The Christian life was never promised to be easy.
This is seen time and time again in the New Testament. Whether it be found in the teaching of Christ or His apostles, or in the stories recorded in Acts, first-century disciples did not have lives absent of affliction, nor did they expect that.
The reality of this is seen in numerous places in 1 Thessalonians.
After persecution pushed the apostle out of Thessalonica, with pastoral concern Paul not only wrote to the church, but he sent Timothy back there to check on them after they were likewise experiencing persecution.
His goal was that Timothy would continue to help this church be established in their faith and furthermore to exhort them in their faith (1 Thess. 3:2).
The purpose of this message was, “that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this” (1 Thess. 3:3).
Paul’s message from the outset was incredibly clear: affliction is coming (1 Thess. 3:4). Following Jesus might very well cost you something. In fact, it could cost you your life. Persecution followed the apostle everywhere he went. From beatings to stoning to imprisonment, the road to glory was anything but peaceful.
The apostle John likewise once warned, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” (1 John 3:13b).
The Lord Jesus also pointed out that if his opponents called him Beelzebul, as the master of the house, then surely his disciples should not expect any better treatment (see Matt. 10:25).
People often present this picture of a lovey-dovey, casual Jesus who is indifferent to sin. He is everyone’s best friend, and everyone loved Him all the time. You have probably heard things such as, “If Christians acted more like Jesus and just accepted everyone, then the world would be a better place.”
Let us not be confused: the world crucified the Lord Jesus.
The world hated Jesus because He testified against it that its works were evil (John 7:7b). While Christ was not sent into the world to condemn it in His first advent (see John 3:17) and therefore He extended kindness, He likewise did not condone sin.
If Christ was indifferent to sin, He would not have had to come and die for it! He knew His mission was to make atonement for those who needed it! Obviously, He never pretended sin did not matter—it cost Him His life.
If the Christian is to follow in Christ’s footsteps it will at times necessitate suffering (see 1 Pet. 2:21). Christ’s message is still not readily received by a world in rebellion against God, even though the messengers have changed.
As modern believers, and especially Americans, we have totally lost sight of this. We are so used to a Christianized version of our nation and an Americanized form of Christianity that has cost us nothing. We take for granted the freedom that we have. We lose sight of the fact that in the first century to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus originally meant just that: you might have to give your life for Him.
Yet, we quickly ignore this in favor of a gentler meaning.
The concept of “giving your life” now merely represents the ideas of surrender or devotion. That is to give your life in life. Now, while this is a biblical concept (see Phil. 1:21) we cannot lose sight of the fact that giving your life to Jesus might end with your life looking like His—dead at the hands of a sinful world in rebellion against its Creator.
This is exactly what we saw in the horror of this week.
I do not know what the future holds, and I will not pretend to know. However, I do know that there is both widespread disgust and widespread approval and even celebration of what happened. Before us as a nation it seems as if there are two paths—one where society will run from these things and justice will prevail, or one where this will become the norm like we have never seen.
What I do know is this: our American experience of an entirely unpersecuted Christianity was never promised. The prosperity gospel is thoroughly unbiblical. He never promised us an easy life full of wealth, health, and absent from hardship.
Truly, the apostle Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey testified to the churches, “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22b).
Jesus warned ahead of time:
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).
In Christ we have peace, we have hope—no matter what afflictions come are way. But in the world tribulation will come.
Are we ready?