Faith Discussion
Having faith today is difficult at best. Our faith will be tested by God, Satan, society, our loved ones, and ourselves. Why is the gate narrow? Why is evil in the world? Why did God give us free will to choose? Why is the message of the Gospel foolishness to most people? Doesn’t God want all to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Why is it so hard for us to believe? Frustrated with the struggles to maintain his faith, the author works through some of the hard questions that Christians will be asked and may have asked themselves.
Too many churches have taught people that if they find it hard that means that they do not have enough faith. And that is just not true. Some of the greatest testimonies of faith have come from people going through a very hard trial.
People (souls) won’t be truthful about their struggles because the community that is supposed to love them overwhelms them with how wrong they are for experiencing hardship as they walk out their faith (even though the community may be doing it with good intentions). So, they walk away because it must be them.
There is a difference between salvation and discipleship. Jesus paid it all for our salvation. We are saved by His work on the cross. There is nothing we can add to it. It is a gift to all who will accept it.
We are saved, now what? We are to make disciples (Matt 28:19-20). Unfortunately, many Christians aren’t disciple themselves. They are believers. If we do not act on that belief, then is it really faith at all. Following Jesus Christ as His disciple is hard. Jesus instructs us to calculate the cost prior to becoming His disciple (Luke 14:25-33).
Too many souls are floundering after salvation because we are not making disciples (Matt 28:19-20). We need to be real with people because they see through the façade of this blissful, easy life. When we are not honest with them, they think we are either delusional, lying, or something is wrong with them. When they find out it is hard, they quit without fully understanding how to follow Jesus Christ and find the victorious life.
The love and grace of Jesus Christ compel us to follow Him with everything He gave us. We are not doing works so that we can earn some favor or points with God. We are doing His will because we love Him and am humbled by everything, He did for us. He bought us, “For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God” 1 Cor 6:20 (NKJV).
Softening the gospel message is a significant factor in why Christianity is on the decline in America. Souls are walking away from the faith because we are not being real about our faith journey and the cost of discipleship. Christianity is different for everyone because it is a relationship not a religion. Believing is easy. Even the demons believe (Jas 2:19). Following Jesus Christ as His disciple is hard but worth it.
It is all about Jesus Christ, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” (Philippians 3:10 NKJV)
Why is Christianity So Hard?” was written for those that are struggling with faith because it wasn’t what they expected. They found it to be too hard, contradictory, or confusing. Many expect it to be like we had it in the Garden of Eden. There is an expectation that Christianity was going to be a blissful easy life. When they find out that we live in a fallen world they quit without fully understanding why.
The topics I write about may or may not be an issue for most or some people, but someone is unable to get past it. It is keeping them from moving forward or maturing in their faith.
I pray that the book and devotionals will bring you into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and encourage you that following Christ is the only way to live life.
