Christian Life is a challenging life journey full of miracles, happiness, peace on one side but you will have to face trials, temptations, persecution as well. But all this makes you stronger and worthy of Kingdom of Heaven. No matter what challenges life puts forth in your life, never lose your faith of Jesus and never shy or run away from confessing that Jesus is Son of God. Even Jesus had to face difficult test after 40 days of fasting, Satan tried his level best to deviate attention of Jesus’ from the purpose for which He came on earth, but Jesus quoted scripture to answer back Satan and Jesus was victorious. Same thing happens in our lives as well for Satan does not want us to be saved, he laughs and feels joyous to see us buried in sin. We must be prepared to face any challenge that may come in our life and remain faithful till the last breath of our life. We know that this suffering is nothing compared to the crown we will get of everlasting life and fellowship in the presence of our creator God.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Many a times we come across false teachers of Christianity who showcase a twisted teaching of Gospel of Jesus, telling people in some sort of marketing strategy that If you accept Jesus you will have a very happy, prosperous life, all sickness and troubles will go away, your loans will vanish like magic, you will be on top of the world. All this is true, but these blessing comes at a price, we have leave everything and seek kingdom of God first, no earthly desires, no pleasure of flesh, no running after money. When trials and temptations come in life of people they lose their faith on living God and perish by making wrong choices. Jesus himself told that world will hate us for being Gospel Followers.
Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
In our life time we have to make choices about which life style we will adopt, how we will lead our life, how we will treat our neighbors, which God we will worship, etc. we must be careful in our choices. What may seem right to our eyes of flesh might be an illusion and choosing what majority of people choose is not wise either, Jesus told that narrow is the gate which leads to life. We must be careful to choose that right path and not be fooled and tempted by Satan to choose the broad, lavish broad gate of carefree life style full of lust, drugs, adultery, bribe, killing, enmity for this will lead to destruction at the end.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Being Born Again, confessing our sins, taking baptism and confirmation, does not mean that we have confirmed our journey ticket to heaven and we will be sitting with Jesus for sure. No this is just the beginning, seed of word of God is now sowed in your heart, now is the real task to let this Gospel flourish in your life. We are bought at a price, for blood of Jesus has cleansed us so we belong to Him, we are to follow the commandments and discipline that God expects from us. You can no longer live like you did before, we have to leave back our sinful life, and surely God will help you in your spiritual journey. But we are supposed to do our level best and say no to sin and try to be pure and perfect like our Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Don’t frighten when you are reading that life of a Christian person, following Jesus is so difficult. No this is not at all difficult, Jesus has took all our sins and paid price for us, all we are now expected to do is believe in Him sure this is not much a price to pay compared to the burden of guilt, shame and detachment from God that we were living in before Jesus came in our life. Remember how much God loves us, surely God won’t let Satan destroy us, God will save us and protect us just like he saved Daniel from the Den of Lions.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
If you are feeling this life full of misery, persecution and trials is unworthy, then let me tell you Jesus said we should feel proud if we suffer for name of Jesus, this is rather a privilege to face all this evil on earth for sake of crown of salvation and everlasting life.
Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus did not leave us orphans, he cares for us, that is the reason why we were given a helper which God the Father had promised in Old Testament, the gift of Holy Spirit. Trust me when Spirit of God is with us, none of the trials or persecution we face will harm us, we will be victorious at end and Satan will be defeated.
Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
The suffering we face for the sake of salvation and name of Jesus is not a waste of energy and life. We know we are worshiping the living God and we have a reward of crown of everlasting life.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
We must never lose hope and our faith on Jesus, many false prophet will come to mislead us, many false teachers will try to preach us a distorted Gospel but we much be careful and remain firm in our commitment with God. Keep marching forward as Soldiers of Army of Living God, and you will be glad at the end that you were part of victorious Army that defeated the forces of Dark and Destruction lead by the Satan. Jesus has already conquered and defeated Satan on cross when he saved us all by paying price for our sins. We are now free from slavery of sin. We are bought by the blood of Jesus, but we are not bought as slave as was the case with our sinful life under the dictatorship of Satan. This new life we have has much more to offer, now our sins are washed away and scripture says we won’t even remember our sins, we will be in divine peace which comes from Jesus. We are no longer slaves but now we are Sons and Daughters of Living God. Now tell me isn’t this amazing and a worthy choice to Live a Christian Life!
Revelation 14:12
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
People who are reluctant to accept the truth and fear to accept Jesus are at lose, they have chosen a eternal death the fate which their master Satan is about to face as well. We are privileged to having been saved by Grace of God almighty. We must remain faithful till the end. We are now righteous so we don’t fear to come in light, but those in darkness fear the judgment. We don’t fear any form of persecution or trials or suffering for we know death of flesh is a victory for us, for we have everlasting life in store for us where we will live in oneness with our Father God Almighty.
John 3:20-21
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.