Troublesome Obedience

Have you ever obeyed God, only to have the situation backfire? Does it feel unfair when obeying God lands you in hot water? Or when obedience appears to cause more trouble than disobedience?

Trusting Christ as Savior does not solve all our problems. A relationship with Jesus doesn’t ensure an easy life. And experiencing the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit doesn’t guarantee we will always make the right decision.

And yet, in our eagerness to share the gospel with others, we might unintentionally imply that all our troubles will disappear when we receive God’s gracious gift of salvation.

They don’t.

We live surrounded by brokenness, and Christians know this better than anyone. Following Jesus doesn’t change our sin-sick world. So is the whole point of Christianity limited to giving us the hope of heaven while leaving us here until God takes us home?

The Bible does not promise a life of comfort if we follow Christ and obey God. Still, I confess I can be surprised when my obedience to God yields more suffering than plain old disobedience would have. Of course, the biblical accounts—both Old and New Testaments are quick to remind me that this has been occurring for millennia.

Consider:

• Joseph’s imprisonment even though he resisted and fled from Potiphar’s wife’s demands (Genesis 39:7-23).
• Daniel in the lion’s den because he refused to pray to the Babylonian king (Daniel 6:1-28).
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a blazing furnace for their refusal to worship an idol (Daniel 3:1-30).
• The prophet Jeremiah, who was beaten and imprisoned in a filthy cistern (Jeremiah 37:15; 38:5).
• Peter and John, who were arrested for proclaiming the gospel (Acts).
• The apostle Paul, who recounted multiple experiences of suffering for the gospel as he was beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked on multiple occasions (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).

Or how about the disciples when Jesus made them get into their boat without Him to cross the Sea of Galilee and they ended up in a fierce storm that almost cost them their lives. And yes, most translations use the word “made” or “compelled” (Matthew 14:22).

Christians are not exempt from pain and suffering. And yet, there is a joy that awaits us despite this reality.

Joy, Despite . . .

If obedience seems to bring more trouble than disobedience, why obey? Even Jesus told His followers, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

And the apostle Paul wrote, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). In his letter to the Romans, Paul also wrote, “Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

So the next time life falls apart, let’s not immediately conclude we’re somehow out of God’s will. He is often at work in ways we may not recognize or understand in this life. Instead, take encouragement from Paul’s words to the Galatians, “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9).

The eternal glory that awaits us in the presence of our Savior will be more than worth it!

How does the Lord encourage you in times of suffering or persecution?