Faith Triumphs inTrouble
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.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Last Vida we discussed how trials as opposed to an easy life makes us real, reveals to us our weaknesses and needs as well as allows us to hone our strengths. No one likes trials but they are the best thing for us. They help us to take our eyes off ourselves giving us compassion for others and teach us to appreciate and respect life, to not take life for granted. Perseverance, the ability to endure, to hang in there, maintain hope and trust in a Sovereign God is part of the lesson. I can describe perserverance with two words, Rocky Balboa. In the Rocky movies Slyvester Stallone had to endure, persevere, keep fighting under great pressure and he did, and he won. He fought for a perishing crown, we fight for an eternal crown.
The Christian life is very similar to what is portrayed in the Rocky movies. The training, the discipline, the dedication are all necessary to succeed. For us our dedication must be to the Truth, and the study that goes with it. I fear that in our microwave, have it your own way, me generation that we don’t have the “stomach” or the heart for the hard work and sacrifice that becoming a strong believer requires. If our faith requires too much sacrifice, too much pain, if God doesn’t act like we think He should, we walk away. We profess we love Him, but then when struggles come or life gets ugly we become disillusioned with the Christian life. What we don’t understand is life can get ugly on either side of faith. Whether we believe in a Savior or not, life can be tough. A divorce happens, our job is a struggle, our child gets injured, or an accident takes a love one’s life we become discouraged ( and rightly so) and at times we blame God. We believe God did not live up to His end of the deal. It’s so very unfortunate that this view of God developed. Ask yourself, if God did nothing else but save our soul from hell, would that be enough? Use to be that was the end goal, our salvation. As our society became more materialistic we wanted God to provide some of the perks of this life forgetting that friendship with the world is death to our faith.
The early church considered it an honor to suffer for Christ. Yet many today fall away when hardship comes into their lives. How did we get from it’s an honor to suffer for Christ to God owes me? That He has to provide me with a decent life? That’s not what I read when I study the lives of the apostles, especially Paul’s or in the Fox’s Book of Marty’s that chronicles believers lives that suffered and died for their faith. When did we become so soft? We’ve become the generation of privilege. Others fought for the freedoms we enjoy today without us understanding or experiencing the suffering that was required.
In sports this is not the case, you must earn your place.The saying “no pain no gain” is real and any good althete understands this. There are several references in scripture paralleling the effort required in sports to the Christian walk. And even more discipline is needed in the Christian walk, for as a believer we must take hold of our thoughts, our emotions and actions and take them captive to Christ, “on or off the field”. We can’t just do the right thing in public, but in private as well. We have to do the right thing when we don’t feel like it. It’s work and when one comes to Christ it’s important that, that is understood. Saying the sinners prayer is only the entrance point, just like signing up for the military. Putting your name on the sheet, though a very noble step, is only the beginning.
Romans 12:1-2
Living Sacrifices to God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We are compromised human beings ever since sin entered. I can only imagine how our character was prior to sin. To not have a sin nature to content with seemingly would be wonderful. It was how God planned it, yet God has not left us to contend with our sin nature alone. It is by the mercies of God, His good favor towards us through Christ that we are able to present ourselves as a living sacrifice and the amazing thing is He receives us as holy and acceptable. And because of such amazing Grace Paul says it is but our reasonable service. If we could just grasp this, then we would not desire to be part of this world, rather we would earnestly seek to be transformed into His image. We would want this rather than flirting along the edges between righteousness ( God’s way) and sin (my way).
And the renewing of our mind, is a literal process of rethinking life God’s way. In light of my relationship to Him, especially as my walk matures through the study of His Word, I process thoughts, feelings, and actions differently, and the knowledge that Eternity awaits me becomes my true north. Paul would call this the helmet of our salvation in Ephesians 5, that encompasses all my thoughts.
Romans 12:9-13
Behave Like a Christian
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Romans 12:17-21
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
And do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
“character; and character, hope.”
As the character of Christ becomes mine, hope follows. Hope is a huge part of Godly character. Hope says I won’t give up, because He won’t give up and God cannot be defeated. God is able and Hope is a part of Agape love.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7
“Love ( Agape, God’s Love) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
In God’s economy you cannot have Agape Love ( God’s Love) without having hope as well. For he or she who carry’s God’s Love within them also knows the sense of hope God’s Love brings. To have God’s Love within is to have hope for ourselves, to have hope for our love ones, and to have hope for a situation that God is able. And Hope is not some fanciful wish on a star attitude, it simply sees the situation for what it is, for all the bad that it is ( or is not) and knows that God is still able to redeem good from it. This is our message for those in need, turn to the Lord and seek Him. What is impossible for us is possible for Him.
If you are a believer, understand His claims and begin praying His promises back to Him. This will build your faith and give you the strength to go the distance. People still need to make the choice to choose Him, but we pray for God’s intervention in their life. And just like diamonds have taken years and years to form so to it can take years for a heart to change. Our lives can become very muddled, for we live in a broken world with broken people. Members of our family, our neighbors, friends and co workers, people whose lives touch our lives, and as a result we experience grief and pain. If they would just repent and turn to the Lord they would not need to be experiencing the emptiness they are going through. I’ve had this thought so many times.
I am sure we all know someone who life could be much better if they would just take time to understand Christ’s claims. We have daughters, sons, moms, dads, coworkers and friends that are good people, good people that are lost and in need of the Savior’s Love. It is so painful to watch them make their mistakes all because they are trying to fill the emptiness inside. Many times they are completely unaware of their motives. However God can use our life to help them, to be His arms, be His voice as we encourage repentance and a return to Biblical faith.
Now is the best time to repent, whether we be back sliden or have never believed. Especially in light of all these random killings, we need to take our Christian faith very seriously. We do not know who we could help or touch just by sharing Christ love.
Romans 8:28 ,
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose ( it is hard to imagine how God can use these mass shootings for good, however in darkness the light shines the brightest).
If as a society we realize that we have strayed so very far from God and as a nation would but repent and come back to Him, He can heal our land, our marriages and our families bringing our wayward sons and daughters back home to Him.
Our future is being written by the decisions we are making today; what decisions are you making, are they bringing you closer to the Lord or farther, and there is no decision that is neutral.
Finally hear God’s words to Joshua for they apply to us as well.
Joshua 1:7-9
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Father God,
Make us strong in You, walls of unbreakable faith that are kind and caring but uncompromising in the Faith. Let our lives shine as a beacon of hope and healing. Give us the wisdom we need to confound the enemy, and take our spouses, son’s and daughters back from him. Thank you and Amen
Move Forward In His Grace – Arthur