The objective of this lesson: To stress that Gods promises and protection do NOT mean that we will enjoy a physically enjoyable lifestyle. Gods blessings do not necessarily include material well-being.
A problem that has plagued Christianity in America for more than a century is found in this: the inability to separate the Christian mission from American expectations. In some specific ways, this has been and is an increasing disaster for Christianity.
Being Christian has always produced problems/challenges in the lives of men and women who seek to be Christian. Everyone (a) has an ongoing battle/struggle with evil in his or her life and (b) confronts the evil within as he or she increasingly belongs to God. We exist in a physical world often characterized by expressions of evil. Resisting evil (within ourselves or our world) is not the natural thing for us to do.
It is easy for people to think that the Christian mission and American expectations are identical. This is especially true when the American person thinks of America as being a Christian nation/society and believes it should function as a Christian society (by their personal definition/understanding of Christian).
(a) Too many Christians are convinced that there is a political agenda for Christianity. In this conviction, many think Christianity can succeed only if a particular political situation exists. Therefore, the political agenda must transpire before Christian objectives can be experienced. In this concept, Christianity is dependent on a political system being in charge of a society. The truth is this: God is never dependent on a political agenda or a specific society. God will achieve His objectives regardless of human agendas.
In our society, it is too easy to make Christianity political rather than spiritual. It is too easy to measure Christian success in political terms rather than in spiritual terms. It is too easy to think there must be measurable political success before there can be Christian spiritual success. For many, it is hard to imagine spiritual success outside of American expressions. It is difficult to imagine Christian spiritual success that has nothing in common with American spiritual expressions.
(b) There is a coupling of American lifestyle objectives with Christian objectives. Increasingly, congregations in America are middle class (or better). Inclusion of the poor in the congregation becomes less likely. For some, including the poor in a congregation is undesirable. For many, there is a desire to believe that faith in Christ results in experiencing the good life. The good life often includes the best available in a society.
A person or family who has nothing can be as spiritual as a person or family who lives the American dream. A homeless person can be as spiritual as a person with a home. People with little or no future can be as spiritual as people who have everything to live for. Spirituality is not possession-based or thing-based. It is faith-based. It is available to the person who has and to the person who does not have.
(c) The desire increases to protect those who are Christians rather than to impact society. A desire to defend is stronger than a desire to encourage. Theological solutions should be achieved by demanding that others agree with our conclusions and views. Challenging all (which includes us) to examine all of scripture diminishes.
Christians subtly can change the focus of Christianity, and (without thought) justify the change. It is simple to justify a change that basically protects the Christian and his or her family rather than seeking to proactively change society through spiritual influence and example.
It is simple to seek protection over influence. It is simple to wall ourselves off from society. It is simple to seek the company of those who agree with us. It is simple to never place ourselves in a context where we cannot be challenged. It is simple to think we have discovered everything worth discovering spiritually. It is much simpler to conform than it is to listen, consider, and think. It is hard to consider honestly anything that could result in personal or congregational change.
The ancient man and prophet, Jeremiah, challenges todays people. Among his continuing challenges is this understanding: following God may not lead to or guarantee a wonderful lifestyle. Even when you are among people who claim to belong to God but do not listen to God, Gods message is more likely to produce resentment than a good lifestyle.
Jeremiah lived about 2500 years ago, yet his circumstance/lifestyle challenges todays Christian. Though he lived under Gods promised protection, his lifestyle and circumstances are objectionable to the American who seeks to belong to God today. Though Jeremiah was immortalized through his prophecies, though he was protected by God, though he did exactly as he was instructed to do by God, he lived (by American standards) an unacceptable life. American Christians often do not associate Jeremiahs lifestyle with speaking Gods message, being under Gods protection, and being obedient. Living for God and experiencing a struggling life are incongruent to American Christian expectations. In America, things get better materially when a person belongs to God.
Physical ease is not the objective of godly existence. Yes, physical ease can promote godly values and existence if Gods people do not become selfish and self-centered (see 1 Timothy 2:1, 2). However, godliness is never dependent on a pleasant physical existence. Always remember the godly follow a crucified Savior. Remember Stephen was stoned (Acts 7:59, 60); the Jerusalem congregation suffered (Acts 8:3); James was killed by a sword (Acts 12:1, 2); and there were numerous martyrs (Revelation 6:9-11).
Physical ease can be of benefit to Christians if they refuse to let material benefit make them selfish. However, Christians always must remember that material benefit and spirituality are not the same thing, and are not irrevocably coupled together. The existence of evil can uncouple them quickly.
