This is the final pitfall. I know that I previously mentioned that there would be 10. However, I think this last one beautifully concludes this series.
Pitfall #7: We don’t realize that suffering for Jesus with joy shows His supreme value.My pastor, John Piper, elaborated on this point so accurately in his book, In Our Joy. He said, “He (Jesus) did not die to make this life easy for us or prosperous. He died to remove every obstacle to our everlasting joy in making much of him. And he calls us to follow him in his sufferings because this life of joyful suffering for Jesus’ sake (Matt. 5:12) shows that he is more valuable than all the earthly rewards that the world lives for (Matt. 13:44; 6:19-20). If you follow Jesus only because he makes life easy now, it will look to the world as though you really love what they love, and Jesus just happens to provide it for you. But if you suffer with Jesus in the pathway of love because he is your supreme treasure, then it will be apparent to the world that your heart is set on a different fortune that theirs. This is why Jesus demands that we deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him.” (p.21-22)
May Jesus be our ultimate delight, joy, and treasure.
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