Is the Normal Christian Life a Peaceful Life, a Troubled Life, or Both?
- Summary: Will the Christian life be nonstop peace? No. Will it be nothing but trials and tribulations? Again, no. Jesus promised His followers something in between those extremes. He told us to expect troubles in our life in this fallen world. But He encouraged us, when in the midst of those struggles, to look to Him for His peace and His power by which He has overcome for us this troubled world.
John 16:33
- • Jesus clearly told His followers that “in this world you will have trouble.” Different translations speak of this in similar words: “tribulation, trials, distress, frustration, affliction, suffering, sorrows, difficulties,” and the like. If that’s all you take from this verse, you are likely to become very pessimistic about life on this planet.
- • But notice Jesus’ words just before and after predicting these troubles. Immediately before His prediction of worldly difficulties, Jesus promised that “In Me you may have peace.” Troubles in the world; an inner tranquility in Jesus while we are in this troubled world.
- • And right after prophesying hard times for us in this life, Jesus exhorted us: “Take heart! I have overcome the world."
- • So what we are hearing from Jesus is this: “Yes, this world will bring have its trials and tribulations, and you will experience some. But in all of that, come to Me and I will give you peace! The world and its troubles cannot overcome you, because I have overcome the world.”
- • Look at the verse again. “Sandwiched” on both side of the troubles prediction is the promise of Christ’s peace and His overcoming power.
- • The apostle Paul warns us that, if you determine to live a godly life, you will experience persecution. The light in your life will expose the darkness around you, and some of those who love that darkness will persecute you in return.
- • But Paul’s prediction of persecution must not discourage you from living a godly life. Instead, remember the Lord's promise to you of His peace and His overcoming power. "Live godly in Christ Jesus" and be the victor, even when evil intentions come against you.
- • In this troubled world, do you sometimes (maybe even right now) feel “weary and heavy-laden”? Are you carrying burdens that often seem too big to bear?
- • Then come to Jesus, call on Him in prayer. He promises to respond to you from His gentle and humble heart and give you rest for your soul.
- • As Jesus promised in our opening Scripture, there will inevitably come troublesome times, when you feel weary, beaten down, bearing seemingly impossible burdens and pressures. In those times you have a gracious, loving Savior calling you to draw close to Him for His promised provision of comfort and rest.
- • Don’t forget to do this! When you are heavily bent down under troubles, burdens, or stress, turn your focus upon Jesus. As the great old hymn says,
- Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
- Look full in His wonderful face,
- And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
- In the light of His glory and grace.
- • Troubles will happen, said Jesus. So will suffering. Is suffering always bad? No.
- • Our gracious God may allow us to “suffer a little while,” so that afterward He can not only restore us, but also “make us strong, firm, and steadfast.” In other words, there can be a divine purpose in allowing us to experience temporary times of suffering. And that purpose is to strengthen us, to make us firmer and more steadfast in our walk with Him.
- • Again, if hard times come in the form of suffering, come to Jesus. Come boldly to His throne of grace to find grace to help you in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
- • You are very secure as long as you remain in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ whom you serve. Very secure!
- • Not only has He given eternal life to those who repent of their sins and turn to Him in faith, He also keeps us secure in that salvation. He states unequivocally that no one can snatch the one serving God out of the Father’s hand. Nor can we be snatched out of Jesus’ hand. Those are two mighty safe hands to be protected in!
- • So when temporary troubles come your way, remember where you are in the scope of eternity — safe in the hands of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep serving God, keep serving His Son, and no one and no thing can snatch you away from the goodness of God.
- • When it’s all said and done, after Jesus has returned to earth in His second coming, after He has raised the saved from death to eternal life, and after His Millennial reign, the troubles of this life will all be in the rearview mirror.
- • This life’s pain, sorrow, and even death will be no more! In its place will be the everlasting, glorious presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus with the redeemed of all ages.
- • Treasure that promise as you face this life’s ups and down, its joys and its sorrows. Hold fast to Jesus’ promise that He will be your source of peace and serenity as well as overcoming power during hard times in this fallen world. And remember always that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
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©2014, James H. Feeney.
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Pentecostal Sermons and Bible Studies
by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.