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(What is success in the Christian Walk)

by Cameron Paine

Pt 1

INTRODUCTION

Many people  look upon 'bumps', hardships, trials, temptations, etc. as being impediments to 'success'. But is that the way God looks upon them? Does God call pain, suffering and hardship 'obstacles'? Does God say such events are impediments to advancing along the road to holiness and the kingdom of God or does he teach that they serve that goal that God has for the people he redeemed?

Is our idea of success the same as God's idea of success? Does our treasure consist in what is important to God--our holiness? Is our criteria of success greater conformity to God's holy nature as exemplified in Jesus Christ? Or, does our treasure ('where our heart is'; Matthew 6:20-21) consist in advancement towards different goals, goals that are more urgent and important to us, even goals that unbelievers have such as the elimination or the greatest possible reduction of impediments, frustrations, hardships, unhappiness in this world and in our personal lives?

This meditation seeks to let individuals answer this question by displaying two closely related truths of Christianity. One is the showing of some of the many ways God's letter to me tells me what the believer's walk, the route to increasing holiness and the kingdom of God, is like. The other is showing how the 'bumps', the hardships and trials are part of God's purpose and plan to bring his redeemed people to the condition of holiness.

Before getting into the topic of this meditation one vital point needs to be kept in mind: Everything that is said in this meditation regarding the nature of the believer's walk towards increasing holiness and the kingdom of God applies to believers and to believers only. Why is that? Because no one else can be on the road to holiness and the kingdom of God. Only those individuals clothed in the righteousness of their sinless substitute, the Christ, can be on that road. Only believers--those who know their sins have been paid for (totally) by the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ are not in bondage to sin and can grow in holiness. The sins of every other individual not being covered by the sacrificial death of Christ will have to be paid for by that individual.  (Galatians 3:22; Romans 3:19,23; 1 John 2:22; 5:5; 2 John 1:7) Therefore every unbeliever is not on the road to the kingdom of God but on a different road, the road to the 'place of eternal repayment' (also known as eternal punishment).

To believers God says 'seek the kingdom of God' doesn't he? But that is not all he tells believers. He also tells us which is the route to that destination (Matthew 7:13-14) and what is along that road that each believer must travel by himself or herself. The many images of the road on which Christians must walk to reach God's destination make it very clear that the road on which holiness 'grows' and which leads to the kingdom of God is not a smooth one. It is not a path on which a person can sit back as on a conveyor belt and just coast into the condition of holiness and into the kingdom. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

The picture of what the 'route' to the kingdom of God is like is set forth in many ways. Look at the words God uses to describe what the road to the holiness and the Kingdom of God is like.

A Fight

A fight is one of those terms that creates an image of the setting, the situation, the environment which believers must live in while on earth. It is a hostile environment. To use a military image--it is like having to survive and carry out the mission behind enemy lines. [Much of the imagery in God's word that talks about the Christian life is created with terms drawn from the realm of conflict, even military conflict.] The message of the image is: the road to holiness and the kingdom of Gods is not a smooth road one or one without opposition.

• In the book of Jude the inspired author says, "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude 1:3)
  
• In the apostle Paul's letter to the Christian congregation at Philippi he says, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27)
  
• "Fight the good fight of the faith." That is one of the terms by which the Christian walk is called--a fight. That is what the apostle Paul told Timothy, his ministerial protégé. "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)
  
• What did the apostle Paul say about his Christian life when he knew his life and ministry was almost over? "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

The believer's walk is not smooth and gentle; it is not road on which a person can just coast into a condition of conformity to the Son of God and into the kingdom.

'It takes two to tango'. It takes opposition or resistance to make a fight. At this point in the meditation only the opposition that comes from other people is being presented. A greater source of opposition will be considered later in the meditation. In the verses that speak of opposition it is not so much the term 'opposition' as the fact of opposition that is spoken of. The opposition that comes from other people is frequently spoken of as hostility or hatred to Christians and to God's values. The fact that there is and will be opposition is not only stated but that is the emphasis of the verses which forewarn believers, the disciples of Christ, of what to expect--they will face opposition from other people.

