There’s a huge misconception in the churches today and it is perhaps one of the most detrimental heresies of our time. Many evangelicals today believe that the Bible promises a prosperous and “blessed” life if we are truly faithful to Christ. Although this is a preposterous lie, it is enticing enough for many people to succumb to its power. As the Christmas season is rolling in and we reflect upon our good fortune (and for some, a very difficult year), we must not forget that an easy life does NOT mean that God is for you.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This letter is addressed to Paul’s closest disciple and friend and he is advising him on what it means to be a true follower of Christ. This is not a message specifically for pastors, elders, missionaries, etc. but it ultimately regards all Christians. There is no such idea here that Christians get to live a pain-free life. Paul himself was someone who endured much suffering.
If we want to see the best biblical example of someone who did not receive the best of what life had to offer, all we need to do is look to the main character of the Bible, Jesus. Born in a manger to a woman who became pregnant out of wedlock, he would ultimately die on a cross. Jesus who was without sin, who knew his Bible, experienced the most horrific death the Bible has to offer. Not only that, leading up to his death, he was homeless and of humble origin. Jesus’ faith must not have been strong according to the name-it-claim-it teachers.
So from these 2 examples, I hope that you will see that we are not guaranteed an easy life. In reality, we are called to go through some rough times BECAUSE we worship Christ. What a mind-blower! Knowing this, what is our response to be? I think when we look at Acts 5:41-42, “[after being flogged] The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” Our response should be worship! Worship because we are counted worthy to go through a hard time and in doing so we have the ability to show the world that CHRIST IS FAR GREATER THAN ALL THINGS!!!
Posted here is a link to an article on Pastor Matt Chandler in the Dallas area. He is someone who has recently gone through a battle with a brain tumor and although times are rough, although some days just suck, we see that he is someone who is using this suffering to show the world that God is greater than our health and possessions.
I hope that as we go through this Christmas season and every season in our lives, we will see that God is greater than our comfort. Although life may at times be unbearable and there seems to be no end, may you worship God and show the world that our God deserves worship because He is good.
Questions to Consider:
1) Have you ever been promised/told that God will give you what you want?
2) In your inner most being, do you feel/believe that God owes you for your good behavior?
3) What would your worship be like if everything you loved and owned was taken from you?
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