Uncomfortable faith

Uncomfortable faith

C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” 
                  C.S. Lewis
Christianity first and foremost is a faith that asks each person to accept Christ as their personal saviour. It is also a religion that proselytizes.
It asks those who become disciples of Christ to admit they have fallen short of what God wants for their lives. That they sin and need to confess those sins directly to Christ.
The apostle John writes,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 
1John 1:9-10.
It tells us that eternal life is a gift from God accepted through our faith in Jesus Christ, not because of our works. The Apostle Paul writing,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”
                                                  Ephesians 2:8,9.
It tells the believer in Christ to Love God, their neighbour, their enemy and to pray for those who persecute them.
It then asks the convert to go into all the world and present the gospel to everyone who will listen.
Jesus saying,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on martyr has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                 Matthew 28:18-20. 
Christ’s call to his disciples to go into all the world, has always been to go into a world that at times has been very hostile to them.
From the days Christ walked the earth to modern day Christianity has been under persecution. Christ was Crucified. His disciples martyred.
Nero and other emperors of Rome were brutal in persecuting Christians. He threw them into arenas to be torn apart by wild beasts. He used them as human torches.
To day in parts of the world it is as dangerous to be a Christian,
Just a quick glance at the situation of Christians in the world tells you that being a Christian in this world can be hazardous to your health. Statistics from human rights organisations show that about every 7minutes somewhere in the world a Christian dies for their faith.
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year,(2013) while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
Writing in the World Post Kelly James Clark states,
“In early November,(2013) German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." Although met with predictable criticism, Rupert Short's recent research report for Civitas UK confirms Merkel's claim -- we may not want to hear it, but Christianity is in peril, like no other religion. While this is a contest no one wants to win, Short shows that "Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers."
So why become a Christian? For me it’s because we win.
I as a Christian believe the Bible. I believe all the teaching of Christ. That
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
                                                                                                                John 3:16-18
I believe Jesus when he said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                 Matthew 11:28-30.
I know it sounds strange to some that being under attacked for one’s beliefs is an easy burden. But that’s how it is with Christians.
No one told us our walk with Christ would be easy. We only have to look in the New Testament book of Acts to see how the early followers of Christ were attacked and put to death. That seems to be an, if you will, occupational hazard of becoming a Christian in parts of the world.
The benefits of becoming a Christian however for me is having that peace that passes all understanding. The assurance that no matter what happens in this world I know God is there for me.
That when I pass on from this world I have an eternal resting place with God. It is a resting place you the reader can have also. All you have to do is ask Christ into your life.
Please think about it.