• "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil [according to God's standards] hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." (John 3:19-20; See also Romans 8:7-8)
  
• And again. Jesus is speaking to his disciples-- "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me." (John 15:18-21)
  
• And again, in Jesus own recorded prayer to His Father in heaven, "I have given them [Jesus' disciples] your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." (John 17:14)
  
• Jesus warned and prophesied about the conditions which his disciples, his followers, should know is coming (lies ahead): "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:21-22)
  
• And again, "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God." (John 16:1-2)

The above quotes of Jesus' warnings from the gospels described what was especially true for disciples still living in the Jewish culture of the time. Why? Because at that time Jesus was speaking to Jews. But the rest of the New Testament shows that this is the kind of difficult, opposition-filled world that every believer will have to live in and be a witness in.

• Many years later the apostle Paul is saying to his converts--"In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know." (1 Thessalonians 3:4)
  
• Everyone, the Bible says, who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will face opposition. The specific phrase is "will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)
  
• Even Jesus met opposition. Knowing this is a source of comfort and strength. "Consider him [Jesus the Christ] who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)

The concepts of a continual fight, of continual opposition, convey the message that the believer's walk is not smooth and gentle, that the road to holiness and the kingdom it is not a road on which a person can just coast into a condition of conformity to the Son of God and into the kingdom.

A Race

The race is another term that creates an image of the Christian walk. It is a term drawn from the familiar area of athletic competition. Here again, it is the existence of opponents that creates the situation. Without others trying to beat us there would be no competition.

In his letter to the congregation at Corinth it is this image of a race that the apostle Paul uses to convey his message regarding the Christian walk: "Do you not know," he says, "that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; see also Philippians 3:12-14)

In the 11th chapter of Hebrews the author lists many saints in Old Testament times who had already fought the good fight. Then in the next chapter he immediately addresses these words of exhortation to his hearers/readers: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1) The witnesses referred to in that verse were of course all the saints (named and unnamed) spoken of in the preceding chapter. But believers now are surrounded by even more witnesses who have been victorious in their Christian walk. (Philippians 1:27; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Revelation 1:9; 6:9; 12:11; 20:4) Believers now have not only the biblical record, they also have the record of all subsequent saints who stood up for the faith--who ran the race.

For a person to continue in the 'fight', in the 'race' requires effort, exertion, striving. Even the Greek word translated as 'race' in the verse that says "let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (see the preceding quote) is the word from which the English word 'agony' comes. Not surprisingly, the word translated here as 'race' is sometimes translated as 'struggle' or 'fight'). Perhaps what is really involved will become clearer  by looking at the verbal form of the Greek word from which the English word 'to agonize' comes. In the examples below the English words used to express the meaning of this Greek word are italicized. (In other translations different words may be used but the same truth will stand out.)

• "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to CONTEND for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude 1:3)
  
  
• "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." (Luke 13:24)
  
  
• "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
  
  
• "Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.'" (John 18:36)
  
  
• "To this end I [the apostle Paul] labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:29)
  
  
• "This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labour and strive)," (1 Timothy 4:9-10)
  
  
• "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)
  
  
• What did the apostle Paul say when he knew his ministry was almost over: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Look again at how the apostle Paul described his own life style as a Christian. "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)

Who strives and strains to possess what he already has? Again, look at the words of the apostle talking about his view of the believer's walk: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)

The concepts of a fight, of opposition, of a race, of exertion, all convey the message that the believer's path is not smooth and gentle, that the road to holiness and the kingdom it is not a road on which a person can just coast into a condition of conformity to the Son of God and into the kingdom.

'Strength' is another term that is used frequently that indicates the nature of the Christian walk.

Over and over again the Bible says (forewarns) believers that they will need strength to travel along the continuous rugged 'terrain', the hostile territory, that the road to holiness and the Kingdom of God goes through. The route is not smooth and gentle; it is not road on which a person can just coast into a condition of holiness and the kingdom. Therefore it is no surprise that the New Testament is full of encouragements for believers--encouragements from declarations of truth, encouragements from exhortations to be strong and steadfast, encouragements from prayers to God that he will give them strength.

