Is Living for Christ Easy?
By Rhonda Wain
God never promised us that living a life unto Christ would be easy. Some think that after they repent and accept Christ, their life should be smooth sailing. God never promised us a rose garden. Quite the contrary! What He did promise was that we would have a life filled with trouble. “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33, NIV) Who wants to claim that one? Read on (v. 33) “…but take heart I have overcome the world.” The entire human race will have trouble, but not everyone will have peace. Those who devote their life to Christ will experience peace in the midst of their storms. (v. 33a) – “…I have told you these things, so that you may have peace.” Also John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus said that following the road that leads to life is difficult (Matthew 7:14), and only a few ever find it. So we can see by these scriptures that although everyone will have difficulties, only those who accept Christ will be able to experience true peace. It takes effort to respond to God’s promises (2 Peter 1:5). Effort is defined as: an attempt to do something, especially one that involves a considerable amount of exertion, work, or determination.
2 Peter 2:10 tells us …”work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.” Now, do either of those scriptures sound easy to you? God has not called us to live a life on easy street. He has called committed people to carry out His will on this earth and to live a life of holiness in the midst of a chaotic and sometimes evil world. Doing so is hard and requires effort–it takes work! Hebrews 12:14 – “work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
When we accept Christ, we are made holy because He is holy. My prayer is that we as Christians will count the cost and get off “easy street,” that we would be wholly committed to Christ, and devote ourselves to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work! There is a whole world who needs to hear the love of Jesus.