THE MOST DEFEATED and MISERABLE CHRISTIANS...
...are those who got sucked into the theology that God promised a happy life on earth called the "abundant life".
There is NO SUCH PROMISE for the following Biblical reasons:
1. The Old Testament promises of material prosperity is INCOMPLETE REVELATION and a SHADOW of the image and emotions of eternity for those who are faithful.
2. There is no promise of earthly prosperity in the New Testament. Bad news: Joy is NOT really earthly happiness. The "abundant life" is a fruitful life, not necessarily a happy one.
3. There are MANY PROMISES of suffering for believers in the New Testament:
a. Take up your cross daily (Luke 14:27; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:38)
b. Through many tribulations we will enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22)
c. Christ said, ‘In the world you will experience affliction’ (John 16:33).
So, does this present life make sense for the believer? YES, for the following Biblical reasons:
1.God is MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR ETERNITY than our earthly existence, Christ repeatedly said, "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but loses his soul?" (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25). If your earthly happiness ends up in eternal suffering, what do you gain? We were created NOT to be happy temporarily but to be happy eternally
2. The earthly life is God's probationary stage to qualify us for eternal life or eternal death. In Genesis 6:3 God gave man a maximum of 120 years grace period to come to him. The reward for those who do is eternity in His Kingdom. For those who don't, we cannot even imagine suffering forever.
3. Suffering is the Divine method to prepare us for eternity (Hebrews 12:5-17). There is NO OTHER Divine method available.
4. When a believer experiences suffering (which is most of the time), it means that God counts us worthy to be prepared for eternity with Him. (Acts 5:41)
5. The passing grade: "the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13). Endurance and faith can ONLY BE TESTED by SUFFERING, trials and affliction. If we resist suffering, we FAIL! GOD REQUIRES CONSISTENT AND CONTINUOUS FAITH, NOT OFF-AND-ON FAITH.
CONCLUSION:
Now we can FULLY UNDERSTAND why James said, "COUNT IT ALL JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing... BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO REMAINS STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL, FOR WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:2-4,12)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. WHEN CHRIST WHO IS YOUR LIFE APPEARS, THEN YOU ALSO WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY. (Colossians 3:1-4)
[Now, you have a simple Theology of Suffering from the Early Church fathers]
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