Is Being a Christian Easy Like Some Imply?

"When he has tried me I shall come out as Gold" (Job 23:10, ESV)

When he has tried me!

Many misleading Christian leaders preach an easy life for those that would become Christians. They are wrong. If anything it is harder to live as a Christian than not. There is no easy life that awaits the Christian. There is no "cheap grace." (Though if it were not cheap we could not afford it as Steve Brown says, but this is not what is meant here.) The cost of discipleship is high. It demands one's whole life. We belong to God to do as he sees fit to do with us.

Life is not always a bed of roses whether you are a Christian or not. But for the Christian there is much adversity to face and overcome. The world rejects us as we reject it. Satan temps us. Sin entices us. And our very own flesh which still awaits redemption turns on us at times, fighting in an inward battle against everything we aim to be in Christ. This makes life difficult at times to say the least. Considering that the whole of our lives were spent in pursuit of satisfaction of these things mentioned--such things that we abhor now, but must still wrestle with on a daily basis--it is a wonder that we can stand it.

Furthermore, contrary to what many false teachers would have us believe, God, who will not have us as we were, but must change us for the better, uses many trials in our lives as a means to this end. At times evil in the world is mysteriously used for our good and his glory. He disciplines us, tests our faith--matures us.

Though its not easy we have one advantage. Knowing that God loves us and has our best interest in view we do not loose heart and are not broken under the weight of discouragement; rather we welcome trials and temptation, counting them as joy even (James 1:2) hoping that they do not come on the one hand, but taking the occasion of faith on the other when they do come. Unlike the unbeliever who has no hope we take our new disposition to be such that we can even glory in tribulations (Rom. 5:3) For when he has tried us we come out as Gold.

Health Wealth and Prosperity

The name of Christ is not usually associated with high society. Biblically speaking the gospel is associated with shame and humility. However, throughout church history up until today there are those that manage to distort the true meaning of the gospel, equating it with a message of health, wealth, and prosperity.
The pope's of the time of the reformers were as much extravagant in their lifestyles as the kings and nobility. Today we have preachers that are not the least bit ashamed to beg for money claiming that Jesus (who had no earthly wealth) lived in luxury and would have them and you to to live accordingly. All you need to do is send them a check and wait for God to send you one in turn. (I am not talking about excusing tithing here). Furthermore they claim that one can be cured of all health deficiencies in assembly line type production. And if you would just think positively enough you can be prosperous beyond your wildest dreams.
Of course none of this is biblical. This sort of recipe theology is to be condemned. Indeed the bible condemns all tenants of the health, wealth and prosperity movement.
God usually only provides our daily bread. And it is the poor of this world that become rich in eternal rather than temporal treasures.
This movement is not only seen externally to the mainline denominations. But can even be seen, at least on a low-key level in good bible based churches. And if this be the case let those that think that they can come under the name of Christ for the sake of advancing their business endeavors, make connections with the right people as to be a part of the in crowd, and be counted in the ranks of high society, be labeled the hypocrites they are. They have grossly misunderstood the gospel, and are as transparent as glass when viewed through the lenses of scripture and spiritual discernment. They are fakes. Do not be fooled and taken advantage of by the deceivers!