A Short, Christian Review of "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline

EDIT: To Date this is the most viewed post on the blog. I'm happy that it is bringing people to the blog as a whole. But, please be sure to check out some other posts while you are here! This one was actually kind of a one-off at the time I wrote it. Thanks! :) 

I just finished another entertaining romp into the fictional realm with Ernest Cline's, Ready Player One. This was particularly engaging for a former/current video gamer like myself. It also provided a setting that I feel is a potentially realistic outcome of our current technology boom and humanist outlook in society.

The plot centers around Wade and the online game OASIS. The OASIS has expanded such that nearly everyone in society is constantly jacked into the system, neglecting real-life in favor of virtual fantasy and role playing. The OASIS gives users the ability to level up a character (Similar to an MMO like World of Warcraft), and interact virtually with other "Avatars."

The sad reality is that the real world has become a shell of its former self after multiple wars, and no one really seems to mind as they are constantly jacked into the fantasy world of the OASIS.

The OASIS creator dies and leaves his money (multi-billion) to whomever can solve a set of obscure puzzles built into the OASIS, all linked to 1980s trivia.

While it sounds odd on the surface, the first-person narration style gives the feel that you are actually a part of this new reality. The descriptions of the game and Avatar functions are well done.

Spiritually, just like the Hunger Games Trilogy, it is lacking. In what I am calling post-apocalypic humanism, the world is obviously very anti-religion/Christianity in this setting.

My theory would be that the humanistic views that are permeating our society currently eventually led to the decline in civilization as man was not accountable to anyone but himself, and the world suffered for it.

It is clear from the beginning that the protagonist, Wade, has never believed in God (though his friendly neighbor is described as a Christian who spends time logged into the OASIS at a virtual church, worshipping). The way that this is expressed comes across much like the way humanists and atheists of our day express it. With much distaste and an inferior view of God. God is compared to the Easter Bunny and other childhood fantasies, and the characters in the book do not seek any higher power. Still Wade is not an entirely unlikable character, even in light of his lack of faith, and this mindset is not prominently mentioned enough to detract from the book as a whole. Christians will likely feel pity for the characters whose mere existence has no meaning.

For Christians, we know that through our relationship with Christ, this life has meaning, and we have a purpose. There is no randomness, but rather a carefully orchestrated plan for each of us by a God who loves us and longs for us to be with him eternally.

A post-apocalypic world viewed through Christian eyes would be much less dystopian, so I imagine that is why authors in this category of fiction stray from God when possible. It adds to the bleak outlook of characters whose only purpose is living day to day, and trying to get along with one another.

I think Christians who read this type of literature should be aware that it is far from the truth that we know in Christ Jesus. When we see the world through only human eyes, and every man does what is right in his own eyes, we can only expect such a derelict society to be the result.

Ready Player One  is an entertaining, albeit bleak story with solid detail and character development. Most Christians can skip this one, but for any gamers or fans of the 1980s out there it could provide a good fiction read.

Discussion Questions for Christians:
Does our society seem to be heading down a path that would lead to this type of world?
How would the worldview in the book be different if the main characters had a focus on Christ?
Can a protagonist that is not Christian, but a "decent guy" be a good role model for us?
Would living in a virtual world the majority of the time give us a distorted view of reality?

Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline/dp/030788743X

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While you're over on Amazon, be sure to check out my first original book, "A Dangerous Faith: Counting the Cost of a Life for Christ" 

It explores the "dangers" or struggles that Christians may go through as they grow in their daily walk with Christ. 

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Godly Distraction?

I find that every six months or so, I get sidetracked. “Sidetracked from what?” you ask. Sidetracked from what I feel should encompass my every thought, word, and action: spreading the word of God, studying the word of God, LIVING the word of God. 

Admittedly it’s difficult. There are many distractions out there today. Not all of them are bad. In fact, I wonder sometimes if a little “Break” from spiritual matters is not necessary to refresh our thinking. Then again, maybe it’s not.

