I'm always amazed when people suggest that Christ promises health, wealth, and/or earthy pleasures here and now.
It's not Scriptural.
The Bible clearly tells us we're in "transition."
Complete wholeness is a future promise (Hebrews 2:5-9; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
If God promised earthly health and happiness, Timothy wouldn't have suffered from stomach problems
(1 Timothy 5:23) and Paul would never have been hungry or in need (Philippians 4:12-13).
If God promised earthly wholeness, it would be the norm among devoted Christians today. But it's not.
God can and does heal and deliver people, and their stories inspire us.
But we also need the testimony of those who maintain a strong faith while living with poor health, persecutions and difficulties.
If God rescued us from every earthly difficulty, we'd never know the depth of His comfort. And we'd never be able to adequately comfort others
(2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
--------------
Bible Love Notes
And there are so many, that believe God promised us but a wonderful life of happiness.
ReplyDeleteSo greatful to have Jesus to talk to when times are hard. The knowing that He is for us is a long road of pain, then exhultation, the result is the cementing of trust. Each of us have a different cross to bear with one unifying goal, that one, most precious of all friends, be glorified. Reflecting on his love, we see him radiating through each step we took on the journey. Thank you Gail for your postings that are for me a great way to begin worship.
ReplyDeleteI love your messages, I have even save many of them to my Pinterest board, but I sure do appreciate when you use ANY online Bible site rather than Bible gateway. They have so many annoying animated ads flashing off to the side it is way too distracting sometimes. Today I had to highlight the verse and go to Biblia.com so I could read it without seeing a man with his face painted half & half with his mouth wide open like he was screaming.
ReplyDeleteHi Sweet Indulgence,
DeleteI will definitely take this into consideration. When I link a single verse, I try to use Bible Hub because they don't have ads, but they don't show multiple verses, just whole chapters. But I will look into Biblia on your recommendation.
I hope you know that I don't get any reimbursement for using Bible Gateway.
God bless you,
Gail
He promised that we would have tribulation in this world but in Him we may have Peace...His perfect peace if we trust Him, rejoice in Him and thank Him in trials and blessings. Without hard times we would never grow in our relationship with Him and in maturity of our faith!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son died 6 years ago. People, even Christians, says to me that if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger. Totally unBiblical! The truth is the weight of the grief is like dying a bit each day. Any strength I exhibit is God carrying me due to my helplessness.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your son. I'm sorry that people have responded in ways that aren't comforting. Proverbs 14:10 says that no one can fully understand the sorrow of another person, especially if they have not experienced it themselves. But it is a great comfort to know that Jesus can understand our every sorrow. I pray that you will be able to more fully turn this grief and sorrow over to the Lord so that it doesn't continue to be such a heavy burden on your soul, my friend.
Delete