David Gerrold, the science-fiction writer who gave us “Trouble with Tribbles” said, “Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order.”
Do you know what the number 1 killer in America is? Death.
10 out of every 10 people in the world die. That’s one-for-one.
Amazing, isn’t it?
And somewhere between the birthing and the dying this crazy little thing called “life” is supposed to happen.
Like children who pull the comforter over the head to ward off the monster in the closet, people pull comforts over their heads to ease the pain and struggles of living. From sun up to sun down folks like clothes comfortable, food fast, commutes unhindered, work easy, play-time long, movies good, food great and bed exquisite. Face it: nobody likes trials, struggles, discomfort. No, I take that back . . . struggle should be relegated to the gym where we can grunt under the strain of shaping our six-pack (I’ve got a keg) and shower off, having vented our troubles through exercise.
Some go further and deal with life by substance abuse. Fridge empty? Drop some acid. After the high, the fridge is still empty. Drop some more acid.
No matter how you approach it, life is hard and this is a world of ease. As English novelist E.M. Forster observed, “Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice.”
Somewhere in the midst of all this exists this thing called “church” and a community of people called “Christian” who preach this message of “good news.” What is the good news? God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life! God wants to save you and give you peace and happiness! Does every person really have a God-shaped hole in their heart? Do they think like that?
I know of a homeless guy who has it made. He is happy, not a care in the world, living like to the full. He gets free clothes, gets to travel (as he puts it), gets free places to stay, free food, no bills, and doesn’t have to work. Every day he gets to walk and talk with God, praying all day long. Sin? Ain’t around nobody long enough to sin against. Besides, God forgives, right?
I know a rich guy who is happy and doesn’t have a care in the world, living life to the full. He has his own business, gets great clothes (anything he doesn’t want goes to charity), gets to travel, has places to stay, eats great food, accountant pays the bills and someone else runs the store. Every day he gets to walk and talk with God, sometimes gets on his motorcycle and heads to the country. Sin? Shoot. He’s a good person and wrongs nobody. Besides, God forgives, right?
What does it mean to a world that is hiding under their comforter, at peace (as they see it) and very happy then someone comes along saying that God can give them what they already have. With that kind of gospel, all the church is doing is tucking people in! Can grace be preached to the proud? The reason why the so-called “health and wealth” gospel is so popular today is because it agrees with where the world already is!
I was in a meeting not long ago where a report from a pastor’s meeting was given. In the reported pastor’s meeting, denominational heads met under an academic umbrella searching for ways to “meet needs” and bridge cultural and societal gaps. One pastoral group representing thus and such denomination spoke loudly that if a partnership was to be had, four distinct areas of service would have to be provided to meet their qualifications; subsequently, the only ones qualified to provide the service would have to come from their sources, only the host academic group would have to pay those teachers. When asked how much pay was available, a number was given. The pastoral party asked, “You mean . . .” and quoted back the amount with an extra $100,000.00 tacked on. “No,” came the reply, and the original number was quoted. Clearly, no “deal” was made. Of course, the pastors from thus and such left the meeting in their BMW’s and Jaguars . . .
The New Testament paints a very different picture of life. Jesus said He came to give life abundantly, yet we see history splattered with blood and read letters encouraging believers to persevere and be faithful under persecution. Life is clearly filled with hardship and trial. Nobody ever said it was going to get easier! Remember Paul, writing from prison, “Hey folks! Be an example of the believer and be imitators of me!”
I used to joke with people who ask me, “how’s it going?” by responding, “staying out of jail.” My pastor turned one day and said, “That’s too bad. You could have started a new ministry!” Now if I say it, I feel guilty . . .
Because of hardship many people feel they can, like so many other things in life, just get a sample of religion and if they don’t like it, they will go find something else that suits their tastes. Seeker-sensitivity is stoking the fires of hell because of a cheesy, half-gospel that does not tell the truth. This culture nurtures the idea that, “hey, if you don’t like it, go someplace else!” More churches are planted that way. Nobody likes setbacks in a world where everything is supposed to move forward. Plateaus are dangerous! You can fall off of one!
Setbacks. Trials. What is the common response to these stressors? Fundamentally, “find relief.” Whatever happened to “perseverance?” The most common response to setbacks and suffering (and I have been guilty of this, I admit it) is 1) freak out; 2) seek counseling. “Boo-hoo, sob. Poor me.” And thus goes the mantra of worshipping at the idol of self. The sound of complacency.