What was the desire that the apostles had for believers? That they be strong and firm in the faith. In the book of Acts which describes the amazing expansion of the Christian Faith throughout much of the known world in the years soon after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ we read: "Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith." (Acts 14:21-22) What did they do to accomplish this strengthening? Declared the truth and warned the disciples what to expect--rough going ahead. "'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said." (Acts 14:22)

• "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." (Acts 15:32)
  
  
• "He [the apostle Paul] went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." (Acts 15:41)
  
  
• "After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and travelled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples." (Acts 18:23)

Hear the apostle Paul's words in one of the first letters he wrote to the believers in Thessalonica. "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

The prayers of the apostles were concerned with the same objective--that they be strong. "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience." (Colossians 1:10-11; see also Colossians 4:12; Luke 22:32; Ephesians 1:17-19; 3:16)

But 'rough sledding', bumps, in the road are not impediments to God's purposes. Hardships are not circumstances that are outside the purposes and design of the plan of God. As a person does not glide up a mountain neither does he glide into the Kingdom. Think of Christ. Throughout his earthly ministry he suffered hardship, faced temptation, faced the opposition of sinners and at the end of his earthly life according the purpose and plan of God he faced his own sacrificial death, even the public disgrace of a death on the cross. Bumps, hardships, even death is not outside of God's plan and control.

The concepts of a fight, of opposition, of a race, of exertion, of the need for strength, all convey the message that the route is not smooth and gentle, that the road to holiness and the kingdom it is not a road on which a person can just coast into a condition of conformity to the Son of God.

Another word that conveys the same image of the rough, opposition-filled situation that the believer is in is the word perseverance. The word implies the existence of 'obstacles' or 'obstructions' because that is what the overcoming of obstacles or obstructions 'demands' the same way that lifting weights 'demands' the use of muscles.

• "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:36)
  
  
• "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life." (Romans 2:7)
  
  
• "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." (Luke 8:15)
  
  
• "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)
  
• While the term 'perseverance' does not appear in the following verse the idea of putting out effort for as long as it takes is set forth very clearly. "We want each of you [believers] to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure." (Hebrews 6:11)
  
• "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:13)
  
  
• "Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
  
  
• The words of the ascended Lord as heard by the apostle John in his vision--"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary." (Revelation 2:2-3)
  
  
• "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

The concepts of a fight, of opposition, of a race, of exertion, of the need for strength, of the need to persevere all convey the message that the believer's walk is not smooth and gentle, that the road on which increasing conformity to the Son of God occurs it is not a road on which a person just coasts into a those new conditions and places.

Even the term by which the Bible often refers to the goal of the fight or the successful result of all the previous exertion and effort suggests what is required--unceasing exertion and effort. And what term is that? Standing.

• "Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." (Ephesians 6:13-14)
  
  
• "By standing firm you will gain life." (Luke 21:19)
  
  
• "He who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22)
  
  
• "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
  
  
• "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13)
  
  
• "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." (Corinthians 15:58)
  
  
• "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you..." What is the objective of his prayers? "that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." (Colossians 4:12)
  
  
• "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." (Ephesians 6:14)
  
  
• "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I [Paul] come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27)

Standing is important. "If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?" (Psalm 130:3) "You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?" (Psalm 76:7)

What is the goal of the believer's walk: to be able to stand blameless before the Lord when we appear before him rather than shrinking back in shame because of our memories and the thoughts of our hearts. (James 5:8; Romans 14:10-12; Hebrews 10:38-39; 1 John 2:28)

Yet another way that the Bible indicates that the setting believers are in is not a smooth one or an opposition-free one is by indicating that special equipment will be needed to come through everything a believer will face along the only road to holiness and the kingdom.

Why is special equipment needed? Because that which needs to be overcome requires particular equipment. To put this in biblical terms we would say, because "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" the equipment we need is special. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) Guns don't help people who 'fight' fires! And how does the Bible speak of this special equipment'? As "The full armor of God." Why put on such armor? "so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes; so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." And in what does this armor consist? "the belt of truth,...the breastplate of righteousnes,...'footwear for you feet',...the shield of faith,...the helmet of salvation, ...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:11-17; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:8) The Bible speaks of the need for a lot of special equipment in military terms, terms that imply a conflict.

