| July
28, 2007
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Occasionally I hear people promoting the
misconception that the Christian life is always wonderful—theologians
call it “the prosperity gospel.” Christians
don’t always prosper; sometimes they lie in a heap
of brokenness.
In the Bible, the writer to the Hebrews records the experiences
of many who sought to live within God’s will and he
notes that they “…wrought righteousness…were
tortured, not accepting deliverance…had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover they had bonds and
imprisonment, they were stoned, they were sawn asunder,
were tormented…” Hebrews 11: 35-38. These experiences
certainly are not at the top of anyone’s wish list!
What then do Christians really mean when they speak of the
Christian life being better? Better than what?
The illustration that comes to my mind is taken from all
the advertising about the latest and greatest in automobile
technology. Auto manufacturers often have a picture of an
all-wheel-drive SUV on a rock near the top of a mountain.
Their goal? To assure us that they can take us anywhere
on any road (and where there are no roads) in all kinds
of weather. The Christian life really is like that.
The weather conditions are no better for the Christian than
for anyone else and the roads they travel have just as many
bumps, potholes, and broken pavement. What the Christian
claims is that our transportation has better technology
and a better suspension system. And in conditions impossible
to get out of, we also have divinely empowered all-wheel-drive.
The apostle Paul stated it so well. He said, “…I
learned to be content in whatever state I am. I know both
how to be living in humble circumstances, and I know how
to be living in abundance; in every place and in all circumstances
I have learned the secret of being filled and of being hungry,
both to be living in abundance and to be having need. I
am capable of doing all things through Christ, the One strengthening
me.” Philippians 4: 11-13.
The message of the prosperity gospel is a myth. The truth
is that Christianity offers “the best vehicle on the
road” and I only wish more people were ready to take
a test drive!
Jim Beattie
submitted by Russ Nesbit
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