How He wants us to be

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 NIV)

Being a Christian can sure feel like an uphill fight all the way. When you think about all that Jesus said and you try to actually apply it to your life, it’s really tough. Why? Because it doesn’t come naturally.

Yet Jesus was clearly trying to show that He expected us to act in ways that don’t conform to our human nature. I’d say He was intentionally challenging us by giving us a glimpse of how He wants us to be. After all, He did say, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” So there was some expectation that we would try to do just that—even if it’s hard.

It’s pretty clear in Scripture that there are rewards given in the afterlife that are connected to how we lead our temporal lives. Jesus clearly states that we should build up treasure in heaven in Matthew 6:20, when He says: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”

There’s a clear case made in the Scriptures that we will be rewarded, both in this life and the next, for doing the things that Jesus said we should do—even though they are hard. Perhaps the fact that they are so hard has something to do with why we are rewarded by God for doing them. We’re going to live forever. It’s wise to invest in the future. -Even if it’s hard. - Peter Amsterdam [1]

The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives. - D. L. Moody

[1] Anchor God at Work in Our Lives