Miserable Christians?

 

The devotional book I selected for this year has taught me much, yet not directly. The author wrote much about Christians who are miserable because they do not believe God. Some of it made me wonder if any of the people referred to were even saved. Most Christians I know are not ‘miserable’ in their walk with Jesus but experiencing much joy. Even when times are tough, they are trusting Him. Some complain but seek His will and are growing in grace and faith.

After eleven plus months, I began to wonder if the writer was striking at the tiny branches and missing the root of the problem. After doing a bit of research, I found that root and now understand this focus. This writer was part of what is called the “Holiness” movement consisting of a teaching that “no one could actually be born-again unless they had a ‘second blessing’ that made them perfect” meaning no more sin. No wonder many of them were miserable. While we are called to perfection, our perfection is in the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. As we work out what that means, He works in us with the goal of perfection, which is true of our position in Him but not constant in our practice in life. Besides that, being perfect is not a requirement for new birth; it is a gift of God’s grace:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4–10)

After becoming His through faith and given new life in Him, that new life is to be lived out. The biblical term is “worked out” — yet He does the work in us.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

God works in me and my part is to cooperate, to stop grumbling as the next verse says, showing that the source of my life now is the Spirit of God, not that old selfish and fleshy person that He died for. New life in Him makes this possible. I do not change because I’m ‘trying harder’ or thinking rightly about God. He makes the changes and they show up!

I write about this because many Christians are miserable because they are Christians but have somehow began thinking that their changed life depends on themselves. The book of Galatians addresses that issue of beginning in the Spirit and trying to be perfected in the flesh.

In contrast, some think they are Christians because they go to church, believe that Christ existed, and doing good is important. Instead of being saved by faith, they are going through the motions.  Jesus did say: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “ (Matthew 7:21–23)

The Christian life is about having a personal relationship with the Christ. Without it, no one can be a Christian, no matter what they call themselves:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:1–8)

PRAY: Jesus, this is a longer than usual post because the gospel requires clarity, and because I don’t know if any readers are caught in the trap of “I’m not good enough” and feeling miserable. You know how to change that and even to use it to draw them to Yourself.

The sooner the better . . .

 

READ Revelation 11–14

A day or so ago, I tested positive for Covid with no idea where I picked it up. It is not severe but for some reason, feeling yucky makes reading about the end of time and the wrath of God seem more vivid. These chapters tell me truths to keep in mind, particularly when listening to the news and watching the world move farther and farther from obedience to God.

In those latter days, God shows who has power over the climate, and that He can give that power to whomever He chooses:

 . . . . “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11:3–6)

As people vainly think we can change the weather, the Bible continually reminds me that God is sovereign over every drop of rain, every breath of wind, every day of sunshine. What an affront to think we are that powerful. Yet at the same time, He will judge people for all lack of care for this planet. Adam and all humanity was given responsibility to govern the earth and we have fallen short:

And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” (11:16–18)

Revelation tells of the devil being “thrown down to the earth” and “the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” He was “conquered by the blood of the Lamb” and his power is useless against those who testify faith in Him and who will die rather than recant. Even now, this is happening in many parts of the world. However, this passage also says, “Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (12:9–12)

While his efforts are already visible, someday this spiritual enemy will raise up powerful followers, the first called a beast who will be “allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.” (13:7–8) This tells me again of God’s sovereignty even in the death of His people. John must have been dismayed as he heard it, but then he heard a voice from heaven saying:

“Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (14:13)

Many gross actions follow, but as the news reports of increasing violence all over the world, this last horror is not the shock it used to be:

So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia. (14:19–20)

Being a child of God does not guarantee a life of comfort in this world, but it does guarantee eternal life with Him. Towards the end of Revelation John saw visions of thousands who hid from the horrors but refused to repent and trust Jesus to forgive them and grant them eternal security. This grieves my heart. While it is never too late at any time of life, the sooner the better to enjoy His incredible loving care.