KingJ
Active
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2015
- Messages
- 5,843
Being a Christian isn't easy. Let's be honest for a moment.
Some days it's incredibly frustrating trying to live as Christ commanded. We are sent out as "lambs among wolves." We can be underpaid overlooked falsely accused mocked for our faith treated unfairly or feel like life is going nowhere. We watch others lie cheat manipulate and get ahead while we are called to be honest.
When someone insults us we're told to bless them.
When we're wronged we're told to forgive.
When we're hated we're told to love.
When someone strikes us we're told to turn the other cheek.
Our flesh cries out "This isn't fair!" And the truth is it often isn't. But this is the reality of following Jesus. The moment we became Christians we surrendered ownership of our lives. We didn't simply ask Jesus to improve our lives. We gave Him our lives.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)
We no longer belong to ourselves. "You are not your own for you were bought with a price." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
God has every right to place us wherever He chooses whether that place is one of comfort or one of hardship. Our calling isn't to demand easier circumstances but to remain faithful wherever He has placed us.
Look at Jesus. The Father did not spare His own Son from suffering. Jesus was rejected mocked beaten betrayed abandoned by His friends falsely condemned and finally crucified. Yet through His perfect obedience God brought salvation to the world.
"He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8)
If our Master walked that road why should we expect ours to be easier?
Life is incredibly short. The trials that seem so overwhelming today are only for a little while. "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17)
One day we'll stand before Christ and none of the temporary frustrations of this life will matter compared with hearing "Well done good and faithful servant."
So don't lose heart. Stay humble. Forgive again. Love again. Turn the other cheek again. Trust God again. Keep your eyes on eternity rather than today's frustrations. Following Christ was never promised to be easy but it is always worth it.
Some pertinent scriptures to consider:
Matthew 10:16 — "Behold I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves..."
Luke 9:23 — "If anyone would come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
Matthew 5:38-48 — Turn the other cheek and love your enemies.
Romans 12:17-21 — Do not repay evil for evil. Overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 2:19-23 — Christ suffered unjustly leaving us an example.
James 1:2-4 — Count it all joy when you face trials.
Philippians 1:29 — "It has been granted to you not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake."
Romans 8:18 — "The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed."
Hebrews 12:1-3 — Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
2 Timothy 2:3 — "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 4:12-13 — Do not be surprised by the fiery trial when it comes upon you.
Revelation 2:10 — "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life."
Some days it's incredibly frustrating trying to live as Christ commanded. We are sent out as "lambs among wolves." We can be underpaid overlooked falsely accused mocked for our faith treated unfairly or feel like life is going nowhere. We watch others lie cheat manipulate and get ahead while we are called to be honest.
When someone insults us we're told to bless them.
When we're wronged we're told to forgive.
When we're hated we're told to love.
When someone strikes us we're told to turn the other cheek.
Our flesh cries out "This isn't fair!" And the truth is it often isn't. But this is the reality of following Jesus. The moment we became Christians we surrendered ownership of our lives. We didn't simply ask Jesus to improve our lives. We gave Him our lives.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)
We no longer belong to ourselves. "You are not your own for you were bought with a price." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
God has every right to place us wherever He chooses whether that place is one of comfort or one of hardship. Our calling isn't to demand easier circumstances but to remain faithful wherever He has placed us.
Look at Jesus. The Father did not spare His own Son from suffering. Jesus was rejected mocked beaten betrayed abandoned by His friends falsely condemned and finally crucified. Yet through His perfect obedience God brought salvation to the world.
"He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8)
If our Master walked that road why should we expect ours to be easier?
Life is incredibly short. The trials that seem so overwhelming today are only for a little while. "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17)
One day we'll stand before Christ and none of the temporary frustrations of this life will matter compared with hearing "Well done good and faithful servant."
So don't lose heart. Stay humble. Forgive again. Love again. Turn the other cheek again. Trust God again. Keep your eyes on eternity rather than today's frustrations. Following Christ was never promised to be easy but it is always worth it.
Some pertinent scriptures to consider:
Matthew 10:16 — "Behold I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves..."
Luke 9:23 — "If anyone would come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
Matthew 5:38-48 — Turn the other cheek and love your enemies.
Romans 12:17-21 — Do not repay evil for evil. Overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 2:19-23 — Christ suffered unjustly leaving us an example.
James 1:2-4 — Count it all joy when you face trials.
Philippians 1:29 — "It has been granted to you not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake."
Romans 8:18 — "The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed."
Hebrews 12:1-3 — Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
2 Timothy 2:3 — "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 4:12-13 — Do not be surprised by the fiery trial when it comes upon you.
Revelation 2:10 — "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life."
