Some people are led to believe that when they become Christians all of their problems will disappear. They think that life will be easy for them now that they believe in Jesus Christ. Is that really what the Bible teaches?
What got me to thinking about that was a question yesterday about Paul’s statement in the following verse:
But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:10 - 12 (NASB)
The truth of the matter is, it is not easy to be a true follower of Christ. Oh yes, He will provide for all of our needs. Not necessarily for all of our “wants” as some would lead us to believe. And the rewards are incredible; eternal life, seeing others walk in the footsteps of Jesus, just to name a couple.
But there are also costs; giving up self and self-focused ideas, having others think you are crazy, intolerant or a failure (regarding the world’s view). I once heard it said that if you are not experiencing any adversity or persecution in your life as a follower of Christ, maybe you look a little too much like those who are “of the world.”
Hear the Word of the Lord on the subject:
“Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:18 - 20 (NASB)
The message from Jesus to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 is consistent. He who overcomes adversity and remains faithful to the end will be rewarded...but there will be adversity until Jesus Christ calls us home.
SEEK FIRST THE
