SEPTEMBER 25

2 Corinthians 11:23-27

                     THE WAY AHEAD CAN BE HARD

Two brothers, Lee and Sean, were having a conversation. Lee wanted to be a pastor when he grew up. Sean grumbled that there should be an easier way to become a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or a pastor.

Sean: I want to be a doctor. But I don’t want to study for a long time.
Lee: But that is the only way to become a doctor.
Sean: Then I will be a lawyer.
Lee: You will have to study law. That will also take a long time.
Sean: Well, then I will be a teacher.
Lee: Don’t you think teachers have to go teachers’ training school for many years?
Sean: What about a pastor? You won’t have to go to a bible college for a long time to be a pastor, will you?
Lee: Yes, I will, as much as a doctor or a lawyer. Sometimes, more.

We would not amount to much by just doing the things that are easy. Sometimes we have to do things the hard way. To become a Christian is easy by just believing in Jesus but to BE a Christian takes a lot of studying and praying.

A Christian must endure hardship. The Bible tells us that the apostle Paul was not just an ordinary minister of God, but he had also been extraordinary sufferer for Christ. Paul had to endure tremendous hardship. He exhorted a young pastor, Timothy, with these words:

“ Thou therefore endure __________, as a good __________ of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3)

Every Christian must expect some hardship or ill treatment. Those who are good soldiers of Jesus Christ must endure hardship. They would do the hard things like Jesus did.

Thought: Is it easy to be a Christian? Why?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus here and He did not have an easy life. He suffered and died to save us from sin and death. Please make us be willing to bear hardship like Jesus and be willing to help others. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.