gen 18:25).

Question 3: Does God just pick and choose how to judge?

Yes, He decides. For example, judgment happened to everyone living in Jericho, (Joshua 6:21), except for Rahab and her family who acted on faith, God saved them, (Josh 6:25, Heb 11:31). Judah and Israel were following idols instead of God; they did not listen to prophets, the messengers sent by God. So God sent the Assyrians to capture Israel, (2 Kings 17:1-18), and the Babylonians to capture the nation of Judah, (Ezra 5:12, Jer 34:17-22). 

God still calls all nations to turn to Him, (2 Peter 3:9, Psalm 33:12, Acts 17:26-27). If we as a nation turn away from God our nation will be judged in His way and His time, (1 Cor 11:32, Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Chron 7:14, Rev 14:6-12). 

Question 4: Okay, but what about today? Does God still say to kill everything that breathes?

No, that command was for Joshua. Today, we should allow people to live around us. We are under new directions given by God, to show mercy (Luke 10:36-37), and let our actions shine so they can praise God, (1 Peter 2:12). We should try to live at peace if at all possible with everyone, (Romans 12:18).

Question 5: Why should I become a Christian?

Because if you are not one, when you die, you will be separated from God, in a place called Hell, with pain which will never end, (John 3:16, John 3:36, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:13, Matthew 13:47-50). The reason why God does that is because you and the rest of us included have all sinned against Him (Romans 3:23). We have decided we don’t need God, we can live life on our own without Him. 

Maybe you feel you know something is missing and wrong. Maybe you have a desire to not end up in Hell, and you want to live for God, even if you don’t understand it all right now. If so, God is calling you to take that step today and become a Christian.

Anyone can become a Christian by saying a prayer like this one: Father God in Heaven, I am a sinner. I want to accept Jesus Christ, as my Savior for my sins. I  believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I want to trust and live my life for Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen.

If you prayed that, and sincerely meant it, you are a Christian!

Question 6: I feel like I was a Christian at one point, now I am not so sure. What should I do?

The fact you are asking what to do, is a good sign (Acts 2:37, Psalm 51:10,17).  Remember if we have admitted to God we are a sinner (Romans 3:23, 6:23, Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9), and believe Jesus is God's Son, and take God’s gift of forgiveness from sin (John 3:16, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Romans 5:8, Eph 2:8-9, John 1:1-13) and confess Jesus as Savior and Lord, (Romans 10:9-10,13) we are a Christian. 

Question 7: I said a prayer at some point to accept Jesus, but I am still not sure, how do I even know if I am a Christian?

You can have your parents help you. Your attitude to sin is a clue. Do you hate the sin you do? Or are you fine with it? Do you want to keep sinning and not changing, or do you want to sin less and become better? (2 Cor 13:5). 

Loving sin and not wanting to change is called idolatry. We want to do things our own way and not God’s. Do you realize that if you continue in sin and are okay with that kind of life, God will not give you eternal life? (1 Corinthians 6:9–10, Galatians 5:19–21, Ephesians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 12:14, Revelation 22:15).