Ok,
first off, let me clarify. There are no entitlements for Christians. I just
thought that would be a good title. But seriously, we, as a nation have a lot
of programs which are lovingly dubbed "entitlement" programs because
the some of the people who benefit from them seem to expect things from that
program. I was thinking today about how some people view Christianity in
the same light. How the minute you accept Jesus then your life magically gets
better. And on top of that, you will receive nothing but blessings and good
things because you’re a “Christian”. Or, even (and I am guilty of this as well)
that because you’re a Christian, you’re somehow exempt from really terrible
things happening to you. Prepare yourselves for a wakeup call, my friends.
Because that’s just bogus. It really is.
Just
because we’re Christians and accept Jesus into our hearts, DOES NOT exempt us
from the bad things in life and also does not guarantee that we will receive
blessings all the time. One of the things I have also learned is that, in my
Christian walk, if I do not give in the first place, I shouldn’t expect
anything in return. Let me clarify. Think of it as a bank (and I heard this
concept on a radio broadcast once). You go in and deposit money. Your money
earns interest and you can draw on the money because you invested it and it is
available for you to use. However, if you do not deposit money, there will be
nothing for you to draw on. Philipians 4:19 says that “My God will meet all
your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus”. If you do not
invest your time and effort into God, how can you expect Him to invest His
Riches an Glory in you? That might be a little tough of an explanation but it’s
meaning is clear.
Another
example. Jesus Christ was not exempt from trials and tribulations on this earth
either. He went through things that we go through, even today. Why? Because
this is a fallen and sinful word. But did he sin? No. He invested into God’s
Kingdom and fulfilled His purpose on this earth which was to die for our sins.
When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts, we are not guaranteed a trouble
free life. We are guaranteed a trouble free and perfect Heaven. But that time
is not now.
Like
I mentioned before, I’m just as guilty as the next person. I whine, I complain,
I fail at fulfilling my calling. And to some extent, I “expect” good things to
happen. And when they don’t, I cry and ask God why these things are happening
to me. When good things happen to us, it’s because we serve a
good and loving Father who also extends to us Grace. What is Grace? John
MacAurthur defines it as “the free and benevolent influence of a holy God
operating sovereignly in the lives of undeserving sinners.” Other people have
used the pneumonic G.R.A.C.E. – God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. I personally,
like John MacArthur’s version better because in it is a word which really
drives this point home. Undeserving. You, me, all of us are underserving of
Grace. And yet, when Grace is bestowed upon us, we mistakenly think that it’s
because of something we’ve done. Because we go to church every Sunday, or maybe
because we give x amount in the offering plate at church. I was reading this
very moving story of a couple who lost their infant son at 41 weeks. He was
still born. Then about 8 months later, they found out they were pregnant again
only to find out that this baby had a severe Chromosomal defect and could very
possibly not make it full term or even survive once he was born. I read a few
of the Mom’s blogs and they were so moving and so powerful. I’m sure my own feeble
“why, God?” didn’t even begin to match their heartbroken questions and pain.
Well, She delivered the baby 3 days ago. And he lived for 59 precious minutes.
They got to hold him, they got to love him, and then God called him home. This
family is a devout Christian family and the Mom’s blog bespeaks of her faith
even through this dark and difficult time. We ask why we go through these
things and it’s because Christ went through them too. Sometimes it takes a
little hardship and pain to remind of the fallen world we live in, our own
sinful natures, the God we serve and His immeasurable Grace. Sometimes, some of
us have to go through trial by fire to test where the center of our universe
is. If it’s anywhere but God, then we have our priorities wrong. He comes first
and that should never change. Jesus also said “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). And
that is a promise we can rest on. :)
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