Last month’s “From the Pew” article focused on the fact that becoming a Christian and truly following Jesus Christ might cost you significantly—even to the extent of relinquishing unity with other family members. Or worse yet, you might even become their enemy. This is exactly what Jesus Christ exclaimed in Matthew 10:34-36. After one of Elim’s elders preached a second part to a sermon approximately a month ago, the Holy Spirit, through the elder’s powerful preaching, prompted me to write a second part to last month’s “From the Pew” article.
I concluded last month’s article by stating; “Isn’t eternal salvation worth that price?” Unfortunately, I ended the article rather abruptly and someone in the congregation kindly and appropriately asked, “Why should we rejoice in what costs us so much?” The reason I boldly and confidently made such a concluding declaration is because Scripture affirms it! God tells us …all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Even things that appear inevitably bad, difficult or unfair to us, such as division in the family; “all things” are predestined by God.
The Apostle Peter wrote: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Division in one’s earthly family is a legitimate trial! However, God wants us to rejoice in trials (James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6) and He blesses us in them (Matthew 5:10-12), especially when we remain obedient throughout a trial! Trials are a validation of our faith in Him—a testing of our loyalty to Him, in which He expects us to persevere. Faith is everything that proves a believer’s proof of kinship with Christ and is foundational and germane to Christianity. Additionally, He blesses those who live by faith (John 20:29).
God knows all our burdens. They may be: illnesses, pain, suffering, afflictions, guilt, misery, grief, loneliness, trials, tribulation, fears, tumults, doubt, shame, unsaved loved ones, contentions, strife, envy, jealousies, persecution, etc., —and yes, even division in the family.
The Bible states …God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… (John 3:16a). And so we see the sacrificing of His Son—and His promise of eternal salvation—enables believers to endure difficulties. As God loves us, He will get us through EVERYTHING! We learn this especially when we fervently pray for His intervention! Prayer is a powerful and potent resource a Christian is given. I struggle with an insufficient prayer life, and because of this insufficiency, I often feel I have forfeited many of God’s blessings.
A difficult earthly life is an affirmation of what is taught in Scripture; trials are indeed guaranteed (1 Peter 4:12-19). Furthermore, it is God’s will for His children to experience hardship. It is how He matures us; makes us grow up! When Jesus struck down Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus, and afflicted him with blindness, He said to Ananias …”Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name.”
Incidentally, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote 13 books of the Bible and was definitely one of God’s most faithful, loyal and obedient servants. And this was amid an incredible list of sufferings—no one can argue against this fact! Paul’s suffering is virtually beyond imagination and improbable for a Christian to endure without the aid of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 11:24-28; 12:7-10). Today, it is rare for Americans to suffer for Christ’ sake! Paul’s testimony should serve as an inspiration for all believers. Regardless of his distresses, Paul always pressed forward, focusing on the glory of his salvation and the crown waiting for him in heaven (Philippians 3:8-14). He never agonized over his losses for Christ’s sake, no matter how costly.
We all can be comforted by Paul’s words: …That we are children of God…and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:16-18). Amen!
Posted on November 7th, 2009 by Robert
Filed under: From the Pew