“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation…” -John 16:33
I have been working on creating a message to teach to 5th and 6th graders and came up with the following question: “Why even become a Christian if your life is going to get harder?”
The idea came to me after reading the above verse. Then it doesn’t help that the sermon at church was on how trials can deepen our relationship with God.
So back to the question. Think of how Jesus’ disciples died or the story of Job. The Bible is full of faithful men and women whose reward for following God was trials and suffering. Some even faced painful deaths.
Who wants that? I don’t.
I want the gospel the preachers on TV proclaim. I will work to be a good little Christian, so that God will bless me. Isn’t that how it works? If I do a good job at my place of work I get a raise, so shouldn’t Christianity be the same…right?
How do people stick with their sports teams through the highs and lows? Why not leave when it’s bad? Because they are committed to the team. They want to be associated with them at all times regardless of circumstances.
The disciples followed Jesus because of the mighty work He did in each of their lives not because they thought He would bless their lives. Their love for Him was stronger than any temporal pain they might face. That’s why they choose to follow Him.