• All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  
  
• Why did God provide the Scriptures? "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) Hope is itself described as part of the 'equipment', the 'armor' God provides. The Bible says, "let us be self-controlled, putting on...the hope of salvation as a helmet." (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

What does the 'equipment' do? It enables a person to come through the fight successfully. It enables a person to finish the race. It enables a person to be still standing (in God's eyes) in the boxing ring when the final bell rings (Matthew 10:22). The hope which is one of the pieces of God's 'equipment', of God's armor, enables believers to continue in the 'fight'.  

• "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:3)  
  
  
• "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." (1 John 3:3)  
  
  
• "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)

That is the way the Bible puts this truth. Scripture itself is a kind of equipment that the soldier for Christ needs. (Psalms 119:11; Ephesians 6:17)

Even Jesus Christ used this 'equipment'. When he faced the temptations of Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-10) he used the same 'equipment' that God provides for every saint. He did not use his miraculous powers. And what was that 'equipment' that he used?--the teachings of God set forth in the scriptures. After each of the devil's temptations Jesus gave the reason why he wouldn't comply saying, "it is written". God had already stated the facts and what pleases him in the Scriptures (the Old Testament).

• "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3; see also Romans 8:32)

• "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." (Romans 8:5-7)
  
  
• "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I [the apostle Paul] warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)
  
  
• "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." (Galatians 5:17)
  

And where do these thoughts, emotions, attitudes come from? From within. From the heart. What did Jesus say?--"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man `unclean'." (Matthew 15:19-20)

• "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices." (Colossians 3:8-9)
  
• The apostle Peter puts it this way to the believers he is addressing --"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11)
  
  
• "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24)
  
  
• "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." (Ephesians 2:3)
  
  
• "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." (Titus 3:3)
  
  
• "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." (Romans 6:6)
  
  
• "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)
  
  
• "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." (Ephesians 4:22-23) 

It is the temptation that comes from within to think ungodly thoughts and engage in ungodly behavior that is the greatest source of opposition to God and his values. It is everywhere. Everywhere. "No temptation," the Bible says, "has seized you except what is common to man...he [God] will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Most of God's instructions and exhortations to believers concern this opposition, the unceasing opposition that comes from within.

• "Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:14-15)
  
  
• "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." (1 Peter 2:1-2)

Whether it is the power of sin working in external enemies or the power of sin that resides in our own flesh it is a great power and an ever-present opponent of God and his values. That 'opponent' easily entangles believers and many of his ways are subtle and sneaky, one of which is to make sinful behavior look like holy behavior. (Hebrews 12:1; Matthew 6:1-5)

WHAT IS SUCCESS IN THE CHRISTIAN WALK? --- Pt 2

Whether Our Faith is The Kind That Saves

Is it important to know whether your faith is genuine? The Bible tells me that it vitally important for an individual to know whether his or her faith is genuine faith,--the kind of faith that is the only 'channel' through which salvation or the benefits of Christ's death comes. The Bible tells me such faith is "of greater worth than gold." Whether my physical death is the entrance to a time of pure blessings forever in the presence of God or the entrance to a time of separation from every blessing of God forever depends upon the genuineness of my faith. A lot hangs on the issue of whether my faith is what the Bible means by faith.

Jesus made it very clear in the Sermon on the Mount and in the parable of the Sower that not every seeming profession of faith or deed 'of faith' is genuine, that is, is an expression in word or deed of an individual regenerated (eternally saved) by God. "Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I [the Lord] will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:22-23) In the parable of the Sower we read or hear these words: "Those [seeds that fell] on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away." (Luke 8:13) The apostle Peter in his letter tells believers--"These [trials] have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:7)

Don't assume it is genuine. Testing or proving is necessary. "Examine yourselves," says the apostle Paul, "to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5) The word that is translated as 'examine' is one of the common Greek words that is frequently translated as 'testing' or 'proving'. "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son." (Hebrews 11:17) The apostle Paul said this to the elders of the church in Ephesus: "I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews." (Acts 20:19; see also Matthew 16:1; 22:35; John 6:6; 1 Corinthians 10:9; Hebrews 3:9; Revelation 2:10; 3:10) The apostle Peter says to believers--"Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6,7) And how can we know whether we 'pass' if we never face any tests? Tests are neither accidents or time-wasting impediments. To reveal to believers themselves and to the world what The Faith means to us is one of the purposes of tests or trials. 

