Realistic Dessert

Realistic Dessert

There are preachers,churches, and denominations of faith out there that teach this "Pie in the sky" type faith. Or health and wealth gospel if you will. That if you are living right, God is going to bless you financially and you'll live better. Jesus warned us (Matt 7:15) to watch out for false prophets and Peter warned (2 Peter 2:1) that there would be many false teachers out there.

Whether these things are taught purposely by false teachers or simply out of innocent ignorance, they are false, misleading, and inaccurate.I know i've made mistakes in my interpretation of scriptures, but the Word of God is clear when it comes to our faith that there is nothing we can do to earn salvation, (James 2:14-25) teaches us that we should do things because of our faith, not do things to earn our faith. Peter reminds us in scripture (I Peter 2:12-19) that we shouldn't be ashamed of suffering in the name of Jesus, but expect it. Jesus reminded us (John 16:33) that we would indeed have trouble in this world. If we strive to live faithful lives to God, our lives will be blessed, not perfect.

If we continue to grow in our personal relationship with Jesus our life will have much meaning and purpose, but no promise of worldly riches or success. Being a christian does not mean you'll never struggle, have hardships, fail, or have it all. I would argue the more you grow in your faith and live for God the more challenges you will face, the more persecution you may endure, but through those things you persevere and according to Paul (Romans 5:3-5) our suffering will produce perseverance, and our perseverance character, and our character, hope.No mention of riches, fame, fortune, prestige, getting our way, or our hearts desires. There is mention of the sun shining and it raining on both the good and evil and the righteous and unrighteous(Matt. 5:45).

Also, God does not show favoritism (Rom 2:11, Ephesians 6:9, James 2:1) to anyone. We can drive ourselves batty wondering why we live for God and things don't seem to go our way and why someone we know is bad or evil and they seem to prosper? I think God might be trying to teach us patience or trust. I think we cannot play God and must allow God to work in His way and in His time, because our ways or time are not like His. I don't understand it all, but I do understand that if you are following God to get a bigger paycheck, a nicer house, or your name in lights, you've missed the point.

Living for God is about being cleansed from our sins, and having hope of a future. Our reward is eternity in the presence of God, not anything this world has to offer us. Seek God, no matter what. Good days and bad, rich or poor, healthy or sick, happy or sad. Anyway you go, a life with God is better than a life with no faith.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Romans 8:18(NIV)