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Dear Father Paul

Dear Father Paul: If the one true God is Jehovah, the God of the Bible, then why do people tell me that Jesus is God?— Sign me "confused," Tacoma, WA

Dear Confused: Great question, especially in this day of "relativism," i.e. the notion that one religion is as good as any other and that they will all "get you to heaven."

Jesus himself answers your question in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, when he talks about "the Father," or Jehovah. He is in this passage talking with his disciples. He tells them that he is going away and that while he is away he will prepare a place for them, and that they know the way to the place he is going. Thomas then says, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, how can we know the way?" Jesus then replies, "I am THE way and THE truth and THE life. No one comes to the Father EXCEPT through me." So much for relativism. Jesus says he is the ONLY way! According to Jesus, all other religions are false.

Some might say, "That is a hard, harsh teaching, not very 'inclusive,' not very 'modern.'" To which I would answer, these aren't my words, but the words of God. Why do I say the words of God? Read on.

Then another disciple, Philip, speaks up and says, "Lord, show us the Father (Jehovah) and that will be enough for us." To which Jesus replies, (and answers your question), "Don't you know me Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me, who is doing his work; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves." Basically, Jesus and the Father (Jehovah) are one and the same. Wow! Yes, it is a "mystery." That's why he is God, and we are not.

Dear Father Paul: I am beginning to see less and less sense in going to church every Sunday. I've been going for 40 years now and have probably heard over 2,000 sermons during all those years, and I can't remember a single one of them. Aren't I wasting my time?— Pete, Fayetteville.

Dear Pete: I've been married for (as of June 12) 40 years, and during that time Judy has cooked somewhere around 4,000 to 6,000 meals for me, and you know what, I can't recall the entire menu for for a single one of those meals!

But I know this, every one of those meals nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do what I had to do. They kept me alive. If my wife had not given me those meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I hadn't gone to church for the past 40-plus years, I't be spiritually dead today!

God's word teaches that your "spirit man" is more important than your "physical man." Feed and nourish your spirit Pete. Go to church.

Father Paul Massey will answer your question. Write him at P.O. Box 510, Fayetteville, 30214 or paulmassey@earthlink.net