The belief that the benefit of salvation is a trouble-free
life “blessed” with as much worldly treasure as one can acquire before being
whisked off to heaven is totally unbiblical.
Christians live out GOD’s plan by GOD's grace
GOD’s WORD tells us in no uncertain terms that being a believer
in CHRIST does not absolve nor protect us from trouble and suffering (John 16:33). It tells us also that we
are to continue living out GOD’s plan for our lives by His grace (Acts 13:43).
Apostles and disciples in the New Testament Scriptures are
our best examples of what GOD’s people can accomplish in His grace despite
great trial.
The early Christians suffered greatly, in their personal
lives, as well as on the mission field. Yet and still each fulfilled their calling
because they relied solely on GOD’s grace and its power to sustain them.
The Apostle Paul’s suffering as a Christian is well recorded
in his Epistles.
Five times I received
39 lashes from Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I
was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night
and a day in the open sea…. I faced… labor and hardship, many sleepless nights,
hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27
We see the Apostle Peter encouraging a hurting church to pursue the
work they are called to, despite trials, since the GOD of grace Himself is with
them to give them strength all the way to eternity: “…the GOD of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ
Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after
you have suffered a little.” 1 Peter
5:10
James, the brother of CHRIST JESUS tells missionaries that to
endure trials with joy is a sign of growing faith and Christian maturity. James 1:2-4.
Neither Peter, Paul nor James had great
wealth or social status; on the contrary they lost homes and other comforts for
the sake of the gospel. And all their lives ended by martyrdom – a fate that
the majority of Christians in the western world are unlikely to face today.
The same grace and power that sustained the early Christians sustain us today.
Two thousand plus years later, GOD has not changed His
position. When He saved us by His grace He also made each of us a special instrument, set apart, useful to the
Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21. We became new creations with new lives.
From that day forward we are transferred into the Kingdom of
GOD and out of the world (Colossians 1:13)
and gave us each a role in building up and expanding the place that we
occupy.
Since He chose us to be a special instrument He will also ensure that we perform as such. He will
give us unlimited grace with its unlimited power to carry us through every
aspect of the journey that is our new life.
His grace not only gives us power and ability to accomplish His
divine missions for Him, but it also preserves us through every bump in the
road until the end. GOD started us on this journey and GOD has a finish line
for each person to reach, before they get to heaven.
But GOD’s people are not robots and we have an active part in our journey.
Don’t worry about
anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every
thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Everything that concern us, concerns our Father and He wants
us to share it all with Him.
I absolutely love this quote from an unknown Christian
author that explains this fact so well:
“God’s hand is in
everything-We must see our heavenly Father's hand in our lesser trials and
cares, as much as in the greater ones. Our life is filled up chiefly with
little things. Great occasions come seldom. And if we exclude from prayer little
things — we may almost as well exclude life itself; for all the way through we live by minutes and seconds, every one of
which has its own peculiar relation to our pleasure or pain, our joy or
sorrow.” Author Unknown (Bold font mine)
GOD is as passionate about the minor troubles His children
encounter every day as He is about the major issues that may do damage to our
spiritual lives. Whatever takes away our peace and restrains our joy will also
prevent us from fully living out our good
works and derail our maturity as Christians.
This is not the Father’s will for us so He wants us to bring
everything to Him in prayer that burden, annoy or hinder us in life – minor
irritations and annoyances included. As the architect and author of our lives
GOD will decide how best to help us. He can either remove our problem or give
us the strength to go through it and we must be prepared to accept His will.
Problems that GOD chooses not to remove He uses instead to wean
us further from the world and sanctify us. Either way, as we cease to fret less
pray more, GOD will replace whatever distresses us with peace and contentment.
Our role is to trust that GOD knows what is best so that we can
experience and live the perfect plan He designed for us!
We live by faith through GOD’s grace – the same grace that
gave CHRIST power to perform miracles and minister to many people.
While works of miracles may not be our gift, we each have
been given a unique gift.
Now there are
different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the
same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each
gift in each person. 1 Corinthians 12:
4-7
But what happens to those who choose to disobey GOD and not
act on their gift?
To be continued….
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Sovereign GOD and our Father, thank you again for rescuing
us out of the kingdom of darkness and transferring us into the Kingdom where we
will always be with YOU and YOUR SON. Father, may seek to truly appreciate this
inexpressible gift of grace, power and privilege we have in the works that you
have assigned to us. Help us not to take what we have received for granted. Remind
us that many are called but few are chosen and to be chosen is beyond what
words can adequately express! Let us never cease to give YOU all the praise and honor and glory for YOU are
worthy of no less for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious
Name of CHRIST JESUS our LORD.
Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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