6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Yesterday, I asked the question, “Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?” I solicited honest comments from other Christians who receive these daily messages. I thought these comments were great and reflect a lot of Christians today. Here are the comments.
Comment One
I was provoked to respond by people who talked to me: Your question was "It is hard to be a Christian in 2012"....My answer is No, it is not hard. What is the alternative to Christianity being hard? Being in sin? When I was in sin I still had it hard, I still went through things. To me saying that its hard is a cop out to me, its a mind set that you have that you already know it will be hard but would I give it up and turn back? My answer is no.
Greg Stanley
Comment Two
Yes, I think it’s hard to be a Christian in 2012. Over the years I’ve noticed that as Christians, we have compromised our beliefs so as not to hurt the feelings of others. We can’t say Jesus or God; we say Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas, all because we are not to offend others and their religious beliefs. Never mind that we are offending God.
Same sex marriages, children outside of wedlock, living together or “shacking up,” and open marriages have become the norm and not the exception to the rule and as Christians we have kept our mouths shut. One of the reasons I believe is because we don’t want to become accused of “judging” another person. (“Do not judge so that you will not be judged” Matt. 7:1 NASB) And if we protest the sins of society then we have to acknowledge and take responsibility for our own sins and who really wants to do that? (“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:5 NASB)
Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB) At some point I believe that as Christians we decided to compromise with the world, maybe with the idea of getting the world to conform to our way of thinking. But instead we began conforming to their beliefs and now we are stuck and don’t know how to undo the mess.
And it doesn’t help when we have well-known spiritual leaders and priests committing all kinds of sins for the public to see, or those Christians who shout all over the church on Sunday, cuss out everybody on Monday, not to mention can drink you under the table on Friday and Saturday.
How does a Christian trying to win souls to Christ make a difference when they’re up against that?
Yes it’s hard being a Christian no matter what year it is.
Anonymous
Comment Three
In a nut shell, It’s not hard when you are looking forward. It is only hard when you are looking back.
Example:
When I was outside of the will of God for my life, I went to parties and clubs, had drinks, premarital sex. I thought I was having fun. But there are consequence to that life style and I don’t miss the consequences because the wages of sin is death so when I hear my friends that are still having the fun I used to have I do miss it because I’m looking back. Then, I think about as we say in church the “Goodness of God” and all he has done for me and all he has brought me out of (looking forward) it is not hard at all! I keep pressing because I love the relationship that I have with him and I want to be pleasing in his sight.
Anonymous
Comment Four
I didn’t weigh in yesterday but here it goes today…
If I had weighed in yesterday it would have been from my own personal point of view, but I had to look at it through the eyes of God and his word. Scripture says and I’m paraphrasing “Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burdens are light” when I look at this journey called life that we are going through, God has equipped us with all the strength and courage we need to endure. When Joshua came on the scene after Moses died the resounding message God gave Joshua was - be of good courage. When we take on Christ and truly sell out to him and banish that old nature that we used to have (only by renewing our minds in the word daily) THEN are we able to say that it is “easy to be a Christian” only because we surrender all to him; all of our problems, test, trials, sickness, disappointments, rejections everything that we face.
I had a meeting the other night at church and left feeling a little perplexed about some things and began to cry on the way home, I mean a real ugly cry and instantly God reminded me it ain’t that bad. I am with you! Yes the world seems as if it has center stage but Gods word tells us that “Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world”. I am victorious in this battle. Yes it is a battle! We got to fight every single day, not a physical fight but spiritually; pulling down strongholds, casting down wicked imaginations, binding the hands of the enemy, and if we use to the tools (His word, prayer) that God gave us than we are MORE than Conquerors! It is a FIXED Fight!
(Ok I’ve gotten excited myself!!)
Anonymous
Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012? Hopefully, you have a better idea of what it takes to move forward. All of us go through things and all of us have to deal with our own flesh. I really enjoyed sharing with you this week. Until next time , Peace!
Brother Clarence
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