~
Problems Mean You Are Spiritually Lacking ~
Myth ~ This
is a somewhat common myth which is expressed in various ways. If you believe in Jesus Christ you will have
an easy life. If you are a believer and
problems come you do not have enough faith.
A believer in Christ who is having problems is being chastened by
God.
Truth
~ Scripture makes it clear in
many places that this is the opposite of reality.
Jesus said, “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 5:11-12).
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made
many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and
saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God’” (Acts
14:21-23).
“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not
knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit
testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I
count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the
ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the
grace of God” (Acts 20:22-24).
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God. And not only that, but we also
glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured
out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5).
“We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not
be blamed. But in all things we commend
ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs,
in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in
sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering,
by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the
power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by
honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and
yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as
chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as
poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2
Corinthians 6:3-10).
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it
is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of
you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the
churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and
tribulations that you endure” (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4).
“But recall the former days in which, after you were
illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while
you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while
you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me
in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods,
knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in
heaven. Therefore do not cast away your
confidence, which has great reward. For
you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you
may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, and He who is coming will
come and will not tarry. Now the just
shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him’”
(Hebrews 10:32-38).
“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for
the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in
the name of Jesus, and let them go. So
they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they
did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40-42).
~
Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW
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