GOD’s Not Man’s

Eph. 3:¹ (NRSV) “This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles”

Some people ask, ‘Didn’t Jesus suffer so that we can be comfortable?’ Jesus died so that you can be in a relationship with God, so that your sins can be forgiven, so you can be in right standing with God, and enjoy every other benefit that comes with it. However, the primary reason for Jesus’ death on the cross is not our comfort. We must not get addicted to or prioritize being comfortable. 1 Pet..4:¹ “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.” Note this is in the New Testament for those that think it is not God.

In other words, every Christian should make up their minds that if suffering is in the package, so be it! Every Christian should make up his or her mind that if God requires him or her to lay anything down, so be it! That is why Jesus said, “If you do not deny yourself and take up the cross daily and follow Me, You cannot be my disciple” (Mark 8:34, Luke 14:27). Jesus was so unbelievably clear about this subject. I do not know where we are getting this ‘crown-without-a-cross gospel’ from. If we do not deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, Jesus says you cannot even become one of His disciples. Do you still want to follow Jesus?

Eph.3:⁶ “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.” (emphasis added). This is a big culture shock for the Jew; to tell a Jew they belong to the same body with the Gentiles, is like an abomination. The Jews were arrogant proud people. They had a chip on their shoulder because they were God’s people, so to them, everyone else was a sinner. Jews felt they were the King’s kid. The Jew does not even want to hang out in the same house, not to talk of the same room as a gentile. Yet Paul is saying the same body – big problem! Interestingly, it is a big problem for some Christians today, they cannot even stand other Christians. Yet God’s Word is clear about His plan; “…Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings…”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is not about me, it is not about what I am comfortable with. It is all about You and Your plan and I gladly surrender, in Jesus Name. Amen!