I recently finished a great fiction series of books, The Hunger Games. While the book are not spiritual in nature, there are spiritual insights that could be drawn from them. I found myself reading from a Christian worldview, seeing the utter lack of hope of someone to turn to in desperate times in the characters. 

The main character goes through so much inner turmoil throughout the series, it’s a wonder she didn’t just give up---actually I think more than once she does...something always gets her going again.

Without revealing the ending, I will say there was not really much redemption. From the first act that initiates the whole series, to the last statement, there is never really a true comfort or happiness achieved. They are simply “getting by.” 

I found myself wondering how it would be different if Christ was involved. Katniss (main chracter) certainly acts sacrificial at times. She volunteers to protect her younger sister from the games, knowing she will likely die. But it isn’t a perfect sacrifice. Deep inside, there are other motives that manifest throughout the series. In truth, her inner nature is rather selfish. 

So, with all the “Christian view of the Hunger Games” articles out there, I won’t attempt to pull that off again.

I did find myself wondering where Christ would even fit into that world. It is obviously a future version of our world, and very similar in some of the depravities. It might be accurate to say it is an exponentially exaggerated version of our current state in the world. Take the bad we have now and multiply it by itself numerous times, and we get an idea. 

However, amidst all the heartache, there is still some happiness. The human condition involves love as well as suffering. I noted mentally there were many cases when Katniss seemed to be searching for something that was missing...someone to save her from her circumstances.

And that is where I believe we can take a lesson. Many people in our own time, the real world, are searching for something to fill a void in their lives. They think by helping others and giving of themselves that it will somehow fill that space and make them better. Often it helps temporarily, but subsides after a time. There is a reason people say we have a “God-shaped hole” in our hearts.

There was only ever one who could fill that void. In our real world, we have that option. Even in the fictional earth of the book, a knowledge of Christ could have existed, as its simply never mentioned--but not denied either. They seem to search for something higher than themselves, much like we do. 

In reality, God uses suffering to our benefit. That statement probably scares some of you...certainly it scares me. A good kind of scare. We mature as Christians through trial. It is not always the devil out to get us, but very often is God allowing us to go through our circumstances, in order to grow and mature and come out the other end as better people and Christians. 

The early church practically suffered constantly--while most modern Christians would pray for help if they stubbed their toe. It’s a difference in circumstances for sure, but also a lack of willingness to admit that God does allow us to suffer. We like to pretend that it’s always an evil force against us (and at times it is), but we also need to acknowledge that God can use our suffering for good.

I think in the book, a knowledge of that concept would make the character less suicide-minded and more hopeful that whatever is accomplished, will be for the better--suffering or not. Instead of a selfish attitude of wanting to end her life at the hardest times, she could have acknowledged that there was a purpose to the suffering---and in most cases even in the book a purpose is seen after the suffering ends. 

It’s a tough issue to tackle, and many Christians will avoid it as well. It is not always a product of us being sinful either. Job’s friends accused him of some secret sin when he was suffering, suggesting that the cause of his suffering was an unconfessed sin. But we know that sin or not, suffering can occur at anytime. It is part of the fallen condition. 

When we trust in Christ for salvation, we aren’t just buying a free pass to Heaven and then sitting back waiting on the gravy train. We are to be actively seeking to walk and live as Christ would have us live--and he was a great example of the suffering servant. 

Yes God wants us to have favor and prosper, but not at the expense of our witness. If all the Christians had all the things they wanted, no one would bother witnessing. We would hide in our houses playing with our toys, ignoring those who need to hear the word. We practically do this anyway--I know I do occasionally. And that brings me back to my original point.

Are we supposed to take a break from studying? Can we read a good fiction book once in awhile? Can we play some video games or have a mindless distraction? 

Or do we need to remain kingdom focused 24/7? 

I think it may be both. I think we know deep inside when what we are doing is consistent with what God wants, and when it’s us just running from responsibility. I am seeking to jump back into the Word, and Christian living books after my brief foray into Fiction. But for the first time, I entered the realm of fiction from a Christian worldview. My mind was considering the fictional characters’ circumstances in light of the gospel. 

