It doesn’t  make sense to see Job losing everything. Not until in the midst of his grief he was able to experience God as he never had before (Job 42:5).

Nor does it make sense for some young to be thrown into a fiery furnace because of their faith. Not until the king that order the process saw one like the Son of God walking among them in the fire, and all of them  and then saw the young emerge unharmed from the fire (Daniel 3:14-28).

It makes no sense to see the Son of God dying on the cross. Not until three days later he rose from the death, bringing hope of eternal life to mankind (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Nor does it make sense the number of people that has died because of their faith. It could look like their lives ended without a purpose.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth… And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. – Hebrews 11:13-16

It makes no sense when we lose a loved one, or when we get sick, or when financial troubles come, or when we are in conflict.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord – Isaiah 55:8

Our ability to understand the situation does not change the reality of what God is doing in those who love Him. What looks like an uncertain future in our eyes, for God is sealed a victory - a done deal.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

No matter how confused I am, I can keep going receiving the peace that I get as a result of having my eyes on Jesus, recognizing that no matter what happens He already conquered victory, and therefore I shall conquer in Him. Now things do not make sense, but at some point I’ll look back and there will be no words of concern but only words of thanks to my God.

Early on the first day of the week… Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes. – John 20:1,3-10

Many things happened in the lives of the disciples in the days before the first day of the week.  The disciples were going through a very difficult time. They had just witnessed the death of their teacher.  Although Jesus said that he would rise from the dead, they really had not processed that information in their hearts. So it was probably a time of deep sadness and despair, as they were not sure what would happen to them.  Two of the disciples went to the tomb, saw it empty, and believed. However, when they returned to their homes, they locked their doors because of fear of the Jews.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews – John 20:19a

Did their faith fail? Sometimes problems cloud our understanding. Lets be honest: we can go through a great spiritual experience in the morning, and then act as if there was no hope a few hours later. I guess it is human nature. In the midst of a problem we all lock our “doors”.

when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. – John 20:19b-20a

The good news is that if you have a relationship with Jesus, he will show up even if your doors are locked. He knows how we feel, and he knows our weaknesses, so he will not show up to ask us why we locked our doors. He will show up to bring his peace to our troubled hearts.

What would have been your reaction if you were in that locked room when Jesus showed up?

The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. – John 20:20b

Overjoyed is a good word to identify the feeling (or maybe any of its synonyms: charmed, delighted, deliriously happy, elated, euphoric, happy as a clam, happy as a lark, joyful, jubilant, on cloud nine, only too happy, over the moon, rapturous, ravished, thrilled, tickled pink, transported). It doesn’t matter the circumstances that we are going through, that same joy is available to us.

Are your doors still locked? Don’t lose your hope. Jesus will show up, and you will be able to experience his peace.

What do all these things have in common? No matter how worried you are, worrying will not help solve anything.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:31-33

We only get one thing when we get anxious: lack of peace. Anxiousness can also lead to health problems. So why being anxious? The only way to avoid anxiety is if you have the confidence that your problem is going to be somehow solved. We can have that confidence. Jesus told us not to worry for the basic things of life such as food, clothe and shelter, because if we seek God and his kingdom he will take care of these.

But what happens when there are problem other than those described in Matthew 6:31-33? What if there is really no solution to our problem?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

A problem might not look  as big when compared to a bigger problem. For example, being late for a meeting is nothing when compared to not having money to pay the mortgage.

Similarly, there is no big problem in this world when compared to Eternal Life. That is why the bible tells us not to be anxious about anything. For those who trust in God there is only one thing they can do with their problems: take them to God in prayer. And this confidences becomes so strong that we thank God even if our problem is not solved. Why? Because in the worst case, all our problems will be left behind when we inherit eternal life (John 3:16).

The result of our trust in God is peace which transcends all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Jesus.

Do you want to trade your anxiety for peace? Trust your life and your problems to God.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. -  Romans 8:18

If someone taught you that Christians don’t suffer, let me tell you that such teaching isn’t from the bible.  In fact, you will find many bible verses that teach that Christian living is not without suffering (e.g. Romans 5:3, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 2:20).  Suffering is part of a world that has been corrupted by sin. Everybody suffers: Christians and non-Christians.  However, Christians know that suffering in this world is just temporary, but our prize is eternal. And while we wait for our prize, we live our lives strengthened by faith (Romans 5:1), hope (Colossians 1:5), peace (Philippians 4:6-7), consolation (2 Corinthians 1:3-5), and above all, God’s love (1 John 4:9-10).

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:24-25

Do all this mean that Christian life is full of suffering and our only hope is in things to come? No. Being children of God (John 1:12) have great benefits (there is not enough space to talk about these in just one blog, but browse through the ministry blogs and you will know what I am talking about). As Christians, we know where we are (present sufferings), and we know where we are headed (the glory that will be revealed). That knowledge gives you a different perspective and a great advantage over life sufferings.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  – Romans 8:28

It doesn’t  matter what happens to us (those who love God), God will make things work (help, cooperate) for our good. That is, even in the midst of persecution, suffering, pain or loss, God will make something good come out of it. Nobody can avoid problems, but Christians can live with the certainty that God will bless us in spite of the problems.  The verse includes a Disclaimer: this offer is only valid for true Christians: “those called according to his purpose…conformed to the likeness of His son” (Romans 8:28b-29).

In the midst of life’s problems stand firm, for in Christ the best is yet to come.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.  – Romans 3:27

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:6-8

What did we do to deserve God’s forgiveness? Nothing. Forgiveness is an undeserved gift from God. All we need to do in order to receive forgiveness is to have “faith in his blood” (3:25). We might be tempted to think that we can be justified by what we do or by who we are, but there is nothing we can do to justify ourselves before God. He is “the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus” (3:26). There is no boasting. It doesn’t matter if we are good Christians, good parents, good citizens, or good neighbors:  nothing will justify us but faith.

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. – Romans 3:28

and

It was not through law … but through the righteousness that comes by faith. – Romans 4:13

During Paul’s times some religious leaders were teaching about the requirements of religious practices (“observing the law”) in order to achieve salvation. Paul wrote to make sure nobody was deceived by these lies. As we have mentioned on previous studies, we are called to do “good works”, but we do them because we are already in Christ, and not because we want to justified ourselves before God.

when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. – Romans 4:4-5

The results of our justification

Sin made us God’s enemies (5:10). But justification through Jesus restored our peace with God.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:1-2

There will be wrath, but only for God’s enemies (5:9). But for all those who have been reconciled through Jesus there will be salvation.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! –Romans 5:9-10

What a CHANGE!

From sin to righteousness

From enemies to peace

From ungodliness to justification

From wrath to salvation

The bridge to get us to the other side: Jesus.

This blessing was brought to you by: God’s love for you and me.