Life is tough, even for christians

The reality is that life is just plain tough, without the exception of christians.  I say it this way for a number of reasons.  Here are a couple:

1. I say it for the non-christians who think that christians think that we believe we are exempt from a troubled and pain-filled life.  Not true.  In fact, following Jesus and living as he did is so difficult we can only do it through the help of His Spirit. Romans 8:6-11 reminds us that its only through God the Spirit that we can do what the “flesh”, us, can’t otherwise do – submit to Him and live in a loving relationship with him.  Galatians 2:20 also reminds us of this.  That in this life we have the faith that what Jesus has done for us, in our place, has positioned us in right relationship with God.  And that through that faith God sets up shop in us and empowers us to live in a way that not merely acknowledges God but highlights him!  And, please, don’t get me twisted, I’m not saying we’re incapable of anything, BUT, living a Jesus-centered, Father honoring life without the Spirit’s empowering isn’t one of them.
2. I say it for the christians that really do believe that we are exempt from trouble, pain and suffering because that’s only reserved for those who lived opposed to the God of the Bible. WRONG!  It’s bogus to even remotely think this way.  If you think of the process that the Father takes us through – saving us from sin and death, preparing us for the indescribable banquet with Jesus upon his return through sanctification, and then finally, glorifying and perfecting us for eternity; trouble, pain, and suffering are all factors to that final product. (I know, run-on sentence…leave me alone, I was in the zone! lol)  I can sit here and type away the numerous passages of scripture that point to this but I’ll only give you two.  First, Paul, who in speaking about our inheritance as believers in Jesus says this about receiving our inheritance, “if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided that we also suffer with him in order that we may be glorified with him.” Keyword: “PROVIDED.”  Second passages comes from the mouth of Jesus himself in Luke 24:26, “was is not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter in his glory?”  If we are to pick up our own crosses and follow Jesus, then surely, in a broader sense, this applies to us.

Anyway, I’ve said more than what I intended.  I’ll be real loose and leave y’all with an email I sent my wife, Anna about a week or so ago during some suffering we were in.  Hopefully it encourages you to see how the Bible isn’t merely a book but a “light to [our] path.”

Hey, I thought I was more important to cuddle a bit last night, so I didn’t get the chance to share some things…

When u can, take a look through these passages and see where the answer to ur question is:

• Philippians 1:12,13
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
• 1 Corinthians 1:6-8
• Romans 3:5-6

I believe this is all a strengthening of our faith.  Taking us through what CCF people are or will be going through in order that we can say to them “yeah, we’ve been through that too.  here’s how we overcame…”

My phone is almost dead, but I wanted to send this b4 it died.  Love u

Rich Perez

www.christcrucifiednyc.org

Sent from my iPhone



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