Perhaps if we remain gospel focused in our hearts, then in whatever we do, we will do it unto the Lord. Perhaps my insights gained will help someone at some time in the future.

Or maybe we just need laziness sometimes. 

The Christian walk--our sanctification--can take many forms within us individually, but the ultimate goal is to live our lives daily for Christ--dedicated to doing whatever it is we do unto the glory of the Lord, so that by our works it is evident that we are followers of Christ.

Sanctification Station, From, "What I Believe," by Chris Byers

The following is an excerpt from an ongoing, journal style writing/book that I am working on. It seems relevant so I wanted to share this part of it. Obviously not fully proofread, so disregard that. Be Blessed!

Juliet and I have done well overall with our committments from a month or two ago. We have done our best to rid ourselves of any remains of vice or sin. Obviously there are always stumbling blocks.

In order to fully be rid of sin, we will need to wait until we leave this life for the next. There is a concept within the idea of salvation by grace that gives more insight into the fact that salvation should be viewed as more of a process than a once and for all situation. Sanctification is that process.

When we come to Christ, and fully give ourselves over to him and When we confess our past sins in true repentance (to God), desiring to turn from them, we enter into a covenantal relationship. We are Born-again into it. Within this covenant are terms and conditions, much like the Old Testament covenant between God and Israel. Christ’s death ended that covenant of sacrifices and ceremonial laws, but kept the morality first presented in the old covenant. By that morality, we are still accountable.

The Ten Commandments are really a summary of all the more than 600 laws to which Israel was actually accountable. As Christians now, only one of the ten commandments is no longer in place, the Sabbath Law. This was the one commandment Jesus laid aside as part of the old ways. He emphasized and deepened  the meaning of the others, suggesting that even lusting after a woman could be adulterous. 

So while new additions to prior morals were made by Christ, his sacrifice, his Cross, allows us the opportunity for a grace that eliminates our failure to follow this morality. And, make no mistake, we do fail.

Our trust in Christ for salvation is a multi-part relationship. Yes, salvation leads to eternity with him. We long for and look forward to our Heavenly reign with God. But for the time of this life, Sanctification is more of a result of the covenant with Christ. Sanctification involves daily reminding ourselves of this covenant (or perhaps relationship is a better substitute term at this point) and following Christ in true repentance, seeking to turn completely from our sins, but knowing if we fail, Christ is there for us. This relationship involves terms. While faith in Christ does fully wash away sins; past, present and future, it is not an excuse to continue sinning with Christ’s forgiveness as a fall back. 

For example, someone who is a heavy drug user turns their life around and comes to Christ. They are forgiven, and truly repent. However, being human and naturally sinful, they begin to drift back into that lifestyle. They do not wish for this, but their past catches up with them. Temptation catches up. Soon they begin trying mild drugs, nothing major. The justification is that because they put their faith in Christ and are forgiven, they will just ask for forgiveness and continue in sin. This is not what salvation is about.

Pornography would probably be a better example, and one most men (even Christian ones) and some women have struggled with at some point. It’s the easiest thing in the world to turn from that sin, accept forgiveness, and say you will stop doing that. It’s a whole different ball game to not be mentally or physically tempted to revisit something that is so readily accessible, and then justify the action by using forgiveness as a fallback. 

In both of these situations, assuming the individuals are truly born-again Christians, by succumbing to temptation rather than overcoming it, does Christ continue to forgive them? 

I would answer yes, with a stipulation. The idea behind faith in Christ is to become a new creation. We are to aspire to be what we were always meant to be. We are to be above the earthly things, and focused on the Heavenly things. While a Christian can certainly be a professing Christian,  truly know he or she is saved, and  still fall into sin, to use forgiveness as a crutch to remain in sin results in consequences.

 I would say relational problems would be most common. Are we forgiven by Christ? Yes. But will there be repurcussions to our actions. Most decidedly yes. 

