Christians are going to have problems. Unbelievers are going to have problems. The question becomes, “Should our problems be the same or should they be a little different?”
As followers of Christ, we should realize that we have a superior way of life compared to those who follow their own ways. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to tell us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9. One of the Christian’s biggest challenge is to find out what are God’s thoughts and what are God’s ways. This is a lifelong journey and is a challenge worthy of our efforts. But at times it can be a problem.
Another problem that we as Christians have is to figure out how to forgive those who hurt us, reject us, abuse us, or say all manner of evil against us. In a similar way, unbelievers will have the challenge of others being unkind to them, but their bigger problem is they do not have lasting solutions to these events.
Christians have the challenge or problem of figuring out how to fulfill God’s commission to all his followers, which is to go into all the world and teach others about Christ. Matthew 28:20. This is not easily done because many in this world will hate you, despise you, persecute you and reject what you are sharing with them. This presents another problem for Christians – learning how to love those who hate you for your love of Christ.
Another real problem for Christians is learning how to overcome the selfish desires we all naturally have even after we become true disciples of Christ. Paul tells us about his struggle in this area in Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
There are other problems that Christians can have but let me mention one other. Jesus told his disciples about a problem that He was going to give them if they chose to follow Him. Matthew 10:35-37 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. This is a significant problem that Christians have that take up their cross and follow Him.
So these are some of the significant problems that Christians should have in their life. Yes there are other problems that come along in life. And some of our problems God specifically designs for us to teach us, direct us, humble us, change us, or just to give us the opportunity to suffer for righteousness sake. Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When we suffer in this way God is preparing rewards for us to receive when we get to heaven. Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.
This is a short list of some of the problems that Christians have. But what are the problems that more often than not plague many Christians. Go to a prayer meeting and listen to the prayer requests and you will learn what problems most Christians have. Typically you will hear prayer requests about health problems, financial problems, relationship problems, or just the inconveniences of life that come because of the weather, age, or life’s circumstances.
Now, let’s shift gears. What are some of the typical problems that unbelievers experience. Usually there are emotional problems such as bitterness, depression, even thoughts of suicide. They will have moral problems that they cannot overcome such as drunkenness, drug addiction, or dependency on prescription pills such as depression medication. They oftentimes have a litany of health issues they live with on a daily basis. Also common are relationship problems which can lead to hurts – and loneliness is a very common feeling among unbelievers.
And of course, financial problems because they cannot control their desire for material possessions. These include overdue bills, credit card debts, and possible bankruptcy. Sometimes their possessions need repairs and they cannot afford to borrow more money and then they might have long term debt that is tied to high interest rates.
Or it could be they have too much money and therefore have the problems that many rich people experience. The following quote was attributed to a person of wealth.
Loneliness is the universal problem of rich people.
Now, what is your set of problems and which category do they fit into. Back to a thought expressed earlier – Christians should realize that we have a superior way of life compared to those who follow their own ways. Many of life’s problems come because we have failed to apply the truths of God’s Word. Therefore we are suffering the consequences of disobeying God.
Let’s take an example that most Christians would hopefully agree with. God wants His children to give gifts (tithes) to Him; not because He needs the money but to teach us important lessons in life. And when Christians fail to do this, they often have financial problems. This same principle is also true in so many other areas of our life, but most Christians fail to see the cause and effect sequence of Scripture in all of life. They fail to see this because they are immature or because they do not want to see it because it might require them to change.
Imagine for a moment with me that we were attending a prayer meeting in New Testament times. And a guest was going to be at the meeting that night. He was an apostle who was traveling through the area. Before the apostle speaks, the appointed leader asks for prayer requests from the congregation. Now let’s imagine that the prayer requests that night would be similar to those we hear from the typical congregation of today. Some examples: Prayer for my aunt, she is in the hospital sick. Pray for my neighbor, he is causing problems in the neighborhood with his loud music. Pray for our family, we need to sell our house to buy a bigger one because we want more room. Pray for my boss, because he needs to pay me more since I have worked there for so long. Pray for my parents, they are getting old and do not have anywhere to go. Pray for our children, they are sick most of the time and the doctors cannot figure out what the problem is.
Now let’s listen to the Apostle Paul as he stands to speak that night and shares about his travels. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
After Paul gives the details of what has been happening as he has traveled on his missionary journeys, he then begins to share a message he has entitled, “Follow Me.” Notes from that sermon were used later as he wrote to different churches he had helped start. 1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me. Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 9 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
We see that Paul had many problems. He had experienced many consequences from following Christ. How does his problems compare to your problems. Is there a possibility that most problems in Christians lives today are the results of them not being mature in Christ, or possibly because they are not following God’s ways and experiencing the blessings that God wants to bring His children.
It appears that most churches are full of people who want God in their life. They have made commitments necessary to be good members of their church. But they are not really following Christ, nor following the ways of God in their life. They have chosen a few of the Bible’s teachings and applied them to their life so that they can show they are sincere Christians.
But the reality is their problems are simply the mundane problems of life: health, finances, relationships, job, house, old age, etc. God has blessed His children by giving them a superior way of life, so that our problems will not be like the world’s problems. Our problems will be like the problems our Savior experienced when he walked the earth and will also be similar to the Apostles who taught us how to live when Christ returned to heaven.
