“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” –Luke 9:23
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –Matt. 11:28-30
It would do us well in the church, when so many congregations are clamoring to make Christ easy to follow so they can attract ever larger numbers, that the same Christ that takes our burdens is the same Christ who gives us a cross.
“And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” –Matt. 11:6
Is the Christ we hear preached in the churches today one whom people could take offense at? I haven’t heard it.
November 2, 2008 at 6:17 pm |
I like your thoughts and to be quite honest, I agree. We cannot expect our christian walk to be easy. In some ways it is easier because we ‘lean not on our own understanding’, and this is the way of the Jesus follower. I have been in recovery now for 3 months and it is not easy. However, through faith in Jesus Christ, I have a friend we can come to in any crisis. In fact, we can turn to God in anything, even before it comes to that. Simply put, in the best of times AND the worst of times, we have a ‘Wonderful Counselor’ who hears us always. That is why I am grateful.
Many have the misconception that when we give our heart to Jesus that life will become peachy and good. That’s is far from truth. As a matter of fact, the devil in our lives does not want us to spread the good news; he doesn’t want people to know the truth. So, as our relationship with God becomes greater, so does the threats and ‘assignments’ from the enemy. That, in a strange sort of way, is our encouragement.
Praise God for He is on our side and is mighty!!