~ True Christians Don’t Have Bad
Events ~
People Think
~ If a Christian lives a good
life God will spare them from bad things occurring in their lives.
God Answers
~ Paul was arguably the best
example of a New Testament saint. He not
only had a “thorn in the flesh” throughout his life on earth but was constantly
in difficult situations. Here is his own
account:
“I
am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more
frequently, in deaths often. From the
Jews five times I received forty stripes
minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I
was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys
often, in perils of waters, in perils of
robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils
in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among
false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and
thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things,
what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn
with indignation? If I must boast, I
will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying” (2
Corinthians 11:23b-31).
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the flesh was
given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above
measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded
with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He [Jesus Christ] said to me, ‘My grace
is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’” (2
Corinthians 12:7-9).
The Significance
~ Some Bible teachers believe
that if a Christian lives a Godly life God will
materially bless them all the time. As
seen from the Apostle Paul’s life this is clearly a doctrinal error. Jesus Christ taught the opposite:
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Matthew
10:22a). “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation
and kill you, and you will be hated by
all nations for My name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated
you. If you were of the world, the world
would love its own. Yet because you are
not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they
are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus
will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Comment
~ Keep your eye on the end
result! “In
this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have
been grieved by various trials, that
the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that
perishes, though it is tested by fire,
may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen you love. Though
now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and
full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1
Peter 1:6-9).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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