Views: 1<\/p>
[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1\u00a0<\/b>page.]<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Even if there were no Heaven to gain and no Hell to miss, the Christian life would still be the most noble, satisfying, happy and abundant life on this earth. There was never a greater misconception than the one held by the world that the Christian life is one of drudgery, unhappiness, and dullness. Unfortunately, those who are Christians far too often leave that very impression with those who observe their attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To those in the world, there is no happiness apart from indulgence of fleshly desire. They have utterly confused pleasure with happiness and gratification with joy. The pursuit of life and happiness by such people is typified by Solomon\u2019s indulgence in every conceivable fleshly desire, only to proclaim, \u201cAll is vanity and vexation of spirit\u201d (Ecc. 1:4). If the accumulation of wealth, power, territory, and fame could bring abundant life to any man, Solomon would have had it.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some have the mistaken impression that if the Christian life is the best life, and the most joyous life, it should therefore be free of trial, care, sadness, pain, etc. Since Christians have pain, trials, etc., just like non-Christians, it is falsely concluded by some that there is no advantage to the Christian life. Some sins do produce immediate and specific consequences. However, most of the pain, suffering, etc., in our world is because of sin in general in imperfect humanity. Christians undergo their share of such sufferings and have never been promised immunity from them. Wherein, then, lies the joy and abundance of the Christian life?<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Christian life is one which is Christ-centered rather than self-centered. It is a life of giving as well as getting (\u201cfreely ye received, freely give,\u201d Mat. 10:8). It is a life of serving and not merely being served (\u201cwhosoever would be first among you shall be your servant,\u201d (Mat. 20:26). It is a life with the security of boundaries and restraints, requiring self-discipline (\u201cIf ye abide in my Word, then are ye truly My disciples,\u201d John 8:31). It is a life of trust in one greater than oneself (\u201cexcept ye believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins,\u201d John 8:24). It is a life of freedom from the guilt and practice of sin (the Lord \u201cloosed us from our sins by His blood,\u201d Rev. 1:5). It is a life of hope beyond the grave (\u201cI come again, and will receive you unto myself,\u201d John 14:3). No wonder that even after a life of suffering for the Savior, Paul could still write: \u201cI rejoice in the Lord greatly\u201d (Phi. 4:10). No wonder Jesus called the life He brought through the Gospel \u201cabundant\u201d (John 10:10).<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for, and it was published in The Edifier, <\/em>weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, September 6, 1984, of which I was editor.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1\u00a0page.] \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Even if there were no Heaven to gain and no Hell to miss, the Christian life would still be the most noble, satisfying, happy and abundant life on this earth….<\/p>\n