Christianity began in the midst of hostile forces and grew in the face of opposition.
Christianity did not have a beginning that favored it. Its original strength did not have to do with its favored status. Sacrificial blood often paved its way to influence in an idolatrous world.
Suffering does not produce godliness, but godliness can produce suffering. A favorable physical circumstance is not essential for a person to be devoted to God and His values.
The object is not to glorify suffering. Faith, not suffering, seeks God. Faith is merely willing to suffer, if it must suffer to exist.
Jeremiah did exactly as God told him to do. God protected Jeremiah as He promised. Yet, Jeremiah endured hardship and pain for doing as God directed. The fact that the people to whom Jeremiah prophesied claimed to belong to God did not lessen Jeremiahs suffering.
It is possible to do as God directs, and for physical existence to get worse. Remember, that in physical existence both good and evil are active. Satan is as determined to influence you as is God. You hold the deciding vote. The more you become committed to righteousness, the more Satan will oppose you. God always is greater than Satan. It will never be impossible for you to choose to follow God. However, never forget that it is in Satans power to make circumstances miserable for you when you choose God. The more evil there is in your environment, the more options Satan has to oppose you. As you resist evil in your own life, Romans 8:31-39 should be and can be a helpful scripture to understand. Never underestimate Satans hatred for God, or Gods love for you.
Jeremiahs physical situation became so severe that he wished he had never been born. Why? People laughed at him. Publicly, he was scoffed at. He said what God told him to say, and he was ridiculed for declaring Gods message.
The price Jeremiah paid for being Gods spokesman reached the point he wished he never had existed. Yet, God protected him. His misery was caused by people, not by God. People can be controlled by Satan even when they think they are following God. When you endure opposition, be sure it is the result of people reacting against God, and not people reacting against your poor behavior.
Declaring Gods message became so unpopular and unbearable, he decided not to speak. The problem: he cared. Not speaking Gods message became like trying to control a fire in his heart. Finally, it took more effort to say nothing than to speak.
At one point, he decided the solution was to refuse to share Gods message. He would be silent and withhold Gods message.
However, the results were the same physically. People whispered. They terrified him. Even his trusted friends denounced him. Everyone waited for him to mess up. They longed for him to fail. He hurt so much he actually wondered if doing as God directed was worth it. Some wanted to kill him, and some actually tried.
When he shared Gods unpopular message, the result was the same. He was miserable saying nothing, and he was miserable sharing Gods message. The misery came from the people being unwilling to change.
Because something is Gods will does not mean other people will appreciate it. Even if they claim to be Gods people, they may resent Gods will. These people can resent you because they do not like Gods message.
Do not assume that because the message is something God wishes His people to understand that His people will appreciate you for saying it.
For Thought and Discussion
1. What problem (in todays lesson) has plagued Christianity for more than a century?
The problem is the refusal of people to separate Christian mission from American expectations.
2. Too many Christians are convinced Christianity has what? Discuss that.
Too many Christians are convinced that Christianity has a political agenda.
The discussion should include this understanding: God is not dependent on a political agenda or a society. Gods people can survive and function in any earthly environment.
3. What is coupled? Discuss that.
American lifestyle objectives are coupled with Christian objectives.
The discussion should include this understanding: Congregations should exist for the poor as well as the middle class and the wealthy.
4. What desire increases? Discuss that.
The desire to protect Christians replaces the desire to impact society.
The discussion should include this understanding: The desire to defend becomes stronger than the desire to encourage. Others are the only ones who need to change.
5. What is among Jeremiahs challenges?
Following God may not lead to or guarantee a wonderful lifestyle.
6. What should Christians remember?
Christians follow a crucified Savior. Stephen was stoned. The Jerusalem church suffered. James died by the sword. There were many martyrs.
7. How did Christianity begin? How did Christianity first grow?
It began in the midst of hostile forces. It grew in the face of opposition.
8. What did doing as God told him (Jeremiah) result in?
It resulted in pain and hardship.
9. Discuss the severity of Jeremiahs situation as Gods spokesman.
The discussion should include this understanding: He wished he had never been born. The opposition of people made him miserable.
10. When he tried not to speak Gods message, what happened? Why?
It was as if he had a fire in his heart. He cared.
11. When Jeremiah resumed as Gods spokesman, what happened?
People again opposed him and made him miserable.
12. Because something is Gods will does not mean what?
It does not mean people will appreciate it.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 6