The behavior of Abraham is a good example. When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) Abraham's behavior demonstrated to himself and to the world of anti-believers ('truth rejecters') where his heart was. Abraham acted the way he did because he respected God and believed God was able to raise the dead. (Genesis 22:12; Hebrews 11:19; Romans 4:20-21)

How pointed are Moses' words to the Israelites shortly before they were to enter the promised land: "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 8:2; see also the apostle Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 2:9)

Testings should be looked upon as a priceless opportunities. Testings show what is in our hearts. Testings show where our values are or what we consider our treasures. Where is your heart? Where is my heart? Do I delight in what God the Creator and Redeemer says his children should be delighting in? Or are my energies devoted primarily to enlarging or elongating some physical satisfactions of the moment (whether mine or those of other people)?

Evidence of Whose We Are

Does the presence of trials, hardships, and testings accomplish anything? They provide evidence of who we are, or maybe an more accurate statement would be, whose we are--to whom do we belong. They provide evidence that we are part of God's family, God's adopted children. That we remain true to the Faith regardless of the tests or trials shows that we are part of God's family--the children he redeemed for himself and purposed to bring forth blameless. (Titus 2:14; Ephesians 1:4; Jude 24)

• "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." (Hebrews 12:5-8)

That we have trials, afflictions is not a sign of weakness or inadequacy on our part. Even less is the presence of trials, afflictions, tribulations in our lives an indication that God does not care about us or is unable to protect us. What trials, afflictions, hardships indicate is just the opposite. Trials and testing of our faith is (as the expression goes) 'just what the doctor ordered'--just what the 'great physician' ordered "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." (Revelation 3:19) That is what our Lord says. "Let us exult in the hope of the divine splendour that is to be ours. More than this: let us exult in our present sufferings, because we know that suffering trains us to endure, and endurance brings proof that we have stood the test, and this proof is the ground of hope." (Romans 5:2-4, New English Bible)

Does the presence of trials, hardships, and testings accomplish anything? They are a primary means God chose by which to bring about the refining that he wants to see in his redeemed children. (Romans 9:21; 8:29) While in this meditation this benefit of trials, etc. is treated as a separate category it might well be looked upon as part of the previously mentioned function of hardships and trials--to show whose we are. We are God's possession, his treasured possession. And because believers are God's redeemed children we should know that everything we encounter along the road to holiness and the kingdom of God is not an accidental intrusion into God's world that interferes with our walk in this world as long as our God leaves us here as his witnesses.

The presence of trials, hardships, and testings are not valueless impediments or obstacles to the fulfillment of God's purposes. On the contrary, they are frequently (if not always) the very means by which God accomplishes his purposes for his adopted, his redeemed, children Encountering these obstacles is an integral part of the 'fight', the race, the Christian walk because it is by facing them, enduring them, 'surviving' them that believers become more and more conformed to the Son of God as God has purposed for his redeemed children.

What happens to us is not a chance event or coincidence. What the Lord brings upon believers may not in our opinion seem to have any conceivable usefulness. But in the Lord's opinion it does have a useful purpose. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) There are no exceptions. "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." (Ephesians 1:11) The Bible says, "When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world." (1 Corinthians 11:32)

Who are we to say (or think) that God's purpose for believers could have been brought about in a better way!

God has a purpose for his redeemed children (Ephesians 1:4) The Bible states that purpose very clearly. "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that He [Jesus Christ] might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29) How he treats the children he gave his Son to redeem is 'just what the doctor ordered'. It is God's chosen way of bringing his purpose for them to pass. "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness."--his nature. (Hebrews 12:10; see also 2 Peter 1:3-4)

The life and words of the apostle Paul illustrate how the continued presence of obstacles, of hardships does not mean that God's purposes are not being carried out. God gave the apostle Paul a "thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." (2 Corinthians 12:7) The apostle pleaded with God three times asking him to take the thorn away but God didn't. Later, in his letter to the believers at Corinth the apostle Paul tells us of God's 'answer' to his pleadings--"But he [God] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" Then Paul declares how his greater understanding of God influenced his life and behavior, saying, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

What an awesome example this is of how God's not removing an obstacle or hardship resulted in a growth in holiness. How different are God's ways! (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Another excellent illustration of a believer having endured the trials and come out better for it is the experience of Job. The Bible says this about Job's condition or circumstances at the very beginning of the book--that he was a wealthy man with many sons and daughters; that his character was godly: "This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." (Job 1:1) Then God allowed Satan to strip him of all his sons, daughters, friends, wealth and health. But after going through the roughest of times (described vividly in the book) this is how Job described the result that the long period of trial had produced. "My ears had heard of you [God] but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6) Job came out of the trials with a greater understanding of God and his ways that he had before he endured them.

