Real Christianity

I was reading 2 Corinthians 6 about the things Paul and those who stood with him suffered in his day. This seems far closer than the Christianity that is being taught today from many pulpits.  In the same way, I believe that Job’s situation was closer to real, genuine Christianity than we hear today also.  I believe that real Christianity will cost you something whether it will come through persecution, trials, tribulation or testing every believer will go through some kind of battle or storm or desert experience in their walk with the Lord!!  Most Pastors make Christianity sound like just a blessed filled life with no worries, just name it and claim it and you will receive your greatest desires because the Lord is just sitting around to meet those desires.  I’ve got news for you, it isn’t our desires that the Lord feels are the most important things on His agenda, no it is what the Lord desires, they are the most important on His list.  

Remember what Jesus prayed when He was about to face the most challenging trial of his life, when He walked the earth in the Garden of Gethsemane?  This trial was so intense that his sweat was like drops of blood falling on the ground while he prayed.  Jesus said this, not my will but Thy will be done.  We cannot even imagine the agony He went through for the blood capillaries to burst so that blood came forth.  What did Jesus say, your will be done, not My will.  Remember Jesus learned obedience through suffering and so will the majority of us, so if you have never experienced the heat, so to speak, the pruning in your walk with the Lord you probably will; or even the correction of the Lord that shows that you are children of God, if you have never experienced any of these things maybe you need to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith!!

To understand some of what Paul experienced, read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you,

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” Paul’s life wasn’t just a fun slay ride but He wouldn’t have changed it and he took advantage of every opportunity to share the gospel with others. 

Now think about some of what Job experienced, read Job chapters 1 and 2 and the rest of the book.  To see what he experienced in the end, Job said this in Job 42:5-6, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

What were some of the things that Job learned through suffering?  He learned true repentance, along with other things as well, like God could be trusted and that He works all things out together for the good to those that love God to those who are the called according to his purpose!!  If we are faithful that doesn’t mean that we won’t be tested as Job was, and we will always have the naysayers around that claim to be our friends but try to tear us to shreds when we are down just like Job had!!  

I don’t want anyone to misunderstand, I am not saying that there are not benefits for being a Christian, there are many benefits, but it is not just a stroll in the park either like many would want you to believe.  Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments.  It also says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Paul said if anyone desires to live a godly life they will be persecuted.  Jesus said in this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.  He also said if they hated me they will hate you also to His disciples and I could go on and on, but I think you got the point.  

Persecution, trials, troubles and tribulations and things you least expect may take place, but if you are born-again God has provided the power and the means to overcome all these things and be victorious in the faith, praise the Lord!!  Jesus also said take up your cross and deny yourself and follow me.  What does the cross represent?  It represents suffering.  I hope this has been an encouragement and a help and a blessing to all who read it.

I thought I would bless you with a few more scriptures!!

Read Matthew 5:11, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

Read James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

1 Peter 4:12-19, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”