by: Roger Talbert
Matthew 24:9-14 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13 "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
There is a lie going around about the “Good News” of being a Christian. The lie is that when you become a Christian all your troubles will be gone. It is like in the fairy tales, you will live happily ever after. There are many variations to this lie but the main gist is that once you become a Christian you will have it made here on earth.
That could not be farther from the truth. As you see in the Scripture reference, Jesus himself says that we will have difficulties while we are here on earth. The Devil is out to get you, for once you become a Follower of Christ you become Satan’s enemy. Again in Luke 21:16-19 ("But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 "Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 "By your endurance you will gain your lives) Jesus warns of the hardship Christians will endure. So what is the “Good News” the “Gospel”?
The true “Good News” or the “Gospel” is that Jesus has paid in full for all our sins and all we need to receive this gift is to accept it. And with this gift you will also experience eternal life in Heaven. The “Good News” is that our Salvation (being saved) is not about here and now but eternity, the next life.
The oppressed people in not only “third world” countries but also in the world’s leading countries less the United States realize this. When a person in a persecuted country accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior, their lives become harder even to the point of death for some. The work doesn’t get easier their troubles become greater. One could lose one’s family, friends, health, jobs, freedom through imprisonment, and even one’s life. So why is Christianity growing in theses countries and not in ours the United States?
Not because of the promise that their lives will change here and now but because the future, their eternity is going to be better. The oppressed people would rather die in prison with hardship unimaginable, put their life at risk for the promise of a better life for eternity; whereas, American’s being the microwave society that we are must have the good life NOW!
It is not wrong to want a better life now. What is wrong is to lie about it to tell people that they are going to get it. Because when troubles come and they will a relationship started with a lie will crumble. That is why Jesus told us up front that as followers of his we were going to have troubles not to give us false hope but the true hope of a better life with Him for eternity.
People said to be living in Hell now don’t want to keep living there for eternity. Do you?
Truthfully; each and every one of us deserves to spend eternity in Hell and without the price being paid for by Jesus Christ, we would.
