It appears most of the Christian literature of today is pitched toward advising the believer how he can profit from serving God. The emphasis is not on cross-carrying obedience but on formulas for spiritual success. Go into a Christian bookstore and read the titles. Observe how the emphasis is on improving the lot of the Christian in some manner. The accent is on how we are to profit, not how Christ and His Kingdom are to profit from our being His slave.

All things were made for God's pleasure. The only significant actions of our life are those that bring pleasure to God, whether or not we enjoy the results or profit from them.

If others are to experience eternal life we must permit God to slay us with problems and pain.

Conclusion

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you," (Hebrews 12:4,5—NIV)

The writer of the Book of Hebrews is reminding the Jewish believers that although they were struggling against sin, and had had their belongings confiscated, they had not been martyred as yet. I think most Evangelical believers are unaware they are in a fight against sin and death, believing Christ did it all for them on the cross. So the first sentence of the above passage does not appear to apply to us.

But we may be experiencing the Lord's discipline (perhaps thinking our problems and pain are coming from the devil and if we have enough faith we can drive all our problems away). We are exhorted to not lose heart. Jesus has warned us that He rebukes and disciplines everyone He loves.

Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?(Hebrews 12:6,7—NIV)

We American Christians, many of us, are babies. We do not like the idea of discipline. We do not like the idea of God punishing us. We do not like the idea of hardship. But these are realities of life. People in other countries know a great deal about hardship, as do many American Christians. But by and large we are soft and spoiled by the comforts of our culture. If I am hearing correctly from the Lord, this is going to change—perhaps by the time you read this brief essay.

If we do come to times of hardship, let us remember that if we are to profit from our problems and pain we must pray as follows:

"Lord, help me keep my heart right and respond correctly in my personality. In the day of mortal danger I do not want to go around screaming like those who do not know you."

To be continued.