Myth, 30

~ Godly Christians Have An Easy Life ~

The World View  ~  Outward blessing is a reward for doing right.  Sometimes individuals believe that difficulties imply that you have been disobedient and God is punishing you. 

The Fallacy  ~   How do you explain the persecution which the only sinless Man to ever live received while He walked on this earth. 

The Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you’” (John 15:20a).

The Apostle Paul  ~  “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move.  I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers” (2 Corinthians 1:24-26 niv).

The End Result  ~  “So be truly glad!  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.  These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold.  So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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