We have been looking at the question whether success in the Christian walk consists of getting rid of, or avoiding, the 'bumps', the obstacles, the trials, the opposition that are encountered along that road because they do nothing but interfere with the progress of the Christian walk or whether they serve a purpose that God has for the children he redeemed.

We have seen three of the 'positive' results of enduring trials, testings, hardships--showing believers whether their faith is genuine (of the saving kind), providing evidence of whose we are (1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 1:5), and lastly, bringing about the refinement, the purification of God's redeemed people.

One of the ways God tells us that the presence of bumps, of obstacles, of opposition that believers encounter along the road to holiness and God's kingdom is not an accident or an impediment to the attainment of God's purposes is the fact that God's word tells us believers that when we encounter such conditions or circumstances we should look upon them as valuable--because they serve God's purpose.

Bringing to mind what the truths we have already looked at teach us it should be no surprise that God who knows the end from the beginning tells us how we should look at the people and the circumstances that 'try men's souls.'

• "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
  
  
• "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
  
• The New English Bible translation the words of the apostle Paul in Romans brings out this truth especially clearly: "Let us exult in the hope of the divine splendour that is to be ours. More than this: let us exult in our present sufferings, because we know that suffering trains us to endure, and endurance brings proof that we have stood the test, and this proof is the ground of hope." (Romans 5:2-4)

The words in the apostle Peter's letter to Christians who were suffering because of The Faith (very probably actual persecution) point out how looking at trials, opposition, hardships the wrong way reveals what is in the heart--placing a lower value on the Christian hope than on physical comfort, health, and peace in this world.  (Romans 8:18; 2 Peter 3:13-14)

"Dear friends," Peter says, "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." (1 Peter 4:12-16; see also Acts 5:41-42; Matthew 5:11-12)  

The Example of Jesus' Own Life in This World

Yet another way God answers the question, 'Does success in the Christian life consist of getting rid of, or avoiding, the 'bumps', the obstacles, the opposition that are encountered in this sin-dominated world is the example of Jesus' own life in this world.

Being on a smooth road or making the road smooth was not the principle that guided Him. His chosen life style was the opposite. "...Christ Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

Even when the Son of God, the one without sin (Hebrews 4:15) walked this earth the rough, opposition-filled nature of the course he had to run did not change and become smooth. As for all believers the road he had to travel was a rough, hostile, opposition-filled one. Even in his case the enduring of suffering was not an unnecessary intrusion of an element that was outside the purpose of God. The bible says so. "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family." (Hebrews 2:10-11) In another verse the idea is set forth even more bluntly: "Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him." (Hebrews 5:8-9)

If God's own Son who was without sin had to suffer, had to live with obstacles, had to live with hatred, with temptation who am I to feel I should not have to do so?

The purpose that guided Jesus was not the finding of satisfaction, the avoidance of conflict, the elimination or reduction of 'bumps' but to carry out the mission the Father had given him. Jesus said, "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 4:34)

What doing the will of the Father meant to him he described in the strongest way possible. What is more meaningful to all people than eating? Yet Jesus called doing his Father's will his very food. "'My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.'" (John 6:38)

Doing what God wants does not result in an easy life, a smooth life, one without 'bumps', one without opposition and pain (e.g. Matthew 10:36-37) He did not guide his life by the principle that success in the Christian life was the avoiding of hardships, personal opposition and personal pain even when the alternative to such avoidance was (as he knew) to be his own death on the cross--a public disgrace. (Luke 22:42)

He is our model, the one whose steps we are to follow. In the gospel records which record what Jesus the Christ went through during his life on earth which he knew was leading up to the Cross, we read: "Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:26)

