Losing Sight of Our Deliverance

Will Jesus give you a better life if you believe in him? That is a good question, but it depends on what you mean by "a better life." If you take your cue from the culture around you, well, you might be disappointed.

Jesus didn't promise you a perfect family, so if you think you get will automatically get that, then you could be disappointed in Jesus. He actually said that your family might not like you. Jesus didn't promise you that you would never suffer, or that he would always tell you why, if you did. Jesus didn't promise you that life would be easy or obedience to him would always fit your schedule. In fact, he said that a life of discipleship looks like a cross, and I personally can't think of any time Christianity is convenient.

See, all of these ideas are more a product of the culture in which we live than an accurate understanding of the words of Jesus. Furthermore, these ideas deal with lesser things. Jesus was about a bigger thing: you are lost, and he went to great lengths and cosmic suffering to save your from eternal wrath.

Weird things happen in religious contexts when we lose sight of the the main thing--our deliverance. We'll talk about it Sunday. I can't wait!

Blessings,

Jim