In 1 Chronicles 21, David is tempted (by Satan it says) into taking a census of his army. For him, this would be a direct thumb in the face of God, who until this point, had fought Israel’s battles for them, even using as few as 300 men in one victory. David’s choice to count his men, shows a lack of faith in God’s deliverance. 

So, David is clearly known as a man after God’s own heart. And, we could say he is forgiven, because he certainly repents and attempts to right his wrongs. But, he is not exempt from consequences.

In this particular case, God gives him a choice of his consequences. More often than not in our case, these will happen of their own accord, without our consent. Sin, eliminated by Christ in our lives or not, always has consequences. The benefit is that Christians will not lose their eternal life simply by sinning, but they will invite trouble into their earthly existence. 

A son who misbehaves is chastened by a father. The father still loves his son unconditionally, but must punish actions that are sinful. The punishment does not negate the love for the son, but rather demonstrates how much the son is loved. The desire to make the son into a standup guy, who learns to live morally, is the goal of this chastening.

In this way, God also will not hesitate to chasten those who are his. We are made sons of God by our relationship with Christ, and are therefore subject to his law. Christ can cover the sin and mediate between us via his victory on the cross, but the immediate effects of sin are not negated. The consequences remain.

This leads to a rather large debate of whether or not a Christian (that is truly a Christian) can lose their salvation. There are two schools of thought.

1. A Christian can always choose not to be a Christian, disown the relationship, and turn from God. This Christian according to some, has lost his salvation.
2. With that same example in mind, some would argue that because God created us all, and knew us before we were even born, that He knows ultimately who will choose to love him or reject him. And, that this man who turned is not necessarily lost...

-For one whom God knows will eventually choose him, the turning away may only be temporary, and if anyone knows this it would be God.

-If God knows the individual will later experience an event that brings about repentance, it is conceivable that the Christian has not LOST the salvation, but temporarily set it aside of his own accord, despite God's final plan for him.

-The immediate consequence being that of a consequence, and possible loss of Heavenly reward.

Option 2 is more about God’s sovereignty and the idea that even though we have a free will, it is still limited by God who is above our will. 
-That is, we are free to make our own decisions in this life, but we will always have to answer to those decisions. And, we can never escape God’ will for us, that was planned from before we were born.

-This works for our human side because we appear to make our decisions, and God certainly does not FORCE us to love him

-But some would argue it isn’t truly being free. 


Still, we are also not robots, so there is an aspect of freedom present.

I like this option more because I know that even as Christian, I constantly stumble in my walk. Knowing that no matter how hard I fall, God has already planned a place for me, gives me encouragement in the rough times. It also means that those who hear God’s call and accept Jesus, are set apart (elected) and cannot lose that. It’s the ultimate assurance of salvation. 

Juliet would disagree, and points out that anyone can fully reject God once and for all, and God would likely not bring back someone working only evil against him. 
-Still, the Apostle Paul was like our modern day Hitler towards Christians before he had an experience with Christ that turned him completely around and made him the great champion of the faith. This experience would seem to fall more in line with God knowing from before Paul was born, knowing that while Paul would be against him for a time, he would ultimately come to him, and do great things to bring more to him. 

So, the point is that recently, Juliet and I will both eventually fail at our mission of being perfect Christians. It is probably inevitable since we are still sinful creatures. We can repent and be immediately forgiven, but the consequence comes from how it might affect our relationship. Will we forgive as Christ did for us? Or, will our human nature cause turmoil before final acceptance and encouragement to do better? Only time would tell. One thing is for sure. No matter how “good” someone tries to be, our relationship with Christ is a sanctifying, ongoing process that will not be finished, until we depart for our Heavenly home.

Accountability-What's That? Accountability-Not quite Yet

"In those days there was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes" Judges 17:6

One of the darkest times in Israel's history, as referenced in the above verse, was after Samson's 20 years of judging. In this time, God appointed judges (prophets/leaders) over the people to maintain order as they began to come into the inheritance that had been promised to their fathers. When God stops sending judges, we get a picture of humanity without accountability. Humans gone wild.

