Is The Christian Life Tough Or Easy?

Is the Christian life tough or easy? Which is it supposed to be? Does our daily walk with the Lord cause us difficulty, hardship, suffering, and loss? Or does it pave the way for an easy road to heaven?

If we look at some of the people in the Bible — the ones who were faithful to the Lord — we see that they didn’t have a life of ease (Hebrews 11:24-38). Paul, for example, faced difficulties that would make most of us wonder where God is — shipwrecks, imprisonments, beatings, and other kinds of abuse (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). It seems he was better off before he started following Jesus.

In his book entitled, “Amusing Ourselves To Death” (see here), social critic Neil Postman writes:

“Christianity is a serious and demanding religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it is another kind of religion altogether.“

Beloved, he’s hit the nail on the head!

Jesus Himself said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). That’s a clear call for self-denial — not a call for ease and amusement.

Paul was given a task, and he did it wholeheartedly for God’s glory, no matter what the cost (Acts 20:24). Are we willing to do what God has called us to do with the same dedication, whether it be easy or tough?

Let’s remember that following Jesus is always right — but seldom easy (cf. Acts 20:22-35).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets