Two Options
Good Morning,
More often than not, we have a fairy tale image of Christianity. In fact, not even a true fairy tale. Fairy tales usually have a villain, a tragedy, a hero who rescues people from suffering, and then a happily ever after – period.
The Scriptures certainly do not say that! Notice what Matthew points out:
Matthew 21:44 “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”
Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected. Our Saviour leaves us two options. One option is to fall on the stone, to be broken, to surrender our lives to Him, and then to find ourselves blessed. The other option is that we ignore Him (the stone), and one day find the stone falls on us or on a nation and grinds it to powder. We might prefer another option, but there is not a third choice.
Romans 12 talks about presenting our bodies a living sacrifice. Psalm 2 promises that those who rebel against the King of kings will be dashed into pieces like a potter’s vessel. Daniel speaks of the stone that is cut without hands, crushing and scattering the nations during the end times.
Most of us believe that there will be a devastating judgment on the lost – those who reject Christ will be severely punished both on earth and eternally in hell. The part we forget is when a Christian gets broken.
Matthew 21:44 “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”
Hebrews 12:6–11 speaks of God chastening His children – all of His children.
As Paul left one of the churches he started, he left them with these words:
Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
At the end of John 16:33, Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation…” There are two options, surrender to the Lord and face the trials that come as God works on us, or resist God and live for our own pleasures and find a broken life.
Peter encourages the believers who are suffering, and he reminds them that they are not alone and that they should stand steadfast.
1 Peter 5:9 “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
Do not be embarrassed that you are going through trials. It always helps to do a little self-examination, but do not become overwhelmed. We are flesh, and we will fail; trials and difficulties are part of living on this earth. If we are any kind of Christian, Satan will be chasing after us and launching continuous spiritual attacks, but we also face the gracious, loving chasing of our Heavenly Father, Who is focused on conforming us to the image of Christ.
Jesus said to be of good cheer; circumstances are gonna get better.
Pastor