I'm sure no one would argue that we all experience some measure of accountability throughout our lives. If a child shoves another child at school, he is accountable to the school and to his parents (provided they don't just give him a cookie and say 'don't do that again'). Most of us around my age range, and all the generations before, were familiar with accountability to one's parents. If you messed up, there would be consequences.

The key is that despite the consequences, which were clearly deserved in most cases, our parents never stopped loving us. When Andy and I would fight as brothers, my mom didn't just give up one day and say, "oh, now I don't love you anymore because you made me mad too many times." No, quite the opposite. Through bickering and maturing as humans with a sinful nature, we developed over time and grew in our brotherly love.

Certainly even the "wisest" humanist among us can see that accountability is something that is ingrained into our beings, or at the very least, our society. We have accountability to government, to our jobs, to our families, to our spouses, our children, and ultimately to God.

The sound of frantic footsteps there was the humanists leaving the blog upon mention of God ;)


If we never question our accountability to parents and other entities, why is it that many question constantly their accountability to God? We could say it's because some don't believe in God. But, lack of belief does not necessarily mean that what you don't believe in doesn't actually exist.

I can run around all day saying I don't believe in gravity, but the fact that I'm sitting in a chair writing this now sorta shows that regardless of my belief about gravity, I am still accountable to its "pull."

Likewise, we are all accountable to the one who created us. Christians believe our creator was God, as manifested in the trinity, all parts equal but with separate tasks. The husband to a wife can also be a father to a son, and a son to his father. Much in the same way that Christ can at once be father/creator/son/and mediator in the same nature.

I would submit that a primary reason for discounting accountability to God, or existence in God for that matter, is due to our subjective opinion of what is inherently 'good' and 'bad.'

"What's true for me, is not necessarily true for everyone," is the common turn of phrase in the secular realm.

Why does God save sinners like us is probably a more pertinent question? Surely no one is up to His standard of good. Couldn't he just wipe us out and start over? He almost wiped out Israel, but for Moses' intercession. And, he honored Abraham's intercession (haggling) to save what righteous men might be living in Sodom and Gomorrah. By that same note, Christ provided our intercession. His atonement on the cross does not cover our sin. It ELIMINATES it to those who would believe.

Is a judge evil for sentencing a guilty criminal? If we all ran around subjectively asserting what was good and bad, our crime rate would skyrocket higher than it already has. It is pretty high now because of the lie that we can do what is good in our eyes.

God doesn't judge you based on how many old ladies you helped across the street...though Christians know that a product of our new life in Christ is good works. We are not saved by them, but it is evidence of the change in us through Christ.

Friends, accountability is among us, whether or not you admit it. We see it everyday. It's the reason you can't show up naked to work. It's the reason you can't punch your brother in the face in front of your parents. It's the reason we are all dead in our sins without Christ.

It is natural to expect our creator to hold us accountable to His standard (of which we have NO right to question). Does the pot say to the potter why have you made me this way? It is the potter who formed the clay, and who decides the fate of said clay, whether for good works or for evil.

To my non-Christian friends, what do you think it is when you read something like this and feel something bubbling inside? Conviction! Accountability! God is trying to reach you. We know it cannot be done by compelling arguments (or non-compelling ones). It is by the spirit of God. Some will always resist, and God knows who will ultimately choose him.

If you used to follow God, the Bible says it is much harder to come back after turning from the faith---harder...but not impossible.

God is our Heavenly father, who loves us. We sin and there are consequences and he chastens us to our betterment, but the unconditional love doesn't vanish. God does not want any to perish, but knows some will resist no matter how much He seeks them.  Just as my mom never stopped loving me when Andy and I used to fight, likewise God will not forsake those who diligently seek him, and who trust in the sacrifice of Christ. The sacrifice that allows God's love to overshadow his justice in the case of those who Christ stands as mediator before. When the gavel is about to hit, Christ steps up for the guilty criminal. We are the guilty ones, we have our mediator, we need only to trust on him for our deliverance.