Here is why I like reading older writings: they are filled with examples and testimonies of people who stood up under trial. The stuff you pick up off the shelves today try to turn on the warm fuzzies and help one pull up the covers just a little more over the head to keep the monsters away. The older works rip the covers off and bring the monster head-on!
Think of Corrie Ten Boom for a moment. Not a simple survivor of Nazi concentration camps, but one who entered Ravensbruk as a young Christian girl and left an older Christian woman. Want to know what it’s like to be confronted years after the war by a former soldier of the enemy who wants forgiveness? Ask Corrie, who lost everything to the war . . . or did she lose anything at all?
Stop by
Voice of the Martyrs to catch the latest news and information on how Christianity is persevering overseas while Western Christians get their warm fuzzies from paid professionals. “Chinese President Hu Jintau’s White House visit with President George Bush today [April 20, 2006] will focus on economic issues and relations with North Korea, but Hu probably won’t mention two recent raids by over 220 Public Security officers who arrested more than 160 church leaders. Over 1,300 arrests of Christians in China have been confirmed by VOM sources between February and December 2005, including 11 missionaries from the U.S. and six from other nations.”
I will never forget the Russian Christian I met a while back who simply said, “you Western Christians need some persecution.” I know exactly what he meant and why he said it.
“If a person’s faith is genuine, it will prove itself during times of trouble, whatever the nature or source of the trouble may be. For that reason, this epistle is valuable for unbelievers as well as believers. That is especially true for unbelievers who consider themselves to be Christians and need to recognize that a faith that is reliable only when things are going well is not saving faith and is worth nothing. It is, in fact, worth less than nothing, because it deceives those who trust in it. Not only will it fail them when they need help the most, but also it will lead them to think they are headed for heaven when, in reality, they are headed for hell. The clear message of Scripture is that trials are a tool in the loving hands of the Lord. They test the strength of our faith; they humble us; they wean us from our dependence on earthly things; they call us to eternal and heavenly hope; they reveal what we really love; they teach us to value God’s blessings; they develop enduring strength for greater usefulness; they help us better encourage others who are in times of trial.”
[i]The book of James is the first book of the New Testament, and it opens with words to Christians facing trials, tribulations, setbacks, hardships, whatever you want to call it—their life was hard. He writes “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” and he tells them that trials actually do something in the life of one who is a believer of Christ Jesus: it produces patience or perseverance. Why would it do that? In order “
that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
You mean to tell me that if takes me enduring the hardship of losing everything, I will be made complete and lack nothing?
Yup. The reasons are: first, there is more to life than what you see. The determining factor is this, “has Jesus Christ saved you from sin?” If not, you have indeed lost everything, both world and soul. Second, we are given hardships to keep from exalting ourselves (2 Cor 12:7-10). If we have a tool that does not work well we are inclined to reach for one that will do the job; however, we are (in effect) a tool that does not work well and must be quiescent to the one who can in His all-sufficiency. Third, if we did not experience hardship, God’s work at perfecting, confirming, strengthening and establish-ing us would not be complimentary or consistent to His working to us through Christ Jesus.
What should the believer’s response to trials be? The believer should ask God for wisdom. I think we are so caught up in ourselves, we are tempted to find an answer that is rooted in an emotion, not a state of being. Patience is being worked out in the trial, so responding to trial with patience is putting the cart before the horse. We are instead to get in touch with God and ask God for wisdom with faith, without a divided mind (doubting). God cannot be headed His direction and we in our own and expect our paths to convene; rather, we must be going His way in all things. If we respond to trials without asking for wisdom, we are asking in two minds.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” (Prov. 3:5-7)
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They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:40-42)
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fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb 12:2-3)
You wanna know where happiness is found? Check this out: “
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.” (Prov. 3:13)
Remember the requisite to finding wisdom: ask GOD! Relationship is everything! And the results of that relationship provide perseverance!
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Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" (Ro 11:33)
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without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. “ (Heb 11:6)
Spiritual tenacity is that which lays hold of God fully.
And why preservere? Why hang on? Because “
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
[ii]For those that profess faith in Christ Jesus and find it too hard and have sought to go look for a less painful life, I challenge you to examine to see if you are really in the faith.
If you are one who has given in to the pressures of life and backslid, ask yourself if you have ever slid forward to begin with . . .
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[i]MacArthur, John. James : Guildelines for a Happy Christian Life. MacArthur Bible studies, Page 6. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2001.
[ii] See also 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10.
