SEPTEMBER 25, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Two brothers, Lee and Sean, were having a conversation. Lee said he wants to be a pastor if he is called by God when he grows 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 truly live as 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 an 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, thank You for sending the Lord Jesus to save us from our sins. He suffered and died on the cross in our place. Please help us to be willing to bear hardship like Jesus and to help others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.