Do not be so full of pride as to think your standard is the ultimate. I speak not of MY human standard either, but of my Creator's standard. When we all stand before him someday, our humanitarian efforts will not save us from our sins. Only Christ can do that. Accountability is a good thing. It shows there is an absolute standard. It reveals our nature, and compels us to trust on the only one who can overcome that nature. Jesus Christ

Be Blessed!
Chris

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's day is a day that gains a lot of attention, and for good reason. Moms are some of, if not the greatest, group of people around.

I want to say thank you to my mom LeeAnn LaFave Swanson for being so wonderful and raising me so well. I couldn't have gotten where I am in my walk with God without your influence.

Another important woman to mention is my mom's Mom, Betty Jean LaFave, who went to be with the Lord in 2004. Her Gospel Singing Barn was an inspiration musically, and her steadfast faith, even in times of adversity, was a great lesson to me about enduring for God's promise.

There are many moms and women out there who have had great influence on me, and I thank each and every one of them. None can compare to the original (LeeAnn) obviously, but many have earned a spot in my heart.

Happy Mother's Day to all the ladies out there who are raising kids up right. If you don't already, lead your children in the ways of God, so they may grow up with favor and insight into this life, and the life beyond.

God Bless all the moms out there, and especially my mom, LeeAnn! I Love You!!

Worship God and Prosper?

Psalms 119: 75 “I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me...”

Is it right to promote Christianity as a method of prosperity? Do pastors who promote only prosperity to their congregations mislead them to the reality of the gospel? 

I am someone who does like to have things. I have an iPad, a computer, and many other electronics. I have a new car, and and old car. I have books, and I have clothing. I truly lack for nothing when I really consider it. 

But, is it God’s will that I lack for nothing? Are my decisions to have ‘things’ allowed even if not specifically supported by God? 

For example, In 1 Samuel 8:5, the people request a king be given to rule over them. God specifically says this is a bad idea, but does allow it. While it seems a good idea at the time, it ultimately leads to much trouble (though in the end is used for Good). 

A friend once said that God will allow you to make decisions that are not necessarily good for you, and that He clearly does not support. When seeking guidance from God, we sometimes let our inner mind become God speaking to us, and make decisions accordingly.

Now, without seeming hypocritical, I have admitted that we do have property, including a new car. I planned for a month or more, saved a down payment, figured out how it would fit in our budget, prayed constantly about it, and finally felt it was the right move. 

Now to a prosperity gospel preacher, God was showing me favor by allowing me to have that car....and make no mistake...it is always God ‘allowing’ us to do anything. The car is a blessing, we used it to bless another, and I have no doubt it was a good decision.

But what if God had said no? What if beyond a shadow of a doubt, we prayed and discovered God didn’t want us to have a new car? Would we have lived with that decision? Or would we have justified it and got it anyway? 

My point is that while God can show us favor, it is still his prerogative, and certainly not something we deserve.

Paul tells us that there are none righteous. If then none are righteous, how do we deserve anything but contempt from God? Is his allowing us to wake up and breathe not a blessing enough? God’s common grace extends to all people, saved and lost. The rain falls on the just and the unjust, and even lost people can have prosperity. 

Why then the current trend of prosperity preaching? I have some thoughts.

1.In a world that has turned further from Christianity, preachers are desperate to get their numbers up, and will preach about whatever the majority would find popular--to draw in the crowds.

2.Preachers truly believe Christianity is a prosperity religion---that God “wants” us to only prosper....the Gospel of DO these 3 things for a better job, marriage, life, etc... 

3.Preachers sincerely believe God’s word, but understand that God will still bless those who are in his Will, doing what is right, repentant, and truly desiring his guidance. Thus they preach prosperity as possibility, but focus more on Biblical standards and teaching.

Number 3 is the one we want. It is right to point out that Christians COULD prosper. The most obvious example of this comes from a verse I hear every Sunday. Deuteronomy 8:18, “Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is Him that thee Power to Get well.”

