Happy, Happy

August 21, 2024

Listening to Pastor Cymbala a few mornings ago (Brooklyn Tabernacle.org) reminded me of an essential fact of living the Born Again Christian life. He was accurately teaching the results of grumbling and complaining. I am in agreement with everything he was teaching. So, I do encourage people to watch their live streams and teaching videos. There is lots of true wisdom in them.

Still and all, the topic at the time reminded me, for some strange reason, there is a common error in Christian teaching — an assumption… no, actually a presumption. It’s put forward by some as Gospel truth. However, I’ve read the Bible a lot, and I haven’t found it anywhere in the Bible.

Basically, it states that when one becomes born again, all their troubles evaporate, and Easy Street becomes their Highway to Heaven…

Wrong.

In fact, not only do all the normal hardships of life remain intact, but Born Again Christians are promised to face even more troubles!

The “Happy Happy Gospel” is a false one.

Notwithstanding, first of all, and so as I don’t discourage anyone, Jesus said this:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33, New International Version.

Regardless of all the struggles of living on this Earth still remaining, yet, we are encouraged that not only did Jesus overcome all of it, but He promised that now, we would be able to overcome, too!

But, how?

Jesus’ half brother, the apostle James wrote: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Note that “Greetings!” could just as easily have been translated as “Rejoice!” James continued:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” — James 1:1–5, ibid.

Two observations of that passage I have are that one, James is writing to people who have been chased from their homes and families, their jobs, and scattered from their towns and native land… and he says “Rejoice!”

Really?!?

Nevertheless, point two, life is like a sports challenge where athletes have to subject themselves to training — most often very strenuous training — and so the suggestion is the Born Again Christian must also prepare themselves to become the complete and spiritually successful person God wants us to become.

After all, what he reminds us of is that we only have to ask God for understanding the situation, and He will give His insights to us. That is to say, God will teach us the skills necessary and how we are to train successfully. In His position as “Coach,” He has no problem whatsoever with taking the time teaching us and even showing us everything we need to win this life’s contest. And I suppose that the Angels are cheering for us, too.

We not only can learn perseverance, but why:

Maturity. Completeness. Wisdom. Skillfulness.

Christians are called to run an obstacle course. A competitor has to both enter the contest and start training… All the same, Jesus has even paid the Entrance Fee! So, what’s keeping you from stepping up and to toe the line?