I have started to rethink how I talk to others about following Christ.
Why do we believers always seem to want to present living for Christ in such a pleasant way? Yes, surrendering to Christ yields the promise of eternal life and God’s companionship throughout our lives, but we are a “here and now” society, so let’s get real.
Want to know what the bible has to say about the earthly life of a Christ follower? Look at these texts:
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
– II Timothy 3:12.
“Remember the word I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you.”
– John 15:20
The life of Jesus was one of sorrow, persecution, and death, and we can expect to be treated the same as he would be treated if he were here in person today. Therefore, in modern America, with all its’ comforts and choices, seekers are abandoning churches for other spiritual options.
There are indeed less stressful options to follow, for an earthly life of ease, than Christianity, and those who evangelize should be honest with newcomers. Anyone who has been involved in a church knows that it can bring you love and peace, but also terrible disillusionment and difficulty sometimes. Given this painful truth, why would anyone who doesn’t know Christ seek out the earthly life of a Christian over some other spiritual option, especially with all the politics involved with Christianity in America and the bad reputation we get in the media?
The odd thing is that in places like China, where Christians are often disciplined for outward displays of faith, Christianity is growing at astounding rates. Why? Is it because no easier spiritual options are presented to them to live a fulfilling life, as such easier options are being presented in America? Or could there be something appealing about witnessing believers who publicly declare and live out their faith even when imprisonment and death are potential consequences?
From now on I’m going to be honest with people. Want to be a Christ follower? Join the team! Christ would love to have you. Anyone can join, if you believe in him and make him your personal Lord and Savior.
In many ways, that is the easy part. Then, be ready for God’s training. This consists of God molding us to be more like Jesus. This is God’s main goal for us, and it goes on for a lifetime, because no one ever masters it completely.
God will use many methods to get you there: he will allow suffering in your life and provide comfortable and very uncomfortable experiences to happen to you. An easy life with no problems whatsoever never– or very rarely– happens to a true Christ follower. But ask any Christ follower who has been in the game for many years and still has a solid faith if they regret the life they’ve chosen and I bet none of them would say they regret their decision.
– Lydia Cooper