I do believe that if Christians are consistently giving back (tithe, volunteering, etc...), AND truly repentant of Sin, AND seeking to live a life of proper Christian morals (not tolerating obvious sins of other Christians, but being willing to rebuke as Paul said to do) then God can bless us. 

Juliet and I have experienced great blessing since we began tithing this year. There is something fulfilling too knowing that you are remembering God first in finances. Had we done this a few years ago, we probably wouldn’t be in the situation we are now regarding debts. As it is though, God has always provided...even in times we weren’t sure we would have groceries for the week. A random check, or gesture from a friend, would come through. God will take care of his sheep. 

But, what about conviction. Paul and the Apostles spoke more about conviction of sin, and turning from that life, than they did of each member of the early church having a new camel (car for our day). Paul and the early Apostles experienced more hardship than benefit, yet they counted even hardship for blessing.

This is where today’s Christians have it backwards. We are told by our prosperity preachers that if we turn to Christ, God will bless us. We will get that promotion, that new car, that new whatever. While it is true that God can bless us, he certainly is not obligated to, and our Christianity should not be based on Jesus being our personal vending machine. Put in a prayer and receive a prize. 

Our Christianity needs to get back to the Bible. We need to keep our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable. Are two Christians living together and not married? Why is no one rebuking them? Are Christian pastors practicing homosexual lifestyles? Why is no one rebuking them?

Paul says to let God handle the sins of the unbeliever, but we should be examining our own flock. If half the sheep are not following the shepherd’s command, shouldn’t we help bring them back? 

Now I am far from perfect. I have my own sins like everyone. But I have a sincere desire to turn from them. I know what is right and wrong, and I’m not going to try to justify something that is sin, in the interest of keeping PEOPLE happy. We are not people pleasers, we are God pleasers. 

The sooner we attempt to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ come to true repentance, the sooner God will pour his mercies and blessings on us. We shouldn’t come to Christ for prosperity, but we should graciously accept any prosperity that comes from Christ.

We should also accept the pain, trial, and heartache that is sometimes present as well. Mature Christians understand that those are part of the experience. No one should become a Christian to have an easy life. Rather, they should become one knowing the road could be tough. Will there be blessed times? Yes, if God wills it. More often than not though, we face the harsh realities of life. It’s in those times, that through Christ, we have a partner to help us through. Christ will not leave or forsake us. He is there in the good times and bad. 

So telling a Christian they will have a new promotion and blessings by putting faith in Christ, can seriously cause problems when that same Christian gets cancer a month later. They will question their faith. “The preacher said I was gonna get a promotion, but I got cancer. That’s not what I thought God was like!”

Yes, because we are still subject to a dying world. A world that groans in birth pains. A world of pain. But the light of the world, Jesus Christ, offers his hand to guide us through this one and into the next.

Christians should look to Christ in their times of suffering, and thank Christ in times of great blessing. Really in times of trial we should thank Him too, because most likely there is a lesson at the end, that will mature us spiritually.

Our desire as Christians is not to have the newest and best toys, but to serve Christ willingly, in blessing and in suffering. I thank God for what we have, but I know I am only watching over it temporarily.

Everything belongs to God for he created everything. We are holding it temporarily for him, and to those who more is given, more is expected. 

Not everyone who becomes a Christian will have an easy life. Preachers can preach prosperity, but it needs to be with an additional element of conviction. We are to be constantly convicted of our sin, so that we repent. Christ’s gift of salvation is free. Forgiveness to those who believe is free, but we must ask, and genuinely desire to live a Godly life. 

If our lives are right with God, it is then not unreasonable to see aspects of prosperity. But, we are to always accept what is given with thanks and praise to Him who gives everything in this life, and the life to come, Christ Jesus.

“This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I Know the plans I have for you.” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:10-13

God will prosper, but there may also be a trial before the blessing. Seventy years in Babylon is a long time to wait for a blessing, but those waiting patiently will be taken care of by God.