“Your house is flooded,” said my friend over the cell phone. Graphic images flooded my mind, given that Houston, Texas, had devastating flood damage from Tropical Storm Harvey, dumping up to fifty-two inches of rain in some areas. Many from our church spent days removing muck and damaged personal items from the homes of flood victims. Rushing home, we discovered that the term “flood” is subject to interpretation. A new water filter in a new refrigerator had leaked the entire time we were away on an overnight visit. What followed was a lot of mopping, towel wringing, and fan-blowing work that, we thought, fixed the problem. Later that evening, we discovered that the water had seeped under the carpet and flooring in much of the house. Long story short, we lived out of suitcases for forty-one days (not that I was keeping track) while the flooring was removed, sheetrock repaired, and new paint applied.
Like many Christians, there was an initial “Why me, Lord?” attitude. As a walk by faith, trusting and believing Christian, I still had that momentary question poised on my lips. The reality is that life is messy. Jesus told His followers that life is tough!
“I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!” (John 6:33, NRSV)
Christians are not immune to the consequences of living in a fallen world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that our faith in life has a purpose.
“. . . so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45, NRSV).
If you’ve read the book (Bible), you know that Jesus’ life was not one of ease and comfort. You will not find scourging and crucifixion in any tourist brochure.
There are too many churches today that preach cheap grace or a prosperity gospel. Pastor Brandon Guindon, senior pastor of Real Life Ministries, Texas, says that “The Gospel we preach will determine the disciples we make” (Disciple Making Culture). It is no wonder that the (big C) church in America is losing ground. The Apostle Paul never soft-pedaled the Christian life.
“After they had proclaimed the good news to that city [Derbe] and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:21-22, NRSV)
The Greek word for persecution is thlipsis, defined as “affliction, persecution, distress” (Strong’s Lexicon). I could add trials or suffering as well. No one is immune.
The defining aspect of persecution is how we respond. I’ve learned over the years that people who know I’m a Christian are always watching me when times get tough, and that, my brother, is where the rubber meets the road. Paul understood this. Listen to what he said to the Roman believers.
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5, NRSV)
Here is my Ron Helle, “Keep It Simple Stupid,” commentary on this passage (at no additional charge). The tough time has, as its ultimate outcome, the building of godly character in my life.
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4, NRSV)
It is hard to anticipate the joy through suffering; but, I learn endurance, which produces hope. I have hope because Jesus has said that He has “overcome the world.” God desires that, day by day, I become more like King Jesus in thought, word, and deed. Unlike Harvey, our flood was a minor inconvenience. Admittedly, not every day was a “Ho Ho” day (or “sunshine and roses,” to quote my bride), but I pray the lesson learned will develop greater faithfulness when the next trial comes.
What say you, Man of Valor?
Adapted from Men of Valor Devotional by Ron Helle, 7 October 2022