My wife and I were just considering a passage of Scripture today from 2 Corinthians 4:8-11:
"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always being delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
I am aware that God has made promises to His children. God has promised many good things. AT TIMES we get to enjoy those things in this life. At other times, we don't. God has never said, "I will fulfill my promises in your life when you want them done". We may sow, but we only reap "in due season" and that only if we "do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9). The ministry and gift of encouragement is there to help us not lose heart - or if we have lost heart, to be encouraged once again.
Somehow many of us have bought into the idea that someone is a really successful Christian only if lots of people look up to them, if they enjoy a lot of luxuries and they seem to have all the answers. We have ministers who project the aura that nothing really ever goes wrong in their lives - and that by giving money to them you are going to have the same kind of life. It sounds good, but its not biblical.
Paul assured us that we are going to endure hard things as good soldiers of Christ. It says in 2 Timothy 2:3 "you therefore MUST endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ".
The way Paul and Barnabas strengthened the converts in Turkey was to tell them "we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 13:22).
Paul told the Thessalonians whom he considered amongst his best followers:
"that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this". For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened and you know". (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4)
I can tell you from personal experience as one who has laid out his resources for the salvation of sou
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Being Conformed to the Image of Christ
What an excellent post! It is so true that we don't always seem to be what the world would consider "successful"---but God looks at our obedience. What have we done with the gifts He has entrusted to us?
Jesus is our example:
"though he was a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered". Hebrews 5:8
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." John 6:38
And God's view of things:
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:28-29
The importance of being obedient and following God with all your heart:
Matthew 25
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