So it is with the Christian life , it's not easy. If anyone tells you, that when you get saved all your problems will go away, don't believe them. Satan doesn't have to worry about you when you're on his side, but leave his camp and follow Christ, and you will have Satan as your enemy. I'm not trying to frighten you but this is why in Ephesians chapter 6 we are instructed to put on the whole armor of God. In 1 Peter 5:8 we read the following;
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
No, this life is not easy. But God has promised His help in this life, we are not walking alone, and there is a purpose for our trials.
1 Peter 4:12 & 13 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
We're told not to think that it's odd that we have hard trials. We are following the Lord, He was our example. He did not have an easy life. His earthly life was full of testings, trials, hardships and persecutions. Why, as His followers, should we think that we'll have it any easier then our Lord? He was our example of how not to revile against those who persecute you, how to turn the other cheek, how to love your enemies and accusers. I don't think as a whole that we do a very good job at this. Being a Christian means to be Christ-like. I'm ashamed to say that a lot of the time we tend to resemble our previous master, the devil.
We run into trouble when we try to live life on our own, without the help of our Heavenly Father. He is the only one that can daily fit us to run the race victoriously. We will fail when we try to run the spiritual race in our own strength.
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
This verse is filled with a remarkable promise, however people tend not to see it as twofold as it's written. They just see the second half, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." However this is contingent on the first part, "Submit yourselves therefore to God." The second part will not work unless the first part is in place. Submitting to God is easy...stop wanting your own way and seek God's way. It is the putting down of the old man and letting the new man live. God will not fight with you for His rightful place in your life, He wants you to step aside voluntarily so that He might have complete control of you. It is getting up each morning and handing your life over for God's use that day. Resisting the devil cannot be accomplished in our own strength, only through the mighty strength of God. This is where people get discouraged, they are trying to do things on their own, then they end up blaming God for letting them down when everything falls apart. Do not blame God for your mistakes!
Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
To carry a cross demands strength, determination and dedication; it is a burden that is heavy. The Christian life is not easy, to follow Christ requires everything we have, but its so worth it. We might not see the results of our dedication and surrender to the Lord in this life; the dedication could cost us friends and family. If the Lord Jesus Christ left Heaven's glory to give His life for us, then the least that we owe Him is our life in return. If the Lord asks something of us, rest assured that He will give what is required to accomplish it, He will help us carry that cross daily.
Many people live just for today, they give no thought to eternity. Where we spend eternity depends on what we do with the Lord now. If you decide to live for self, not giving God any thought or place in your life, you will reap the rewards of that decision when you die. You might have what you consider a wonderful life here, living for yourself, fulfilling your dreams, wants and desires, but life will come to an end someday for you, and then what?
Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
The child of God, who lives their life for the Lord, denying themselves and doing what the Lord wants of them, will at the end of their life receive a Heavenly reward for their faithfulness.
John 12:25 & 26 "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."
Living a life that is turned over to God and is God-honoring is worth every bit of difficulty that is encountered. Suffering for the Lord draws us closer to Him, it rids of us of impurities in our lives and fits us to be better servants of God. A God centered life points to our wonderful Savior and is a beacon of light in this sin-darkened world in which we live. Yes, the Christian life is a life of trials and testings, but there is no other life worth living. To be able to daily give back to the Lord Jesus, through our actions, thoughts, and desires, is to live a life that God is pleased with. I don't know about you, but I want to hear God say, "Well done," when I reach Glory.
Revelation 22:12 - 14 "And, behold I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Keep on dear one, these trials and burdens are for just a little while and then they will be over. Don't give up, just clasp your Saviors hand tight, because it will be worth it all!
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear;
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear, to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over, in God's eternal day.
Some times the sky looks dark, with not a ray of light;
We're tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is One in Heav'n, Who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem, just go to Him in prayer.
Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past;
We'll cross the great divide to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of Heav'n, a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus;
Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.
Esther Kerr Rusthoi
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