The Bible reminds us to look at his example: "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." (Hebrews 12:3-4;see also 2 Peter 2:19-23)

Are the 'bumps', the obstacles, the hostility and opposition, the temptations, the sin within and without things that do not belong on the road to holiness,? Are they 'things' that have no business being on road on which  increasing conformity to the Son of God takes place? Did Jesus' behavior show that the criteria of success in the Christian walk is how many hardships, obstacles, temptations can be avoided and/or removed? "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

The Christian walk is a fight, a rough, opposition-filled road. While having been put in the fight was God's doing and he will see it through (Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Romans 14:4; Jude 24; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 2 Corinthians 1:21) at the same time he has bestowed on believers the responsibility to continue standing up for him--being his witnesses. How both these truths blend is a mystery. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Continuing to stand takes effort. (1 Corinthians 9:25,26) Because it takes effort the Bible is full of exhortations to do just that--"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." (Luke 13:24; see also 2 Peter 3:14) Putting on the equipment that is needed in order to continue standing in the (boxing) ring or continuing in the race does not 'just happen'. It takes effort. "Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13) The road to the kingdom is not smooth and without opposition and hardship. It was Jesus who said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) [Knowing what to expect in this life and what to look forward to in the next is where faith comes in--but that is the subject of the next meditation: "The "fight of faith".]

The greatest fight or struggle or wrestling is with sin. Because sin is subtle, strong, and everywhere-especially within (Matthew 15:18-19) the fight with it is unceasing while God leaves us here. The language of the Bible implies this by its description of what is involved in traveling along the road to holiness and the kingdom of God: "Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires" and "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22, 24) Doing so takes effort, continual exertion. It is a struggle, 'a fight to the death'--or to life--eternal life.

The Christian walk is a continuous walk and a walk that must continue to the end (as long as God leaves us on earth as his witnesses).

Think of an individual in the middle of a vast desert who will die unless he(she) can survive the burning sun and lack of water until he reaches the 'promised land', heaven, the kingdom of God. If the individual doesn't continue walking until the he gets out of the desert he will perish however much effort he has previously put out or however many days he lasted before succumbing. (Matthew 10:22; Hebrews 3:14)

The analogy is physical muscles. Does a muscle that is weak and on the road to total disintegration (as people who have had an arm or leg in cast for a long time have observed) ever become strong and remain strong if it never is tested? Does that muscle ever grow stronger and remain in that better condition if it never encounters any resistance? Does that muscle ever grow stronger and remain in that better condition if it is never used? What is true of physical muscles illustrates what happens with 'spiritual' muscles. An older saint once said to me, 'If you want patience pray for tribulation.' What do the apostles say over and over again is required to continue in the fight, to continue traveling through all the 'bumps' on the road to holiness--strength. What is needed to call forth perseverance? 'Bumps', hardships, trials.

That we have trials, afflictions along the way is not a sign of weakness or inadequacy on our part. Nor is it a sign of weakness or inadequacy in God's care or ability. Just the opposite. Trials and the testing of our faith is (as the expression goes) 'just what the doctor ordered'--just what the 'great physician' ordered--prescribed in eternity past. The 'bumps' (however painful) that believers encounter while on earth serve a goal that believers should see as more valuable than the success of avoiding that which tries and tests us. The hardships and trials strengthen our willingness to have our life rocked by 'bumps' and trials; Enduring them as Jesus did conforms us more and more to his likeness; they strengthen our desire and willingness to wait for the Lord to come and bring his kingdom to fulfillment.

The original question that this meditation began with was, What is success in the Christian walk? Is not the meaning of success in the Christian life becoming more conformed to the likeness of God's Son? For the believer does this not mean to regard the Lord's desires including those purposes for his people (their holiness) as more important and valuable than anything else--and that includes a smooth road, a smooth life that has no 'bumps', or success or happiness or the praise of men or even the continuing existence of our mortal bodies? (Luke 14:26; Matthew 10:37; John 12:25)

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

 

(If you appreciate what you read here please tell your friends about this URL and sign my guestbook on the homepage. Also, if, as you read any of the meditations, you feel you know of a situation that beautifully illustrates any of the points made I would be delighted to learn of it. I might incorporate it. mailto:camppp21355@comcast.net 

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