I sat in the coffee shop with a dear friend, savoring a cup and chatting. After catching up on life and health issues, we discussed life, faith, God, and the church.
We shared times when we had seen God’s hand undeniably at work. There were miracles and divine appointments. We talked about the skepticism that sometimes greets us when we speak of such things, even from fellow believers.
We talked about the simplicity of the Christian faith. As a believer, you trust Jesus by faith, strive to follow Him, and love others. What could be simpler?
It is simple, but it isn’t always easy. People tend to conflate the two or use the terms interchangeably. Simplicity doesn’t mean ease.
Following Christ means we must humble ourselves and throw ourselves on His mercy. That can be a nearly impossible task.
Loving others sounds like it should be simple, but we all know it’s not. We might find it easier to love others who love us back, but many people (all of us sometimes) are downright unloveable. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to help us love.
Striving to follow Jesus should be a cakewalk. Well, it might be if it wasn’t for our sinful nature, rebellion, and the world’s pressures.
The Scriptures don’t promise that a Christian’s life will be easy. We need to follow the simple path, not the easy one. Jesus warns against the easy way.
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
The Christian life can bring many hardships. It can be challenging to live.
Yet, it can bring us great peace and joy and leads us to life everlasting in glory. Hold fast, my dear friends, when the simple way deviates from the easy path.
Stay the course. Trust the one who loved you enough to come as a child and live amongst us only to be tortured and killed to set us free.
Be blessed
Kevin
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